Allocations to public libraries are based on the 4.5.8 NMAC, Distribution of Funds. The allocations have been finalized using 2020 U. S. Census information for Counties and 2020 U.S. Census for the libraries' Legal Service Areas.
Projected Allocations in 2026 by Library
House Bill 248
SECTION 10. PROJECTS.--The proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under the provisions of the 2026 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act shall be appropriated to the following state agencies and institutions as follows for the purposes and in the amounts specified:
B. for library acquisitions at public libraries, public school libraries, academic libraries and tribal libraries statewide:
(1) to the cultural affairs department:
(a) six million dollars ($6,000,000) for equipment, library furniture, fixtures and supplemental library resource acquisitions, including print, non-print and electronic resources, collaborative library resources and information technology projects, and for the purchase and installation of broadband internet equipment and infrastructure at non-tribal public libraries statewide; and
(b) one million dollars ($1,000,000) for equipment, library furniture, fixtures and supplemental library acquisitions, including print, non-print and electronic resources, collaborative library resources and information technology projects, and for the purchase and installation of broadband internet equipment and infrastructure at tribal libraries statewide;
(2) six million dollars ($6,000,000) to the higher education department for supplemental library acquisitions, including books, equipment, electronic resources, collaborative library resources and information technology projects, for academic libraries statewide; and
(3) six million dollars ($6,000,000) to the public education department for equipment and supplemental library resource acquisitions, including print, non-print and electronic resources and collaborative library resources and information technology projects, at public school libraries statewide;
SECTION 11. ELECTION.- A. Bonds issued pursuant to the 2026 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act shall be submitted to the registered voters of the state at the general election to be held in November 2026, and, if they receive a majority of all the votes cast thereon at such election, shall take effect upon certification of the state canvassing board announcing the results of the election. No bonds shall be issued or sold under that act until the registered voters of this state have voted upon and approved the bonds and property tax as provided in this section. Any bonds issued under that act shall be issued within thirty months from the date of such election. B. The ballots used at the 2026 general election shall contain substantially the following language:
(2) "The 2026 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of library acquisition bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed nineteen million three hundred twenty-four thousand one hundred eighty-eight dollars ($19,324,188) to make capital expenditures for academic, public school, public and tribal library resource acquisitions and provide for a general property tax imposition and levy for the payment of principal of, interest on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law? For________________ Against___________________"