SB 0323 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0323 - Libraries with internet access must develop policy regarding usage

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO.: 479-04

BILL NO.: SB 323

SUBJECT: Libraries: Internet Access

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 15, 1999

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FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
General Revenue	($20,723)	($21,828)	($22,695)
Total Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds	($20,723)	($21,828)	($22,695)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
None	$0	$0	$0
Total Estimated Net Effect on All Federal Funds	$0	$0	$0

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
Local Government	(Unknown)	(Unknown)	(Unknown)

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Secretary of State's Office (SOS) state Section 181.020(4), RSMo, directs the Missouri State Library to "furnish information and counsel as to the best means of establishing and maintaining libraries, selection of materials, cataloging, and other details of library management." To that end, the State Library employs staff within the Library Development Division to carry out this function. Library Development staff provide assistance through one on one consultation and training sessions. It is estimated that questions from public library directors, trustees, and those maintaining the software on library computers would require the services of the equivalent of .5 FTE. Personnel costs for .5 FTE ($15,966) Library Consultant are based on budget rate for the position. Salary increases are projected at 4%. Expense and Equipment calculations are $3,352 per each new .5 FTE.

SOS officials state internet access is provided for 120 Missouri public libraries through Remote Electronic Access for Libraries (REAL) Project, managed by MOREnet. It would not be possible to project a total cost of public libraries to install such filtering software. Costs for filtering software vary widely by vendor and type, number of computer stations, and whether the software is installed on each "client" computer workstation or on a central server. The web pages of a sampling of filtering software vendors indicate approximate annual costs in the following ranges: $150 for a site with 5 computers; $500 to $800 for 25 computers; and up to $2,500 or more for a site with 125 computers. Several large library systems with many branches would have 100 or more computer stations requiring filtering software. Libraries choosing to install the filtering software on a server could also need to purchase suitable equipment for the installation. SOS officials also assume public libraries could have additional staff costs and costs related to providing a computer station in a location where the information could not be readily accessed by, displayed, or reproduced to a minor.

Officials from the Missouri River Regional Library assume they would need five FTE ($18,650 each) to staff separate internet facilities at two sites, 68 hours per week. They would also incur costs for capital construction ($27,966) for building and furnishing separate internet facilities at two sites. They would also incur costs for electronic hardware, software and networking infrastructure ($23,503) for 16 public workstations with filtering software, 2 public printers, and 2 administrative workstations. Therefore, they would incur a total of $51,469 one-time costs and approximately $100,000 in annual costs.

Officials from the Daniel Boone Regional Library assume they would incur one-time costs of $109,216 and ongoing costs of $132,700. One-time costs would include staffing, computer equipment, software and supplies, and construction. Ongoing costs would include staffing and software and supplies.

ASSUMPTION (continued)

The Oversight Division has included unknown costs in the fiscal impact section for public libraries.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
	(10 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Cost-Secretary of State's Office
Personal Service	($13,305)	($16,604)	($17,268)
Fringe Benefits	(4,066)	(5,074)	(5,277)
Expense and Equipment	(3,352)	(150)	(150)
Total Cost-SOS	($20,723)	($21,828)	($22,695)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
	(10 Mo.)
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Cost-Public Libraries
Internet Access Filtering	(Unknown)	(Unknown)	(Unknown)
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

The board of a public library that offers internet access to library patrons would be required to adopt a policy identifying sites that could not be accessed by library patrons using library software; install and maintain filtering software to block sites identified in the policy; and ensure that adult library patrons provided access to filtered sites in a location where the information could not be readily accessed by a minor.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Secretary of State's Office

Daniel Boone Regional Library

Missouri River Regional Library

Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 15, 1999