school libraries; professional associations; prohibitions

Plain English Breakdown

The bill status is 'Vetoed,' meaning it has no legal effect unless the legislature overrides the veto. The explanation reflects this uncertainty by using conditional language.

HB2008: Library Freedom Act

This bill would stop public school libraries in Arizona from using taxpayer money to pay dues to professional library associations.

What This Bill Does

• Prohibits public school libraries operated by a public school from using any public monies to pay professional associations dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advocating for libraries, librarians, and information services.
• Allows county free library districts, municipal libraries, or other entities that contract with schools for library services to still join these professional associations.
• Adds section 15-120.08 to the Arizona Revised Statutes under Title 15 regarding education.

Who It Names or Affects

• Public school libraries operated by public schools in Arizona
• Professional associations dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advocating for libraries, librarians, and information services

Terms To Know

public monies

Government funds used for school operations.

professional association

A group dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advocating for libraries, librarians, and information services.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 7, 2026. It did not become law unless lawmakers later overrode that veto.
• The text does not list specific names of professional associations.

Official Summary Text

HB2008 - school libraries; professional associations; prohibitions

Current Bill Text

HB2008 - 572R - H Ver

House Engrossed

school libraries;
professional associations; prohibitions

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2008

AN
ACT

amending title 15, chapter 1, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-120.08; relating to school
libraries.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-120.08, to read:

START_STATUTE
15-120.08.

Public school libraries; professional associations; prohibition;
definition

A. A school library that is operated
by a public school in this state may not use any public monies to pay any
professional association that is dedicated to promoting, supporting and
advocating for libraries, librarians and information services.

B. This section does not prohibit a
county free library district, municipal library or other entity with which a
public school may enter a contract or agreement for library services, books or
programs, including contracts and agreements executed pursuant to section 15-362,
from paying dues to or becoming an organizational member of a professional
association described in subsection A of this section.

C. For the purposes of this section,
"school library" includes the library of a school, each school site
that is served by the library and the school governing body.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Short title

This act may be cited as the
"Library Freedom Act".