school libraries; professional associations; prohibitions

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 7, 2026, and it is unclear if there will be any further action to override this veto.

School Libraries; Professional Associations Prohibitions

HB2008 prohibits public school libraries in Arizona from using taxpayer money to pay for professional associations that support library services, but allows other entities providing library services to schools to do so.

What This Bill Does

• Prohibits public school libraries in Arizona from spending public funds on professional associations dedicated to promoting, supporting and advocating for libraries, librarians and information services.
• Allows county free library districts, municipal libraries or other entities contracted by public schools to pay dues to these professional associations.
• Defines 'school library' as including the main library of a school, each site served by it, and the governing body of the school.

Who It Names or Affects

• Public school libraries in Arizona
• Professional associations that support libraries and librarians
• County free library districts and municipal libraries

Terms To Know

professional association

An organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advocating for libraries, librarians, and information services.

school governing body

The group responsible for making decisions about the operation of a school, including its library.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if a public school library already has contracts with professional associations before this law is enacted.
• It's unclear how this bill will be enforced or what penalties might apply for non-compliance.
• The governor vetoed the bill, so it did not become law as of April 7, 2026.

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".