Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on HB2539.  Charles Reimer, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill and addressed questions from the Committee.  (Attachment 1)

Representative Amyx testified in support of HB2539.  Representative Amyx indicated Eudora Township and the City of Eudora wanted to ensure that the board of directors would be elected versus appointed.  He explained that electing board members would provide better responsibility to voters and taxpayers.  Representative Amyx indicated that with the original bill, the expectation was that the positions would be elected versus appointed.  Representative Amyx responded to questions from the Committee.  (Attachment 2)

Eric Magette testified in support of HB2539.  Mr. Magette provided background on the library and explained the unintended consequences to the joint library district when Eudora became a city of the second class.  He explained in 2019, statutory changes were requested to allow the city and township to form the district library which allowed the city and the township to continue to jointly fund the library.  Mr. Magette indicated the intent was to have an elected board, but the statute used the term appointed.  Mr. Magette responded to questions from the Committee.  (Attachment 3)

Zach Daniel testified in support of HB2539.  Mr. Daniel provided background explaining due to the City of Eudora moving from a city of the third class to the city of the second class, an amendment to statute was required to allow for the creation of the Eudora Community Library District.  Mr. Daniel indicated the intent of that legislation was to move those positions to elected positions, but the language specifically noted the appointment of those positions.  Mr. Daniel responded to questions from the Committee.  (Attachment 4)

Written testimony in support of HB2539 was submitted by:

• Gene Dorsey, Douglas County Commissioner District 4  (Attachment 5)

Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on HB2539.