text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Andrew Carnegie Public Libraries 
  Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND MODERNIZATION.
  
      (a) In General.--The Library Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 
  9121 et seq.) is amended--
              (1) by redesignating chapter 3 as chapter 4; and
              (2) by inserting after chapter 2 the following:
  
         ``CHAPTER 3--PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND MODERNIZATION
  
  ``SEC. 241. GRANTS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND MODERNIZATION.
  
      ``(a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under section 244, the 
  Director may make grants for the construction or modernization of 
  public libraries to persons or entities submitting applications under 
  section 243.
      ``(b) Applicability.--The provisions of this subtitle (other than 
  this chapter) shall not apply to this chapter.
      ``(c) Definitions.--In this chapter:
              ``(1) Construction.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The term `construction' means--
                              ``(i) construction of new buildings;
                              ``(ii) the acquisition, expansion, 
                          remodeling, and alteration of existing 
                          buildings;
                              ``(iii) the purchase, lease, and 
                          installation of equipment for any new or 
                          existing buildings; or
                              ``(iv) any combination of the activities 
                          described in clauses (i) through (iii), 
                          including architect' fees and the cost of 
                          acquisition of land.
                      ``(B) Special rule.--Such term includes remodeling 
                  to meet standards under the Act entitled `An Act to 
                  insure that certain buildings financed with Federal 
                  funds are so designed and constructed as to be 
                  accessible to the physically handicapped', approved 
                  August 12, 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), commonly 
                  known as the `Architectural Barriers Act of 1968', 
                  remodeling designed to ensure safe working environments 
                  and to conserve energy, renovation or remodeling to 
                  accommodate new technologies, and the purchase of 
                  historic buildings for conversion to public libraries.
              ``(2) Equipment.--The term `equipment' means--
                      ``(A) information and building technologies, video 
                  and telecommunications equipment, machinery, utilities, 
                  built-in equipment, and any necessary enclosures or 
                  structures to house the technologies, equipment, 
                  machinery or utilities; and
                      ``(B) all other items necessary for the functioning 
                  of a particular facility as a facility for the 
                  provision of library services.
              ``(3) Modernization.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The term `modernization' means 
                  the purchase, rental, or lease of technological items, 
                  devices, or products (including upgrades)--
                              ``(i) to improve access to library services 
                          or materials in a public library; or
                              ``(ii) to maintain or improve the 
                          functional capabilities of individuals with 
                          disabilities in a public library.
                      ``(B) Limitation.--Such term does not include--
                              ``(i) the purchase of books, periodicals, 
                          audio or video recordings, or other similar 
                          library materials used by patrons; or
                              ``(ii) costs for telecommunications or 
                          computer wiring undertaken in order to permit 
                          or improve the use of technological items, 
                          devices, or products.
              ``(4) Public library.--The term `public library' means a 
          library that serves free of charge all residents of a 
          community, district, or region, and receives its financial 
          support in whole or in part from public funds. Such term also 
          includes a research library, which, for the purposes of this 
          sentence, means a library, which--
                      ``(A) makes its services available to the public 
                  free of charge;
                      ``(B) has extensive collections of books, 
                  manuscripts, and other materials suitable for scholarly 
                  research which are not available to the public through 
                  public libraries;
                      ``(C) engages in the dissemination of humanistic 
                  knowledge through services to readers, fellowships, 
                  educational and cultural programs, publication of 
                  significant research, and other activities; and
                      ``(D) is not an integral part of an institution of 
                  higher education.
  
  ``SEC. 242. USES OF FEDERAL FUNDS.
  
      ``(a) In General.--A recipient of a grant under this chapter shall 
  use funds appropriated under section 244 to pay the Federal share of 
  the cost of construction or modernization of public libraries.
      ``(b) Maximum Amount.--The maximum amount of a grant under this 
  chapter is $5,000,000.
      ``(c) Federal Share.--
              ``(1) In general.--For the purposes of subsection (a), the 
          Federal share of the cost of construction or modernization of 
          any project assisted under this chapter shall not exceed one-
          half of the total cost of the project.
              ``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost 
          of construction or modernization of any project assisted under 
          this chapter may be provided from State, local or private 
          sources, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
      ``(d) Special Rule.--If, within 20 years after completion of 
  construction of any public library facility that has been constructed 
  in part with grant funds made available under this chapter--
              ``(1) the recipient of the grant funds (or its successor in 
          title or possession) ceases or fails to be a public or 
          nonprofit institution, or
              ``(2) the facility ceases to be used as a library facility, 
          unless the Director determines that there is good cause for 
          releasing the institution from its obligation,
  the United States shall be entitled to recover from such recipient (or 
  successor) an amount which bears the same ratio to the value of the 
  facility at that time (or part thereof constituting an approved project 
  or projects) as the amount of the Federal grant bore to the cost of 
  such facility (or part thereof). The value shall be determined by the 
  parties or by action brought in the United States district court for 
  the district in which the facility is located.
  
  ``SEC. 243. APPLICATION.
  
      ``Any person or entity desiring to receive a grant under this 
  chapter for any fiscal year shall submit to the Director an application 
  at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
  Director may require, including a description of the public library 
  construction or modernization activities be assisted under this 
  chapter.
  
  ``SEC. 244. LABOR STANDARDS.
  
      ``All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or 
  subcontractors in any construction, alteration, or repair, including 
  painting and decorating, of projects, buildings, and works which are 
  assisted under this chapter, shall be paid wages at rates not less than 
  those prevailing on similar construction in the locality as determined 
  by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Act of March 3, 1931 
  (40 U.S.C. 276--276a-5), popularly known as the Davis-Bacon Act. The 
  Secretary of Labor shall have, with respect to such labor standards, 
  the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 
  14 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3176; 64 Stat. 1267) and section 2 of the Act of 
  June 1, 1934, as amended (48 Stat. 948, as amended; 40 U.S.C. 276(c)).
  
  ``SEC. 245. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
  out this chapter $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and each of the 4 
  succeeding fiscal years, to remain available until expended.
      ``(b) Administration.--Not more than 3 percent of the funds 
  appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year may be used to pay 
  for the Federal administrative costs of carrying out this chapter.''.
      (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 210A of the Museum and Library 
  Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9109) is amended by striking ``No funds'' and 
  inserting ``Except as provided in chapter 3 of the Library Services and 
  Technology Act, no funds''.
target: Andrew Carnegie Public Libraries Act - Amends the Library Services and Technology Act to authorize the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services to make grants for the construction or modernization of public libraries.
  
  Sets forth application requirements for persons or entities desiring to receive such grants. Allows the non-federal share of project costs to be provided from state, local, or private sources, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Provides for recovery of funds if a grant recipient or successor ceases or fails to be a public or nonprofit institution, or if the facility ceases to be used as a library.
feat_title: To provide for public library construction and modernization.