Senator Abler introduced Senate File 392 on Monday, a bill intended to expand options for disposing of surplus instructional and library materials. Holly Gebner, library media teaching and learning specialist for Anoka‑Hennepin Schools, described the district’s current process: library staff consult teachers to reuse materials in the building, surplus items otherwise go to a central warehouse and then to a contracted vendor or public surplus auction under Minnesota Statute 471.345.

An amendment (A1) was offered to permit school districts to donate obsolete or surplus textbooks and library books to charitable organizations and to make surplus items available to families of students who reside in the district. Senator Abler and the amendment sponsor described the change as a practical measure to increase access to books and support early literacy, particularly for families with limited resources.

Why it matters: Testimony noted that many districts retain multiple copies of titles purchased for classroom competitions or curricula that fall out of use and that current disposal rules can make it difficult to transfer those items directly to families or charitable partners. Holly Gebner said the ability to donate would mirror practices used by some county libraries and would help keep books in circulation rather than requiring sale or disposal.

Committee action and immediate outcome: Senator Cooney (who presented the amendment) moved the A1 amendment; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote. Senator Abler and other members described the amendment as friendly and said it broadens and improves the bill. The committee laid the amended bill over for further consideration; no floor vote occurred during the hearing.

Implementation notes: Witnesses described no significant district expense tied to the change; rather, they said it would simplify existing surplus handling and support literacy initiatives. Several members suggested further wordsmithing to increase flexibility and to coordinate with county libraries and nonprofit partners.

Ending: Committee members expressed bipartisan support for making surplus and weeded books available to students and families, and said they expected to return to the bill for further action.