PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘Resolve, To Increase Digital Literacy Education in Rural Communities’
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1 Establishment of digital literacy education pilot programs. Resolved: That the ConnectME Authority, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 9203, shall, to the extent funds are provided, establish pilot programs in counties in which 70% of the population lives in rural areas as identified in the 2010 United States Census to provide digital literacy education. The ConnectME Authority shall partner with organizations that have a history of success in increasing digital literacy; and be it further
Sec. 2 Program requirements. Resolved: That a digital literacy education pilot program under section 1 must be focused on but not limited to increasing fluency in the use and security of interactive digital tools and searchable networks, including the ability to use digital tools safely and effectively for learning, collaborating and producing digital content. A digital literacy education pilot program may be established for no more than 3 years, except that the ConnectME Authority may authorize an extension of up to one year for a program. The assessment established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 9211, subsection 2 may not be used to fund any digital literacy education pilot program; and be it further
Sec. 3 Report. Resolved: That the ConnectME Authority shall submit a report by January 1, 2022 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and technology matters that evaluates the success of the pilot programs established under this resolve. The report must include the following:
1. Suggested changes to extend any digital literacy education programs or for the creation of a permanent statewide program to provide digital literacy education;
2. The total costs of any digital literacy education pilot programs and the estimated cost to create and maintain a statewide program; and
3. Any additional training or programs the authority believes could support the State in achieving increased digital literacy.
The committee may report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature; and be it further
Sec. 4 Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
CONNECTME AUTHORITY
 
Digital Literacy Education Pilot Programs N282
 
Initiative: Provides funding for digital literacy education pilot programs.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
All Other	$0	$114,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$114,000	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve that directs the ConnectME Authority to establish digital literacy education pilot programs in rural areas. It specifies that programs may not be established for more than 3 years, except that the authority may extend a program by up to one year. It requires the authority to report, by January 1, 2022, on the success of the pilot programs and include in the report recommendations for a permanent, statewide program and the cost of such a program. It allows the committee of jurisdiction to report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature. It adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)