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AB-1362 Education technology.(2013-2014)

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Amended  IN  Assembly  March 21, 2013

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2013–2014 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1362

Introduced by Assembly Member Ting

February 22, 2013

An act to amend Section 280.5 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to education technology.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1362, as amended, Ting. Education technology.
Existing law requires the Director of General Services to compile and maintain an inventory of state-owned real property, excluding certain property, that may be available for lease to providers of wireless telecommunications services for location of wireless telecommunications facilities, and to provide a requesting party, upon payment of any applicable fee, with a copy of the inventory. Existing law authorizes the director to negotiate and enter into an agreement for the lease of certain department-managed and state-owned real property to any provider of wireless telecommunications services for location of its facilities, subject to specified conditions.
Existing law requires that 15% of the revenues from fees collected from the lease of state-owned real property to the providers of wireless telecommunication services, with certain exceptions, be deposited in the Digital Divide Account in the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund. Existing law requires the revenues deposited in the account to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to be administered by the commission to finance digital divide projects through the Digital Divide Grant Program and defines “digital divide projects.”
This bill would additionally define “digital divide project” to include the teaching of computer programming and digital literacy skills to youth from underprivileged communities and underrepresented populations in technology careers.

Existing law requires the State Department of Education to administer the California Technology Assistance Project to provide a regionalized network of technical assistance to schools and school districts on the implementation of education technology as set forth in the policies of the State Board of Education.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would ensure that technology is part of a pupil’s educational experience.

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 280.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:

280.5.
 (a) Of the revenues from fees collected pursuant to Section 14666.8 of the Government Code after the operative date of this section, except for revenues from fees from a lease agreement for access to Department of Transportation property or a lease agreement existing prior to the operative date of the section, 15 percent shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purpose of addressing the state’s digital divide.
(b) Revenues described in subdivision (a) shall be deposited in the Digital Divide Account, which is hereby established in the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund established pursuant to Section 270, to be used only for digital divide pilot projects. Not more than 5 percent of the revenues described in subdivision (a) may be used to pay the costs incurred in connection with the administration of digital divide pilot projects by the commission.
(c) (1) The Digital Divide Grant Program is hereby established subject to the availability of funding pursuant to this section. The commission may not implement the grant program until the commission projects that at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) will be available in the Digital Divide Account during the calendar year following implementation, based on money collected pursuant to Section 14666.8 of the Government Code.
(2) The commission shall provide grants pursuant to this subdivision on a competitive basis subject to criteria to be established by the commission and in a way that disburses the funds widely, including urban and rural areas. Grants shall be awarded to community-based nonprofit organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of funding community technology programs.
(3) Recipients of grants pursuant to this subdivision shall report to the commission annually on the effectiveness of the grant program.
(4) The commission shall report to the Legislature and the Governor annually on the effectiveness of the program administered pursuant to this subdivision.
(d) For purposes of this section, “community technology programs” means a program that is engaged in diffusing technology in local communities and training local communities in the use of technology, especially local communities that otherwise would have no access or limited access to the Internet and other technologies.
(e) For purposes of this section, “digital divide projects” means community technology programs involved in activities that include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Providing open access to and opportunities for training in technology.
(2) Developing content relevant to the interests and wants of the local community.
(3) Preparing youth for opportunities in the new economy through multimedia training and skills.
(4) Harnessing technology for e-government services.
(5) Teaching computer programming and digital literacy skills to youth from underprivileged communities and underrepresented populations in technology careers.

SECTION 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would ensure technology is part of a pupil’s educational experience.