BILL NUMBER: SB 1774 ENROLLED
BILL TEXT
PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 30, 2000
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 28, 2000
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 25, 2000
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 7, 2000
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 29, 2000
AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 16, 2000
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 24, 2000
INTRODUCED BY Senator Bowen
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Alquist)
FEBRUARY 23, 2000
An act to add Section 10910.2 to the Education Code, relating to
computer access, and making an appropriation therefor.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1774, Bowen. Computer access.
(1) Existing law authorizes school districts to organize, promote,
and conduct programs of community recreation as well as contribute
to the attainment of general educational and recreational objectives
for children and adults of the state. Existing law declares that it
is in the interest of the people and of the state that there be a
general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence through the
establishment and operation of public libraries.
This bill would require the State Librarian to establish a grant
program to encourage public libraries and public access computer
technology centers, as defined, that have Internet access to extend
the hours and days during which access is available to the public.
The bill would require grant funds to cover the additional costs
incurred by the libraries and public access computer technology
centers, and to cover the cost of technical assistance at a level
determined by the State Librarian. The bill would require the grant
program to establish prescribed preferences. The bill would require
that a grant made under the program not exceed $100,000. The bill
would require grantees to hire staff and recruit volunteers with
appropriate levels of computer knowledge and expertise.
(2) The bill would appropriate $1,343,000 from the General Fund,
according to a specified schedule, for creation of Internet access
centers throughout the state, for operational support of the "Little
Hoover" Commission, and for the purchase of products and services for
blind, print-limited, and learning disabled pupils.
Appropriation: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) The ability to use a computer and the Internet are becoming
critical skills that are necessary for full participation in modern
society.
(b) The disparate access to computers and the Internet is known as
the "digital divide" and is related to an individual's income,
ethnicity, and geographic location. The digital divide disadvantages
people by denying them an equal opportunity to educate themselves,
avail themselves of economic opportunities, participate in electronic
commerce, and access information.
(c) A cost-effective way of helping to bridge the digital divide
is to provide general access to the public through the extended use
of libraries and other public access computer centers.
SEC. 2. Section 10910.2 is added to the Education Code, to read:
10910.2. (a) The State Librarian shall establish a grant program
to encourage public libraries and public access computer technology
centers that have Internet access to extend the hours and days during
which access is available to the public. The grants shall cover the
additional costs, excluding costs for the construction or lease of
the facilities, incurred by a public access computer technology
center or library, and shall cover the cost of technical assistance
at a level determined by the State Librarian.
(b) The grant program established pursuant to this section shall
establish preferences for the following:
(1) Public access computer technology centers, and libraries with
substantial local and private sector support.
(2) Public access computer technology centers, and libraries
located in areas with poor computer access, such as rural and
low-income areas.
(c) Grantees shall hire staff and recruit volunteers with
appropriate levels of computer knowledge and expertise.
(d) No grant awarded under the program shall exceed one hundred
thousand dollars ($100,000).
(e) For the purposes of this section, "public access computer
technology center" means a nonprofit community-based center located
in a low-income neighborhood that provides access to technology and
the Internet and technology skills training to underserved
populations, including, but not limited to, youth. The purpose of
the public access computer technology center is to provide
opportunities for the general public to become trained and
knowledgable in the use of computers and to provide access to the
Internet so that the general public may become familiar with the use
of technology and the Internet and Internet resources.
SEC. 3. The sum of one million three hundred forty-three thousand
dollars ($1,343,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to
be allocated according to the following schedule:
(a) The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to
the State Department of Education for the Clearing House for
Specialized Media and Technology within the State Department of
Education to purchase products and services for blind, print-limited,
and learning disabled pupils.
(b) The sum of ninety-three thousand dollars ($93,000) to the
Milton Marks "Little Hoover" Commission on California State
Government Organization and Economy for operational support.
(c) The sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to the State
Librarian to encourage public access computer technology centers that
have Internet access to extend the hours and days that access is
available to the public by providing grant funding to cover the
additional costs incurred by the public access computer technology
center and the cost of technical assistance at a level determined by
the State Librarian.