BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1774
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1774 (Bowen)
As Amended August 25, 2000
2/3 vote
SENATE VOTE :28-6
EDUCATION 14-1 APPROPRIATIONS 20-0
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|Ayes:|Mazzoni, Leach, Calderon, |Ayes:|Migden, Campbell, |
| |Campbell, Correa, | |Ackerman, Alquist, |
| |Cunneen, Davis, Honda, | |Aroner, Ashburn, Brewer, |
| |Nakano, Robert Pacheco, | |Cedillo, Corbett, Davis, |
| |Scott, Washington, | |Kuehl, Maldonado, Papan, |
| |Wildman, Zettel | |Romero, Shelley, Thomson, |
| | | |Wesson, Wiggins, Wright, |
| | | |Zettel |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Baldwin | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Establishes a grant program to encourage schools and
public libraries to make their computer facilities available to
the public on evenings and weekends. Specifically, this bill :
1)Makes a number of findings and declarations regarding the
critical nature of computer skills and the disparate access to
computers and the internet, known as the "digital divide".
2)Defines "public access computer technology centers" as a
non-profit 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 youth.
3)Requires the State Librarian to establish a grant program to
encourage public libraries and public access computer centers
that have Internet access to extend hours and days during
which access is available to the public.
4)Requires that grants cover the additional costs incurred by a
public access computer center, or library as well as provide
for the cost of technical assistance at a level determined by
SB 1774
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the State Librarian.
5)Requires the grant program to establish preferences, as
specified.
6)Requires grantees to hire staff and recruit volunteers with
appropriate levels of computer knowledge and expertise.
7)Provides that no grant shall exceed $100,000.
8)Appropriates $1,343,000 from the General Fund, to be allocated
as follows:
a) $250,000 to the State Department of Education for the
Clearing House for Specialized Media and Technology;
b) $93,000 to the Little Hoover Commission for operational
support; and,
c) $1 million to the State Librarian to encourage public
access computer centers.
FISCAL EFFECT : $1,343,000 from the General Fund.
COMMENTS : This bill is one bill of a two-bill package [SB 1634
(Bowen) is the other bill] that resulted from recent hearings
held by the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Committee on the "digital divide" issue. The final hearing was
a joint hearing with the Senate Education Committee.
Analysis prepared by : Margaret Merritt / ED. / (916) 319-2087
FN: 0006591