Efforts are underway to bring school and regional libraries up to speed with an increased demand for shared usage of materials and access to broadband Internet capabilities. The House Education Finance Committee reviewed the a bill Thursday.
HF583, sponsored by Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls), would provide $3.3 million each year for regional library telecommunications aid and $9.75 million each year for aid to schools for telecommunications and Internet access. Similar legislation has been reviewed in the Senate E-12 Committee.
The funding increase request is in line with recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.
The bills have been held over for possible omnibus bill inclusion.