Master FIR (1988)

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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Jennings		DATE TYPED:	02/10/00		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Enhance Distance Learning				SB	431
					ANALYST:		Fernandez

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY00

FY01

FY00

FY01

$ 100.0

Recurring

G/F

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB214, HB348, SB116, SB181

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 431 appropriates $100.0 to SDE to provide the telecommunications infrastructure necessary to enhance distance learning for rural schools.

Significant Issues

SDE indicates the funds could be used to fund the following:

•to support student access to distance learning courses in rural schools;
•to identify local school district infrastructure needs and connectivity barriers in rural areas;
•to assist communities in developing the infrastructure needed to access distance learning.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 431 appropriates $100.0 to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2001. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE will be required to identify areas to allocate funding and monitor programs. The department will also seek advice from the Council on Technology in Education.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

Relates to SB214. Senate Bill 214 revises distribution of funds appropriated to the Educational Technology Fund and establishes a base equity factor or minimum funding level of .075 of the total appropriation to the Educational Technology Fund.

Relates to HB348 and SB116. Both bills fund a major telecommunications study to determine where infrastructure needs exist and propose acceptable solutions.

Relates to SB181. Senate Bill 181 creates a fund for communities to use to enhance telecommunications capacity.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The bill does not specify how the funds should be distributed or define rural area.

CTF/gm