BILL REQ. #:  S-5483.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/12/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to addressing the digital literacy and technology training needs of low-income and underserved areas through state support of community technology programs; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that information technology plays an increasingly important role in the state's economy but that the knowledge level and adoption of information technologies are limited in some areas of the state. It is the intent of this act to address digital literacy and technology training needs of low-income and technology underserved residents of the state through state support of community technology programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Administrator" means the community technology opportunity program administrator designated by the Washington State University extension.
     (2) "Community technology program" means a program, including a digital inclusion program, engaged in diffusing information and communications technology in local communities, particularly in underserved areas. These programs may include, but are not limited to, programs that provide education and skill-building opportunities, hardware and software, internet connectivity, and development of locally relevant content and delivery of vital services through technology.
     (3) "Telecommunications company" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 80.04.010 and includes providers of internet services subject to tax under RCW 82.04.297.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The community technology opportunity program is created to support the efforts of community technology programs throughout the state. The community technology opportunity program must be administered by the Washington State University extension. The Washington State University extension may contract for services in order to carry out the extension's obligations under this section.
     (1) In implementing the community technology opportunity program the administrator must:
     (a) Provide organizational and capacity building support to community technology programs throughout the state, and identify and facilitate the availability of other public and private sources of funds to enhance the purposes of this chapter and the work of community technology programs. No more than fifteen percent of funds received by the administrator for the program may be expended on these functions;
     (b) Establish a competitive grant program and provide grants to community technology programs to provide training and skill-building opportunities; access to hardware and software; internet connectivity; assistance in the adoption of information and communication technologies in low-income and underserved areas of the state; and development of locally relevant content and delivery of vital services through technology.
     (2) Grant applicants must:
     (a) Provide evidence that the applicant is a nonprofit entity or a public entity that is working in partnership with a nonprofit entity;
     (b) Define the geographic area or population to be served;
     (c) Include in the application the results of a needs assessment addressing, in the geographic area or among the population to be served: The impact of inadequacies in technology access or knowledge, barriers faced, and services needed;
     (d) Explain in detail the strategy for addressing the needs identified and an implementation plan including objectives, tasks, and benchmarks for the applicant and the role that other organizations will play in assisting the applicant's efforts;
     (e) Provide evidence of matching funds and resources, which are equivalent to at least one-quarter of the grant amount committed to the applicant's strategy;
     (f) Provide evidence that funds applied for, if received, will be used to provide effective delivery of community technology services in alignment with the goals of this chapter and to increase the applicant's level of effort beyond the current level; and
     (g) Comply with such other requirements as the administrator establishes.
     (3) The administrator may use no more than ten percent of funds received for the community technology opportunity program to cover administrative expenses.
     (4) The administrator must establish expected program outcomes for each grant recipient and must require grant recipients to provide an annual accounting of program outcomes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The Washington community technology opportunity account is established in the state treasury. Donated funds from private and public sources may be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the operation of the community technology opportunity program as provided in sections 1 through 3 of this act. Only the administrator or the administrator's designee may authorize expenditures from the account.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.