The bill amends Section 33-4804 of the Idaho Code to revise the provisions regarding the Public School Digital Content and Curriculum Fund. It establishes a fund administered by the state department of education to provide financial resources for schools to enhance student achievement through digital content and curriculum. The fund will support various educational programs, including career technical education, character education, and reading and mathematics, and will also cover academic text support systems. The bill specifies that the fund will consist of legislative appropriations and any interest earned will be returned to the fund.

Key changes in the bill include the modification of the distribution process for funds requested by local education agencies (LEAs). The maximum request amount has been changed from "must" to "shall" not exceeding $50,000. The distribution process has been updated from a first-come, first-served basis to a competitive, needs-based criteria established by the state department of education. Additionally, the bill clarifies that LEAs must demonstrate technology infrastructure and provide a detailed explanation of how the funds will be used to improve performance and student achievement. The bill also states that additional distributions will only be granted if the LEA shows progress toward its measurable targets. An emergency clause is included, making the act effective on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-4804