An Act To Support and Encourage the Use of Online Textbooks II
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0569
Committee Amendment CA_A_S186 (Senate)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §254, 20-A MRSA §15689-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT""" to S.P. 161, L.D. 569, Bill, "An Act To 
Support and Encourage the Use of Online Textbooks" 
II 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §254, sub-§13 is enacted to read: 
13. Technical assistance; professional development and training for instruction 
in digital literacy; clearinghouse for information on use of online learning resources. 
The commissioner shall develop a program of technical assistance, including professional 
development and training for instruction in digital literacy and the establishment of a 
clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning resources that may be made 
available to all school administrative units, including those schools that participate in the 
learning through technology program under section 15689-A, subsection 12-A, which 
provides one-to-one wireless computers for 7th grade, 8th grade and high school students 
and educators. 
The technical assistance must include, but is not limited to: 
A. A model for instruction that promotes digital literacy for students; 
B. A clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning resources, including 
best practices in the use of open educational resources and open-source textbooks; 
and 
C. Professional development and training for educators in the effective use of online 
learning resources, including open educational resources and open-source textbooks. 
The program of technical assistance provided by the department may be used by those 
schools and educators who choose to provide instruction in digital literacy and who 
choose to use online learning resources, including best practices in the use of open 
educational resources and open-source textbooks. The program of technical assistance 
provided by the department must be available to all school administrative units in the 
State and posted on the department's publicly accessible website. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~.\. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" fJr" to S.P. 161, L.D. 569 
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15689-A, sub-§12-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. 
C, § 11, is further amended to read: 
12-A. Learning through technology. The commissioner may pay costs attributed 
to staff support consisting of one Education Team and Policy Director position, 2 
Education Specialist III positions, one Planning and Research Associate I position, one 
Director of Special Projects position and 2 Education Specialist II positions, professional 
development and training in the use of open educational resources and open-source 
textbooks and system maintenance for a program that promotes learning through 
technology. A transfer of All Other funds from the General Purpose Aid for Local 
Schools account to the All Other line category in the Learning Through Technology 
General Fund nonlapsing account sufficient to support the All Other costs and the 
agreement that provides one-to-one wireless computers for 7th grade, 8th grade and high 
school students and educators may occur annually by financial order upon 
recommendation of the State Budget Officer and approval of the Governor. 
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA c. 803 is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 803 
DIGITAL LITERACY AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES 
§19251. Digital Literacy Fund 
1. Fund established. The Digital Literacy Fund, referred to in this section as "the 
fund," is established as an interest-bearing account administered by the department. 
2. Revenue. Any private or public funds appropriated, allocated or dedicated to the 
fund must be deposited into the fund as well as income from any other source directed to 
the fund. All interest earned by the fund becomes part of the fund. Any balance remaining 
in the fund at the end of the fiscal year does not lapse but is carried forward into 
subsequent fiscal years. 
3. Use of fund; technical assistance. Balances in the fund may be used for the 
necessary expenses of the department in the administration of the fund. Balances in the 
fund may be used to pay for the development of a program of technical assistance 
pursuant to section 254, subsection 13 that designs instructional materials that promote 
digital literacy, teacher professional development and training on the use of online 
learning resources, new administrative costs and other expenses not related to a learning 
through technology program funded under section 15689-A, subsection 12-A and for the 
implementation of a new clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning 
resources, including best practices in the use of open educational resources and open-
source textbooks for elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. 
Sec. 4. Report. The Commissioner of Education shall develop a program of 
technical assistance under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 254, subsection 
for use by school administrative units beginning in school year 2012-2013. The 
commissioner shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural 
Affairs by January 15, 2012 on the status of the development of the program of technical 
assistance. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 161, L.D. 569 
Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. 
The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
Digital Literacy Fund N122 
Initiative: Provides base allocations for the Digital Literacy Fund to support the 
development of a technical assistance program that designs instructional materials that 
promote digital literacy, teacher professional development and training in the use of 
online learning resources and the implementation of a new clearinghouse for information 
on the use of online learning resources. 
II 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2011-12 
$500 
$500 
2012-13 
$500 
$500 
This amendment replaces the concept draft with a bill to direct the Commissioner of 
Education to develop a program of technical assistance, including professional 
development and training for instruction in digital literacy and the establishment of a 
clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning resources that may be made 
available to all schools, including those schools that participate in the learning through 
technology program that provides one-to-one wireless computers for 7th grade, 8th grade 
and high school students and educators. 
The amendment establishes the Digital Literacy Fund, to be administered by the 
Department of Education. 
Any private or public funds appropriated, allocated or 
dedicated to the fund may be used to pay for the development of a program of technical 
assistance. The amendment also authorizes the Commissioner of Education to expend 
funds allocated to the learning through technology program for the costs of providing the 
program of technical assistance. 
The amendment adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: OS/21/11 frac:. 
LD569 
LR 1946(02) 
An Act To Support and Encourage the Use of Online Textbooks 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" A" 5 1%(0 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2011-12 
FY 2012-13 
Projections 
FY 2013-14 
Projections 
FY 2014-15 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
$500 
$500 
$500 
$500 
This bill establishes the Digital Literacy Fund within the Department of Education and includes Other Special 
Revenue Funds allocations of $500 per year beginning in fiscal year 2011-12 to establish base allocations in the event 
that funding is provided to support the program of technical assistance that designs instructional materials that 
promote digital literacy as well as the development of a clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning 
resources. 
LRI946(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I