An Act To Provide Flexibility for Education Technology Programs in Maine Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1603
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: GERRISH
Amends: 20-A MRSA §15689-A

Legislative Document
No. 1603
H.P. 1106
House of Representatives, May 16, 2017
An Act To Provide Flexibility for Education Technology Programs 
in Maine Schools
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GERRISH of Lebanon.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL)
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Department of Education's Maine Learning Technology Initiative has 
for the past 3 years offered schools the opportunity to sign participation agreements under 
which one-to-one computer devices are provided for their students and staff; and 
Whereas, schools enter into participation agreements in early spring, in order to 
allow time for technology equipment to be ordered, delivered and set up at schools in 
time for the start of the new school year; and 
Whereas, school districts and their technology directors have told the Department of 
Education that with more flexibility, the schools could deliver more innovative 
technology solutions to enhance student outcomes; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect immediately for schools to plan and 
implement their technology programs in time for the start of the 2017-2018 school year; 
and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §15689-A, sub-§12-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 354, §2, 
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 and grants to schools 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. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill adds education technology grants to the list of eligible uses for the funds 
transferred from the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account to the Learning 
Through Technology General Fund account.