An Act To Increase Broadband Access for Rural Communities
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1372
Committee Amendment CA_A_H703 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A,, to H.P. 951, L.D. 1372, Bill, "An Act To 
Increase Broadband Access for Rural Communities" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Increase Digital Literacy Education in Rural Communities' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 
Establishment of digital literacy education pilot programs. 
Resolved: That the ConnectME Authority, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 35-A, section 9203, shall, to the extent funds are provided, establish pilot programs 
in counties in which 70% of the population lives in rural areas as identified in the 2010 
United States Census to provide digital literacy education. The ConnectME Authority 
shall partner with organizations that have a history of success in increasing digital 
literacy; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Program requirements. Resolved: That a digital literacy education 
pilot program under section 1 must be focused on but not limited to increasing fluency in 
the use and security of interactive digital tools and searchable networks, including the 
ability to use digital tools safely and effectively for learning, collaborating and producing 
digital content. A digital literacy education pilot program may be established for no more 
than 3 years, except that the ConnectME Authority may authorize an extension of up to 
one year for a program. The assessment established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
35-A, section 9211, subsection 2 may not be used to fund any digital literacy education 
pilot program; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the ConnectME Authority shall submit a report 
by January 1, 2022 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over utilities and technology matters that evaluates the success of the pilot programs 
established under this resolve. The report must include the following: 
1. Suggested changes to extend any digital literacy education programs or for the 
creation of a permanent statewide program to provide digital literacy education; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT..[~" to H.P. 951, L.D. 1372 
2. The total costs of any digital literacy education pilot programs and the estimated 
cost to create and maintain a statewide program; and 
3. Any additional training or programs the authority believes could support the State 
in achieving increased digital literacy. 
The committee may report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 130th Legislature; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
CONNECTME AUTHORITY 
Digital Literacy Education Pilot Programs N282 
Initiative: Provides funding for digital literacy education pilot programs. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2017-18 
$0 
$0 
2018-19 
$114,000 
$114,000 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve that directs the ConnectME 
Authority to establish digital literacy education pilot programs in rural areas. It specifies 
that programs may not be established for more than 3 years, except that the authority may 
extend a program by up to one year. It requires the authority to report, by January 1, 
2022, on the success of the pilot programs and include in the report recommendations for 
a permanent, statewide program and the cost of such a program. It allows the committee 
of jurisdiction to report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 
130th Legislature. It adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Revised: 03/28/18 feac: 
LD 1372 
LR 1961(02) 
An Act To Increase Broadband Access for Rural Communities 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment tr CH -1 D ~ 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY2017-18 
FY 2018-19 
$0 
$114,000 
Projections 
FY 2019-20 
$114,000 
Projections 
FY2020-21 
$114,000 
.Appropriations/ Allocations 
General Fund 
$0 
$114,000 
$114,000 
$114,000 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This bill includes an ongoing appropriation of $114,000 starting in fiscal year 2018-19 for the ConnectME Authority 
to establish pilot programs through partnering with digital literacy organizations to provide digital literacy education 
to counties in which 70% of the population lives in rural areas as identified in the 2010 United States Census. 
LR 1961 ro?.'\ - Fisc.HI NotP. - Pilo-P. 1 of 1