HOUSE BILL NO. 5040

June 16, 2021, Introduced by Reps. Cavanagh, Coleman, Aiyash, Sabo, Sowerby, Scott, Puri, Weiss, Morse, Anthony, Brabec, Brixie, Young, Hood and Whitsett and referred to the Committee on Communications and Technology.

"The state school aid act of 1979,"

(MCL 388.1601 to 388.1896) by adding section 68.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 68. (1) In addition to the appropriations in section 11, there is appropriated an amount not to exceed $25,000,000.00 from the general fund for 2021-2022 for the purposes of this section. By not later than 45 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, the department shall establish a grant program to distribute this funding to districts and intermediate districts to be used in the manner described in subsection (4).

(2) To receive funding under this section, a district or intermediate district must apply for the funding in a form and manner prescribed by the department.

(3) The department shall distribute funding under this section in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for each district or intermediate district.

(4) A district or intermediate district that receives funding under this section shall use the funding only for the following purposes:

(a) To provide mobile hotspot devices to pupils who are enrolled in the district or intermediate district.

(b) Toward the payment of costs associated with participation in the E-rate Program offered by the Federal Communications Commission.

(5) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.

(6) As used in this section, "mobile hotspot device" means a portable device that creates Wi-Fi coverage allowing nearby devices to connect to the internet.