JFAC deadlocks on $2.5M digital-access grant after DEI debate

A proposal to fund a $2.5 million "Digital Access for All Idahoans" grant for local libraries failed in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 7 after extended debate over whether the grant included DEI-related elements and what the federal funding conditions require.

The committee initially considered an original motion to add $2,540,000 (including $2,500,000 federal funds for the digital-access grant and smaller state and federal amounts for broadband reimbursement and a federal subgrant program). Senator Cook presented the motion and asked unanimous consent to accept the language; the request was approved by voice. Representative Carlson then offered a substitute motion to fund only $82,400 (two small enhancements totaling $42,400 general fund and $40,000 federal funds) and to omit the $2.5 million grant, arguing the legislature has taken a stance against DEI programs.

The substitute motion was voted on first and failed because the House members split 5–5 (Senate 6–4, House 5–5; total 11–9 in favor of the substitute but lacking affirmative House majority for committee rules), so JFAC moved back to the original motion. After procedural discussion about how failed motions are handled in a joint committee, the committee called the roll on the original motion; the House again voted 5–5 and the motion failed in committee and "will be taken up at a later date," per the committee clerk.

Key claims and committee discussion: Opponents of the $2.5 million grant said they found references to DEI criteria in materials they reviewed and argued the legislature should not fund programs with DEI elements. Supporters, including Senator Cook and Representative Tanner, said the grant targets older Idahoans, veterans and rural residents and funds digital literacy, devices for libraries, large-print books, cybersecurity and other local uses; they emphasized local library boards would decide specific local uses. Committee staff identified the federal source as the Digital Equity Act.

Why it matters: The grant would have supported local libraries, digital literacy training for older Idahoans and cybersecurity measures for local institutions. Committee members warned that rejecting or returning funds could mean the federal money gets reallocated elsewhere, and supporters urged caution about withholding locally administered grants over a term (DEI) found in federal guidance.

Votes and outcomes: The substitute (scaled-back) motion failed on a committee split. The original motion to provide $2,582,400 total (including $2.5 million federal funds) also failed in committee after the House did not record an affirmative majority.

Ending: Committee staff said they would follow up with the federal notice of funding and the committee will revisit the matter at a later date.