Idaho libraries ask JFAC to roll federal 'Digital Access for All Idahoans' program into base funding amid rollout

The Idaho Commission for Libraries told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee that it has begun implementing a federal Digital Access for All Idahoans program and asked the committee to approve ongoing state spending authority so the agency can keep projects running predictably.

Analyst Brooke Dupree told the committee the commission expects to spend up to $2.5 million per year on the program and said the appropriation would bring the funding into the agency base. "This digital access for all Idahoans grant is a federal grant. It was authorized through IIJA with those broadband monies that you see in the Department of Commerce budget," Dupree said, noting the commission expects additional federal notices of award that extend the program through February 2032.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed the agency on whether the state should assume continuing funding for a program that originated with one-time federal allocations. Committee leaders said making a temporary federal program permanent in the state base risks creating an expectation that general fund support will be provided after federal awards end.

Most important facts - The program is funded by a federal allocation under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and administered through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The commission said the award is being delivered in rounds and that 80% of planned funds will be distributed through competitive subgrants to Idaho organizations including community colleges, school districts, libraries and nonprofits. "We're ranking those," said Stephanie Bailey White, state librarian and director of the Idaho Commission for Libraries. "We had a good round of 39 organizations who applied for this first round of funding. They're going to be hiring digital navigators, beefing up digital skills, providing tech support for people in communities who don't have access to that now." (Stephanie Bailey White, State Librarian and Director, Idaho Commission for Libraries) - The commission asked the committee to add $2,500,000 in ongoing spending authority to the agency base for the digital‑access program so the agency can plan and subgrant reliably to communities. - The agency also requested a $42,400 ongoing appropriation for a broadband reimbursement program (Education Opportunity Resource Act, chapter 56, title 33, Idaho Code) and sought authority to continue spending federal awards tied to ARPA/ESSER and the ARPA Capital Projects Fund that boosted recent expenditures.

Committee concerns and directions - Committee leaders questioned whether the state should fold a multi‑year federal grant into base spending. "That's what bothers me about having it in the base on an ongoing," the committee chair said, arguing it could create expectations for state general funds once federal awards expire. He and other members asked whether the committee could treat the request as one‑time spending and revisit it annually. - Multiple members asked the commission to provide a detailed budget and an itemized plan showing how subgrants and local programs will be funded, and for historical spending data on the summer reading program and the books and materials supplied to children. - The commission agreed to follow up with more detailed expenditure plans and a breakdown of prior and planned uses of the federal funds.

Other details and background - The commission said 80% of the digital‑access funds are planned to flow out as subgrants, and the first notice of funding produced 39 applications seeking about $3.1 million; the agency is triaging requests to match available funding. - The summer reading program is funded through ESSER/ARPA receipts that pass through the commission into the miscellaneous revenue fund; the commission reported 107,000 children participated in summer reading last year, a roughly 30% increase from the prior year. The commission said it supplies small paperback books to libraries for prizes and that a donation from the Scottish Rite Foundation (about $17,500 this year) supports that effort. - The commission described the digital plan as addressing barriers including affordability, digital skills, cybersecurity awareness and access to devices; funds will be used for personnel, purchasing devices (laptops) and subgrants to local organizations.

What’s next - Committee members requested a written follow‑up from the commission with (1) an itemized plan showing how digital grant dollars will be spent over the remaining award period, (2) details on the summer reading materials distribution and selection process, and (3) updated counts of eligible libraries and projected demand for the Education Opportunity Resource Act broadband reimbursement.

Ending - The commission emphasized it has launched subgrant competitions, is reviewing the first round of applications, and will return to the committee with the additional expenditure details requested.