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Committee deadlocks on $2.5 million digital-access library grant after partisan debate
Summary
JFAC did not approve the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ $2.5 million "Digital Access for All Idahoans" grant after a substitute motion to strip the grant and later an original-motion vote both failed under the committee's split voting procedure.
A proposed $2.5 million grant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ "Digital Access for All Idahoans" program failed to advance in JFAC on March 7 after extended debate and two roll-call attempts that did not achieve the committee’s required confirmations.
Background and motions: Brooke Dupree, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, presented the Commission for Libraries’ budget and enhancements, which included enhancement 51: a $2,500,000 grant for the digital-access program. Senator Carlson offered a substitute motion to limit the commission’s FY2026 funding to $82,400 (removing the $2.5 million digital grant). Senator Carlson said the substitute motion reflected concerns that the $2.5 million supported programs described as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Committee debate: Supporters of the digital grant pushed back, arguing the funds target seniors, veterans and rural residents and pay for device access, digital training, large-print materials and cybersecurity work at local libraries. Senator Cook described the grant as funding “digital training for our seniors” and local cybersecurity efforts; Senator Wintrow and others said they were concerned that the committee was focusing on a single word and urged consideration of actual program uses. Committee staff identified the federal funding source as the Digital Equity Act.
Votes and outcome: The substitute motion was put to a roll-call and produced a split result: Senate 6 aye, 4 nay; House 5 aye, 5 nay — a combined tally reported as 11 ayes, 9 nays. Committee leadership determined the substitute had not passed because a House majority did not affirmatively support it. The committee then took up the original motion (to provide the commission with the $2,500,000 digital-access grant among other items). That vote produced a similar split (Senate 6 aye, 4 nay; House 5 aye, 5 nay) and committee leadership again ruled the motion failed; the item was recorded as to be taken up at a later date.
Why it matters: The money would have supported local library programs including device procurement, digital literacy training for older adults and cybersecurity work. Committee members who opposed the grant emphasized concerns about DEI language, while proponents emphasized local control (library boards decide local use) and the senior and cybersecurity priorities tied to the funding.
Ending: Committee staff said the underlying federal program is the Digital Equity Act and offered to follow up with the committee by sharing the federal notice of funding. The committee recorded the votes and paused further action on the Commission for Libraries item for later consideration.
