JFAC debate cuts Idaho libraries’ proposed $2.5M digital-access grant; motions fail after split votes

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered funding for the Idaho Commission for Libraries on March 7 and failed to approve a $2.5 million federal digital-access grant after heated debate about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) language in grant materials. Brooke Dupree, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the federal money in question stems from the Digital Equity Act. Senator Carlson proposed an amendment that would limit the commission’s FY2026 additions to $42,400 from the general fund and $40,000 in federal funds — cutting the $2.5 million digital-access ($2,500,000) grant out of the original request. Representative Price seconded the substitute. Supporters of the substitute argued the $2.5 million funded programs that included DEI objectives and urged curbing that funding; opponents described the grant as local library aid for seniors, devices and cybersecurity training. Senator Cook and others said the federal grant funds training for seniors, veterans and rural residents and includes cybersecurity and device purchases for local libraries; Cook warned that rejecting the funding could result in redistribution of the federal money away from Idaho communities. Two recorded roll calls showed split results and procedural uncertainty. The substitute motion initially returned a combined committee tally of 11 ayes and 9 nays but failed because the House did not record a majority in favor on that roll. The committee then considered the original motion to add $2,540,000 (including the $2.5 million digital-access grant) but that motion likewise failed on a subsequent roll call; the final combined tally reported was 11 ayes and 9 nays, and the chair declared the motion had failed because the House did not reach a majority in favor. Committee members asked staff to circulate the federal notice of funding and federal law information; an analyst identified the source as the Digital Equity Act during the debate. The committee did not adopt the digital-access funding during the March 7 meeting; members said local library boards plan how the federal dollars would be used and that the grant is designed for digital training, large-print materials, cybersecurity and devices for library patrons.