JFAC approves library broadband and digital-access grants while adding restriction on DEI spending

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 20 approved state and federal funding for the Idaho Commission for Libraries to support broadband reimbursements and a digital-access grant program, and adopted new language that restricts state appropriations from being used to support “diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice ideology” in library-sponsored activities.

The funding vote approved the commission’s original maintenance request for a small state broadband reimbursement and a federal grant to expand digital access; the committee recorded a final combined appropriation of approximately $2.58 million in federal and state funds for the commission’s programs. Committee members also adopted multiple pieces of intent language requiring reports and placing restrictions on certain uses of state funds.

The motion that initially moved funding for the commission was made by Senator Carlson and called for a state appropriation for broadband reimbursement and a federal one-time grant for the Digital Access for All Idahoans program. Representative Gallavese offered a substitute motion that would have increased the federal portion and prioritized specific populations, but the substitute failed in both chambers. The original motion then passed. The committee also voted separately to adopt language that (1) prohibits appropriated state funds from supporting diversity, equity or social-justice ideology in library activities and (2) requires the commission to designate an employee to confirm libraries are adhering to a specified Idaho code section and to coordinate with the Department of Education; those language items carried after debate.

Supporters who urged the committee to approve the federal digital-access grant said the money would be used for programs such as computer classes for seniors, telehealth facilities in rural areas, and broader digital-literacy programming. Representative Gallavese described appeals from local libraries, saying, “They asked us, implored us that we would reconsider based on the programs they intend to offer.” He said the grants would serve veterans, rural residents, low-income households and seniors.

Opponents pressed for stricter statutory compliance and sought additional assurances about how federal funds would be spent. Senator Wintrow asked whether the DEI restriction could unintentionally exclude covered populations from services and asked, “Are these the kind of things that are not going to be allowed to be addressed?” Analysts and the motion maker said prior uses of similar language did not prevent services to the enumerated populations, and the committee nevertheless adopted the restriction and related reporting requirements.

The committee also approved separate language to reappropriate ARPA Capital Projects Fund money so libraries could continue building telehealth facilities and to specify that state money should not be used to supplant reduced federal funding. Several of the adopted language items require the commission to report back to the committee by Dec. 1, 2025.

Votes at a glance on the library items: the substitute motion to expand federal funding failed (total: 9 ayes, 11 nays). The original funding motion and multiple pieces of accompanying language subsequently passed (final combined vote on the original funding motion: 17 ayes, 3 nays). The prohibition on using state funds to support diversity/equity/inclusion ideology passed (total recorded: 15 ayes, 4 nays, 1 absent excused).

The commission will now be required to submit the specified reports and to confirm libraries’ compliance with the statutory provisions named in the adopted language. The commission and analysts will be responsible for the technical implementation and reporting called for in the language.

For transparency, the committee recorded roll-call votes and the full set of language provisions will be included in the committee’s file and the LSO packet for follow-up and oversight.