(a) In order for the governing board to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to this chapter, there is hereby established the Educational Telecommunication Fund. The Controller shall establish an account to receive and expend moneys in the fund.

(b) Moneys in the fund established pursuant to subdivision (a) shall only be available for expenditure upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

(c) Moneys in the fund established pursuant to subdivision (a) may be expended by the governing board to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, for the following purposes:

(1) To support the activities of the team established pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10551.

(2) To assist the school districts and county superintendents of schools in purchasing both hardware and software to allow school districts, county superintendents of schools, and the department to be linked for school business and administrative purposes. The governing board shall establish a matching share requirement that applicant school districts and county superintendents of schools must fulfill to receive those funds. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the distribution of grants to school districts and county superintendents of schools to the widest extent possible.

(3) To provide technical assistance through county offices of education to school districts in implementing the standards established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10552.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 13, Sec. 16. (AB 104) Effective June 24, 2015.)