16.9945 Information technology block grants.

(1) Competitive grants. In fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, the department may annually award grants on a competitive basis to eligible school districts and to eligible public libraries for the purpose of improving information technology infrastructure. For purposes of awarding grants under this section, “improving information technology infrastructure” includes purchasing and installing on a bus a portable device that creates an area of wireless Internet coverage and purchasing for individuals to temporarily borrow from a school or for patrons to check out from a public library a portable device that creates an area of wireless Internet coverage. In awarding grants to eligible school districts under this section, the department shall give priority to applications for school districts in which the percentage of pupils who satisfy the income eligibility criteria under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1) for a free or reduced-price lunch is greater than in other applicant school districts. The department shall require an applicant for a grant under this section to provide all of the following:

(a) A description of the specific information technology infrastructure, including any equipment, that the applicant intends to purchase with grant proceeds.

(b) The applicant's plan to purchase, install, and use the information technology infrastructure described in par. (a).

(c) A description of the applicant's readiness to use information technology infrastructure purchased with grant proceeds.

(2) Eligible school districts. A school district is eligible for a grant under this section in a fiscal year if the school district's membership in the previous school year divided by the school district's area in square miles is 16 or less.

(2m) Eligible public libraries.

(a) In this subsection:

1. “Library branch” means a fixed location where public library services, including a collection of library materials, are offered by paid library employees as part of a consolidated county public library, as described in s. 43.57 (1).

2. “Urban cluster” means an urban area, as defined by the U.S. bureau of the census, with a population of at least 2,500 but less than 50,000.

3. “Urbanized area” means an urban area, as defined by the U.S. bureau of the census, with a population of 50,000 or more.

(b) A public library, including a library branch, is eligible for a grant under this section in a fiscal year if the population of the municipality within which the library or library branch is located is 20,000 or less and if the public library or library branch is located in one of the following areas of the state:

1. A rural territory, as defined by the U.S. bureau of the census, that is one of the following:

a. Less than or equal to 5 miles from an urbanized area.

b. Less than or equal to 2.5 miles from an urban cluster.

2. A rural territory, as defined by the U.S. bureau of the census, that is one of the following:

a. More than 5 miles but less than or equal to 25 miles from an urbanized area.

b. More than 2.5 miles but less than or equal to 10 miles from an urban cluster.

3. A rural territory, as defined by the U.S. bureau of the census, that is more than 25 miles from an urbanized area and also more than 10 miles from an urban cluster.

(3) Maximum awards to eligible school districts. The total amount the department may award to an eligible school district under sub. (1) during a fiscal biennium may not exceed the following:

(a) If the membership of the eligible school district is fewer than 750 pupils, $30,000.

(b) If the membership of the eligible school district is 750 pupils to 1,500 pupils, $40 multiplied by the school district's membership.

(c) If the membership of the eligible school district is more than 1,500 pupils, $60,000.

(3m) Maximum awards to eligible public libraries. The total amount the department may award to an eligible public library under sub. (1) during a fiscal biennium may not exceed the following:

(a) If the population of the municipality within which the eligible public library or branch [library branch, as defined in sub. (2m) (a) 1.,] is located is 2,000 or less, $5,000.

NOTE: The correct term is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.

(b) If the population of the municipality within which the eligible public library or branch [library branch, as defined in sub. (2m) (a) 1.,] is located is at least 2,001 but less than 5,000, $7,500.

NOTE: The correct term is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.

(c) If the population of the municipality within which the eligible public library or branch [library branch, as defined in sub. (2m) (a) 1.,] is located is at least 5,000 but less than 20,001, $10,000.

NOTE: The correct term is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.

(4) Funding limitation. The department cannot award grants under this section that total more than $3,000,000 in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 fiscal year.

(5) Sunset. The department may not award grants under this section after June 30, 2021.

History: 2017 a. 59, 142; 2019 a. 9.