Summary

SB 1500 (Open States or Florida Legislature), the General Appropriations Act, establishes Florida’s budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.  There are several provisions in the budget relating to digital learning, however, two of those provisions were vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.

Legislative Analysis

SB 1500 establishes Florida’s budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and includes the following appropriations related to digital learning:

• From the Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund new projects:
• $90.6 million for Charter Schools- general maintenance, repairs, renovations and remodeling
• From the Florida Education Finance Program:
• $30 million for Career Education Industry Certifications
• $15 million for Cyber Security Recognition/Digital Arts Recognition/Digital Tools Certification for elementary and Middle School Students
• $3 million for ESE Technology Applications

Other K-12 program funding:

Take Stock in Children- 25% increase for total of $6 million

New program funding:

• District Bandwidth Support- $11,328,468
• Technology Transformation Grants for Rural School Districts- $6,000,000
  • To provide funding to the defined school districts for purposes of establishing a wireless network or
• enhancing existing wireless network. If district wireless needs have been met, funds may be used for
• bandwidth support.
• Digital Competency Development and Deployment- $5,500,000  (item vetoed by Governor Rick Scott, due to “not providing a core education mission for state government”).
• Instructional Technology Program Site Licenses- $2,277,572 ((item vetoed by Governor Rick Scott, due to “not providing a core education mission for state government”).

Other education program funding:
A study on the accessibility and the awarding of credit for K-12 and postsecondary online courses- $500,000

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Rick Scott on 5/20/2013