(1) The Connecting Oregon Schools Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Connecting Oregon Schools Fund shall be credited to the fund.

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(2) The Connecting Oregon Schools Fund consists of any moneys deposited in the fund from whatever source and may include moneys appropriated, allocated, deposited or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise and interest earned on moneys in the fund.

(3) The moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Department of Education for the purpose of providing matching funds for federal moneys received by school districts, education service districts, public charter schools or a consortium that is any combination of school districts, education service districts and public charter schools for the purpose of providing broadband access to eligible education facilities in this state.

(4) An education facility is eligible to receive matching funds under this section if the education facility:

(a) Receives federal moneys for the purpose of providing broadband access to the education facility;

(b) Takes steps to determine whether existing broadband infrastructure, including fiber-based broadband, may be integrated into the proposed broadband access project; and

(c) Meets any other eligibility requirements established by the State Board of Education by rule.

(5)(a) Before the department may distribute any state moneys under this section, the board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section, including rules setting criteria that govern the distribution of the moneys to eligible education facilities.

(b) Rules adopted under this section must take into consideration any eligibility requirements established by the federal program awarding federal moneys.

(6) As used in this section:

(a) ‘Education facility’ means:

(A) A public school that offers education to students in kindergarten or grades 1 through 12, or any combination of those grade levels;

(B) A building owned by a school district, education service district or public charter school; or

(C) A public charter school building leased from a school district or education service district.

(b) ‘Public charter school’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 338.005. [2018 c.51 § 3; 2019 c.648 § 7]

OREGON GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION COUNCIL