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

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(2) The Connecting Oregon Libraries 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 State Library for the purpose of providing matching funds for federal moneys received by the State Library, the State Library Board, public libraries established in accordance with ORS § 357.410, school libraries, tribal libraries as defined in ORS § 357.206 or academic libraries in Oregon for the purpose of providing broadband access to eligible library facilities in this state.

(4) A public, school, tribal or academic library is eligible to receive matching funds under this section if the library:

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

(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 Library Board by rule.

(5)(a) Before the State Library 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 libraries.

(b) Rules adopted under this section must take into consideration any eligibility requirements established by the federal program awarding federal moneys. [2022 c.60 § 6]

STATE ARCHIVIST