(1) On or before July 15, 2021, the department shall submit a report to the state board of education, governor, and education committees of the senate and house of representatives, or any successor committees, concerning implementation of the program. After the initial report, the department shall submit a report to the same parties within six months after the end of a budget year in which the department awards one or more grants. At a minimum, the report must describe:
The number of local education providers that applied for a grant and the number oflocal education providers that received a grant;
The number of students and the number of educators and other staff who receivedimproved internet access as a result of the use of grants;
A description of the use of the grants in providing broadband service and improvedinternet access;
A description of innovative programs that other local education providers may implement to improve internet access for their students, educators, and other staff; and
Other information concerning implementation of the program that demonstrates thedegree to which the program is or is not effective in improving internet access for students, educators, and other staff throughout the state.
The department shall solicit, and each local education provider that receives a grantshall provide, such information as is necessary to prepare the report described in this section.
Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the requirement tosubmit the report described in this section continues indefinitely.
Source: L. 2020, 1st Ex. Sess.: Entire article added, (HB 20B-1001), ch. 9, p. 45, § 1, effective December 7.