HB 6573 Summary

• Establishes the Commission for Educational Technology within the Department of Administrative Services with representatives from state agencies, higher education, independent colleges, school boards, municipalities, libraries, teachers' unions, business leaders, and small business appointed by various legislative and executive officials.

• Requires the commission to convene meetings at least quarterly and appoints a Governor-selected chairperson; authorizes hiring an executive director with flexible retirement system options.

• Designates the commission as the principal educational technology policy advisor with duties including developing statewide high-speed network infrastructure, wiring school classrooms for internet connectivity, providing online resource access, and ensuring computing skill competency by sixth grade.

• Mandates the commission develop and maintain a long-range technology coordination plan, measure internet access disparities, establish advisory boards, and submit annual reports to the joint legislative committee on education and appropriations by January first.

• Effective date is July 1, 2021; defines educational technology to include computer-assisted instruction, telecommunications, educational software development, and internet instructional uses.