Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5000

Creates the Children's Low-cost Laptop Act. Requires the State Board of education to establish a procedure and develop criteria for the administration of a low-cost laptop pilot project whereby low-cost laptop computers are provided to each student, teacher, and relevant administrator in a participating elementary school and the use of open-source educational software and computer skills training is implemented. Sets forth program and reporting requirements, including the requirement that the pilot program last for a period of at least 2 years. Establishes the Elementary Students' Low-cost Laptop Fund. Sets a repeal date for the Act of August 31, 2011. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Effective August 31, 2008.

Provides that neither the Governor nor any agency or agency head under the jurisdiction of the Governor has any rulemaking authority under the Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion. Makes related changes.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. In the Children's Low-cost Laptop Act, makes changes concerning the requirements of the State Board of Education in administering the pilot project, including the manner in which the State Board must use pilot project funds. Provides that a school or a district (rather than just a school) may apply to the State Board for the establishment of a low-cost laptop pilot project grant (rather than just a low-cost laptop pilot project) for the entire school or for a particular grade or group of classrooms. Makes changes concerning the criteria that the State Board must consider in selecting participants, including removing the provision requiring participating schools to establish a low-cost laptop committee. Provides that each school or district participating in the grant pilot project must determine how the low-cost laptops are assigned and retained (rather than allowing each participating student to retain the laptop as long as the student is enrolled in a participating school). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill, as amended by House Amendment No. 2, with the following changes. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide (rather than establish a procedure and develop criteria) for the administration of a low-cost laptop pilot project. Provides that neither the Governor nor any agency or agency head under the jurisdiction of the Governor has any rulemaking authority under the Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion. Effective immediately.

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