IEN oversight bill clears House

The House has voted unanimously, 62-0, in favor of HB 727, the bill revising the oversight of the Idaho Education Network in response to concerns from legislators and others about the way the development of the $60 million statewide broadband network to link Idaho’s schools has been handled thus far. The state is embroiled in a lawsuit over the award of the contract for the network to Qwest Corp.; local Internet service providers came to the Legislature to protest that they’re being cut out of their existing business of serving local schools by the statewide contract. Among the changes in the bill: State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna would oversee the network rather than Department of Administration Director Mike Gwartney, though Gwartney still would have a role. The bill, which was introduced yesterday in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, now moves to the Senate.

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, has informed the House that in a few minutes, it’ll go to general orders, its amending order, with bills to be amended including the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan funding bill, SB 1407.