Bill description: House Bill 481 would repurpose a school technology grant program for “digital curriculum.” 

Rating: -2

Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government? 

HB 481 would replace a technology grant program with a digital curriculum grant program. Both involve public schools. In repealing an existing program and replacing it with a new one, this act alone nets out to zero in the Idaho Freedom Index. However, the proposal grants the State Department of Education new powers over school district curriculum by requiring school districts to explain what they intend to purchase and why. 

(-1)

Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? 

By its own language, the grant program would “give priority” to school districts with the “highest number of economically disadvantaged students” rather than consider all applications equally on their merits. 

(-1)