SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6555

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

   Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities, February 1, 1996

Title:  An act relating to electronic access equipment.

Brief Description:  Distributing state‑owned electronic access equipment.

Sponsors:  Senator Sutherland.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities:  1/22/96, 1/25/96 2/1/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6555 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Sutherland, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Hochstatter and Owen.

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786-7445)

Background:  Several laws, rules and guidelines govern the disposal of surplus state government equipment.  Regarding information technology equipment such as computers, terminals, and telephones, the Information Services Board (ISB) is the lead agency.  Existing ISB policy permits state agencies to dispose of information technology equipment without prior approval of the Department of Information Services when the estimated residual value is $100,000 or less.

Existing rules in the Washington Administrative Code provide for the sale, transfer or donation of surplus property in the following priority:  1) sale or transfer to state agencies, including universities and colleges; 2) sale or transfer to other tax-supported educational agencies; 3) sale or transfer to tax-supported agencies, municipalities or political subdivisions with the state; 4) sale or transfer to tax-exempt nonprofits; 5) donation to qualified shelters; 6) sale to the general public; and 7) other action as needed.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  When disposing of information technology equipment, the Information Services Board is directed to give first priority to state agencies, and then make this equipment available at no cost or the least possible cost to local governments and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of widely distributing government information.  Statutes requiring that state goods and services be provided at fair and full value are amended for the purpose of this legislation.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill gave the duties of the bill to the division of purchasing within the Department of General Administration.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 18, 1996.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony:  The original bill required changes.  The Information Services Board has responsibilities for information technology equipment, not General Administration.

Testified:  Mary Grace Jennings, General Administration.