HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                ESSB  5175

Title:  An act relating to the donation of surplus computers and computer‑related equipment to school districts in Washington and educational service districts in Washington.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the donation of surplus computers and computer‑related equipment to school districts and educational service districts.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Horn, Franklin, Eide, B. Sheldon, Finkbeiner, McCaslin, Goings, Oke, Winsley, Kohl‑Welles, Fraser, Rasmussen, Costa and Benton; by request of Department of General Administration and Superintendent of Public Instruction).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  March 18, 1999.

Analysis Prepared by:  Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:  The Department of General Administration is responsible for the disposal of surplus "personal property" belonging to the state.  Surplus computers fall within the definition of personal property used in this context.   Before selling or exchanging the personal property, the department must attempt to discover whether it is needed by another state agency.  If not, the law permits the department to sell or exchange the personal property or to donate it to certain shelters for homeless persons.  The donated personal property must be used to meet the needs of the homeless persons in the shelter.

In rule, the department has adopted a priority list for disposing of personal property belonging to the state.  The first priority is sale or transfer to state agencies, including state colleges and universities.  Second priority is sale or transfer to other tax-supported educational agencies.

In addition, another law allows the state and any of its political subdivisions to sell, transfer, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property to another agency of local, state, or federal government.  The law describes a process for the disposal of personal property with an estimated value above $50,000.

Summary of Bill:  Any agency belonging to the executive or judicial branches of state government may donate surplus computers and computer-related equipment to school districts and educational service districts.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of General Administration will jointly develop and distribute guidelines to implement this authority.  The guidelines will give priority to students with disabilities, including disabilities that require the portability of laptop computers.  The guidelines will consider issues of quality, need, and accountability, and will be distributed by September 1, 1999.

  Differences between HB 1513 and SB 5175: 

‚EHB 1513 permits the Legislative branch of government to donate surplus computers to schools.  SSB 5175 does not include the Legislature. 

‚EHB 1513 permits OSPI to distribute surplus computers. SSB 5175 does not include this authority. 

‚EHB provides a priority for students with disabilities who need laptops.  SB 5175 does not include a similar provision.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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