SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5086

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 12, 2019

Title: An act relating to school surplus technology.

Brief Description: Concerning school surplus technology.

Sponsors: Senators Wellman and Hasegawa.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/21/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

Gives students priority to purchase surplus school computer equipment.
Requires that districts provide notice of surplus computer equipment to students.
Requires the Department of Enterprise Services and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish and maintain an inventory of surplus equipment and materials.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)

Background: School Surplus Property. Washington State law allows school districts, educational service districts, and other educational agencies to declare texts, other books, equipment, materials, and relocatable facilities as surplus. State law also permits the sale, rent, or lease of these items after notice is provided in a newspaper. After 30 days, these items may be sold, rented, or leased at depreciated cost or fair market value, whatever is greater. In this procedure, students wishing to purchase texts have priority. The notice requirements do not apply to the transfer of assistive devices.

School districts and educational service districts may elect to grant surplus personal property at no cost to a federal, state, or local governmental entity, or to indigent persons, provided that the property be used for educational purposes for preschool through twelfth-grade. The property may also be loaned to a nonreligious, nonsectarian private entity for educational purposes.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): School Surplus Property Priority. Priority is given in sales of certain surplus school property to students wishing to purchase texts and computer equipment. Priority to purchase surplus computer equipment shall be given to students that are low-income and that have been accepted to attend an institution of higher education upon graduation. Students given priority will have priority with respect to one item of surplus equipment for a nominal fee.

Districts are required to provide notice of surplus computer equipment to students prior to disposal, and may do so on the district's website.

Online Inventory of District Equipment and Materials. The Department of Enterprise Services, in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), shall establish an online inventory of school district surplus equipment and materials. The inventory shall allow districts to publish needed equipment and materials and communicate on their acquisition. Upon completion, OSPI shall inform school districts of the inventory.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute: PRO: Allowing students access to computer equipment would help reduce inequality and barriers for low-income students to attend college.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Lisa Wellman, Prime Sponsor; Autymn Wilde, State Board of Education, Student Board Member.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.