HBA-JEK S.B. 927 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 927
By: Shapleigh
Public Education
5/16/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The U.S. Department of Education reports that our nation's schools face a
"digital divide," with some children being less likely to have access to
computers, the Internet, or high quality educational technology programs.
Such access allows children to improve their learning with educational
software and affects children's future participation in the modern economy.
Senate Bill 927 provides for the transfer of data processing equipment from
school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to students who do not
otherwise have home access to such equipment. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 927 amends the Education Code to authorize a school district or
open-enrollment charter school (district or school) to transfer to a
student any data processing equipment (equipment) donated to or purchased
by the district or school, and any surplus or salvage equipment owned by
the district or school. The bill requires a district or school to give
preference to educationally disadvantaged students when transferring
equipment, and provides that a student is eligible to receive equipment
only if the student does not otherwise have home access to such equipment.
The bill provides that a district or school must adopt rules governing such
transfers, including provisions for technical assistance to students. 

S.B. 927 authorizes a district or school to accept donations of equipment
and any gifts, grants, or donations to purchase, refurbish, or repair
equipment intended for transfer to students.  The bill authorizes a
district or school to spend public funds to implement the provisions of the
bill.  The bill provides that a district or school must determine that the
transfer serves a public purpose and benefits the district or school and
must remove any offensive, confidential, or proprietary information from
the equipment before transfer. 

S.B. 927 requires a student who receives equipment to return the equipment
not later than the earliest of the date the student graduates, five years
after the date the student receives the equipment, the date the student
transfers to another district or school, or the date the student withdraws
from school.  These restrictions do not apply if the district or the school
determines at the time the equipment is to be returned that the equipment
has no marketable value.   

The bill amends the Government Code to provide for the transfer of state
agency surplus or salvage equipment to a district or a school.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.