S.B. 912 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 912 By: Ratliff State Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Computers for Learning (CFL) is a Department of Human Services (DHS) program that develops community partnerships with businesses and state agencies for donations and transfers of surplus and damaged computer equipment. CFL then reconditions the computer equipment and places it in the homes of low-income students. Since its inception two years ago, CFL has helped 460 low-income students begin to bridge the digital divide by providing them with free home computers, internet access, computer training, and technical support. Some state agencies have been hesitant to transfer surplus or damaged computer equipment to CFL because they are unsure whether existing state law authorizes them to do so. The purpose of Senate Bill 912 is to make organizations like CFL eligible to receive surplus or damaged computer equipment and property from state agencies and institutions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, institution, or agency. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 912 amends Section 2175.001(1) of the Government Code to provide that a nonprofit computer bank that solicits, stores, refurbishes, and redistributes used computer equipment to public school students and their families is included in the definition of "assistance organization." The bill amends Section 2175.128 of the Government Code to allow state agencies to transfer, under certain circumstances, surplus or salvage data processing equipment to an assistance organization specified by a school district, and provides that a fee or other reimbursement may not be collected from the assistance organization for the equipment transferred under that section. Makes conforming changes. The bill amends Sections 2175.304(b) and (c) of the Government Code to allow university systems to transfer surplus or salvage property to an assistance organization designated by a school district at either an agreed price or for free. The bill also adds an assistance organization specified by the school district to the list of entities that must be given preference when such entities transfer surplus or salvage property. The bill amends Subchapter E, Chapter 2175, Government Code, by adding Section 2175.306 to provide that Chapter 2175 (Surplus and Salvage Property) does not apply to the disposition of surplus computer equipment by a state agency involved in the areas of health, human services, or education, except for an agency to which Section 2175.304 applies. Those agencies shall give preference to transferring the property to a public school, school district, or assistance organization specified by a school district. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.