S.B. No. 2178
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by the commissioner of education of a
computer lending pilot program for public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter H to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H. COMPUTER LENDING PILOT PROGRAM
Sec. 32.351. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM. The
commissioner by rule shall establish a computer lending pilot
program to provide computers to participating public schools that
make computers available for use by students and their parents.
Sec. 32.352. PILOT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. The
commissioner shall establish procedures for the administration of
the pilot program, including procedures for distributing to
participating public schools:
(1) any surplus or salvage data processing equipment
available for distribution under the pilot program; or
(2) computers donated or purchased for that purpose
with funds from any available source, including a foundation,
private entity, governmental entity, and institution of higher
education.
Sec. 32.353. ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS. A public school is eligible
to participate in the pilot program if:
(1) 50 percent or more of the students enrolled in the
school are educationally disadvantaged; and
(2) the school operates or agrees to operate a
computer lending program that:
(A) allows students and parents to borrow a
computer;
(B) includes an option for students and parents
to work toward owning a computer initially borrowed under the
school's lending program, subject to any applicable legal
restrictions regarding disposition of the computer involved;
(C) provides computer training for students and
parents; and
(D) operates outside regular school hours,
including operation until at least 7 p.m. on at least three days
each week.
Sec. 32.354. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than January 1 of
each year, the commissioner shall submit a report to the
legislature regarding the computer lending pilot program
established under this subchapter.
Sec. 32.355. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September
1, 2014.
SECTION 2. Section 2175.128, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-1) and (b-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), if a disposition of a
state agency's surplus or salvage data processing equipment is not
made under Section 2175.125 or 2175.184, the state agency shall
make the equipment available to the commissioner of education for
use in the computer lending pilot program established under
Subchapter H, Chapter 32, Education Code. If the commissioner of
education declines to take the equipment, the state agency shall
transfer the equipment in accordance with Subsection (a). The
state agency may not collect a fee or other reimbursement from the
commissioner of education for the equipment made available under
this subsection. This subsection expires September 1, 2014.
(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), if a disposition of
the surplus or salvage data processing equipment of a state
eleemosynary institution or an institution or agency of higher
education is not made under other law, the institution or agency
shall make the equipment available to the commissioner of education
for use in the computer lending pilot program established under
Subchapter H, Chapter 32, Education Code. If the commissioner of
education declines to take the equipment, the institution or agency
shall transfer the equipment in accordance with Subsection (b).
The state eleemosynary institution or institution or agency of
higher education may not collect a fee or other reimbursement from
the commissioner of education for the equipment made available
under this subsection. This subsection expires September 1, 2014.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2178 passed the Senate on
May 5, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2178 passed the House on
May 26, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 1, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor