HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 133

(By Delegates M. Poling, Paxton, Barill, D. Campbell, Crosier, Ennis, Lawrence, Moye, Perry, Pethtel, Shaver, Smith, Walker, Duke, Sumner, Armstead, Ellington, Gearheart, Rowan and Sigler )

[Originating in the Committee on Education]

(March 4, 2011)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on the acquisition of pre-owned computers for refurbishing for use by students in need.

    Whereas, Existing programs in the state such as Mission West Virginia, and similar programs in other states, empower economically disadvantaged students to bridge the digital divide and advance their academic and personal achievements by awarding them home PCs that are donated by government agencies, local businesses and private citizens, and are refurbished; and

    Whereas, Programs that provide refurbished pre-owned computers for use by students range from for profit companies that sell the computers to schools at significantly reduced cost, to nonprofit organizations dedicated to educational or environmental improvement, some of which include programs in which students can learn about computers and then keep them; and

            Whereas, An example of one such program operated on a large scale by the Los Angeles Unified School District uses refurbished computers in an eight-week after-school course for 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students who learn to type, create documents, spreadsheets and presentations, edit photos and navigate the Internet. Upon completing the program, the students get a free, refurbished desktop and, with their parents, are offered training on how to properly set up, manage and use it at home; and

            Whereas, The use of pre-owned computers instead of new ones can save money, allowing districts to give more computers to more students who need them, the use of pre-owned computers also promotes good environmental practices by keeping the machines out of landfills, where they otherwise might wind up; and

    Whereas, Pre-owned, “prematurely retired” computers that are top-tier models and are being disposed of by corporations and other organizations, as well as individuals, can be refurbished so that they continue to provide basic capabilities, including word processing, e-mail and Internet access. However, school systems tend keep the same computers in use for significantly longer than that average three years, and as a result, the value of school computers for refurbishing is minimal; and

    Whereas, the Legislature should research the most efficient way to acquire, refurbish, and distribute computers to students, including examining ways to encourage businesses and private citizens to donate computers appropriate for refurbishing and exploring various methods for refurbishing computers for student use; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study on the acquisition of pre-owned computers for refurbishing for use by students in need.; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the said Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation are requested to be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.