BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 78
85R2562 JCG-D	By: Nelson
	Business & Commerce
	1/17/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 78 adds Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to the list of state entities eligible to receive used computers from the State of Texas. These computers will be available as a resource at CASA foster and group homes.

 

Access to computers for children involved with CASA:

 

�         allows foster children to connect to all kinds of information and to become empowered and engaged;

 

�         provides the opportunity for learning, bridging the digital divide, and giving children in foster care STEM learning opportunities through technology;

 

�         helps foster children and youth stay on par with their classmates who have access to computers in their homes;

 

�         and helps provide a sense of normalcy.

 

As proposed, S.B. 78 amends current law relating to the disposition of certain state surplus or salvage data processing equipment.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 2175.905(a), (b), and (c), Government Code, as follows:

 

(a) Includes Texas CASA for use in a foster home or foster group home in the list of organizations eligible to receive equipment if a disposition of a state agency's surplus or salvage data processing equipment is not made under Section 2175.184 (Transfer).

 

(b) to (c) Makes conforming changes.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.