HB 2432
In CommitteeHouse
Students/surplus technology
Supporting public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill lets Washington public schools give or sell used laptops, tablets, and other tech devices to students—especially those with financial need—at reduced or no cost, to help close the digital access gap. It updates existing surplus property rules to make it easier for schools to get devices into students’ hands quickly and fairly.
- School districts and other public education agencies may now grant or sell surplus technology hardware (like laptops and tablets) to public school students at a depreciated cost or for free, prioritizing students with the greatest need.
- Agencies must first offer surplus books and materials to other schools, but for technology hardware, they may bypass the standard public notice and bidding process if they choose to give or sell devices directly to students under new rules.
- Schools must prioritize students based on need—such as eligibility for free or reduced-price meals or family income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level—when distributing devices under this law.
- The law clarifies that 'public school students' includes recent graduates and those enrolled in the past 12 months, and defines 'surplus technology hardware' as devices issued by schools for student use during the school year.
- Schools must record any sale or grant of technology hardware in a written agreement specifying the depreciated cost, if any.
Who is affected
- Public school students — Public school students (including recent graduates and those enrolled within the past 12 months) may now purchase or receive surplus technology devices at reduced or no cost, especially if their family qualifies for free/reduced-price meals or has income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
- Public school districts and educational service districts — School districts and educational service districts gain new flexibility to redistribute surplus technology devices to students in need, rather than following standard surplus disposal rules.
- Low-income families — Families of low-income students benefit from increased access to essential technology tools needed for learning, potentially reducing the digital divide.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
The bill significantly improves access to essential learning technology for low-income students by allowing schools to bypass standard surplus bidding rules and prioritize distribution based on need. This directly supports remote learning, homework completion, and digital literacy—key factors in long-term educational and economic mobility.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(3); Sec. 1(3)By allowing recent graduates and recently enrolled students to qualify, the bill supports continuity of access during transitional periods (e.g., summer, post-graduation), which helps stabilize learning pathways—especially important for students in unstable housing situations or those transitioning out of foster care or homelessness.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(4)(a)Improved digital access for students supports future workforce readiness and reduces barriers to postsecondary training and employment—particularly for students in career and technical education pathways that rely on technology.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 1(2)The bill does not create new safety risks or reduce oversight, and the requirement to record sales/grants in written agreements adds accountability—though the impact on public safety is minimal and indirect.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(4)(b)
Potential Concerns (1)
The bill enables schools to distribute surplus devices to students at reduced or no cost, with priority given to low-income students (those on free/reduced-price meals or at ≤185% FPL). This directly improves digital access and learning equity for historically underserved students, helping close the digital divide and supporting academic success.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income students benefit strongly—especially those on free/reduced-price meals or living in households at ≤185% FPL—by gaining access to essential devices without financial barriers.
Families with modest incomes benefit from reduced out-of-pocket technology costs and improved academic support at home, though the benefit is indirect and tied to student eligibility.
School districts gain operational flexibility and can reallocate underused assets to student needs, but must develop internal processes to implement prioritization and documentation—minimal added burden.
Recent graduates and students who left school within the past year (e.g., due to dropout, pregnancy, or family crisis) gain access to devices during critical transition periods—supporting GED completion or re-enrollment.
The bill does not directly affect private schools or tech vendors, but may reduce demand for low-cost refurbished devices in the secondary market—though the scale is too small to meaningfully impact industry.