SSB 6222
In CommitteeSenate
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 makes it easier for Washington public school students to get used laptops, tablets, and other tech devices from their schools—either for free or at a reduced price—by allowing districts to bypass standard surplus sale rules and prioritize students with the greatest need. It aims to close the digital divide and support learning outside the classroom.
- School districts and other public education agencies can now give or sell surplus laptops, tablets, and other tech devices to students at a reduced (depreciated) cost or for free.
- Districts must prioritize students with the greatest need—such as those eligible for free/reduced-price meals or whose family income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
- Districts may skip the usual public surplus sale process and instead directly grant or sell devices to students, or loan them to approved private or public educational entities.
- The bill reenacts and amends existing law (RCW 28A.335.180) to clarify that students have priority for textbooks and to add new options for tech device redistribution.
- Surplus tech devices must be defined and tracked, and any sale or grant to students must be documented in a written agreement stating the depreciated cost.
Who is affected
- Public school students — Public school students—especially those from low-income families—gain easier access to used laptops, tablets, and other tech devices at low or no cost to support learning and digital participation.
- Public school districts and educational service districts — School districts and educational service districts gain new flexibility to redistribute surplus tech devices directly to students instead of following standard surplus sale rules, and must prioritize students with the greatest need.
- Low-income families — Families of students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals—or whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level—may receive devices at no cost or reduced cost.
- Nonprofit private educational organizations — Nonreligious, nonsectarian private organizations can receive loaned surplus devices to support public school–age students in educational programs, provided use is nondiscriminatory.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
By allowing districts to bypass standard surplus sale rules and prioritize students with greatest need (e.g., free/reduced-price meal eligibility or income ≤185% FPL), the bill directly targets resources to historically underserved students—reducing the digital divide and improving educational equity.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(3)The option to loan or grant surplus devices to private nonprofit educational organizations expands access beyond public school walls, supporting out-of-school learning programs for low-income youth in community-based settings.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(a); Sec. 2(2)(b)While not directly housing-related, improved device access supports remote learning and telehealth during crises (e.g., pandemic, extreme weather), indirectly strengthening household stability—especially for families in unstable or overcrowded housing.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1); Sec. 2(3)By facilitating reuse of existing devices, the bill reduces demand for new hardware purchases by families—freeing up household income for other essentials. This may also reduce e-waste, though the environmental benefit is modest.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(4)(b)The bill provides districts with administrative flexibility in managing surplus tech assets, potentially reducing storage, disposal, or third-party resale costs—but does not require new reporting or oversight beyond existing accountability for public property.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(4)(a)
Potential Concerns (1)
The bill enables low-income students to access used devices at reduced or no cost, directly supporting equitable access to digital learning tools outside school hours and reducing barriers to homework, research, and digital literacy development.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c); Sec. 2(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income students gain direct access to devices needed for learning and digital participation. The priority mechanism ensures those most at risk of being left behind benefit most.
Families with income ≤185% FPL or on free/reduced-price meal programs benefit most from no-cost or low-cost device access, reducing household tech expenses during inflationary periods.
School districts gain flexibility to redistribute existing assets without public auction delays, but must implement new prioritization protocols and documentation—adding minimal administrative burden.
Nonprofit, nonsectarian private educational providers (e.g., YMCAs, community centers, after-school programs) can receive loaned devices to support public school–age students, expanding their program capacity.
Tech vendors and retailers see no direct impact; the bill focuses on reuse of existing devices, not new procurement—so commercial hardware interests are unaffected.