HB 1206: Education; require local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to consider total cost of ownership and related factors when purchasing school technology devices

Currently, Georgia law does not require school systems to consider the long-term costs of technology devices like laptops and tablets before buying them. HB1206 adds a new section to Georgia's education code directing local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to weigh the total cost of ownership when purchasing devices worth more than $100, including repair costs, flexibility for future upgrades, and expected resale or salvage value compared to the purchase price. Starting in 2027, school systems would have to report annually to the Department of Education by October 15, covering how many devices they have, their 'break/fix rate' (the share needing repair before their expected lifespan ends), how many were repaired or taken out of service, and how much was spent on repairs or replacements. The Department of Education would then compile this information into a report sent to the Governor, legislative leaders, and education committee chairs by December 31 each year.

• Requires local school boards and other public school governing bodies to weigh long-term ownership costs, repair costs, upgrade flexibility, and resale value before buying technology devices.
• Defines 'school technology device' as electronic equipment worth more than $100 used for education, including computers, tablets, and interactive whiteboards.
• Creates a formula for a 'break/fix rate' measuring how often devices break or need repair before their expected lifespan ends.
• Requires local school systems to report device counts, break/fix rates, repair numbers, and repair/replacement spending to the Department of Education starting in 2027.
• Requires the Department of Education to compile these local reports into a statewide report sent annually to the Governor and legislative leaders.

Local boards of education and other public school governing bodies across Georgia, the state Department of Education, and school administrators who purchase and manage classroom technology like computers, tablets, and interactive whiteboards used by students and teachers.

School systems would have to formally weigh repair costs and resale value, not just sticker price, when buying devices, which could shift purchasing decisions toward longer-lasting equipment. The new annual reporting would give state officials a statewide picture of how often school devices break down and how much repairs cost.

• Adds new Code section 20-2-1018 to Article 19 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, covering instructional materials and content.
• Subsection (a) defines 'break/fix rate,' 'department,' and 'school technology device' (equipment over $100 in value used for education).
• Subsection (b) requires boards to consider long-term ownership costs, upgrade flexibility, and resale or salvage value when purchasing devices.
• Subsection (c) requires local boards to submit annual reports to the Department of Education by October 15 starting in 2027, covering device counts, break/fix rates, repairs, and spending.
• Subsection (d) requires the Department of Education to submit a compiled report to the Governor, legislative leaders, and education committee chairs by December 31 starting in 2027.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-03House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-02-09House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-06House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-02-05House Hopper (House)

• Todd Jones (R, HD-025)Primary sponsor
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)

• school technology
• education funding
• public schools
• government reporting requirements