Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
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
Last action March 3, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
HB1206 would require Georgia's local school boards and public school governing bodies to weigh long-term costs, repair expenses, and resale value when buying school technology devices, and to report device breakage data to the state each year.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
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.
What the bill does
- 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.
Who it affects
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.
Why it matters
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.
Key provisions
- 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.
From the bill
“When purchasing school technology devices, each local board of education and other public school governing body shall take into consideration the following factors:”
“'School technology device' or 'device' means electronic or computerized equipment greater than $100.00 in value provided for educational purposes in a public school, including, but not limited to, computers, tablets, and interactive whiteboards”
Discussed in meetings (5)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Education Committee, March 2, 2026
From 0:20:50 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute encouraging school districts to consider the full cost of owning technology devices, rather than only the purchase price. The sponsor said some inexpensive devices purchased with pandemic funding had higher long-term costs and less resale value than more expensive alternatives. The sponsor described two substitute changes: limiting covered devices to those costing more than $100 each and moving the reporting deadline from August 15 to October 15. Two members questioned whether the language imposed a requirement rather than a recommendation. The sponsor answered that reporting would be mandatory, but the bill would not dictate districts' purchasing decisions. Members expressed support for transparency and efficiency. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote, and the chair said it would move to Rules.
House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026
From 1:32:42 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described HB 1206 as a framework, rather than a mandate, for evaluating school technology purchases over $100 based on total ownership costs. The sponsor argued that cheaper devices can cost more to maintain and replace and may have little resale value, while higher-priced devices can retain value. Asked whether it would cover metal detectors and weapon detection systems, the sponsor said no, because the definition concerned technology used by students. No decision was recorded.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Todd Jones (R, HD-25)
- Matt Dubnik (R, HD-29)
- Chris Erwin (R, HD-32)
- Jan Jones (R, HD-47)
- Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)
Topics
- school technology
- education funding
- public schools
- government reporting requirements