SJR16 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

CREATING THE JOINT INTERIM STUDY COMMISSION ON RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES BY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Summary

A temporary Senate resolution creates a Joint Interim Study Commission to examine responsible technology purchases by Alabama public education and develop a model total cost of ownership for large tech buys.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a Joint Interim Study Commission on Responsible Technology Purchases to study the short- and long-term fiscal impact of rising mass technology purchases and to recommend new approaches addressing economic, privacy, and environmental concerns. It considers creating a model total cost of ownership (TCO) matrix/calculator for public K-12, higher education, and state government purchases, including factors like resale value, leasing options, end-of-life buybacks, sustainability, disposal impacts, and data privacy. The commission will report findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature and publish a final report by January 1, 2024, at which point the commission will be dissolved.

Who It Affects

• Public education systems (K-12, community colleges, universities) in Alabama, as they may use a new procurement model and TCO framework for technology purchases.
• State government agencies and Alabama taxpayers, who could see changes in procurement practices aimed at cost efficiency, privacy protections, and environmental considerations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Joint Interim Study Commission on Responsible Technology Purchases to examine fiscal impact and recommend methods addressing economic, privacy, and environmental impacts of mass technology purchases.
• Sets membership to include the State Superintendent of Education, CCCS Chancellor, HE Commission Executive Director, chairs of Senate Education Policy, House Education Policy, Senate Finance and Taxation Education, House Ways and Means Education, Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund, House Ways and Means General Fund, Senate and House minority leaders, State Finance Director, and a hardware technology specialist appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; designations will reflect statewide diversity.
• Cochairs are the Chairs of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee and the House Ways and Means Education Committee.
• Commission shall meet as soon as practical; notices must follow interim committee rules; staff support provided by the Senate and Legislative Services Agency.
• Investigates the viability of establishing a model total cost of ownership (TCO) matrix/calculator for large technology purchases by K-12, higher education, and state agencies, and designs a simple template including factors such as residual value, leasing, end-of-life buyback, sustainability, disposal impact, and data privacy.
• Legislative members receive compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for meetings; other members may be reimbursed according to their appointing authorities' policies.
• The commission must notify the Secretary of State of meetings, list its members, and provide copies of findings and documents produced.
• The commission will report its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature and publish its final report on the Legislature's website by January 1, 2024, after which it will be dissolved.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

JOINT INTERIM STUDY COMMISSION ON RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES BY PUBLIC EDUCATION, created