A bill that will allow federal surplus and repairable computers to be refurbished by third party non-profits before going to people in need has been signed into law.
President Joseph Biden recently signed a bill, presented by Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), that will provide veterans, students and others in need access to refurbished laptop and desktop computers.
Spanberger’s bill, known as the Computers for Veterans and Students Act, sought to plug a gap that prevented the refurbishment of surplus and repairable computers donated by the federal government. This bill was part of the end of the year funding deal signed by the President and was first introduced by the congresswoman in July 2020.
The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.).
The gap was in the Federal Surplus Personal Property program which was created by Congress in 1949 through the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act. The program allowed for the transfer of nonessential federal property to authorized state agencies for surplus property, which would then transfer the property to local governments, businesses, nonprofits and other eligible recipients.
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However, not all of the equipment and other technological equipment is immediately usable. Also, prior to the bill, the federal government didn’t have the authority to transfer the equipment to third party computer refurbishers before going to the intended recipients.
As a result of the bill, the federal government will now be able to allow certified, non-profit computer refurbishing companies to obtain computers in order to repair them before sending them to recipients. The new law also requires nonprofit refurbishers to provide computer training.
“Especially during the pandemic, Virginians saw more job applications, educational opportunities and hiring processes move online. However, many low-income households, homeless veterans and seniors don’t have reliable access to a laptop or desktop computer. We need to close this device divide — because it’s an issue of opportunity,” stated Spanberger. “After several years of pushing this legislation forward, I am proud to see it cross the finish line and be signed into law by the President. The Computers for Veterans and Students Act will cut red tape, reduce government waste and provide surplus computers — which otherwise would be tossed in the trash or forgotten in a faraway storage …….