PURCHASE OF NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS - RESULTS OF SURVEY OF LEGISLATORS

In response to a request at the October 8, 1998, meeting of the Legislative Management Committee, a survey form was sent to each legislator inquiring whether that legislator was interested in purchasing one of 60 used IBM ThinkPad 755CD notebook-style computers that are available for disposition. These computers were the computers first purchased for use by legislators in 1995.

The survey pointed out that all software will be removed except the Windows 95 operating system. The 755CD computers have 486/100 MHz processors, 40 MB RAM, 810 MB hard drives, and 28.8 modems. The survey also pointed out the computers will not have any warranty protection nor will the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly provide any type of warranty service. The survey form listed an approximate selling price for the used IBM ThinkPad 755CD computer as $350.

The survey form was sent to all legislators. Legislators were requested to respond by November 4, 1998.

Fifty-five legislators had the 755CD computers (five had been turned in before the survey). Sixty-two legislators expressed interest in purchasing the computers. Thirty-nine of the 55 legislators with 755CD computers indicated that they were interested in purchasing the computers. Twenty-three legislators who had not been assigned the 755CD computers indicated they were interested in purchasing the computers. A number of the legislators expressed interest in purchasing more than one computer.

If the decision is made to request a bill draft to make the computers available for purchase by legislators, a number of questions need to be addressed:

• Will a legislator who had the 755CD computer receive preference for purchasing a computer (62 legislators expressed interest in 60 computers)?
• Will a legislator who had a 755CD computer and who expressed interest in purchasing a computer receive that computer rather than any other computer (a number of computers require service work, e.g., the pointing stick does not work adequately and the keyboards need repair)?
• Will a legislator who had a 755CD computer or expressed preference in purchasing a computer even though not having a 755CD computer be eligible to purchase a computer even if that legislator is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly (one senator and three representatives without a 755CD computer and five representatives who had 755CD computers expressed interest in purchasing a computer)?
• Will a newly elected legislator be eligible to purchase a computer?
• Over 60 legislators have indicated interest in purchasing 60 computers—how will the selection be made?