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HB 463

AN ACT relating to fiscal responsibility in education technology planning.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Vanessa Grossl

Implements a standardized, fiscally prudent framework for education technology, requiring total cost of ownership assessments, policy adoption, and regular district reporting.

to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
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Bill Summary · HB 463

Overview

HB 463 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky) aims to promote fiscal responsibility in education technology planning and funding. It establishes a framework for evaluating the total cost of ownership of educational technology, mandates the development of model fiscal policies for districts, requires regular reporting on device breakage and costs, and refines the master plan and funding mechanisms for education technology across districts.

Main purpose and intent

  • Institute a standardized, fiscally prudent approach to acquiring, deploying, and maintaining education technology.
  • Ensure districts consider total cost of ownership, long-term security, and resale value when making technology purchases.
  • Improve transparency and accountability through regular reporting to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Legislative Research Commission (LRC).
  • Align state technology planning with master planning, budgeting, and facilities funding processes to optimize statewide impact.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 1):

    • Introduces precise definitions for break-fix rate, total cost of ownership (TCO), and technology.
    • Sets the scope to include a broad range of devices and related costs.

  • Education technology fiscal policy and model policy (Section 2):

    • KDE must promulgate regulations to require adoption of education technology fiscal policies by KDE and districts.
    • KDE must develop a model policy addressing:
    • TCO evaluation during acquisition.
    • Flexibility for innovation and accessibility.
    • Anticipated resale/salvage value (not included in TCO; based on industry norms).
    • Data security and timely security updates.
    • Annual reporting by districts starting August 15, 2027, detailing:
    • Break-fix rates by device type.
    • Total devices in operation.
    • Devices repaired or retired.
    • Funds spent on repair/replacement.
    • School-level disaggregation of (a)-(d).

  • Master plan and five-year technology plan (Section 3):

    • KDE (or the Council for Education Technology) will oversee the master plan for education technology, approved by the KDE Board and LRC.
    • The five-year plan covers instructional and administrative use, network/hardware/software, facilities readiness, and staff development.
    • Requires recommendations for uniform standards and guidelines for financial accounting and reporting.
    • Includes an integrated technology-based information system for management of education technology data.
    • Plans to install a classroom telephone to facilitate communications.
    • Encourages private sector participation and ongoing updates after each implementation phase.

  • Standards and curriculum regulations (Section 4):

    • KDE Board to set standards for curriculum, including provisions for sign language, ROTC, Holocaust/genocide education, and cursive writing beginning 2025-2026.
    • Outlines requirements for health, dental screenings, and other student welfare regulations.
    • Establishes a statewide student identification system and uniform forms for districts.
    • Addresses homeless student procedures and credit/diploma considerations.
    • Maintains flexibility for private schools to align with state standards.

  • Education technology funding and district eligibility (Sections 5–7):

    • Defines eligible districts and the unmet technology need threshold for funding.
    • Requires districts to match equally the state funds offered by the School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) for technology projects, with some historical exceptions.
    • Provides mechanisms for reevaluating plans if a district’s technology plan is deemed grossly inconsistent with regulations.
    • SFCC funding allocation rules: base level determined by statewide attendance metrics; priority to address prior obligations; districts may earn credits for delays; unspent funds reallocated to eligible districts.

Who is affected

  • Local school districts and their superintendents, who must adopt and implement the model fiscal policies and submit annual/ongoing data.
  • Kentucky Department of Education, which will develop policies, manage reporting, and oversee master and five-year plans.
  • Kentucky Board of Education, which will approve regulations and plans and manage curriculum standards related to the act.
  • The Legislative Research Commission, which will receive annual summary reports and recommendations.
  • Private sector partners may participate in plan development and implementation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Modeling policy development and reporting begin as KDE promulgates regulations (Section 2).
  • Districts must begin submitting annual break-fix and related data starting in the 2027-2028 school year (August 15, 2027 deadline for initial report).
  • KDE must compile and report to LRC by November 15 of each year, outlining district data and recommendations (Section 2).
  • The five-year master plan and updates are to be implemented upon approval and updated as implementation phases are completed (Section 3).

This bill emphasizes structured, transparent, and value-driven investments in education technology to maximize student outcomes while controlling long-term costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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