This bill amends existing laws related to the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district fund, specifically addressing funding for school districts, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and teacher housing. The amendments allow the department to make disbursements from the fund established under AS 14.11.030, replacing the previous language that specified providing grant funding. The bill outlines that the fund can be used to provide grant funding to eligible school districts, fund construction and major maintenance projects at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and support major maintenance projects for teacher housing owned by the state or school districts.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the purpose of the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district school fund, stating it will be used for school construction and major maintenance projects in regional educational attendance areas, small municipal school districts, and specifically at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, as well as for teacher housing projects. The previous restriction on the unobligated and unexpended cash balance of the fund, which capped it at $70 million, has been removed.

Statutes affected:
HB0174A, AM HB 174, introduced 04/07/2025: 14.11.025, 14.11.030
HB0174Z, AM Enrolled HB 174, introduced 05/20/2025: 14.11.025, 14.11.030