The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes related to the Building Renewal Grant (BRG) Fund by introducing new requirements and clarifications. Specifically, it would prioritize project requests from school districts that have maintained their facilities through routine preventive maintenance, requiring these districts to submit a preventive maintenance plan to be eligible for funding. Additionally, the bill would stipulate that projects funded by the BRG must be completed within twelve months, with provisions for extensions based on the average completion time of similar projects. It also mandates that any unspent grant funds be returned to the division upon expiration of the grant.

Furthermore, the bill would clarify the permissible uses of BRG funds, explicitly stating that these funds should only be used for projects serving an academic purpose. It would also require school districts to report preventive maintenance activities and comply with procurement practices for expenditures exceeding $50,000. The division would be responsible for verifying compliance with these requirements before disbursing funds. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accountability and ensure that funds are used effectively for school building renewal projects.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-5731