Raised Bill No. 6922 seeks to reform the statutes governing school building projects in Connecticut, implementing recommendations from the Department of Administrative Services. Key changes include the repeal of subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-283, which are replaced with new provisions clarifying the eligibility of towns and regional school districts to apply for grants. The bill mandates that applications be submitted by the superintendent of schools and outlines a review process involving the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the Commissioner of Education. Notably, the previous requirement for superintendents to consider factors such as natural light and school safety in grant applications has been removed. New requirements for grant applications include detailed enrollment projections and substantiation of project costs, while projects that change in cost more than once will not be eligible for reimbursement unless they meet specific criteria.

Additionally, the bill expands the types of projects eligible for grants, including those addressing safety and health violations, and introduces provisions for upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, with grants contingent on compliance with inspection requirements after July 1, 2026. It also establishes that interdistrict magnet school projects not previously authorized will not receive a higher reimbursement percentage than originally determined. The bill streamlines the funding process by repealing certain outdated provisions related to consultant services and technical education projects. Overall, Raised Bill No. 6922 aims to enhance the management and funding of school construction projects while ensuring accountability and compliance with state regulations, with an immediate implementation upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-287d
ED Joint Favorable: 10-287d
File No. 311: 10-287d
FIN Joint Favorable: 10-287d