General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7028 seeks to enhance the reimbursement percentages for school building project grants in municipalities that meet certain affordable housing criteria. The bill amends Section 10-285a of the general statutes by introducing new provisions that guarantee a minimum reimbursement percentage of sixty percent for towns with a population of eighty thousand or more, and fifty percent for the town of Cheshire. Additionally, municipalities that achieve specific affordable housing thresholds—ten percent, eight percent, and six percent—will receive corresponding increases in grant money, with a maximum increase of twenty percent for those meeting the ten percent threshold. The bill also allows for a fifteen percentage point increase in reimbursement for projects involving early childhood education programs, contingent on the maintenance of these programs.

Furthermore, the legislation updates the ranking criteria for grant eligibility based on the adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, specifically for applications submitted on or after July 1, 2024. It establishes that towns can receive reimbursement percentages for new construction or replacement of school buildings as high as eighty percent, while maintaining existing thresholds for renovations. The bill clarifies reimbursement percentages for regional boards of education and regional educational service centers, ensuring they are based on population rankings. It also allows for a fifteen percentage point increase for school building projects in priority school districts that support full-day kindergarten or preschool programs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with the goal of promoting affordable housing development alongside improvements in educational infrastructure.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-285a