Senate Bill No. 1393 authorizes approximately $171.8 million in state grant commitments for school building projects, which have an estimated total cost of $262.7 million. The bill reauthorizes a specific project at Connecticut Platt Technical High School, increasing its estimated costs from $124.6 million to $175.2 million, resulting in a 100% state grant reimbursement rate. The Commissioner of Administrative Services is granted the authority to enter into these grant commitments based on a priority list of eligible projects, which must be submitted to a General Assembly committee for approval by February 1, 2025.

In addition to the funding provisions, the bill introduces a new incentive that increases the reimbursement rate for school construction projects that include designated spaces for early childhood education and special education programs by 15 percentage points, applicable to the entire project cost. This change aims to encourage the inclusion of such facilities in school construction. The effective date for these bonus rate provisions is set for July 1, 2025, while the grant commitments take effect upon passage. The bill also repeals existing language regarding reimbursement limits for early childhood education spaces, thereby broadening the scope of eligible costs for reimbursement.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-285a
ED Joint Favorable: 10-285a
File No. 338: 10-285a