Substitute House Bill No. 5147 seeks to reform the funding and oversight of school building projects in Connecticut by implementing recommendations from the Department of Administrative Services. The bill repeals Section 10-285a and introduces new provisions effective July 1, 2026, which establish a ranking system for determining grant eligibility based on towns' adjusted equalized net grand list per capita. Key insertions include specific grant percentages for towns with populations over eighty thousand and for Cheshire, as well as provisions for regional boards of education to receive reimbursement based on their ranking, capped at eighty-five percent. The bill also allows regional school districts established or expanded after July 1, 2016, to apply for grant money related to their establishment or expansion.

Additionally, the bill renames the School Building Projects Advisory Council to the School Safety and Security Infrastructure Advisory Council, expanding its membership and shifting its focus to safety and security infrastructure in schools. The new council will include representatives with expertise in school safety and will be chaired by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The bill also establishes new criteria for school safety infrastructure, including specific security measures, and mandates that the council submit updates on these criteria to relevant state officials. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of school facilities while streamlining the funding process for school building projects.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-292q
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-292q, 10-292r, 10-287i
File No. 511: 10-292q, 10-292r, 10-287i