House Bill 1321 amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning educational facilities, primarily focusing on the responsibilities of the Department of Education and the requirements for school districts and Florida College System institutions. Key changes include the repeal of the Office of Educational Facilities and the authority of the Department to inspect educational and ancillary plants. The bill eliminates the requirement for school districts to periodically update their inventory of educational facilities and certain standards and inspections related to relocatable classrooms. It also revises the Department's duties to establish minimum and maximum square footage standards for educational facilities and uniform utilization standards for classroom spaces. Additionally, the bill streamlines interlocal agreement requirements between school boards and local governments, reducing regulatory burdens and enhancing the planning and assessment processes for educational facilities.

The bill further introduces new provisions regarding funding mechanisms for educational facilities, including the establishment of a Special Facility Construction Account for urgent construction needs. It modifies the composition of the Special Facility Construction Committee and specifies that funds from the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) cannot be used for certain athletic facilities unless they serve multiple schools. The bill also allows school districts to lend their Classrooms First Program funds to other districts with the Commissioner's approval and emphasizes compliance with the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code. Overall, HB 1321 aims to enhance the efficiency, accountability, and safety of educational facility planning and construction in Florida, while ensuring that school districts can effectively address their future needs.

Statutes affected:
H 1321 Filed: 163.3180, 1001.20, 1002.20, 1002.31, 1002.36, 1003.621, 1011.012, 1011.6202, 1013.03, 1013.20, 1013.31, 1013.33, 1013.35, 1013.356, 1013.45, 1013.62, 1013.68, 1013.735