This bill updates the requirements and procedures for school districts to receive and utilize school building aid, as well as clarifying the rulemaking and administration of the school building aid and public school infrastructure fund. The bill includes changes to the standards for school building construction, the use of grant funds, the engagement of project managers for construction projects, and the administration of the public school infrastructure fund.
Key insertions in the bill include specifying standards for school building construction under new provisions, establishing that school building aid grants must be deposited into a school district expendable trust, and requiring an owner’s project manager for construction projects of $1,000,000 or more unless waived by the commissioner. The bill also expands the public school infrastructure fund to include preschools and clarifies the department of education's authority to fund expenditures with fiscal committee approval. Deletions include removing the maximum acreage per pupil standard for land purchases, changing the role of the public school infrastructure commission, and replacing the checklist with a survey for annual air quality investigations in schools. The bill also provides civil immunity for school principals or designees who conduct good faith air quality reports. The act is set to take effect on September 17, 2024.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 21-N:9, 198:15-b, 198:15-c, 198:15-z, 200:11-a
As Amended by the House: 21-N:9, 198:15-b, 198:15-c, 198:15-y, 198:15-z, 200:11-a
As Amended by the Senate: 21-N:9, 198:15-b, 198:15-c, 198:15-y, 198:15-z, 200:11-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 21-N:9, 198:15-b, 198:15-c, 198:15-y, 198:15-z, 200:11-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 21-N:9, 198:15-b, 198:15-c, 198:15-y, 198:15-z, 200:11-a