The bill requires the New Hampshire Department of Education to conduct a facility assessment of public schools and public chartered schools. The department is directed to contract with a vendor to carry out this assessment and to create a ranked list of schools that are most in need of construction or renovation. The bill amends RSA 198:15-a, V to include new subparagraphs (a) and (b), with subparagraph (b) specifically detailing the contracting process for the facility assessment. The vendor for the assessment will be selected through the statewide contracting process, as per RSA 4:15.

The bill also addresses the financial aspects of this requirement. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the commissioner of education may request additional funding from the fiscal committee of the general court to meet the requirements of the facility assessment. The requested funds will be charged to the education trust fund, and the governor is authorized to draw a warrant for the approved amounts from any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and each year thereafter, the department may include in its efficiency expenditure request sufficient funds for the continued cost of complying with the provisions of RSA 198:15-a, V(a) and (b). The initial cost of the assessment is estimated to be between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000, with ongoing costs estimated to be between $250,000 and $500,000 per year. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:15-a
As Amended by the House: 198:15-a
As Amended by the House (2nd): 198:15-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 198:15-a