This bill proposes an increase in the appropriations for school building aid grants for construction and renovation projects within school districts. Specifically, it amends RSA 198:15-a, IV to establish a minimum funding level of $60 million per fiscal year, starting July 1, 2025, which is an increase from the previous cap of $50 million. Additionally, the bill mandates that at least $5 million of this total be allocated to projects that began construction between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2019, which would have qualified for aid had funding been available. The bill also stipulates that these funds will be nonlapsing and continually appropriated, and it clarifies that no state bonds will be issued for funding these grants.

Furthermore, the bill amends RSA 198:15-w to ensure that grants for alternative school building aid applications will be calculated at 50% of the current applicable building aid grant amount. The fiscal impact of this legislation is significant, with projected increases in school building aid reaching approximately $45.2 million in FY 2026, $48 million in FY 2027, and $50.4 million in FY 2028. However, it is important to note that the bill does not provide any new funding or authorize new positions within the Department of Education, despite the anticipated need for additional staff to manage the increased workload associated with these projects.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:15-a, 198:15-w