The bill amends the General Laws related to "School Funds and Property" and "Foundation Level School Support" to introduce regulations for energy efficiency in school buildings. It adds a new section, 16-9-11, requiring the Department of Education and the Office of Energy Resources to develop regulations by June 30, 2025, ensuring all school buildings meet the Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools (NE-CHPS) standard of zero energy capable by December 31, 2036. The regulations must provide flexibility for local education agencies to secure state and federal funding for energy efficiency or renewable energy systems without penalties or reduction in state housing aid. The bill also defines "zero energy capable" and outlines the computation of state aid for school housing costs, setting minimum housing aid share ratios for projects completed after June 30, 2010, and approved before June 30, 2012, at not less than forty percent (40%), and a minimum of thirty-five percent (35%) for subsequent fiscal years.

Furthermore, the bill amends sections of the General Laws to include new provisions for increasing the school housing aid ratio for specific types of projects, such as regional school districts, renovation projects, and those aimed at school safety, security, and educational enhancement. It introduces a new section (j) that provides additional increases for high-performance school design projects and those including energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. The bill mandates a single statewide process for community involvement in the remediation of contaminated sites for school use, requires an owner’s program manager and a commissioning agent for projects over $1.5 million, and makes temporary housing for students during construction and environmental site remediation reimbursable expenses. It also requires compliance with prevailing wage, minority business enterprise participation, and apprenticeship program utilization for all projects, and tasks the school building authority with expanded roles and responsibilities. The bill takes effect upon passage and aims for all school buildings to meet the zero energy capable standard by December 31, 2036.

Statutes affected:
2168: 16-105-3