This bill establishes the K-12 Capital Grant Program within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to provide grants to local schools for capital projects, deferred maintenance, or technology needs. The grants can be used for purposes such as construction, renovation, debt service, maintenance, school security, and technology and equipment. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor will evaluate grant proposals based on criteria such as available funds, intended purposes, local matching funds, and geographic distribution. Grant recipients must file a report with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to ensure compliance with grant conditions and state laws.

The bill also creates the K-12 Capital Grant Program Fund in the State Treasury to facilitate the grant program. The fund will receive appropriations from the Legislature, and a portion of the funds may be used for administrative costs. Any unencumbered and unexpended balance of the fund at the end of the fiscal year will carry forward for the purposes of the act. The bill includes provisions for the evaluation of grant proposals, endorsement by members of the Senate and House of Representatives, compliance examination by the Department of the Examiners of Public Accounts, and the design and distribution of a grant proposal instrument by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The bill will become effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-9-4
Engrossed: 29-9-4