Revision: Nov. 17, 2021, 4:18 p.m.
Rep. Boehm, Hills. 20
Rep. Ladd, Graf. 4
Rep. Cordelli, Carr. 4
Rep. Luneau, Merr. 10
Rep. Ellison, Merr. 27
October 28, 2021
2021-2225h
10/05
Amendment to HB 214
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to a public school facility condition assessment and school building aid grants.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Public School Infrastructure Fund; Facility Condition Assessment. Amend RSA 198:15-y, III(g) to read as follows:
(g) Funding for the department of education to support the development, implementation, and maintenance of a facility condition assessment for public elementary and secondary schools. A facility condition assessment shall assess the schools' facility condition, energy use, educational sufficiency, and technology infrastructure.
(h) Other school building or infrastructure needs the governor, in consultation with the public school infrastructure commission, may identify, except for school building aid projects that are otherwise prohibited by law.
2 New Paragraphs; Grants for School Construction; Facility Condition Assessments. Amend RSA 198:15-a by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraphs:
VI.(a) A facility condition assessment produced using public school infrastructure funds under RSA 198:15-y, III shall be used to establish a school facilities priorities list in the department of education. The list shall identify schools that may need construction or major reconstruction within the next 10 years in order to provide an adequate learning environment in a safe, healthy, and efficient to operate facility. The state board of education shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to the establishment and procedures for the facilities priorities list.
(b) Beginning with construction authorized by a local school district on or after July 1, 2025, projects not on the school facilities priority list shall not be eligible for school building aid grants unless deemed an emergency pursuant to RSA 198:15-c, I(c).
VII. Beginning July 1, 2023, and each fiscal year thereafter, a school district desiring to avail itself of the grants provided under this section shall have in place a long-range capital improvement program that identifies facility goals and outlines procedures and guidelines to be followed to approach and accomplish those goals.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2021-2225h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill provides for the department of education to complete a facility condition assessment of schools' facilities and identify a facilities priorities list. Schools seeking school building aid will have to have in place a long-range capital improvement program.