1 Grant for School Construction; Facility Assessment Required. Amend RSA 198:15-a, V to read as follows:

V. The department of education shall develop and maintain a 10-year school facilities plan of potential school building grant projects. Potential projects shall include, but not be limited to, criteria pursuant to RSA 198:15-c, II(b). The 10-year plan is intended to create a method to identify and enhance school facilities in a safe, healthy, and efficient manner while providing adequate learning environments for New Hampshire's students. The 10-year plan shall be updated every biennium to provide the department a summary of projects and school facility capital expenditures that are anticipated for the next 10 years. The plan shall identify new construction, renovation, and emergency projects, and describe the overall condition of projects contained in the plan. In support of the 10-year plan, it is recommended that each district have in place and provide the department a long-range capital improvement program that identifies school facility goals, provides projected expenditures, and outlines procedures and guidelines to be followed to accomplish goals. Each district is encouraged to review and update the district's anticipated school facility capital improvement plan on a 2-year recurring basis or as needed. The department shall use this information to better plan, prioritize, and project new anticipated capital construction and renovation expenditures relative to the state building aid program. The state board of education shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to this paragraph.

2 Appropriations.

I. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the commissioner of education may request the fiscal committee of the general court authorize additional funding for the purpose of meeting the requirements of RSA 198:15-a, V(a) and (b), relative to contracting with an outside vendor to conduct a facility assessment of public schools and public chartered schools, and to create a ranked list of schools most in need of construction or renovation. Amounts requested under this paragraph shall be a charge to the education trust fund. For funds requested and approved, the governor is authorized to draw a warrant from any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

II. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and each year thereafter, the department may include in its efficiency expenditure request under RSA 9:4 sufficient funds for the continued cost of complying with the provisions of RSA 198:15-a, V(a) and (b).

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Grant for School Construction; Facility Assessment Required. Amend RSA 198:15-a, V to read as follows:

V. (a) The department of education shall develop and maintain a 10-year school facilities plan of potential school building grant projects. Potential projects shall include, but not be limited to, criteria pursuant to RSA 198:15-c, II(b). The 10-year plan is intended to create a method to identify and enhance school facilities in a safe, healthy, and efficient manner while providing adequate learning environments for New Hampshire's students. The 10-year plan shall be updated every biennium to provide the department a summary of projects and school facility capital expenditures that are anticipated for the next 10 years. The plan shall identify new construction, renovation, and emergency projects, and describe the overall condition of projects contained in the plan. In support of the 10-year plan, it is recommended that each district have in place and provide the department a long-range capital improvement program that identifies school facility goals, provides projected expenditures, and outlines procedures and guidelines to be followed to accomplish goals. Each district is encouraged to review and update the district's anticipated school facility capital improvement plan on a 2-year recurring basis or as needed. The department shall use this information to better plan, prioritize, and project new anticipated capital construction and renovation expenditures relative to the state building aid program. The state board of education shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to this paragraph.

(b) To comply with requirements in subparagraph V(a), the department of education shall contract with a vendor to conduct a facility assessment of public schools and chartered public schools, and to create a ranked list of schools most in need of construction or renovation. The contractor will be selected through the statewide contracting process, pursuant to RSA 4:15.

2 Appropriations.

I. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the commissioner of education may request the fiscal committee of the general court authorize additional funding for the purpose of meeting the requirements of RSA 198:15-a, V(a) and (b), relative to contracting with an outside vendor to conduct a facility assessment of public schools and public chartered schools, and to create a ranked list of schools most in need of construction or renovation. Amounts requested under this paragraph shall be a charge to the education trust fund. For funds requested and approved, the governor is authorized to draw a warrant from any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

II. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and each year thereafter, the department may include in its efficiency expenditure request under RSA 9:4 sufficient funds for the continued cost of complying with the provisions of RSA 198:15-a, V(a) and (b).

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.