HB 7034 - Transforming the School Construction Program

• Changes facility condition reporting requirements from triennial (every three years) to every five years, effective July 1, 2021, with reports submitted to the joint standing committee on education.

• Expands emergency grant eligibility to include roof replacements with skylights, exterior wall and attic insulation, limited-use elevators, windows, photovoltaic panels, wind generation systems, building management systems, and public school administrative facilities; requires superintendent notification within seven days of discovering a qualifying reason and application submission within six months.

• Adds comprehensive review factors for school building project applications including enrollment projections, capacity analysis, cost substantiation, school redistricting/reconfiguration efforts, inter-district collaboration efforts, and consideration of state education priorities for reducing racial and economic isolation.

• Increases state grant withholding from 5% to 11% pending audit completion, with provision allowing independent audits at applicant expense if Department of Administrative Services cannot complete audit within six months.

• Clarifies that withdrawing towns from regional school districts remain financially responsible for obligations related to school building projects under Chapter 173.