CT SB00428

Establishes a new HVAC system grant program administered by the Department of Administrative Services beginning July 1, 2022, to reimburse local and regional boards of education for installation, replacement, or upgrading of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems or indoor air quality improvements in school buildings.

Grant reimbursement percentages (20-80% for local boards, up to 85% for regional boards) are determined by town wealth rankings based on adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, with additional 5 percentage point increases available for using minority business enterprises or entering long-term maintenance contracts with them.

Modifies school building project grant regulations to increase square footage allowances for buildings constructed before 1959 by 25%, allow up to 1% additional square footage for HVAC systems, and changes cost overrun eligibility rules for projects exceeding $10 million.

Eliminates the separate School Safety Infrastructure Council and assigns school safety infrastructure criteria development to the existing School Building Projects Advisory Council, which must periodically review and update these criteria.

All provisions effective July 1, 2022, with multiple amendments to Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 173 regarding school construction grants and project approval processes.