HI HB1251

Requires state departments to give reasonable consideration to making vacant or closed facilities available to public charter schools and early learning programs affiliated with charter schools.

Mandates departments notify the superintendent and state public charter school commission of suitable unused facilities, with priority given to sites with space for three or more classrooms.

Establishes a Charter School Facilities Funding Working Group within the Department of Education, composed of seven members including the commission chairperson, director of finance, comptroller, and superintendent, exempt from open meetings law.

Requires the legislature to consider making annual appropriations and bond authorizations starting in fiscal year 2016-2017 for charter school design, planning, construction, repair, and maintenance addressing health, safety, legal compliance, instructional space, food services, and restroom facilities.

Expands annual Board of Education reporting requirements to include detailed breakdowns of facilities funding allocation, lists of funded projects, project status, and criteria used by the working group in distributing funds.