WA HB1538

Creates a new grant program for school districts with 1,000 or fewer students to modernize or replace instructional buildings that are at least 30 years old and rated in poor or unsatisfactory condition

Establishes a 100-point scoring system for prioritizing construction grants based on remaining debt capacity (up to 45 points), facility condition (up to 40 points), and district enrollment (up to 15 points)

Requires school districts to contribute at least 50% of their remaining debt capacity as local match, with reductions if the resulting property tax rate would exceed $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value

Projects must not exceed 110% of statewide average construction costs and must address seismic vulnerabilities, failing building systems, accessibility barriers, and deteriorated conditions

Superintendent of public instruction must submit prioritized grant lists to the governor by September 1st of even-numbered years beginning September 1, 2028, with the grant program taking effect January 1, 2028