Bill Text: NJ A5781 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes SDA to fund COVID-19 related school facilities projects.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-06-01 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A5781 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A5781-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SERENA DIMASO
District 13 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman ROBERT D. CLIFTON
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes SDA to fund COVID-19-related school facilities projects.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the construction of certain school facilities projects and supplementing P.L.2000, c.72 (C.18A:7G-1 et al.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, any district or SDA district shall be eligible to apply to the development authority for emergent project program funding related to facilities improvements and equipment installations related to limiting the transmission of COVID-19 in a school building. The development authority, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall review and approve project applications submitted pursuant to this act subject to the availability of funds.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) to fund COVID-19-related school facilities projects. Under the bill, the SDA may, as part of its emergent project program, fund facilities improvements and equipment installations related to limiting the transmission of COVID-19 in a school building. The SDA, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, will review and approve project applications subject to the availability of funds.
According to the SDA, it is prohibited from funding conditions that are considered maintenance because school districts are responsible for addressing projects that would be considered routine maintenance. State Board of Education regulations at N.J.A.C.6A:26-1.2 defines an "emergent project" to mean a capital project necessitating expedited review and, if applicable, approval, in order to alleviate a condition that, if not corrected on an expedited basis, would render a building or facility so potentially injurious or hazardous that it causes an imminent peril to the health and safety of students or staff. This bill allows school districts and SDA districts to apply to the SDA for emergent project program funding for COVID-19-related school facilities projects.
