2018 -- S 2773

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Archambault, and Lynch Prata

     Date Introduced: April 05, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-7-40 and 16-7-45 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7 entitled

"Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board Of

Education Act]" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-7-40. Increased school housing ratio for regional schools -- Energy conservation -

- Access for people with disabilities -- Asbestos removal projects. Increased school housing

ratio for regional schools -- Energy conservation -- Access for people with disabilities --

Asbestos removal projects -- Safety and security measures.

     (a) (1) In the case of regional school districts, the school housing aid ratio shall be

increased by two percent (2%) for each grade so consolidated.

     (2) Regional school districts undertaking renovation project(s) shall receive an increased

share ratio of four percent (4%) for those specific project(s) only, in addition to the combined

share ratio calculated in § 16-7-39 and this subsection.

     (b) In the case of projects undertaken by regionalized and/or non-regionalized school

districts specifically for the purposes of energy conservation, access for people with disabilities,

and/or asbestos removal, the school housing aid share ratio shall be increased by four percent

(4%) for these specific projects only, in the calculation of school housing aid. The increased share

ratio shall continue to be applied for as log as the project(s) receive state housing aid. In order to

qualify for the increased share ratio, seventy-five percent (75%) of the project costs must be

specifically directed to either energy conservation, access for people with disabilities, and/or

asbestos removal or any combination of these projects. The board of regents for elementary and

secondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations for the administration and operation

of this section.

     (c) In the case of projects undertaken by regionalized and/or non-regionalized school

districts specifically for the purposes of school safety and security, the school housing aid share

ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) for these specific projects only, in the calculation of

school housing aid. The increased share ratio shall continue to be applied for as long as the

project(s) receives state housing aid. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, seventy-five

percent (75%) of the project costs must be specifically directed to school safety and security

measures. The council on elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules and

regulations for the administration and operation of this section.

     (c)(d) Upon the transfer of ownership from the state to the respective cities and towns of

the regional career and technical center buildings located in Cranston, East Providence, Newport,

Providence, Warwick, Woonsocket and the Chariho regional school district, the school housing

aid share ratio shall be increased by four percent (4%) for the renovation and/or repair of these

buildings. To qualify for the increased share ratio, as defined in § 16-7-39, renovation and repair

projects must be submitted for approval through the necessity of school construction process prior

to the end of the second full fiscal year following the transfer of ownership and assumption of

local care and control of the building. Only projects at regional career and technical centers that

have full program approval from the department of elementary and secondary education shall be

eligible for the increased share ratio. The increased share ratio shall continue to be applied for as

long as the renovation and/or repair project receives school housing aid.

     16-7-45. Annual appropriations.

     (a) The general assembly shall annually appropriate those sums that it may deem

necessary to carry out the purposes of §§ 16-7-35 to 16-7-47, and the state controller is authorized

and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum, or so

much of it as may be required from time to time, upon the receipt by the controller of properly

authenticated vouchers. In the event that the full amount of housing aid has not been appropriated

in a particular fiscal year, school housing aid will not be ratably reduced. In such cases, aid

computed for school housing costs for debt service which has been paid by the local community

prior to project completion will be deferred. Such aid will be paid within three (3) equal

installments beginning the fiscal year after project completion. This deferral provision shall only

be applicable if the computed aid for debt service paid by the local community prior to project

completion exceeds five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

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     (b) Any remaining monies not appropriated in a particular fiscal year shall be remitted for

the purpose of supporting law enforcement and safety related activities on school grounds, as

determined by the board of education.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

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     This act would increase the school housing aid share ratio by five percent (5%) for school

safety and security projects. For annual appropriations by the general assembly for school

housing aid, remaining monies not appropriated in a particular fiscal year shall be remitted for

school safety and security as determined by the board of education.

     This act would take effect July 1, 2019.

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