Public schools could seek redevelopment money to fix building problems

Public school organizations could apply for state redevelopment money for school building problems. Covered organizations include school districts, charter schools, and other public school bodies defined in the proposal. Covered costs include finding building problems and repaying costs already incurred for eligible work. Projects must appear in a legislative list of capital projects and meet the remaining funding rules. Eligibility would not guarantee funding. The provisions would take effect 60 days after enactment.

School projects would be exempt from several redevelopment funding requirements. School projects addressing the specified building problems would also be exempt from the $1 million minimum and requirements to show economic activity and regional impact. The school rule requires costs of at least $100,000; the general capital project rule requires more than $100,000. The general rule also requires an expected useful life longer than five years. Projects must qualify for funding through bonds whose interest is exempt from federal taxes.

Public school applicants would have to follow the referenced school construction rules. Public school applicants would have to follow subarticle (d) of Article VII of Pennsylvania's Public School Code. The referenced rules are not included here. School repair projects would be excluded from the rule making three written bids the only bidding requirement. Construction work would remain covered by the Steel Products Procurement Act.