Bill > S4917

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Office of School Facilities within the Department of Education to establish a program to inspect, evaluate, and repair or replace roofs and HVAC systems in certain school buildings. Under the bill, the Office of School Facilities would evaluate the roofs and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems of all school buildings which are: owned by a school district; 75 or more years old; and used to provide instruction. In place of this evaluation, a school district may submit an evaluation conducted by a licensed professional within the previous five years. Based on the evaluations conducted by the office or submitted to the office by school districts and each school district's long-range facilities plan, the office is required to repair or replace the roofs and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems of each school district which meets the requirements of the bill in a priority order established by the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer of the Schools Development Authority, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The commissioner is required to prioritize capital projects that enhance student safety. The bill requires all inspections, evaluations, and repairs or replacements conducted pursuant to the provisions of the bill to be conducted by a licensed contractor or subcontractor who is: employed directly by the Department of Education or enters into a contract with the Department of Education to provide such services, subject to any applicable State procurement laws. The bill stipulates that all costs associated with inspections, evaluations, and repairs or replacements conducted under the bill are to be borne by the State. Finally, the bill appropriates $500 million to a dedicated, nonlapsing fund, designated under the bill as the "School District Roof and HVAC Project Fund." Monies in the fund would be used for the purpose of funding roof and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning projects conducted pursuant to the provisions of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Joe Cryan (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 12/01/2025)

Official Document