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Bill > S1518
NJ S1518
NJ S1518Requires Office of School Facilities in DOE to establish program to replace roofs and HVAC systems in certain school buildings; appropriates $500 million.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
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
This bill mandates that the Office of School Facilities within the Department of Education (DOE) create a program to address critical infrastructure in older school buildings, specifically focusing on roofs and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. The program will involve inspecting and evaluating these systems in school buildings that are at least 75 years old and currently used for instruction, with school districts having the option to submit their own professional evaluations conducted within the last five years. Based on these evaluations and the school districts' long-term facility plans, the DOE will prioritize and fund the repair or replacement of these systems, with a particular emphasis on projects that improve student safety, using $500 million appropriated to a dedicated "School District Roof and HVAC Project Fund" that will not lapse at the end of the fiscal year. All work performed under this program must be carried out by licensed contractors hired directly by or contracted through the DOE, and the State will cover all associated costs.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1518 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1518_I1.HTM |
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