Vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal

Vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority.

Highlights:

-Establishes the Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority within the Department of Education to provide funding, coordination, assistance, and oversight for the repair, renovation, and construction of public school facilities (Sec. 1). -Requires the Authority to collaborate with city, parish, and other local public school boards to determine how best to meet their specific needs with regard to school facilities (Sec. 1). -Requires the Authority to consult with the Council to assess and prioritize applications for funding for local projects submitted by city, parish, and other local public school boards based on best practices and shall, among other things, include consideration for student health and safety, projected demographic changes, adequate space needed to accommodate projected student enrollment, and the ability of the local school system to finance school repairs, renovations, and construction projects (Sec. 1). -Prohibits the authority from funding any project at 100 percent of the cost except on an emergency basis to repair school facilities damaged by fire, flood, wind, storm, earthquake, hurricane, or any other natural occurrence (Sec. 1). -Requires the Authority to establish a revolving loan fund for the planning, design, construction, expansion, improvement, or rehabilitation of publicly owned facilities (Sec. 1). -Specifies that the revolving loan fund shall be administered by the Authority, which is authorized to enter into contracts and other agreements in connection with the operation of the revolving loan fund (Sec. 1). -Specifies that, if the appropriate funds are available, the Authority may conduct a statewide assessment of public school facilities to assess and evaluate the quality and condition of existing public school facilities and compile a school-by-school inventory of facility deficiencies and needs (Sec. 1). -Establishes the Education Facilities Advisory Council to provide advice and input to the Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority board of commissioners to inform policy and funding decisions made by the board (Sec. 1). -Specifies that participation by any city, parish, or other local public school board in any program implemented by the Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority is voluntary and the school board shall retain ownership of and control over any school facility for which funding for repairs, renovation, or construction was obtained through the Authority (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the Authority to seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations, including federal funds, from any available source (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text