HB 794 -- Capital Improvement Funds for Public Schools

Co-Sponsors:  Bartle, Kelley (47)

This bill extensively revises the lease purchase program that is
funded by the School Building Revolving Fund, which currently
receives its moneys from transfers of asset forfeitures pursuant
to the County School Fund.  The bill eliminates lease purchases
and substitutes a matching grant program, with separate
qualifications for new construction versus renovation of
buildings; changes the name of the fund to the School Building
Construction and Renovation Fund; and supplies funding by
directing that 50% of the tobacco settlement moneys be deposited
into the fund.

Among its major provisions, the bill:

(1)  Details the elements of the long-range capital improvement
plan necessary to qualify for a grant and also permits waiver of
the plan under certain emergency circumstances;

(2)  Revises the current eligibility criteria to delete assessed
valuation and bonded indebtedness and substitutes a requirement
that the applicant district not be financially stressed;

(3)  Revises the priority for ranking applications to address
high-growth rates, overcrowding, and need for all-day
kindergarten; educational technology and health/safety features
for new construction; and building age and emergency situations
for renovations;

(4)  Provides a sliding scale for the district's matching amount
that varies between 50% and 75% based on assessed valuation;

(5)  Provides a per-pupil amount for both new construction and
renovation that varies based on the grade level of the building
to be constructed or renovated; and

(6)  Addresses issues of liability, building title, and use of
funds.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:03 pm