What's happening
This bill raises the maximum project cost eligible for certain building aid from $100,000 to $250,000 for New York schools.
Why it matters
Expanding Access for Small-Scale Projects. By increasing the cap from $100,000 to $250,000, more school facility projects—such as repairs, upgrades, or safety improvements—can qualify for state building aid, enabling districts to address a wider range of maintenance needs without seeking voter referendums or navigating larger project processes.
Easing Financial Pressure on Local Districts. The higher eligibility threshold could help districts, especially in rural or cash-strapped areas, undertake necessary infrastructure work with less reliance on local taxes or bond issues, potentially reducing the financial burden on local communities.
Potential for Faster School Improvements. As more projects fall under the expedited support category, schools may be able to complete facility updates more quickly, improving learning environments and addressing urgent issues (like heating, roofing, or accessibility) without lengthy delays.
Targeted but Limited Expansion. The provision that only one project per district per year can qualify under this rule remains unchanged, so while the financial scope increases, the rate at which districts can access this aid does not—meaning districts must still prioritize their most pressing needs each year.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Increase School Project Aid Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Boost School Project Aid
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3876
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 20, 2019
Introduced by Sens. LITTLE, AMEDORE, RITCHIE, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the additional apportionment of building aid for certain projects
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph b of subdivision 6-f of section 3602 of the education law, as added by section 19 of part H of chapter 83 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
(1) has a total project cost of [one hundred] two hundred fifty thousand dollars or less; provided however, that for any district, no more than one project shall be eligible pursuant to this subparagraph for an apportionment within the same school year; and/or
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09580-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the additional apportionment of building aid for certain projects
Purpose
To increase the cost threshold for school construction projects' eligi- bility for additional building aid.
Summary of provisions
Amends subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b) of subdivision 6-f of section 3602 of the education law to increase the cost threshold for school construction project eligibility for additional building aid from one hundred thousand dollars to two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
Justification
Currently, districts may be reimbursed for base year capital outlay expenses for projects that are wholly funded through capital outlay and which have a total cost of no more than $100,000. This allows districts to circumvent the lengthy assumed amortization schedules of ten, fifteen, and twenty years and instead receive the amount they spend as they spend it. This is helpful for districts, as they receive funding when they need it, and for the state, which then avoids paying interest on the reimbursement.
However, costs are rising, technological advances are creating greater demand for capital improvements, and districts are finding it difficult to fund these projects in real time. This bill would increase the $100,000 threshold for eligibility to a more reasonable $250,000 in order to help districts meet these demands and to save the state money on interest payments.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.3970/A.3231: Passed Senate; Referred Ways and Means 2015-16: S.7156/A .10573: Referred Education; Referred Education
Fiscal implications
State savings on interest payment.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.