H.R. 10949: To direct the Secretary of Defense to expand the priority list for the Public Schools on Military Installations Program of the Department of Defense.

This bill would require the Secretary of Defense to update the rules for a Department of Defense program that helps pay for the construction, renovation, repair, or expansion of public schools located on military installations.

What it would change

Under current policy, only a certain number of schools on the 2018 Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) Priority List can apply for competitive grants through this program. This bill would direct the Department of Defense to revise its notice so that at least 90 public schools from that 2018 priority list are eligible to submit grant requests.

What the program is for

The program is intended to help fund physical improvements to public schools on military bases or other military installations. The grants can be used for projects such as:

• Building new school facilities
• Renovating existing schools
• Repairing damaged or outdated buildings
• Expanding school space to meet student needs

Funding

The bill also authorizes Congress to appropriate whatever money is needed to carry out the change. This does not itself provide funding, but it allows funding to be made available through the normal appropriations process.

Practical effect

In practical terms, the bill would widen the pool of military-installation public schools that can compete for federal construction-related grants. If enacted and funded, more schools serving military families could be eligible to apply for assistance under this Department of Defense program.

Relevant Companies

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