H.R. 2629: Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act

This bill, known as the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, aims to provide funding for the construction and improvement of school facilities in local educational agencies (LEAs) that are affected by federal land. The bill is driven by findings that many schools in these areas suffer from inadequate facilities that do not meet basic safety and educational standards.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Funding Allocation: The legislation proposes to allocate $250 million annually for the first four years following its enactment. Of this, 75% will be used for competitive grants, while 25% will be available for formula grants.
• Emergency Grant Prioritization: Grants will be awarded first to schools with facilities that pose immediate health and safety risks, followed by those needing significant repairs to meet basic specifications.
• Local Matches: The bill includes provisions for partnership grants requiring local educational agencies to provide a local funding match, which is adjusted based on their financial circumstances.
• Facilities in Need: The bill focuses on agencies that have facilities rated in poor condition, highlighting that many schools were built over 65 years ago and are lacking essential services and modern infrastructure.

Objectives of the Bill

The main goals of the Act are:

• To foster collaboration between federal and local governments to meet the community's educational needs.
• To improve the safety and quality of educational facilities for students and teachers.
• To support the renovation and construction of school buildings to comply with updated health, safety, and educational standards.

Funding Details

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to manage and oversee the allocated funds with provisions for:

• Technical assistance for implementation.
• Monitoring to ensure funds are used effectively for the intended purposes.

Eligibility Criteria

Local educational agencies eligible for grants must demonstrate:

• A lack of capacity to issue bonds due to the presence of non-taxable federal land.
• Specific needs for improving safety, maintaining compliance with federal standards, and providing adequate learning environments.

Restrictions on Fund Use

Funds allocated under this bill cannot be used to:

• Acquire real property.
• Fund projects lacking a secure and legal operational basis, such as those without proper leasing agreements.

Funding Duration and Review

The grant authority is set to expire four years after the initial funds are made available. The Secretary of Education will be required to submit annual reports on the progress and outcomes of the funded projects.

Relevant Companies