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S.1511
21st Century School Modernization Act (Introduced in
Senate)
SEC. 106. FAIR WAGES.
All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in
the performance of any contract and subcontract for the repair, renovation,
alteration, or construction, including painting and decorating, of any
facility or work that is financed in whole or in part by a grant under this
title, shall be paid wages not less than those determined by the Secretary of
Labor in accordance with the Act of March 3, 1931 (commonly known as the Davis -Bacon Act); as amended (40 U.S.C.
276a-276a-5). The Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions
set forth in reorganization plan of No. 14 of 1950 (15 FR 3176; 64 Stat. 1267)
and section 2 of the Act of June 1, 1934 (commonly known as the Copeland
Anti-Kickback Act) as amended (40 U.S.C. 276c, 48 Stat. 948).
SEC. 107. REQUIREMENTS.
(1) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT- An eligible local educational agency may
receive a grant under this title for any fiscal year only if the Secretary
finds that either the combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate
expenditures of that agency and the State with respect to the provision of
free public education by such local educational agency for the preceding
fiscal year was not less than 90 percent of such combined fiscal effort or
aggregate expenditures for the fiscal year for which the determination is
made.
(2) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT- An eligible local educational agency shall
use funds received under this title only to supplement the amount of funds
that would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available from
non-Federal sources for the repair, renovation, alteration, and construction
of school facilities, and not to supplant such funds.
(1) REAL PROPERTY- No part of any grant funds under this title shall be
used for the acquisition of any interest in real property.
(2) MAINTENANCE- Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize
the payment of maintenance costs in connection with any projects constructed
in whole or in part with Federal funds provided under this title.
(3) ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS- All projects carried out with Federal
funds provided under this title shall comply with all relevant Federal,
State, and local environmental laws and regulations.
(4) ATHLETIC AND SIMILAR FACILITIES- No funds received under this title
shall be used for stadiums or other facilities that are primarily used for
athletic contests or exhibitions or other events for which admission is
charged to the general public.
SEC. 108. FEDERAL ASSESSMENT.
The Secretary shall reserve not more than 1 percent of funds appropriated
for each fiscal year under section 110--
(1) to collect such data as the Secretary determines necessary at the
school, local, and State levels;
(2) to conduct studies and evaluations, including national studies and
evaluations, in order to--
(A) monitor the progress of projects supported with funds provided
under this title; and
(B) evaluate the state of United States public elementary school and
secondary school facilities; and
(3) to report to Congress by July 1, 2002, regarding the findings of the
studies and evaluations described in paragraph (2).
SEC. 109. DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this title--
(1) the term `construction' includes--
(A) the concurrent installation of equipment; and
(B) the complete or partial replacement of an existing facility, but
only if such replacement is less expensive and more cost-effective than
repair, renovation, or alteration of the facility;
(2) the term `eligible local educational agency' means a local
educational agency in which--
(A)(i) not less than 15 percent of the children that reside in the
geographic area served by such agency are eligible to be counted under
subpart 2 of part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6331 et seq.); or
(ii) the United States owns Federal property described in section
8013(5), that has an assessed value (determined as of the time or times
when acquired) aggregating 90 percent or more of the assessed value of all
real property in such agency (determined as of the time or times when so
acquired); and
(B) demonstrates in the application submitted under section 103 that
such agency has urgent repair, renovation, alteration, or construction
needs for its public elementary schools or secondary schools facilities;
and
(3) the term `facility' means a public structure suitable for use as a
classroom, laboratory, library, media center, or related facility, the
primary purpose of which is the academic or vocational instruction of public
elementary school or secondary school students.
SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
$200,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 and such sums as may be necessary for each
of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
TITLE II--STATE INFRASTRUCTURE BANKS FOR SCHOOLS
SEC. 201. STATE INFRASTRUCTURE BANK PILOT PROGRAM.
(1) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- Subject to the provisions of this section,
the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of
Education, may enter into cooperative agreements with States for the
establishment of State infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure
banks for making loans to local educational agencies for building or
repairing elementary schools or secondary schools which provide free public
education and to public libraries for building or repairing library
facilities.
(2) INTERSTATE COMPACTS- Congress consents to 2 or more of the States
that have entered into a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) with the
Secretary of the Treasury for the establishment of a multistate
infrastructure bank to enter into an interstate compact establishing such
bank in accordance with this section.
(b) FUNDING- The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the
Secretary of Education, shall make grants to State infrastructure banks and
multistate infrastructure banks in a State that has entered into a cooperative
agreement under subsection (a)(1) to provide initial capital for loans
provided under this section to local educational agencies and public
libraries. Each bank shall apply repayments of principal and interest on loans
to the
making of additional loans. The Secretary shall take final action on an
application for a grant under this subsection within 90 days of the date of the
submittal of such application.
(c) INFRASTRUCTURE BANK REQUIREMENTS- In order to establish an
infrastructure bank under this section, each State establishing the bank
shall--
(1) contribute, at a minimum, to the accounts of the bank from
non-Federal sources an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of each
capitalization grant made to the State and contributed to the bank under
subsection (b);
(2) identify an operating entity of the State as recipient of the grant
if the entity has the capacity to manage loan funds and issue debt
instruments of the State for purposes of leveraging the funds;
(3) allow such funds to be used as reserve for debt issued by the State
so long as proceeds are deposited in the fund for loan purposes;
(4) ensure that investment income generated by funds contributed to an
account of the bank will be--
(A) credited to the account;
(B) available for use in providing loans to projects eligible for
assistance from the account; and
(C) invested in United States Treasury securities, bank deposits, or
such other financing instruments as the Secretary may approve to earn
interest to enhance the leveraging of projects assisted by the
bank;
(5) ensure that any loan from the bank will bear interest at or below
the lowest interest rates being offered for bonds the income from which is
exempt from Federal taxation, as determined by the State, to make the
project that is the subject of the loan feasible;
(6) ensure that repayment of any loan from the bank will commence not
later than 1 year after the project has been completed;
(7) ensure that the term for repaying any loan will not exceed 30 years
after the date of the first payment on the loan under paragraph (6);
and
(8) require the bank to make an annual report to the Secretary on its
status and make such other reports as the Secretary may require by
guidelines.
(d) FORMS OF ASSISTANCE FROM INFRASTRUCTURE BANKS-
(1) IN GENERAL- An infrastructure bank established under this section
may make loans to a local educational agency or a public library in an
amount equal to all or part of the cost of carrying out a project eligible
for assistance under this section.
(2) APPLICATIONS FOR LOANS- An application to an infrastructure bank by
a local educational agency or a public library for a loan shall
include--
(A) in the case of a renovation project, a description of each
architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, or electrical deficiency to
be corrected with funds under a loan and the priorities to be
applied;
(B) a description of the criteria used by the applicant to determine
the type of corrective action necessary for the renovation of a
facility;
(C) a description of improvements to be made and a cost estimate for
the improvements;
(D) a description of how work undertaken with the loan will promote
energy conservation; and
(E) such other information as the infrastructure bank may
require.
An infrastructure bank shall take final action on a completed
application submitted to it within 90 days after the date of its
submittal.
(3) CRITERIA FOR LOANS- In considering applications for a loan, an
infrastructure bank shall take into account--
(A) the extent to which the local educational agency or public library
involved lacks the fiscal capacity, including the ability to raise funds
through the full use of such agency's bonding capacity or otherwise, to
undertake the project for which the loan would be used without the
loan;
(B) in the case of a local educational agency, the threat that the
condition of the physical plant in the project poses to the safety and
well-being of students;
(C) the demonstrated need for the construction, reconstruction, or
renovation based on the condition of the facility in the project;
and
(D) the age of such facility.
(1) IN GENERAL- A project is eligible for a loan from an infrastructure
bank if it is a project that consists of--
(A) the construction of new elementary schools or secondary schools to
meet the needs imposed by enrollment growth;
(B) the repair or upgrading of classrooms or structures related to
academic learning, including the repair of leaking roofs, crumbling walls,
inadequate plumbing, poor ventilation equipment, and inadequate heating or
light equipment;
(C) an activity to increase physical safety at the educational
facility involved;
(D) an activity to enhance the educational facility involved to
provide access for students, teachers, and other individuals with
disabilities;
(E) an activity to address environmental hazards at the educational
facility involved, such as poor ventilation, indoor air quality, or
lighting;
(F) the provision of basic infrastructure that facilitates educational
technology, such as communications outlets, electrical systems, power
outlets, or a communication closet;
(G) work that will bring an educational facility into conformity with
the requirements of--
(i) environmental protection or health and safety programs mandated
by Federal, State, or local law if such requirements were not in effect
when the facility was initially constructed; and
(ii) hazardous waste disposal, treatment, and storage requirements
mandated by the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) or
similar State laws;
(H) work that will enable efficient use of available energy resources,
especially coal, solar power, and other renewable energy
resources;
(I) work to detect, remove, or otherwise contain asbestos hazards in
educational facilities; or
(J) work to construct new public library facilities or repair or
upgrade existing public library facilities.
(2) DAVIS -BACON - The wage requirements of the
Act of March 3, 1931 (commonly known as the Davis -Bacon Act); as amended (40 U.S.C.
276a-276a-5) shall apply with respect to individuals employed on the
projects described in paragraph (1).
(f) SUPPLEMENTATION- Any loan made by an infrastructure bank shall be used
to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds available
for building or repairing elementary schools or secondary schools.
(g) LIMITATION ON REPAYMENTS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the repayment of a loan from an infrastructure bank under this section may not
be credited toward the non-Federal share of the cost of any project.
(h) SECRETARIAL REQUIREMENTS- In administering this section, the Secretary
of the Treasury shall specify procedures and guidelines for establishing,
operating, and providing assistance from an infrastructure bank.
(i) UNITED STATES NOT OBLIGATED- The contribution of Federal funds into an
infrastructure bank established under this section shall not be construed as a
commitment, guarantee, or obligation on the part of the United States to any
third party, nor shall any third party have any right against the United
States for payment solely by virtue of the contribution. Any security or debt
financing instrument issued by the infrastructure bank shall expressly state
that the security or instrument does not constitute a commitment, guarantee,
or obligation of the United States.
(j) MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDS- Sections 3335 and 6503 of title 31,
United States Code, shall not apply to funds contributed under this
section.
(k) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION- For each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004, a
State may expend not to exceed 2 percent of the Federal funds contributed to
an infrastructure bank established by the State under this section to pay the
reasonable costs of administering the bank.
(l) SECRETARIAL REVIEW- The Secretary of the Treasury shall review the
financial condition of each infrastructure bank established under this section
and transmit to Congress a report on the results of such review not later than
90 days after the completion of the review.
(m) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- For grants to States for the initial
capitalization of infrastructure banks there are authorized to be appropriated
$250,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years.
TITLE III--SCHOOLS AS CENTERS OF THE COMMUNITY
SEC. 301. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Communities across the Nation need to build and modernize thousands
of public elementary schools and secondary schools in the coming decade in
ways that reflect new approaches to teaching and learning, and in ways that
reflect the fact that learning is a lifelong process for persons of all
ages. These schools can make an enduring difference for these communities by
affecting not just students but entire neighborhoods for generations.
(2) The National Symposium on School Design has recommended that local
educational agencies hold community dialogues that discuss the planning and
design of their new school buildings. Community partnerships of parents,
educators, architects, urban planners, students, and other interested
parties can assist local educational agencies to design new schools that
better meet the needs of their communities now and in the future.
(3) Establishing such community partnerships for the purpose of
broadening public participation in the planning and design of schools
encourages broader community involvement in the schools, generates
creativity in the planning process, and promotes savings, cost-sharing, and
the most effective use of the school building by the entire community. Such
partnerships can help create schools that are centers of teaching and
learning for the entire community.
SEC. 302. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to assist local educational agencies and
their communities to increase the involvement of parents, teachers, students,
and community groups in the planning and design of new and renovated public
elementary school and secondary school buildings that--
(1) enhance teaching and learning, and accommodate the needs of all
learners;
(2) serve as a center of the community;
(3) promote health, safety, and security;
(4) effectively use all available resources; and
(5) are flexible and can accommodate changing community needs.
SEC. 303. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(1) IN GENERAL- From funds appropriated under section 306, the Secretary
shall award grants to local educational agencies participating in eligible
consortia to enable the eligible consortia to support the planning and
design of--
(A) new elementary school or secondary school buildings; or
(B) the renovation of existing elementary school or secondary school
buildings.
(2) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE CONSORTIUM- In this title the term `eligible
consortium' means a consortium that--
(A) shall include at least 1 local educational agency; and
(B) may include such organizations and individuals as a State
educational agency, a community-based organization, a local government, a
business or industry, an architect, a parent, teacher, or senior citizen
group, a library, or a museum.
(1) DURATION- Grants under this title shall be awarded for not more than
1 year.
(2) LIMITATION- Not more than 1 grant provided under this title may be
used to plan or design the same school.
(3) MATCHING- A grant under this title shall not be used to pay for more
than 50 percent of the cost of a planning or design project. A recipient of
a grant under this title shall provide at least 50 percent of the cost of
the planning or design project from non-Federal sources, which may include
in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated.
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