Sec. OOOO-1. 20-A MRSA §15905, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. YY, §3, is further amended to read:
A. The state board may approve projects as long as no project approval will cause debt service costs, as defined in section 15603, subsection 8, paragraph A, to exceed the maximum limits specified in Table 1 in subsequent fiscal years.
Fiscal year |
Maximum Debt Service Limit |
1990 |
$ 48,000,000 |
1991 |
$ 57,000,000 |
1992 |
$ 65,000,000 |
1993 |
$ 67,000,000 |
1994 |
$ 67,000,000 |
1995 |
$ 67,000,000 |
1996 |
$ 67,000,000 |
1997 |
$ 67,000,000 |
1998 |
$ 67,000,000 |
1999 |
$ 69,000,000 |
2000 |
$ 72,000,000 |
2001 |
$ 74,000,000 |
2002 |
$ 74,000,000 |
2003 |
$ 80,000,000 |
2004 |
$ 80,000,000 |
2005 |
$ 84,000,000 |
2006 |
$ 90,000,000 |
2007 |
$ 96,000,000 |
Sec. OOOO-2. 30-A MRSA §6006-F, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 787, §13, is amended to read:
A. To make loans to school administrative units for school repair and renovation.
(1) The following repair and renovation needs receive first priority status:
(a) Repair or replacement of a roof on a school building;
(b) Bringing a school building into compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 United States Code, Section 12101 et seq.;
(c) Improving air quality in a school building;
(d) Removing asbestos from or abating asbestos in a school building; and
(e) Removing underground oil storage tanks on the grounds of a school building; and
(f) Undertaking other health, safety and compliance repairs.
(2) Repairs and improvements not related to health, safety and compliance repairs receive 2nd priority status. Those repairs and improvements are limited to a school building structure, windows and doors and to a school building water or septic system.
(3) Upgrade of learning spaces in school buildings and small-scale capital improvements receive 3rd priority status.
(4) The Commissioner of Education may approve other necessary repairs;.
(5) After the total amount appropriated, allocated and repaid to the fund exceeds $75,000,000, loans may be provided for 2nd priority status, 3rd priority status or other necessary repairs, improvements and upgrades, with approval of the Commissioner of Education, based on rules adopted under this section, as long as the Commissioner of Education determines that substantial progress has been made in addressing repairs and renovations with first priority status;
Sec. OOOO-3. Amend rules governing school construction projects. The Department of Education and the State Board of Education shall amend the rules governing school construction projects to provide that the rating points assigned to a project application for the 2001-2002 rating cycle may not be adjusted, reduced or affected by improvements made to existing buildings that relate directly to protecting the health or safety of staff or students, as long as the project application involved received a rating on the school facilities priority list for the 1999-2000 rating cycle and the improvements were made subsequent to the submission of the 1999-2000 application. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A. Following the completion of the 2001-2002 rating cycle, the Department of Education and the State Board of Education shall review the impact of this section, also known as a "hold harmless" provision, and shall report back their findings, together with recommendations related to the establishment of an ongoing hold harmless provision in the rules governing school construction projects, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs by January 15, 2003. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs may report out legislation on the subject matter of this report to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature.
Sec. OOOO-4. Amend rules governing School Revolving Renovation Fund. The Department of Education and the Maine Municipal Bond Bank shall amend the rules governing the School Revolving Renovation Fund established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 6006-F to define the appropriate circumstances in which the maximum loan amount for a school building may be set at an amount not greater than $3,000,000, in order to maximize the flexibility and efficiency of the fund in addressing needs for repairs and improvements that are substantial in nature or that encompass multiple categories of eligible need. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
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