OLR Bill Analysis
Emergency Certification
AN ACT AUTHORIZING AND ADJUSTING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZING STATE GRANT COMMITMENTS FOR SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS.
This bill cancels approximately $894.9 million in general obligation (GO) bond authorizations for state and local capital projects and state grants and loans. It defers, from FY 17 to FY 18, $55 million in bonds under the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) 2020 program and $26 million under UConn 2000. It also cancels a $25 million authorization for FY 17 under the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund program, and defers it to FY 23.
The bill authorizes $358.6 million in new GO bonds for FY 17 for state projects and grant programs, including improvements to the State Office Building ($181 million) and York Correctional Institution ($60 million). It also cancels $1.73 million in special tax obligation (STO) bonds and authorizes approximately $70 million in new STO bonds for FY 17.
The bill establishes (1) the Neighborhood Security Fellowship Program, which is a pilot program that identifies and recruits certain at-risk individuals to participate as fellows and (2) requirements for Neighborhood Security projects, which are certain public construction contracts that are awarded only to bidders who employ such fellows.
The bill authorizes the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) commissioner to enter into grant commitments on behalf of the state for 17 new school construction projects. The bill also permits 10 projects that were included on the DAS project eligibility list in December, but are not authorized under this bill, to remain eligible for next year's list with the option to keep this year's reimbursement rate, if next year's is lower.
The bill exempts specified school construction projects from various statutory and regulatory requirements. These exemptions are referred to as “notwithstanding” provisions.
It also allows districts that have received a school construction grant within the last 25 years to delay implementing the new high school graduation requirements by one year and makes other changes related to school construction.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2016, unless otherwise noted below.
§§ 1-17 — NEW BOND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR FY 17
New GO Bond Authorizations
The bill authorizes up to $302.7 million in new GO bonds for FY 17 for the state projects and grant programs listed in Table 1. The bonds are subject to standard issuance procedures and have a maximum term of 20 years.
The bill includes a standard provision requiring that, as a condition of bond authorizations for grants to private entities, each granting agency include repayment provisions in its grant contract in case the facility for which the grant is made ceases to be used for the grant purposes within 10 years of the grantee receiving it. The required repayment is reduced by 10% for each full year that the facility is used for the grant purpose.
TABLE 1: GO BOND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR FY 17
§ |
AGENCY |
FOR |
FY 17 |
STATE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS | |||
2(a) |
Office of Policy and Management (OPM) |
Transit-oriented development and predevelopment activities |
$8,000,000 |
Improvements to the Trout Brook Canal area in West Hartford |
1,200,000 | ||
2(b) |
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) |
State Office Building and associated parking facilities in Hartford: alterations, renovations, and improvements, including development, demolition, and air conditioning installation |
181,000,000 |
2(c) |
Department of Correction (DOC) |
York Correctional Institution, Niantic: design and construction for replacement of the central heating and cooling plant and underground distribution system |
60,000,000 |
16 |
Department of Public Health (DPH) |
Biomedical Research Trust Fund (see § 250) |
5,000,000 |
GRANTS | |||
9(a) |
OPM |
Grants to Waterbury to acquire, construct, reconstruct, renovate, or improve property for a Waterbury urban development project |
7,000,000 |
Grants to West Hartford for a wireless fidelity and broadband network initiative for West Hartford Center |
500,000 | ||
9(b) |
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) |
Grants to Glastonbury to acquire open space for conservation or municipal purposes |
10,000,000 |
9(c) |
Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) |
Program to offer payments to holders of tax credit eligibility certificates under the urban and industrial sites reinvestment program to replace allowable credits under the certificates |
10,000,000 |
9(d) |
Department of Housing (DOH) |
Grants to private nonprofit organizations for supportive housing for individuals with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or both (§ 227 cancels an identical bond authorization for the Department of Developmental Services) |
20,000,000 |
New STO Bond Authorization
The bill authorizes up to $375,000 in new STO bonds for FY 17 for the Department of Transportation to design roadway improvements for Lakeside Boulevard in Waterbury.
§§ 18-259 & 324-325 — CHANGES TO EXISTING BOND AUTHORIZATIONS
Increased FY 17 Authorizations
The bill increases FY 17 GO and STO bond authorizations enacted in 2015 (PA 15-1, June Special Session), as shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2: INCREASED BOND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR FY 17
§ |
AGENCY |
FOR |
CURRENT AUTH. |
INCREASE |
TOTAL AUTH. |
GO BONDS | |||||
209 |
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds |
$550,000 |
$5,000,000 |
$5,550,000 |
214 |
Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) |
All community colleges: deferred maintenance, code compliance, and infrastructure improvements |
10,000,000 |
5,906,676 |
15,906,676 |
220 |
OPM |
Grants to private, nonprofit, tax-exempt health and human service organizations for alterations, renovations, improvements, additions, and new construction, including (1) health, safety, ADA compliance, and energy conservation improvements; (2) information technology systems; (3) technology for independence; (4) vehicle purchases; and (5) property acquisition |
10,000,000 |
15,000,000 |
25,000,000 |
238 |
OPM |
Urban Act |
50,000,000 |
25,000,000 |
75,000,000 |
STO BONDS | |||||
232 |
Department of Transportation (DOT) |
Bureau of Engineering and Highway Operations: State bridge improvement, rehabilitation, and replacement projects |
33,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
43,000,000 |
233 |
DOT |
Bureau of Public Transportation: bus and rail facilities and equipment, including rights-of-way, other property acquisition, and related projects |
208,100,000 |
60,000,000 |
268,100,100 |
Increased Authorization for Technical High School System
The bill increases, by $5 million, an existing $3.5 million authorization for the technical high school system. It earmarks the bonds for SDE to provide grants to technical high schools to provide evening training programs in skilled trades, including manufacturing, masonry, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry, that prepare participants to earn a credential or degree recognized by employers or trade associations.
Bond Cancellations and Language Changes
The bill cancels or reduces all or part of bond authorizations for the projects and grants shown in Table 3. It also changes the purposes of several existing authorizations as indicated below.
TABLE 3: BOND CANCELLATIONS AND LANGUAGE CHANGES
AGENCY |
§ |
FOR |
CURRENT AUTHORIZATION |
AMOUNT CANCELLED |
DEEP |
19 |
Municipal grants for incinerator and landfill improvements, including bulky waste landfills |
$6,900,000 |
$540,000 |
DECD |
20 |
East Hartford: road and infrastructure and improvements associated with Rentschler Field project |
6,500,000 |
6,500,000 |
SDE |
22 |
American School for the Deaf: alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds, including new construction |
9,405,709 |
5,000,000 |
BOR |
23 |
Middlesex Community College: property acquisition |
190,000 |
190,000 |
Department of Children and Families (DCF) |
25 |
Grants for construction, alterations, repairs, and improvements to residential facilities, group homes, shelters, and permanent family residences |
1,500,000 |
69,396 |
DEEP |
27 |
Flood control improvements and flood, erosion damage, and municipal dam repairs |
3,500,000 |
675,000 |
DCF |
28 |
Connecticut Children's Place: dining hall and kitchen expansion |
750,000 |
587,000 |
DEEP |
30 |
Windham: feasibility study of a whitewater park in Willimantic |
450,000 |
450,000 |
DEEP |
31 |
Ledyard: water main extension |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DEEP |
32 |
Middletown: Crystal Lake watershed management |
50,000 |
50,000 |
DEEP |
33 |
Cromwell: improvements to parks and fields at Watrous Park, Cromwell middle and high schools, and Pierson Park |
350,000 |
100,000 |
DCF |
34 |
Grants for construction, alterations, repairs, and improvements to residential facilities, group homes, shelters, and permanent family residences; eliminates earmarks for residential facilities in Middlesex or Windham counties and the Klingberg Family Center in New Britain |
4,500,000 |
1,442,738 |
DECD |
35 |
Grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for cultural and entertainment-related economic development projects |
4,000,000 |
1,250,000 |
DECD |
36 |
Goodspeed Opera House Foundation, Inc.: construction of a new facility in East Haddam |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DECD |
37 |
West Haven: Front Avenue industrial development and Allingtown Business District improvements |
1,000,000 |
500,000 |
DECD |
38 |
Stratford: Barnum Avenue streetscape project |
350,000 |
350,000 |
Department of Social Services (DSS) |
39 |
Martin House: facility expansion |
500,000 |
500,000 |
DSS |
40 |
4-H Center at Auer Farm, Bloomfield: building improvements, including classrooms and facilities for animals and handicapped accessibility |
1,000,000 |
428,350 |
DSS |
41 |
Greater Danbury AIDS Project: building purchases |
1,000,000 |
525,000 |
DECD |
42 |
Killingworth: Killingworth Old Town Hall restoration and renovations |
250,000 |
250,000 |
DOT |
43 |
Middlefield: bridges, roads, and infrastructure |
250,000 |
250,000 |
DVA |
45 |
Alterations and improvements to buildings and grounds according to current codes |
900,000 |
18,565 |
DEEP |
46 |
Flood control improvements and flood, erosion damage, and municipal dam repairs; eliminates earmark for Meriden flood control project |
3,000,000 |
900,000 |
DEEP |
48 |
Lyme: improvements to Lyme-Old Lyme recreational fields |
150,000 |
150,000 |
DEEP |
49 |
Branford: Branford High School football field improvements |
150,000 |
150,000 |
DEEP |
50 |
Bristol: Rockwell Park rehabilitation and renovation |
500,000 |
500,000 |
DCF |
51 |
Construction, alterations, repairs, and improvements to residential facilities, group homes, shelters, and permanent family residences |
1,500,000 |
109,105 |
DCF |
52 |
Grants to private nonprofit children's mental health clinics for fire, safety, and environmental improvements |
500,000 |
59,813 |
DECD |
53 |
Grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for cultural and entertainment-related economic development projects |
4,000,000 |
625,000 |
DECD |
54 |
Goodspeed Opera House Foundation, Inc.: construction of a new facility in East Haddam |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) |
56 |
Upgrades to the statewide telecommunications system, including site-development and related equipment |
2,250,000 |
848,127 |
DESPP |
57 |
Department shooting range improvements |
1,750,000 |
1,425,000 |
BOR |
58 |
Southern Connecticut State University: alterations, renovations, and improvements to facilities, including energy conservation and code compliance improvements |
3,208,000 |
778,000 |
BOR |
58 |
Southern Connecticut State University: development of a new academic laboratory building and parking garage, including renovations to the former student center and demolition of Seabury Hall |
5,684,000 |
250,000 |
Judicial Department |
59 |
Development of a courthouse facility in Torrington, including land acquisition and parking |
25,275,000 |
46,300 |
Judicial Department |
60 |
Development of a new courthouse facility in Bridgeport, including land acquisition and parking |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
Judicial Department |
61 |
Renovations and improvements to Lafayette Street parking garage in Hartford |
4,000,000 |
1,220,880 |
OPM |
63 |
Responsible Growth Incentive Fund |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DESPP |
64 |
Litchfield: firehouse construction in Northfield |
878,050 |
878,050 |
Department of Agriculture (DoAg) |
65 |
State matching grants to farmers for environmental compliance, including waste management facilities; compost; soil and erosion control; and pesticide reduction, storage, and disposal |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DEEP |
66 |
Grants to towns to acquire open space for conservation or recreation purposes |
1,750,000 |
500,000 |
DEEP |
67 |
Grants for improvements at the facilities and property located at latitude 41.5720414 and longitude -73.0401073 (i.e., Fulton Park in Waterbury) |
487,805 |
487,805 |
DEEP |
68 |
Environmental Learning Center, Inc.: infrastructure projects at Indian Rock Nature Preserve in Bristol |
200,000 |
200,000 |
DEEP |
69 |
Manchester: develop and construct the Manchester to Bolton segment of the East Coast Greenway |
500,000 |
500,000 |
DEEP |
70 |
Norwalk: flood control system improvements |
3,005,000 |
2,505,000 |
DEEP |
71 |
Fairfield: Rooster River flood control project |
14,500,000 |
12,470,000 |
DEEP |
72 |
Portland: water main replacement |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DECD |
73 |
Kidcity Children's Museum in Middletown: new building construction |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DECD |
74 |
Westport: new construction at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts |
1,000,000 |
500,000 |
DECD |
75 |
Gallery 53, Meriden: structural improvements |
50,000 |
50,000 |
DECD |
76 |
Barnum Museum Foundation, Inc.: Barnum Museum renovations |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DECD |
77 |
Willimantic: restore historic properties along Main Street |
650,000 |
650,000 |
DECD |
78 |
New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks: swing space storage building and education building construction |
2,000,000 |
515,000 |
DECD |
79 |
Middlesex County Revitalization Commission: revitalization projects |
878,050 |
878,050 |
DECD |
80 |
Stafford: downtown redevelopment |
439,025 |
439,025 |
DECD |
81 |
New Britain: property acquisition, design development, and construction of a downtown redevelopment plan |
1,000,000 |
500,000 |
DECD |
82 |
Bethel: downtown redevelopment and municipal parking improvements |
500,000 |
500,000 |
DECD |
83 |
Wethersfield: economic development and infrastructure improvements related to the Silas Deane Highway |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DPH |
84 |
Grants for hospital-based emergency service facilities |
5,878,050 |
5,878,050 |
DSS |
85 |
Saugatuck Senior Cooperative, Westport: roof replacement |
250,000 |
250,000 |
DSS |
86 |
New London: asbestos remediation and siding replacement on a building for Alliance for Living, Inc. |
100,000 |
100,000 |
DSS |
87 |
Easton: senior center renovations |
219,510 |
219,510 |
DSS |
88 |
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut: new building in Norwich |
600,000 |
600,000 |
DSS |
89 |
Rivera Hughes Memorial Foundation: property acquisition in Waterbury |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
State Library (CSL) |
90 |
Grants to public libraries in distressed municipalities for construction, renovation, expansion, energy conservation, and handicapped accessibility |
5,000,000 |
15,771 |
Connecticut Innovations Inc. (CI) |
91 |
Recapitalize CII programs; eliminates $1.5 million earmark for BioBus capital expenses |
8,500,000 |
5,000,000 |
DVA |
93 |
Alterations and improvements to buildings and grounds, including security improvements |
1,000,000 |
100,000 |
DEEP |
94 |
Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program: recreation, open space, resource protection, and resource management |
7,500,000 |
750,000 |
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) |
95 |
Fire, safety, and environmental improvements to regional facilities for client and staff needs |
6,000,000 |
200,835 |
DCF |
96 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds |
2,415,000 |
130,570 |
DCF |
97 |
Reimbursement for environmental remediation at the former Long Lane School in Middletown |
14,000,000 |
754,850 |
Judicial Department |
98 |
Security improvements at various state-owned and maintained facilities |
1,000,000 |
500,000 |
Judicial Department |
99 |
Alterations, renovations, and restoration of the courthouse at 121 Elm Street, New Haven |
13,000,000 |
7,000,000 |
Judicial Department |
100 |
Develop and acquire land for a courthouse annex and parking near the Milford judicial district and geographical area courthouse |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DESPP |
102 |
Allingtown Fire District, West Haven: acquire land and construct a new fire and police substation |
2,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DoAg |
103 |
State matching grants to farmers for environmental compliance, including waste management facilities; compost; soil and erosion control; and pesticide reduction, storage, and disposal |
2,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DEEP |
104 |
Grants to municipalities for the Lakes Restoration Program |
200,000 |
200,000 |
DEEP |
105 |
Grants to municipalities to provide potable water |
2,500,000 |
2,258,707 |
DECD |
106 |
East Haven: Phase III downtown development |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DECD |
107 |
Manchester: Broad Street streetscape project |
2,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DSS |
108 |
Martin House, Norwich: construct efficiency apartment units |
750,000 |
750,000 |
Office of Early Childhood (OEC) |
109 |
Grants for minor capital improvements and wiring for technology for school readiness programs |
1,500,000 |
1,500,000 |
CSL |
110 |
Grants to public libraries not located in distressed municipalities for construction, renovation, expansion, energy conservation, and handicapped accessibility |
3,500,000 |
322,868 |
CSL |
111 |
Grants to public libraries located in distressed municipalities for construction, renovation, expansion, energy conservation, and handicapped accessibility |
5,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
DOT |
112 |
Pavement noise reduction pilot program (STO bonds) |
1,500,000 |
1,500,000 |
BOR |
114 |
Manchester Community College: Lowe building code improvements |
2,229,911 |
672,152 |
DEEP |
116 |
Grants to (1) contain, remove, or mitigate identified hazardous waste disposal sites and to municipalities for new water mains to replace supply from contaminated wells; (2) identify, investigate, contain, remove, or mitigate industrial sites in urban areas; (3) municipalities to acquire land for public parks; recreational and water quality improvements; and water mains and water pollution control projects, including sewers; (4) municipalities for providing potable water; and (5) state agencies, regional planning agencies, and municipalities for water pollution control projects |
16,000,000 |
11,350,820 |
DCF |
117 |
Grants to private, nonprofit organizations for construction or renovation for recreation or education purposes |
20,000,000 |
8,000,000 |
BOR |
119 |
Manchester Community College: campus improvements |
3,413,468 |
214,207 |
BOR |
120 |
Three Rivers Community College: renovations to existing buildings and additional facilities for a consolidated campus in accordance with the master plan; changed to design and construction of a new tutoring and academic success center, library modifications, and Student Service renovations |
11,606,676 |
5,906,676 |
OPM |
122 |
Bridgeport economic development projects |
7,200,000 |
5,000,000 |
OPM |
124 |
Bridgeport infrastructure projects and programs |
27,700,000 |
15,000,000 |
DECD |
125 |
Identifying, marketing, and remediating five state-owned brownfields |
20,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
DEEP |
126 |
Energy efficiency fuel oil furnace and boiler replacement, upgrade, and repair program |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
CI |
127 |
Recapitalize CII programs; earmarks $750,000 for the Commission on Economic Competitiveness to implement the “Connecticut 500 Project” |
125,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
DVA |
128 |
Boiler repairs and improvements in Rocky Hill |
250,000 |
38,400 |
DAS |
130 |
(1) Infrastructure repairs and improvements, including fire, safety, and ADA compliance improvements; (2) improvements to state-owned buildings and grounds, including energy conservation and off-site improvements; and (3) preservation of unoccupied buildings and grounds, including office development, acquisition, renovations for additional parking, and security improvements at state-occupied buildings |
12,500,000 |
226,410 |
Military Department |
131 |
Construct a readiness center for the Connecticut Army National Guard Civil Support Team in Windsor Locks |
1,250,000 |
750,000 |
Military Department |
132 |
Construct a combined support maintenance shop for Connecticut National Guard equipment in Windsor Locks |
4,000,000 |
200 |
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) |
133 |
Fire, safety, and environmental improvements to regional facilities for client and staff needs |
5,000,000 |
411,500 |
SDE |
134 |
Regional vocational-technical school system: alterations and improvements to buildings and grounds, including new and replacement equipment, tools and supplies necessary to update curricula, vehicles, and technology upgrades at all regional vocational-technical schools |
28,000,000 |
160,958 |
DCF |
135 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds |
1,751,000 |
81,000 |
DEEP |
137 |
Grant for containment, removal, or mitigation of identified hazardous waste disposal sites |
10,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DDS |
138 |
Grants to private, nonprofit organizations for alterations and improvements to nonresidential facilities |
2,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DAS |
140 |
(1) Infrastructure repairs and improvements, including fire, safety, and ADA compliance improvements; (2) improvements to state-owned buildings and grounds, including energy conservation and off-site improvements; and (3) preservation of unoccupied buildings and grounds, including office development, acquisition, renovations for additional parking, and security improvements at state-occupied buildings |
192,500,000 |
105,849 |
SDE |
141 |
Regional vocational-technical school system: alterations and improvements to buildings and grounds, including new and replacement equipment, tools and supplies necessary to update curricula, vehicles, and technology upgrades at all regional vocational-technical schools |
28,000,000 |
567,131 |
BOR |
142 |
Tunxis Community College: implementation of master plan phase III |
4,993,817 |
4,993,817 |
Judicial Department |
143 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds at state-owned and maintained facilities |
4,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DEEP |
145 |
Grants to municipalities for open space land acquisition and development for conservation or recreational purposes |
5,000,000 |
2,500,000 |
DDS |
146 |
Grants to private, nonprofit organizations for alterations and improvements to nonresidential facilities |
2,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DSS |
147 |
Grants for neighborhood facilities, elderly centers, multipurpose human resource centers, and related facilities |
10,000,000 |
4,526,254 |
Office of Legislative Management |
149 |
Capital equipment, information technology upgrades, and infrastructure repair and improvement projects |
9,000,000 |
925,000 |
DOT |
151 |
Bureau of Public Transportation: construction of a catwalk over the railroad tracks separating the Columbus Circle area and McAuliffe Park in East Hartford (STO bonds) |
230,000 |
230,000 |
DESPP |
153 |
Design and construct (1) an emergency services facility, including canine training and vehicle impound areas, and (2) a fleet maintenance and administration facility, including property acquisition and related costs |
5,256,985 |
5,256,985 |
DEEP |
155 |
Study and assess feasible alternatives to plan, design, acquire, and construct structural and nonstructural improvements to mitigate flooding conditions that caused property damage due to weather events in 2011, including an analysis of the cost benefit and environmental impact of the alternatives |
2,000,000 |
1,700,000 |
DEEP |
156 |
Program to establish energy microgrids to support critical municipal infrastructure |
25,000,000 |
4,900,000 |
DOH |
157 |
Grant to Connecticut Housing Finance Authority for the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program |
40,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DPH |
158 |
Grants to community health centers and primary care organizations: purchase equipment and renovate, improve, and expand facilities, including acquiring land or buildings (§ 259 subjects these entities to standard grant repayment requirements) |
30,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
SDE |
159 |
Grants for expanding the availability of high-quality school models: alterations, repairs, improvements, technology, equipment, acquisition, and capital start-up costs |
25,000,000 |
111,054 |
OEC |
160 |
Grants to sponsors of school readiness programs and state-funded day care centers for facility improvements and minor capital repairs to the portion of facilities that have such programs and centers |
10,000,000 |
69,618 |
DESPP |
162 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Meriden |
1,500,000 |
1,500,000 |
DEEP |
163 |
Dam repairs, including state-owned dams |
6,000,000 |
62,252 |
DEEP |
164 |
Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program: recreation, open space, and resource protection and management |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
BOR |
165 |
Tunxis Community College: feasibility study for acquisition of property for creation of a premanufacturing work space and relocation of continuing education operations |
250,000 |
250,000 |
OPM |
167 |
Grants to municipalities for infrastructure projects and programs, including planning, property acquisition, site preparation, construction, and off-site improvements |
50,000,000 |
2,300,000 |
DEEP |
168 |
Municipal grants for incinerator and landfill improvements, including bulky waste landfills |
1,400,000 |
250,000 |
DOH |
169 |
Grants to nursing homes for alterations, renovations, and improvements to convert to other uses in support of right-sizing |
10,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DPH |
170 |
Stem Cell Research Fund |
10,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
SDE |
171 |
Grants to local or regional boards of education for capital costs related to enrollment expansion in the Sheff statewide interdistrict public school attendance program (i.e., Open Choice): building renovations, classroom expansions, and equipment, including computers, laboratory equipment, and classroom furniture |
750,000 |
48,572 |
CSL |
172 |
Grants to public libraries that are not located in distressed municipalities for construction, renovations, expansions, energy conservation and handicapped accessibility |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DAS |
174 |
(1) Infrastructure repairs and improvements, including fire, safety, and ADA compliance improvements; (2) improvements to state-owned buildings and grounds, including energy conservation and off-site improvements; and (3) preservation of unoccupied buildings and grounds, including office development, acquisition, renovations for additional parking, and security improvements at state-occupied buildings |
25,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DESPP |
175 |
Alterations and improvements to buildings and grounds, including utilities, mechanical systems, and energy conservation |
8,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
BOR |
176 |
Middlesex: new academic building planning, design, and construction |
39,200,000 |
4,000,000 |
Judicial Department |
177 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds at state-owned and maintained facilities; earmarks $4.5 million for repairs, improvements, and acquisitions for a juvenile court in Waterford (effective upon passage) |
7,500,000 |
0 |
Judicial Department |
178 |
Development of a juvenile court building in Meriden or Middletown |
13,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
DEEP |
180 |
Municipal grants for incinerator and landfill improvements, including bulky waste landfills |
1,000,000 |
400,000 |
DEEP |
181 |
Grants for identifying, investigating, containing, removing, or mitigating contaminated industrial sites in urban areas |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DEEP |
182 |
Grants to municipalities for potable water |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
DEEP |
183 |
Program to establish energy microgrids to support critical municipal infrastructure |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
CI |
184 |
Regenerative Medicine Research Fund |
10,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
OEC |
185 |
Grants to sponsors of school readiness programs and state-funded day care centers: facility improvements and minor capital repairs to the portion of facilities that house such programs and centers |
15,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DAS |
187 |
Probate Court offices: electronic filing system development and implementation, rather than building acquisition and renovation |
3,000,000 |
0 |
DAS |
188 |
Infrastructure improvements, including engineering and construction of an offsite storm water improvement related to the construction of a new courthouse in Torrington |
800,000 |
800,000 |
State Comptroller (OSC) |
190 |
Grant to the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network for transmission, broadcast, production, and information technology equipment |
3,300,000 |
2,000,000 |
DCF |
191 |
Grants or reimbursement to municipalities of up to $1,000 for the initial installation of a secure locked box for pharmaceuticals |
100,000 |
100,000 |
DEEP |
192 |
Grants or loans to municipalities to acquire land or public parks or make recreational and water quality improvements |
20,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DECD |
193 |
Grant to the Northeast Connecticut Economic Development Alliance |
2,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DOH |
194 |
Shoreline Resiliency Fund |
25,000,000 |
17,000,000 |
OSC |
197 |
CORE financial system enhancements and upgrades |
20,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DAS |
198 |
Removal or encapsulation of asbestos and hazardous materials in state-owned buildings |
10,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DAS |
199 |
Probate Court offices: electronic filing system development and implementation, rather than building acquisition and renovation |
4,100,000 |
3,100,000 |
BOR |
200 |
Tunxis Community College: Implementation of master plan phase III |
3,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
OPM |
202 |
Grants for purchasing body-worn recording equipment and digital data storage devices or services for law enforcement officers; reduces, from $13 million to $10 million, the amount earmarked for municipalities for local law enforcement officers |
15,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
DEEP |
203 |
Long Island Sound stewardship and resiliency program (1) to protect coastal marshes and other natural buffer areas and (2) for grants to increase the resiliency of wastewater treatment facilities |
20,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DEEP |
204 |
Grants to municipalities, in consultation with OPM, to encourage low impact design of green municipal infrastructure to reduce nonpoint source pollution |
20,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DECD |
205 |
Brownfield Remediation and Revitalization program |
20,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) |
206 |
CRDA's statutory purposes and uses; earmarks $500,000 for the Neighborhood Security Fellows program and $2 million Neighborhood Security projects (see § 260) |
50,000,000 |
0 |
OPM |
208 |
Information and technology capital investment program |
76,000,000 |
25,000,000 |
DEEP |
210 |
Alterations, renovations, and new construction, including ADA improvements, at state parks and recreation facilities |
25,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DDS |
212 |
(1) Fire, safety, and environmental improvements to regional facilities and intermediate care facilities for client and staff needs, including improvements in compliance with current codes, and (2) site improvements, handicapped access improvements, utilities, repair or replacement of roofs, air conditioning, and other interior and exterior building renovations and additions at all state-owned facilities |
7,500,000 |
7,500,000 |
DMHAS |
212 |
Fire, safety, and environmental improvements to regional facilities and intermediate care facilities for client and staff needs, including improvements in compliance with current codes, and site improvements, handicapped access improvements, utilities, repair or replacement of roofs, air conditioning, and other interior and exterior building renovations and additions at all state-owned facilities |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
SDE |
213 |
For the technical high school system: Alterations and improvements to buildings and grounds, including new and replacement equipment, tools, and supplies necessary to update curricula; vehicles; and technology upgrades |
12,000,000 |
12,000,000 |
BOR |
215 |
All colleges and universities: New and replacement instruction, research, or laboratory equipment |
12,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
BOR |
214 |
All colleges and universities: Consolidating and upgrading student and financial information technology systems |
40,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DOC |
216 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to existing state-owned buildings for inmate housing, programming, staff training space, and additional inmate capacity; support facilities; and off-site improvements |
15,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
Judicial Department |
217 |
Alterations, renovations, and improvements to buildings and grounds at state-owned and -maintained facilities |
7,500,000 |
7,500,000 |
DOH |
218 |
Housing development and rehabilitation, including improvements to various kinds of state-assisted affordable housing and housing-related financial assistance programs |
135,000,000 |
15,000,000 |
DAS |
221 |
Grants to alliance districts for general school building improvements |
50,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
DEEP |
222 |
Grants to municipalities for open space acquisition and development for conservation or recreational purposes |
8,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
DECD |
223 |
Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund |
20,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DECD |
224 |
Small Business Express program |
50,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
DOH |
225 |
Main Street Investment Fund |
5,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
CRDA |
226 |
Tennis Foundation of Connecticut: capital improvements |
1,500,000 |
500,000 |
DDS |
227 |
Grants-in-aid to private nonprofit organizations for supportive housing (see § 9(b)) |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
SDE |
228 |
Grants to targeted local and regional school districts for alterations, repairs, improvements, technology, and equipment in low-performing schools |
10,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
CSL |
229 |
Grants to public libraries for construction, renovations, expansion, energy conservation, and handicapped accessibility |
7,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
Connecticut Port Authority |
230 |
Grants for port, harbor, and marina improvements, including dredging and navigational improvements |
17,500,000 |
4,000,000 |
DOH |
234 |
Homelessness prevention and response fund |
15,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
OPM |
235 |
Regional dog pound program |
20,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
DOT |
236 |
Pothole repair assistance program |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
State Treasurer |
237 |
GAAP deficit funding bonds |
750,000,000 |
151,500,000 |
OPM |
239 |
Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) (FY 17) |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
OPM |
240 |
Intertown Capital Equipment Purchase Incentive program |
10,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
OPM |
241 |
Capital Equipment Purchase Fund (FY 16) |
30,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
OPM |
241 |
Capital Equipment Purchase Fund (FY 17) |
30,000,000 |
30,000,000 |
OEC |
242 |
Smart Start Competitive Grant Program |
15,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DOT |
247 |
Commercial rail freight line competitive grant program |
17,500,000 |
7,500,000 |
DEEP |
248 |
Energy services projects in state buildings |
20,000,000 |
4,101,200 |
CT Green Bank |
249 |
Energy Conservation Loan Fund and Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund |
5,000,000 |
2,500,000 |
DoAg |
251 |
Farmland preservation program |
170,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DEEP |
252 |
Clean Water Fund grants |
1,652,625,976 |
22,500,000 |
DPH |
253 |
Public Water System Improvement Program |
50,000,000 |
30,000,000 |
DEEP |
254 |
Connecticut bikeway, pedestrian walkway, and greenway grant program |
12,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
DESPP |
255 |
Buy-out program for storm-damaged properties |
3,000,000 |
200,000 |
Department of Labor |
256 |
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program |
10,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
DECD |
258 |
Manufacturing Assistance Act (FY 17) |
100,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
CT Green Bank |
324 |
Renewable energy and efficient energy finance program |
8,000,000 |
8,000,000 |
DEEP |
325 |
Buy-out program for storm-damaged properties |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
Changes to CSCU 2020 and UConn 2000 (§§ 243-246)
CSCU 2020 Projects. The bill reallocates $149,143,000 in existing bond authorizations under Phase III of the CSCU 2020 program. It adds one new project; expands an existing project; and increases and decreases existing authorizations, as shown in Table 4.
TABLE 4: CSCU 2020 PHASE III PROJECT AUTHORIZATIONS
Project |
Current Authorization |
Bill's Authorization |
Change |
Eastern | |||
Sports Center Addition and Renovation (design) |
$11,048,000 |
$0 |
($11,048,000) |
Goddard Hall Renovation (design/construction) (expanded to include Communications Building) |
0 |
11,048,000 |
11,048,000 |
Southern | |||
Fine Arts Instructional Center |
70,929,000 |
0 |
(70,929,000) |
Health and Human Services Building |
60,412,000 |
76,507,344 |
16,095,344 |
New School of Business Building (design/construction) (new) |
0 |
52,476,933 |
52,476,933 |
Code Compliance/ Infrastructure Improvements |
0 |
2,356,723 |
2,356,723 |
Western | |||
Code Compliance/ Infrastructure Improvements |
0 |
5,054,000 |
5,054,000 |
Berkshire Hall Renovations (design) |
4,797,000 |
0 |
(4,797,000) |
University Police Department Building (construction) |
0 |
1,700,000 |
1,700,000 |
Midtown Campus Mini-Chiller Plant |
1,957,000 |
0 |
(1,957,000) |
UConn 2000 Projects. The bill renames an existing UConn 2000 project for “Deferred Maintenance/Code/ADA Renovation Lump Sum” as “Deferred Maintenance/Code Compliance/ADA Compliance/Infrastructure Improvements & Renovation Lump Sum.”
Bond Caps. The bill adjusts the annual bond caps under the CSCU 2020 and UConn 2000 infrastructure programs by canceling bonds for FY 17 and transferring them to FY 18, as shown in Table 5.
TABLE 5: ANNUAL BOND LIMITS FOR CSCU 2020 AND UCONN 2000
BOND PROGRAM |
FY |
CURRENT LIMIT |
CHANGE |
PROPOSED LIMIT |
CSCU 2020 |
17 |
$95,000,000 |
($55,000,000) |
$40,000,000 |
18 |
95,000,000 |
55,000,000 |
150,000,000 | |
UConn 2000 |
17 |
266,400,000 |
(26,000,000) |
240,400,000 |
18 |
269,500,000 |
26,000,000 |
295,500,000 |
Biomedical Research Trust Fund (§ 250)
The bill allows the Biomedical Research Trust Fund to contain any moneys required or permitted by law to be deposited in the fund. Under existing law, the fund may accept transfers from the Tobacco Settlement Fund and apply for and accept public or private gifts, grants, and donations.
Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund (§ 257)
The bill cancels a $25 million bond authorization for the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund for FY 17 and adds a new $25 million authorization for FY 23, thus extending the program by one year.
§ 260 – NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND PROJECTS
The bill establishes the Neighborhood Security Fellowship Program, which is a pilot program designed to foster neighborhood safety in urban environments and serve as a blueprint to reduce neighborhood gun violence state-wide. The program will, among other things, (1) identify and recruit certain at-risk individuals to participate as fellows, (2) coordinate trainings, and (3) assist in work placement.
The bill also establishes requirements for Neighborhood Security Projects, which are certain public construction projects that are awarded only to a bidder that agrees to hire a nonprofit subcontractor that employs fellows.
Section 206 of the bill earmarks, from the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) bond authorization, $500,000 for the Neighborhood Security Fellows Program and $2 million for the Neighborhood Security projects.
Selecting Municipality and Administering Nonprofit
The bill requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) secretary to select a municipality with between 124,000 and 125,000 people to participate in the pilot program (i.e., Hartford).
The chief elected official of this municipality must select a nonprofit entity to administer the program, which must be funded by local, state, federal, and private money. The money must be used for administration and program costs including (1) salaries, benefits, and other compensation for anyone the nonprofit hires to administer the program and (2) stipends to pay the fellows.
Identification and Recruitment of Program Participants
Under the bill, the Neighborhood Security Fellowship Program must identify and recruit into the program individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 who are most likely to be perpetrators or victims of gun violence. This must be accomplished with the assistance of any state agencies and departments (e.g., Judicial Branch's Court Support Services Division) and organizations capable of providing such assistance and the relevant (1) the local or state police department, (2) the local board of education, and (3) the state's attorney. The identification and recruitment can only be done after the execution of all appropriate or necessary waivers, authorizations, and releases.
Program Activities and Initiatives
The bill requires the Fellowship Program to coordinate activities, services, and trainings in which the fellows will participate, including (1) anger management; (2) life skills training; (3) dispute and conflict resolution; (4) remedial education; (5) leadership development; (6) character building; (7) mentoring programs; and (8) pre-employment skills workshops, including career counseling, work-readiness, team building, customer service, and entrepreneurial training.
The program may engage in the coordination and placement of fellows in worksite assignments including (1) local, state, and federal government agencies and departments; (2) state-funded public construction projects within the selected municipality; (3) private businesses, particularly those receiving assistance from the Small Business Express program or the Subsidized Training and Employment program; and (4) nonprofit community-based organizations receiving state grants. The program may also engage in the coordination of training placements, including in adult education courses, vocational training programs, higher education courses, and apprenticeship programs.
Neighborhood Security Projects
Under the bill, the chief elected official of the selected municipality must, in conjunction with the CRDA, select public construction projects located in the federally designated Promise Zones as Neighborhood Security projects. A state or municipal contract for a Neighborhood Security project must be awarded only to a bidder that agrees to hire a nonprofit subcontractor that employs fellows who will be assigned to work at the project worksite. The chief elected official must (1) determine, in conjunction with CRDA, any minimum number of fellows the nonprofit subcontractor must employ to be eligible to be hired for the project and (2) encourage the hiring of any such nonprofit subcontractor for any other municipal- or state-funded public construction project.
Before awarding a contract for a Neighborhood Security project, the bill specifies the state or the municipality must include in its notice of solicitation for competitive bids or request for proposals or qualifications that the bidder must comply with (1) relevant state nondiscrimination and affirmative action laws for contracts, (2) existing law's set-aside program for small contractors and minority business enterprises, and (3) the bill's requirement of hiring a nonprofit subcontractor that employs fellows to work on the project (see above). The state or municipality may inquire whether a bidder is a business enterprise that participates in the Neighborhood Security Fellowship Program and may award preference points to such a bidder.
Report
If the selected municipality received state funding for the program in the previous year, the bill requires the OPM secretary and the municipality to jointly submit a report by January 1 to the Judiciary and Appropriations committees, with the first report due in 2018.
The report must include:
1. the number of program participants the previous calendar year;
2. any change in the level of gun-related violent incidents in the municipality;
3. an evaluation of the program's activities, initiatives, and programs;
4. the program's cost, separated by state and private dollars; and
5. any recommendations to expand the program to other municipalities.
§ 261 — SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION NEW AUTHORIZATIONS AND CHANGES FOR PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROJECTS
The bill authorizes 17 state school construction grants totaling $270.8 million related to total project costs of $479.7 million. It also reauthorizes and changes grant commitments, due to cost and scope changes, for seven previously authorized local projects with a total increased grant commitment of $16.2 million.
Under the state school construction grant program, the state reimburses towns and local districts for a percentage of eligible school construction costs (with less wealthy towns receiving a higher reimbursement percentage).
Table 6 shows the new school construction projects the bill authorizes.
TABLE 6: NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AUTHORIZED
District |
School |
Project |
Estimated Project Costs |
Estimated Grant |
State Reimbursement % |
Newington |
Newington High School |
Extension and alteration |
$2,119,500 |
$1,203,664 |
56.8% |
Norwalk |
Norwalk Early Childhood Center |
Alterations, code violations |
2,720,234 |
893,869 |
32.9 |
Stratford |
Stratford High School |
Extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
125,966,646 |
76,033,468 |
60.4 |
ACES |
Whitney School |
Regional special education, facility purchase, extension and alterations |
82,124,595 |
65,699,676 |
80.0 |
Goodwin College |
Goodwin College CT River Academy |
Magnet school, extension, site purchase |
10,500,000 |
8,400,000 |
80.0 |
Colchester |
William J. Johnson Middle School |
Extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
47,029,213 |
28,890,046 |
61.4 |
Colchester |
William J. Johnson Middle School |
Central administration, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
1,627,500 |
499,887 |
30.7 |
Danbury |
Danbury High School |
Extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
50,250,000 |
31,763,025 |
63.2 |
Manchester |
Waddell School |
Extension and alteration |
33,654,000 |
22,595,296 |
67.1 |
Stonington |
Deans Mill School |
Extension and alteration |
35,918,548 |
11,289,200 |
31.4 |
Stonington |
West Vine Street School |
Extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
31,587,675 |
9,928,006 |
31.4 |
Wilton |
Miller/Driscoll Elementary School |
Extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
50,022,000 |
11,074,871 |
22.1 |
Regional District 6 |
Wamogo Regional High School (Vo-Ag) |
Vocational agricultural equipment |
47,471 |
37,977 |
80.0 |
Canton |
Canton Jr. Sr. High School |
Energy conservation |
595,000 |
231,634 |
38.9 |
Glastonbury |
Gideon Welles School |
Alteration, energy conservation, and code violation |
1,578,500 |
529,902 |
33.6 |
New Hartford |
Ann Antolini School |
Energy conservation and code violation |
3,832,000 |
1,669,602 |
43.6 |
Sharon |
Sharon Center School |
Energy conservation, code violation |
170,205 |
44,372 |
26.1 |
Total |
17 projects |
479,743,087 |
270,784,495 |
Table 7 lists changes in previously authorized school projects. In cases where the requested amount is the same, the new authorization is sought because of some change in the project scope, but the change did not result in a higher cost.
TABLE 7: PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WITH SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN SCOPE OR COST
District |
School |
Project |
Previous Grant Authorization |
Requested Grant Authorization |
Change |
Bridgeport |
Aquaculture Center |
Regional vocational agriculture, extension and alteration |
$29,925,000 |
$29,925,000 |
$0 |
Greenwich |
Greenwich High School |
Extension and alteration |
6,023,000 |
9,210,200 |
3,187,200 |
New Britain |
Diloreto Magnet School |
Extension and alteration |
7,929,000 |
7,929,000 |
0 |
Stamford |
Rogers Magnet Interdistrict Extension |
Magnet, purchase facility, extension, and alteration |
61,849,908 |
61,849,908 |
0 |
West Haven |
Central Administration |
Central administration, alteration |
1,318,800 |
1,806,157 |
487,357 |
CREC |
CREC Museum Academy |
Magnet, new construction, site purchase |
31,597,950 |
52,561,565 |
20,963,615 |
Goodwin College |
Early Childhood Magnet School |
Magnet, new construction, site purchase |
15,948,049 |
7,548,049 |
(8,400,000) |
Total |
Seven projects |
$154,591,707 |
170,829,879 |
16,238,172 |
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 262 – DELAYED ELIGIBILITY LIST PROJECTS
The bill allows proposed school construction projects that were included on the DAS project eligibility list in December, but are not authorized by the General Assembly during the May special session, to remain eligible for next year's list and to have the option to keep the reimbursement rate they would have had this year. There were 10 projects included on the DAS eligibility list submitted to the General Assembly in December that are not included in the bill.
The bill requires the DAS commissioner to add each of the 10 projects to next year's list, which must be submitted to the General Assembly by December 15, 2016, provided the project is otherwise eligible.
Also, each of these delayed projects is eligible for the greater of the reimbursement rate calculated for the project on this year's eligibility list or the reimbursement rate calculated for the project on next year's list. Reimbursement rates are determined each year and may increase or decrease depending on a town's property wealth per capita in relation to all other towns in the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 263 - 320 – SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXEMPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
The bill exempts specified school construction projects from various statutory and regulatory requirements to allow them to, among other things, (1) qualify for state reimbursement grants, (2) qualify for additional grants through a higher level of reimbursement, (3) increase maximum project costs of previously approved projects, or (4) change the scope of previously approved projects.
These exemptions are referred to as “notwithstanding” provisions. See Table 8.
TABLE 8: SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXEMPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
§ |
Municipality/ Grantee |
School & Project |
Exemption, Waiver, or Other Change |
263 |
Bridgeport |
Multi-Magnet High School, new construction and site purchase |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
264 |
Bridgeport |
Cross School, alteration and energy conservation |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
265 |
Bridgeport |
Roosevelt School, new construction |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
266 |
Bridgeport |
Longfellow School, new construction |
● Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS ● Makes eligible for state reimbursement the otherwise ineligible costs necessary to ensure the school's opening for the 2016-2017 school year, provided the costs do not exceed $1.5 million and the project meets the other standards requirements |
267 |
Bridgeport |
Black Rock School, extension, alteration, and site purchase |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
268 |
Bridgeport |
Central High School, extension, alteration and roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
269 |
Bridgeport |
JFK campus administration building, roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
270 |
Bridgeport |
Six to Six Magnet, School, roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
271 |
Bridgeport |
Dunbar School, alteration and energy conservation |
Waives the square-feet-per-pupil space standard |
272 |
Brookfield |
Brookfield High School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Waives repayment of funds from the town back to the state |
273 |
Colchester |
William J. Johnston Middle School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Changes project designation from extension, alteration, and roof replacement to renovation, triggering a higher state reimbursement level |
274 |
Danbury |
Danbury High School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Permits the project to use an 80% reimbursement rate, provided the school includes a freshman academy that offers a unique and exceptional program |
275 |
East Hartford |
East Hartford-Glastonbury Magnet School, new construction |
Waives repayment of funds from the town back to the state |
276 |
East Hartford |
East Hartford Middle School, alteration and energy conservation |
Changes the project scope and cost to $8,256,000 |
277 |
Glastonbury |
East Hartford-Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School, new construction and site purchase |
Waives repayment of grant up to $1.5 million for site acquisition awarded to the town before the effective date of the bill based on a change order reported to DAS and the department will not be responsible for any further grant payments related to this project |
278 |
Glastonbury |
East Hartford-Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School, new construction and site purchase (this has a different project number than the one described in the section above) |
Waives repayment of grant for site acquisition awarded to the town before the effective date of the bill based on a change order reported to DAS and the department will not be responsible for any further grant payments related to this project |
279 |
Hamden |
Project anticipated, but type yet to be specified |
Extends the deadline from June 30, 2016 to September 30, 2016 for an application to be submitted to DAS in order for a project to be considered for the 2017 legislative session construction project eligibility list, provided all other standard requirements are met |
280 |
Hartford |
Quirk Middle School, renovation and alteration |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
281 |
Hartford |
Barbour School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
282 |
Hartford |
Bellizzi Middle School, extension, alteration and roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
283 |
Hartford |
M.D. Fox Elementary School, renovation, alteration |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
284 |
Hartford |
West Middle School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
285 |
Hartford |
Hartford Magnet Middle School, extension and alteration |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
286 |
Hartford |
Weaver High School, renovation, extension, and alteration |
● Permits cost reimbursement rate of 95%, provided a previously planned or approved magnet school is co-located with Weaver High School ● Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017, and reviewed and approved by DAS |
287 |
Meriden |
Francis T. Maloney High School, renovation and extension |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
288 |
Meriden |
Orville H. Platt High School, renovation and extension |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
289 |
Middletown |
Woodrow Wilson Middle School, energy conservation and code violations |
Waives the requirement that construction bid not be let out until DAS has approved the plans and specifications |
290 |
Middletown |
Middletown High School, new construction |
Authorizes: ● change in cost to $100,271,905 ● increase in reimbursement rate to 65.07% ● exemptions from square-feet-per pupil space standard |
291 |
Milford |
Various projects |
Permits the town to use its 2016 reimbursement rate for school projects in which the application was submitted on or after July 1, 2015 and before the effective date of this bill. |
292 |
New Haven |
Augusta Lewis Troup Middle School, renovation and extension |
Waives repayment of funds back to the state from the town |
293 |
New London |
Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, alteration |
Waives the square-feet-per-pupil space standard |
294 |
New London |
Relocatable classrooms project |
Waives repayment of funds back to the state from the town |
295 |
North Branford |
North Branford High School, roof replacement |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
296 |
Norwalk |
Side by Side Charter School, project yet to be specified |
● Makes project eligible for reimbursement provided an application is submitted by September 30, 2016 ● Cost not to exceed $2.5 million ● Makes reimbursement rate 100% of eligible costs ● Requires governing authority of charter school to refund to the state the unamortized balance of the state grant in the event the building is no longer used as Side by Side Charter School during its first 20 years of use |
297 |
Norwich |
Kelly Middle School, renovation |
● Increases maximum project size to 137,444 square feet from 133,034 ● Increases cost of project to $43,194,516 |
298 |
Stonington |
Deans Mill School, extension and alteration |
Changes project designation from extension and alteration to renovation, triggering a higher state reimbursement level |
299 |
Stonington |
West Vine Street School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Changes project designation from extension and alteration to renovation, triggering a higher state reimbursement level |
300 |
Trumbull |
Frenchtown Elementary School, new construction and site purchase |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
301 |
Trumbull |
Trumbull High School, renovation and extension |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
302 |
Trumbull |
Middlebrook School, energy conservation |
Waives deadline for submitting change orders that would otherwise be late and not reimbursable, provided orders are submitted by January 1, 2017 and reviewed and approved by DAS |
303 |
Waterbury |
Various schools – renovation, code violations |
Increases the costs for the code violation project by $762,729 |
304 |
West Hartford |
Bugbee Elementary School, project yet to be specified |
● Extends the deadline from June 30, 2017 to September 30, 2017 for an application to be submitted to DAS in order for a project to be considered for the 2018 legislative session construction project eligibility list, provided all other standard requirements are met ● For projects submitted under the above mentioned conditions, the town can use the reimbursement rate that is available for the town upon the effective date of the bill (the 2016 rate) ● Waives the square-feet-per-pupil space standard for the project submitted under the condition above |
305 |
West Hartford |
Sedgwick Middle School, project yet to be specified |
● Extends the deadline from June 30, 2017 to September 30, 2017 for an application to be submitted to DAS in order for a project to be considered for the 2018 legislative session construction project eligibility list, provided all other standard requirements are met ● For projects submitted under the above mentioned conditions, the town can use the reimbursement rate that is available for the town upon the effective date of the bill (the 2016 rate) ● Waives the square-feet-per-pupil space standard for the project submitted under the condition above |
306 |
West Hartford |
William H. Hall High School, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics laboratory classrooms (as yet not specified in an application) |
● Extends the deadline from June 30, 2016 to September 30, 2016 for an application to be submitted to DAS in order for a project to be considered for the 2017 legislative session construction project eligibility list, provided all other standard requirements are met ● Waives reimbursement rate standards and instead authorizes a school building grant of $8,120,000 for the laboratory classrooms ● Waives the square-feet-per-pupil space standard for the project submitted under the condition above |
307 |
West Haven |
All projects on 2016 school construction eligibility list |
Authorizes all projects on the 2016 school construction eligibility list to be reimbursed at 77.14% |
308 |
West Haven |
West Haven High School, renovation |
Authorizes change of project description and scope |
309 |
Wilton |
Miller/Driscoll Elementary School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Waives the square-feet-per-pupil space standard |
311 |
Durham |
Francis E. Korn Elementary School, extension and alteration |
Waives repayment of funds back to the state from the town if Durham redirects the school to other uses during the 20-year amortization period |
312 |
Region 16 |
Region 16 pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade Elementary School, new construction |
Changes project description from new construction to new construction and site acquisition |
313 |
Region 16 |
Laurel Ledge School, extension, alteration, and roof replacement |
Authorizes change in cost to $10,583,313 due to the duration of the project and several changes in school district administrative personnel |
314 |
Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) |
Aerospace Elementary Magnet School, new construction and site purchase Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, extension, alteration, magnet construction, and roof replacement |
Permits cost reimbursement rate of 95% |
315 |
CREC |
Aerospace Elementary Magnet School, new construction and site purchase Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, extension, alteration, magnet construction, and roof replacement |
Makes following costs eligible for state reimbursement: ● short-term construction financing ● prorated salary and benefits of staff providing project management services and reasonable direct staff costs, only for the time preceding receipt of the certificate of occupancy, subject to an audit |
316 |
CREC |
Aerospace Elementary Magnet School, new construction and site purchase Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, extension, alteration, magnet construction, and roof replacement |
● Authorizes education commissioner to pay both the local and state share of the eligible project costs to CREC ● Requires DAS to establish a local share repayment schedule for CREC after each project is completed and audited, and the annualized repayment amounts will be withheld from the annual magnet school grants CREC is eligible for |
317 |
Goodwin College |
Connecticut River Academy, magnet school new construction and site purchase |
Authorizes Goodwin College to use any unexpended site acquisition funds for any other authorized project costs |
318 |
Goodwin College |
Early Childhood Magnet, magnet school new construction and site purchase |
Authorizes Goodwin College to use any unexpended site acquisition funds for any other authorized project costs |
319 |
Goodwin College |
Goodwin College Early Childhood Magnet School, magnet school new construction and site purchase |
Authorizes Goodwin College to use a 95% reimbursement rate for the project |
320 |
Goodwin College |
Connecticut River Academy, magnet school new construction and site purchase |
Authorizes Goodwin College to use a 95% reimbursement rate for the project |
321 |
Goodwin College |
Pathways Academy of Design & Technology, magnet school new construction and site purchase |
Authorizes Goodwin College to use any unexpended site acquisition funds for any other authorized project costs |
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 310—AUTHORITY TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The bill allows any town that has received a school construction grant from the state during the last 25 years to delay the implementation of the new high school graduation requirements until the 2018-19 school year.
Under current law, the new graduation requirements apply to the graduating class of 2021, which means they apply to freshman in the 2017-18 school year. The scheduled changes require students to, among other things, (1) earn 25 credits, rather than 20; (2) pass state exams for five specific courses; and (3) complete a senior project.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 322 – INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND PRIVATE USE OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS
The bill requires that any independent college that operates an interdistrict magnet school that was built using public school construction grants and makes private use of any portion of the school must submit an annual report to the education commissioner. The report must show that the college provides an equal to or greater than in-kind or supplemental benefit of its facilities to the magnet school students that outweighs the private use of the school building. The bill does not indicate when the report is due each year.
Under the bill, if the commissioner finds that the private use of the school building exceeds the in-kind or supplemental benefit to the magnet school students, the commissioner may require the college to refund to the state the unamortized balance of the state grant. School construction grants are amortized over a 20-year period.
§ 323 – INCREASED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PROJECTS
The bill permits any regional school board that is created or expanded on or after July 1, 2016 to receive the highest reimbursement rate from among the towns participating in the regional district and an additional 10%, provided the project application (1) is submitted within 10 years of the district's expansion or establishment and (2) relates to the district's expansion or establishment.