California Assembly Bill AB2406

California 2017-2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/18
• Refer: 3/5/18

Caption

School facilities: hardship assistance.

Impact

The primary effect of AB2406 is that it empowers school districts by enabling their governing boards to assess and determine their financial circumstances without the strict oversight that was previously required. This could lead to more districts successfully obtaining state funding under hardship provisions, particularly in cases where financial constraints or disaster-related challenges hinder their ability to provide adequate pupil housing. The intention is to alleviate the procedural burden on these districts and improve access to necessary funding.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2406, introduced by Assembly Member Mathis, aims to amend Section 17075.10 of the Education Code concerning school facility hardship assistance. This bill enhances the existing framework laid out by the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998, which allows school districts to apply for state funding for new construction and modernization. Specifically, AB2406 proposes to simplify the conditions under which a school district may prove its financial inability to meet state-matching requirements by allowing the governing board of the school district to determine whether all reasonable efforts have been made regarding local debt capacity and development fees.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding AB2406 could revolve around differing opinions on local governance versus state oversight. Proponents argue that allowing school boards to self-determine their financial efforts towards raising local funding will expedite financial assistance and respond more effectively to urgent needs, especially in vulnerable communities and during disaster crises. Critics may contend that this method might reduce accountability, leading to discrepancies in financial reporting and potentially misallocated resources as school districts navigate their fiscal challenges.