California Assembly Bill AB2909

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/22
• Refer: 3/17/22

Caption

School facilities: cash proceeds.

Impact

The implications of AB 2909 could significantly enhance funding opportunities for public school projects that have been waiting for financial support. By allowing cash proceeds from sources other than bonding to be allocated towards these projects, the bill may expedite the modernization and construction of school facilities that are otherwise stalled due to financial limitations. This addition could help in tackling the backlog of applications on the Beyond Bond Authority List, ultimately supporting wider educational infrastructure improvements across the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2909, introduced by Assembly Member O'Donnell, aims to improve the allocation of state funds for school facilities in California. The bill proposes to add Section 17070.37 to the Education Code, stipulating that if cash proceeds from sources other than bonds are made available by the Legislature, these funds should be dedicated to projects listed on the Applications Received Beyond Bond Authority List. This list pertains to applications for school construction and modernization that are received when existing bond authority has been exhausted.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to allocate much-needed funds for public education, there could be points of contention regarding the sources of these cash proceeds. Some stakeholders may question the sustainability or equity of funding, especially if cash proceeds are derived from state revenues that could be allocated to other public services. Furthermore, there may be discussions about how these funds will be monitored and administered to ensure that they are effectively used for the intended purposes within the education sector.