CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 539Introduced by Senator CabaldonFebruary 20, 2025 An act to amend Section 17075.10 of the Education Code, relating to school facilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 539, as introduced, Cabaldon. School facilities: hardship assistance: health and safety projects.The Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998 provides for the adoption of rules, regulations, and procedures, under the administration of the Director of General Services, for the allocation of state funds by the State Allocation Board for the construction and modernization of public school facilities. The act permits a school district to apply for hardship assistance in cases of extraordinary circumstances. The act requires, for health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, a school district to demonstrate that certain conditions are satisfied, including that the school facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk.This bill would apply the above-described provisions to health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, and would specify that the above-described condition includes ending the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities. The bill, for projects approved under these provisions, would authorize a school district to employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and would authorize those state agencies to use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. The bill would also authorize a school district to use machine learning to prepare documents and materials for the permitting process for these projects.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 17075.10 of the Education Code is amended to read:17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.(c)(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 539Introduced by Senator CabaldonFebruary 20, 2025 An act to amend Section 17075.10 of the Education Code, relating to school facilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 539, as introduced, Cabaldon. School facilities: hardship assistance: health and safety projects.The Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998 provides for the adoption of rules, regulations, and procedures, under the administration of the Director of General Services, for the allocation of state funds by the State Allocation Board for the construction and modernization of public school facilities. The act permits a school district to apply for hardship assistance in cases of extraordinary circumstances. The act requires, for health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, a school district to demonstrate that certain conditions are satisfied, including that the school facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk.This bill would apply the above-described provisions to health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, and would specify that the above-described condition includes ending the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities. The bill, for projects approved under these provisions, would authorize a school district to employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and would authorize those state agencies to use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. The bill would also authorize a school district to use machine learning to prepare documents and materials for the permitting process for these projects.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 539
Introduced by Senator CabaldonFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Senator Cabaldon
February 20, 2025
An act to amend Section 17075.10 of the Education Code, relating to school facilities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 539, as introduced, Cabaldon. School facilities: hardship assistance: health and safety projects.
The Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998 provides for the adoption of rules, regulations, and procedures, under the administration of the Director of General Services, for the allocation of state funds by the State Allocation Board for the construction and modernization of public school facilities. The act permits a school district to apply for hardship assistance in cases of extraordinary circumstances. The act requires, for health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, a school district to demonstrate that certain conditions are satisfied, including that the school facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk.This bill would apply the above-described provisions to health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, and would specify that the above-described condition includes ending the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities. The bill, for projects approved under these provisions, would authorize a school district to employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and would authorize those state agencies to use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. The bill would also authorize a school district to use machine learning to prepare documents and materials for the permitting process for these projects.
The Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998 provides for the adoption of rules, regulations, and procedures, under the administration of the Director of General Services, for the allocation of state funds by the State Allocation Board for the construction and modernization of public school facilities. The act permits a school district to apply for hardship assistance in cases of extraordinary circumstances. The act requires, for health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, a school district to demonstrate that certain conditions are satisfied, including that the school facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk.
This bill would apply the above-described provisions to health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the Department of General Services to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, and would specify that the above-described condition includes ending the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities. The bill, for projects approved under these provisions, would authorize a school district to employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and would authorize those state agencies to use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. The bill would also authorize a school district to use machine learning to prepare documents and materials for the permitting process for these projects.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 17075.10 of the Education Code is amended to read:17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.(c)(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 17075.10 of the Education Code is amended to read:17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.(c)(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.
SECTION 1. Section 17075.10 of the Education Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.(c)(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.
17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.(c)(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.
17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.(c)(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.
17075.10. (a) (1) For health and safety projects for school facilities that are determined by the department to pose an unacceptable risk of injury to occupants in the event of a seismic event, wildfire, flood, or other state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, a school district shall demonstrate both of the following to the satisfaction of the board:
(A) That due to unusual circumstances that are beyond the control of the school district, excessive costs need to be incurred in the construction of school facilities.
(B) That the facilities are needed to ensure the health and safety of pupils if the health and safety of pupils is at risk. risk, including to end the disruption to the delivery of educational services due to damage to, or destruction of, school facilities.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), health and safety projects include projects to replace the most vulnerable school facilities that are identified as a Category 2 building, as defined in the report submitted pursuant to Section 17317.
(b) (1) A school district is eligible for health and safety funding to replace, reconstruct, or construct new classrooms and related facilities if the school district demonstrates there is a threat to the health and safety of pupils. To determine the applicable grant amounts, the district shall prepare and submit to the department a cost-benefit analysis that compares the minimum cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the health and safety problem with the current replacement cost.
(2) The project qualifies for modernization funding if the minimum cost is less than 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the classroom or related facility.
(3) The project qualifies for replacement facilities if the cost-benefit analysis prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) demonstrates that the cost to remain in the classroom or related facility and mitigate the problem is at least 50 percent of the replacement value.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, for health and safety projects for school facilities under this section, a school district may employ design sequencing methods to allow for concurrent coordination and approval by the State Department of Education, the State Architect, and the State Allocation Board for expedited permitting, approval, and construction processes, and those state agencies may use machine learning to automate nondiscretionary aspects of those processes. A school district may also use machine learning to prepare documents and materials required for the permitting process.
(c)
(d) The department shall develop regulations to define eligible health and safety projects that meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) for purposes of project approval by the board.
(e) For purposes of this section, design sequencing means a method of project delivery that enables the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when the design for that phase is complete, instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be completed before commencing construction.