Connecticut House Bill HB06840

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/17
• Refer: 1/25/17

Caption

An Act Concerning The School Building Project At Nathan Hale Elementary School In Enfield.

Impact

Should this bill pass, it will essentially provide Enfield with financial relief and flexibility regarding the management of the Nathan Hale Elementary School building project funds. The legislation signifies an acknowledgment of local circumstances that may impact a town's ability to maintain its obligations under state grant conditions. By preventing the need for a refund, the bill aims to ensure that local resources can be allocated as needed, rather than being restricted by state mandates.

Summary

House Bill 6840 pertains to a specific school building project at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Enfield, Connecticut. The primary purpose of the bill is to relieve the town of Enfield from the obligation to refund the unamortized balance of a school building project grant. This financial obligation would have been triggered if the school was abandoned, sold, leased, demolished, or redirected for purposes other than public school use within a twenty-year amortization period. The bill specifically overrides existing state regulations that would typically enforce such a refund.

Contention

While the bill seems straightforward, it could open discussions on accountability for state grant funds and local control over educational resources. Some stakeholders might argue that such provisions could set a precedent for other towns to request similar exemptions, potentially impacting statewide educational funding as a whole. Moreover, concerns may arise about the accountability of local governments in using state funds effectively when such exceptions are made.