§ 7707.
(b)
School facility emergency and modernization grants authorized
(1)
In general
(A)
shall award emergency grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible local educational agencies to enable the agencies to carry out emergency repairs of school facilities; and
(B)
shall award modernization grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible local educational agencies to enable the agencies to carry out the modernization of school facilities.
(2)
Priority
In approving applications from local educational agencies for emergency grants and modernization grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to applications in accordance with the following:
(A)
The Secretary shall first give priority to applications for emergency grants from local educational agencies that meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(A) and, among such applications for emergency grants, shall give priority to those applications of local educational agencies based on the severity of the emergency, as determined by the Secretary.
(B)
The Secretary shall next give priority to applications for emergency grants from local educational agencies that meet the requirements of subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (3) and, among such applications for emergency grants, shall give priority to those applications of local educational agencies based on the severity of the emergency, as determined by the Secretary.
(C)
The Secretary shall next give priority to applications for modernization grants from local educational agencies that meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(B) and, among such applications for modernization grants, shall give priority to those applications of local educational agencies based on the severity of the need for modernization, as determined by the Secretary.
(D)
The Secretary shall next give priority to applications for modernization grants from local educational agencies that meet the requirements of subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (3) and, among such applications for modernization grants, shall give priority to those applications of local educational agencies based on the severity of the need for modernization, as determined by the Secretary.
(3)
Eligibility requirements
(A)
Emergency grants
A local educational agency is eligible to receive an emergency grant under paragraph (2)(A) if—
(i)
the agency (or in the case of a local educational agency that does not have the authority to tax or issue bonds, the agency’s fiscal agent)—
(I)
has no practical capacity to issue bonds;
(II)
has minimal capacity to issue bonds and is at not less than 75 percent of the agency’s limit of bonded indebtedness; or
(III)
does not meet the requirements of subclauses (I) and (II) but is eligible to receive funds under
section 7703(b)(2) of this title for the fiscal year; and
(ii)
the agency is eligible to receive assistance under subsection (a) for the fiscal year and has a school facility emergency, as determined by the Secretary, that poses a health or safety hazard to the students and school personnel assigned to the school facility.
(B)
Modernization grants
A local educational agency is eligible to receive a modernization grant under paragraph (2)(C) if—
(i)
the agency is eligible to receive assistance under this subchapter for the fiscal year;
(ii)
the agency (or in the case of a local educational agency that does not have the authority to tax or issue bonds, the agency’s fiscal agent) meets the requirements of subclause (I), (II), or (III) of subparagraph (A)(i); and
(iii)
the agency has facility needs resulting from the presence of the Federal Government, such as the enrollment of federally connected children, the presence of tax-exempt Federal property, or an increase in enrollment due to the expansion of Federal activities, housing privatization, or the acquisition of Federal property.
(C)
Additional eligibility for emergency and modernization grants
(i)
A local educational agency is eligible to receive an emergency grant or a modernization grant under subparagraph (B) or (D) of paragraph (2), respectively, if the agency meets the following requirements:
(I)
The agency receives a basic support payment under
section 7703(b) of this title for the fiscal year and the agency meets at least one of the following requirements:
(aa)
The number of children determined under
section 7703(a)(1)(C) of this title for the agency for the preceding school year constituted at least 40 percent of the total student enrollment in the schools of the agency during the preceding school year.
(bb)
The number of children determined under subparagraphs (B) and (D)(i) of
section 7703(a)(1) of this title for the agency for the preceding school year constituted at least 40 percent of the total student enrollment in the schools of the agency during the preceding school year.
(cc)
Not less than 10 percent of the property acreage in the agency is exempt from State and local taxation under Federal law.
(II)
The agency (or in the case of a local educational agency that does not have the authority to tax or issue bonds, the agency’s fiscal agent) is at not less than 75 percent of the agency’s limit of bonded indebtedness.
(III)
The agency has an assessed value of real property per student that may be taxed for school purposes that is less than the average of the assessed value of real property per student that may be taxed for school purposes in the State in which the local educational agency is located.
(ii)
A local educational agency is also eligible to receive a modernization grant under this subparagraph if the agency is eligible to receive assistance under
section 7702 of this title for the fiscal year and meets the requirements of subclauses (II) and (III) of clause (i).
(D)
Special rule
(ii)
School described
A school described in this clause is a school that meets the following requirements:
(I)
The school is located within the geographic boundaries of a local educational agency that does not meet the applicable eligibility requirements under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) for a grant under this subsection.
(II)
The school meets at least one of the following requirements:
(aa)
The number of children determined under
section 7703(a)(1)(C) of this title for the school for the preceding school year constituted at least 40 percent of the total student enrollment in the school during the preceding school year.
(bb)
The number of children determined under subparagraphs (B) and (D)(i) of
section 7703(a)(1) of this title for the school for the preceding school year constituted at least 40 percent of the total student enrollment in the school during the preceding school year.
(III)
The school is located within the geographic boundaries of a local educational agency that meets the requirements of subclauses (II) and (III) of subparagraph (C)(i).
(E)
Rule of construction
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), a local educational agency—
(i)
has no practical capacity to issue bonds if the total assessed value of real property that may be taxed for school purposes is less than $25,000,000; and
(ii)
has minimal capacity to issue bonds if the total assessed value of real property that may be taxed for school purposes is at least $25,000,000 but not more than $50,000,000.
(4)
Award criteria
In awarding emergency grants and modernization grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the following factors:
(A)
The ability of the local educational agency to respond to the emergency, or to pay for the modernization project, as the case may be, as measured by—
(i)
the agency’s level of bonded indebtedness;
(ii)
the assessed value of real property per student that may be taxed for school purposes compared to the average of the assessed value of real property per student that may be taxed for school purposes in the State in which the agency is located;
(iii)
the agency’s total tax rate for school purposes (or, if applicable, for capital expenditures) compared to the average total tax rate for school purposes (or the average capital expenditure tax rate, if applicable) in the State in which the agency is located; and
(iv)
funds that are available to the agency, from any other source, including subsection (a), that may be used for capital expenditures.
(B)
The percentage of property in the agency that is nontaxable due to the presence of the Federal Government.
(C)
The number and percentages of children described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of
section 7703(a)(1) of this title served in the school facility with the emergency or served in the school facility proposed for modernization, as the case may be.
(D)
In the case of an emergency grant, the severity of the emergency, as measured by the threat that the condition of the school facility poses to the health, safety, and well-being of students.
(E)
In the case of a modernization grant—
(i)
the severity of the need for modernization, as measured by such factors as—
(I)
overcrowding, as evidenced by the use of portable classrooms, or the potential for future overcrowding because of increased enrollment; or
(II)
the agency’s inability to utilize technology or offer a curriculum in accordance with contemporary State standards due to the physical limitations of the current school facility; and
(ii)
the age of the school facility proposed for modernization.
(5)
Other award provisions
(A)
General provisions
(i)
Limitations on amount of funds
(I)
In general
The amount of funds provided under an emergency grant or a modernization grant awarded under this subsection to a local educational agency that meets the requirements of subclause (II) or (III) of paragraph (3)(A)(i) for purposes of eligibility under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3) or that meets the requirements of clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (3)(C) for purposes of eligibility under such paragraph (3)(C), or to a school that is eligible under paragraph (3)(D)—
(aa)
shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project to be assisted under this subsection; and
(bb)
shall not exceed $4,000,000 during any 4-year period.
(II)
In-kind contributions
(ii)
Prohibitions on use of funds
A local educational agency may not use funds provided under an emergency grant or modernization grant awarded under this subsection for—
(I)
a project for a school facility for which the agency does not have full title or other interest;
(II)
stadiums or other school facilities that are primarily used for athletic contests, exhibitions, or other events for which admission is charged to the general public; or
(III)
the acquisition of real property.
(iii)
Supplement, not supplant
(v)
Environmental safeguards
(vi)
Carry-over of certain applications
(B)
Emergency grants; prohibition on use of funds
(6)
Application
A local educational agency that desires to receive an emergency grant or a modernization grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall contain the following:
(A)
A description of how the local educational agency meets the award criteria under paragraph (4), including the information described in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (4)(A) and subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (4), and containing such additional information as may be necessary to meet any award criteria for a grant under this subsection as provided by any other Act.
(B)
In the case of an application for an emergency grant—
(i)
a description of the school facility deficiency that poses a health or safety hazard to the occupants of the facility and a description of how the deficiency will be repaired; and
(ii)
a signed statement from an appropriate local official certifying that a deficiency in the school facility threatens the health or safety of the occupants of the facility or that prevents the use of all or a portion of the building.
(C)
In the case of an application for a modernization grant—
(i)
an explanation of the need for the school facility modernization project;
(ii)
the date on which original construction of the facility to be modernized was completed;
(iii)
a listing of the school facilities to be modernized, including the number and percentage of children determined under
section 7703(a)(1) of this title in average daily attendance in each school facility; and
(iv)
a description of the ownership of the property on which the current school facility is located or on which the planned school facility will be located.
(D)
A description of the project for which a grant under this subsection will be used, including a cost estimate for the project.
(E)
A description of the interest in, or authority over, the school facility involved, such as an ownership interest or a lease arrangement.
([Pub. L. 89–10, title VII, § 7007], formerly title VIII, § 8007, as added [Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101], Oct. 20, 1994, [108 Stat. 3763]; amended [Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101(d) [title III, § 306(b)]], Apr. 26, 1996, [110 Stat. 1321–211], 1321–236; renumbered title I, [Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a)], May 2, 1996, [110 Stat. 1327]; [Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A]], title XVIII, § 1811], Oct. 30, 2000, [114 Stat. 1654], 1654A–383; [Pub. L. 107–110, title VIII, § 803], Jan. 8, 2002, [115 Stat. 1950]; [Pub. L. 113–188, title V, § 501], Nov. 26, 2014, [128 Stat. 2019]; renumbered title VII, § 7007, and amended [Pub. L. 114–95, title VII], §§ 7001(c)(2), (d)(1), (3)–(8), (11), 7007, Dec. 10, 2015, [129 Stat. 2074], 2075, 2086.)