Healthy, High Performance School Facilities:
Developments in State Policy

California

Citation: California Education Code §§17070.96, 101012 (California Assembly Bill No. 207)
Effective: 2006
Available: HERE (statute); HERE (regulations)

This bill allocates $7.3 billion in state-issued general obligation bonds for K-12 new school construction and modernization projects, pending voter approval during statewide general elections in November 2006. The bill also incorporates a significant financial incentive program for healthy, high performance schools, which will take effect if the bond measure is approved.

The bill designates $100 million for incentive grants for high performance schools. The grants will be available for projects that incorporate designs, plans and materials to “promote the efficient use of energy and water, the maximum use of natural lighting and indoor air quality, the use of recycled materials and materials that emit a minimum of toxic substances, the use of acoustics conducive to teaching and learning, and other characteristics of high-performance schools.” In addition to providing this financial incentive program, the law directs all school districts that apply for new state construction funding must certify to certify that they have at least considered the feasibility of incorporating these high performance goals into their school construction projects. Regulations adopted under the law (2 Cal Code Regs. 1859.70.4, 1859.71.6) establish the minimum criteria for receiving a grant, including the minimum IAQ-related criteria, as well as the formula for calculating the amount of the grant.