SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) announced, today, that AB 2045 received overwhelming support, during a hearing of the Senate Education Committee, as it passed by a vote of 10-0.

“Our students cannot learn unless we provide them with an environment that is conducive to learning,” said Assemblywoman Parra. “Part of creating that learning environment is making sure children have access to the best possible school facilities, and this bill makes that access possible.”

Under current law, the State Allocation Board provides funding to school districts for the construction and modernization of school facilities, and any funding appropriated is considered final. In other words, school districts cannot currently petition for additional monies if their costs are greater than expected. AB 2045 would establish an exception that would authorize the State Allocation Board to approve a supplemental apportionment of up to 5% of the cost of a project in order to ensure that all minimum essential facilities, as defined, are included in the project. This bill allows the State Allocation Board to approve the supplemental apportionment if it determines that the apportionment would cover cost increases that are beyond the control of the school district. AB 2045 also would require a school district to retain in the county fund any savings achieved by the efficient and prudent expenditure of specified school facilities funds, for expenditure by the district for other high priority capital outlay purposes.

AB 2045 is co-sponsored by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and the Small School Districts’ Association. This bill is also supported by the California Association of School Business Officials, the Central Valley Education Coalition, and the Los Banos Unified School District.

AB 2045 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.