WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJR 32

Summary — HJR 32 (Acts Ch. 155) — "A JOINT RESOLUTION authorizing the release of funds"

Purpose

HJR 32 authorizes the Office of State Budget Director to release specified awards from the School Facility Assistance Fund to a set of Kentucky local school districts for fiscal year 2025–2026. The awards implement criteria set in 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 175 and are intended to help districts begin or continue construction, repair, or renovation of eligible school facilities that local resources cannot fully fund.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes one-time awards from the School Facility Assistance Fund in specified dollar amounts to named school districts for FY 2025–2026.
  • Establishes that award amounts equal 50% of the difference between (a) the certified costs to construct, repair, or renovate eligible school facilities and (b) the amount of available local resources for those projects (as certified in the relevant audit required by 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 175, Part I, A., 22., (11)).
  • Specifies eligibility criteria for awarded projects consistent with 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 175, Part I, A., 27., (5): facilities must be A1 or A2, ranked Priority 1 or 2 on the local facility plan, not athletic facilities, assigned a Kentucky Department of Education BG number with prefix 19–23, begun or ready to start construction, and located in districts that have levied a ten‑cent equivalent capital improvements tax but remain unable to cash-fund or support the required debt service as of Jan 1, 2024.
  • Notes that six of 19 evaluated districts either failed to meet eligibility criteria or had sufficient local resources and thus did not receive awards.

Authorized awards (FY 2025–2026)

  • Adair County Schools: $3,837,000
  • Augusta Independent: $2,679,000
  • Bardstown Independent: $21,563,000
  • Beechwood Independent: $53,000
  • Fleming County Schools: $7,917,000
  • Garrard County Schools: $7,463,000
  • Harrison County Schools: $25,348,000
  • Johnson County Schools: $39,099,000
  • Marion County Schools: $9,870,000
  • Powell County Schools: $2,959,000
  • Somerset Independent: $5,851,000
  • Walton Verona Independent: $24,000
  • Williamstown Independent: $3,724,000

Total authorized: $130,387,000 (these awards represent roughly half of the certified funding gaps for the approved projects).

Who is affected

  • Direct recipients: the 13 named local school districts and eligible school facilities within those districts.
  • Indirectly affected: the Kentucky Department of Education (for BG number assignment/verification), the School Facilities Construction Commission (per the statutory criteria), and the Office of State Budget Director (for release of funds).

Fiscal & timeline notes

  • Awards are for fiscal year 2025–2026.
  • Enacted and signed by the Governor on April 1, 2025 (Acts Chapter 155).
  • Awards are contingent on prior audit certification and meeting the statutory eligibility criteria.

Legislative history (highlights)

  • Passed House (3rd reading) 89–3 (Feb 27, 2025, with Committee Substitute).
  • Passed Senate 37–0 (Mar 11, 2025).
  • Conference/recission steps occurred between chambers in late March 2025; enrolled and delivered to Governor Mar 28, 2025; signed Apr 1, 2025.

Potential impact

  • Provides targeted state capital support to enable high‑priority school construction/renovation projects that local funds alone could not fully cover. By funding 50% of each certified shortfall, the resolution reduces local borrowing or cash funding needs for specified projects and accelerates facilities work that has begun or is ready to begin, subject to the statutory eligibility and audit requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.