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H 2696

An Act establishing a public safety building authority and assistance program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 10 co-sponsors

H 2696 - An Act establishing a public safety building authority and assistance program OverviewBill Number: H 2696 Title: An Act establishing a public safety building authority an

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2696

H 2696 - An Act establishing a public safety building authority and assistance program

Overview

Bill Number: H 2696
Title: An Act establishing a public safety building authority and assistance program
Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
Introduced: February 27, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to create a new state-level Public Safety Building Authority to provide financial and technical assistance to municipalities for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of public safety facilities such as police stations, fire departments, and emergency medical services. The bill aims to address aging and inadequate public safety infrastructure across the state by establishing a centralized program to support local governments.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes the Public Safety Building Authority as an independent state agency
  • Authorizes the Authority to provide grants, low-interest loans, and other forms of financial assistance to municipalities for public safety facility projects
  • Requires the Authority to develop standardized design guidelines and construction specifications to promote cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency
  • Empowers the Authority to issue bonds to fund its assistance programs
  • Mandates the Authority to collect data and conduct assessments on the condition of public safety buildings statewide
  • Creates a dedicated Public Safety Building Assistance Fund to receive appropriations and bond proceeds

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Municipalities and local governments would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining access to funding and technical resources to address public safety infrastructure needs
  • Taxpayers could see improved emergency response times and reduced maintenance costs for public safety facilities
  • Construction and engineering firms may see increased demand for public safety building projects supported by the Authority's assistance programs

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The bill has been reported favorably by the relevant legislative committee and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. If passed by the House and Senate, the bill would then go to the Governor for signature to become law. The timeline for implementation would depend on the legislative process, but the bill calls for the Authority to be established and begin operations within one year of the effective date.

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

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