Community Schoolyards Grant Program

The bill creates the community schoolyards grant program (grant program) in the division of local government (division) within the department of local affairs. The grant program is a 2-part grant program that includes:

• The planning and design grant program (planning program), which awards up to $150,000 to each grant recipient selected by the division for the planning and design of a community schoolyard; and
• The capital construction and improvement grant program (construction program), which awards up to $850,000 to each grant recipient selected by the division for the capital construction of a community schoolyard.

The division shall implement a timeline for the planning program and the construction program (programs), which must include:

• Announcing each of the programs;
• Accepting applications from eligible applicants for each of the programs;
• Selecting the grant recipients for each of the programs;
• Distributing grant money to the grant recipients for each of the programs; and
• Establishing reporting timelines and requirements for each of the programs.

On or before January 15, 2028, the division shall compile a report summarizing the grant recipient reports from the programs. The division shall submit the report to the education committees of the house of representatives and senate; the house of representatives transportation, housing, and local government committee; and the senate local government and housing committee, or their successor committees.

The division may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of the grant program.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)