WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, introduced legislation Monday that would devote $1 billion over the next four years for Impact Aid Construction Grants to ease the backlog of facility needs at federally impacted school districts.

What You Need To Know

  • A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

  • Under the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, 25% of funding would be made available via formula funding to all eligible school districts. The U.S. Department of Education would disburse the remaining 75% as competitive grants with priority given to those school districts with acute emergencies in their facilities

  • Impact Aid offers federal support for public school districts where federal land ownership or activity has reduced the available tax base

  • National Indian Impacted Schools Association executive director Brent Gish said the bill would “begin to level the playing field” by funding school facilities and teacher housing to districts with limited to no bonding capacity

A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

“Federal Impact Aid provides critical funding for federally impacted schools,” said Hirono, co-chair of the Senate Impact Aid Coalition, in a statement released on Monday. “But too often, that funding is not enough to meet maintenance needs. By providing $1 billion for needed upgrades, this legislation will enable schools to address the significant backlog of school construction, repair and maintenance needs to help our students learn in a suitable learning environment.” 

Under the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, 25% of funding would be made available via formula funding to all eligible school districts. The U.S. Department of Education would disburse the remaining 75% as competitive grants with priority given to those school districts with acute emergencies in their facilities.

“This bill addresses long-overdue repair needs to ensure equitable access to quality education and safe learning environments for students across the country,” Garamendi said. “Every child should have the opportunity to learn and excel in a safe environment. This legislation brings us closer to realizing that goal.”

Impact Aid offers federal support for public school districts where federal land ownership or activity has reduced the available tax base.

Military installations; Indian treaty, trust or Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; and other federal lands are tax exempt. Thus, federally impacted school districts have significantly less tax revenue and bonding capacity to meet their needs. Currently, Impact Aid supports over 1,100 school districts, totaling more than 10 million students.

National Association of Federally Impacted Schools Director Nicole Russell said the 73-year-old Impact Aid Construction program has been “woefully underfunded” for decades.

“School districts that benefit from this program educate some of our nation’s most vulnerable students, including large numbers of military children, Native American children and students residing in low-income housing,” she said. “This legislation is an important step towards ensuring that these students have access to the resources and opportunities needed to meet their full potential.”

National Indian Impacted Schools Association executive director Brent Gish said the bill would “begin to level the playing field” by funding school facilities and teacher housing to districts with limited to no bonding capacity.

“It is our belief that all children deserve a high quality education in a modern safe school environment,” he said. “IAIPA will take us one step closer to realizing our dream. The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is an investment that will yield long-term benefits to generations to come.”

This legislation was cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin D-Ill.; Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Martin Heinrich, D-N.M; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn; Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M.; Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; and Tina Smith, D-Minn.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.