HB 25-1061: Community Schoolyards Grant Program

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act creates the community schoolyards grant program (grant program) in the division of local government (division) within the department of local affairs (department). 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 purpose of the grant program is to address inequities in underserved and underfunded schools and communities, specifically communities socially or economically affected by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels subject to taxation, by: Making community schoolyards accessible to the broader community outside of school hours; Improving physical activity and mental health opportunities for students and community members; and Incorporating natural landscapes, natural playgrounds, and recreational spaces that promote adaptation; sustainability; resilience; and hands-on learning across subject matters, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. On or before January 15, 2026, the division shall implement a timeline for the planning program and the construction program (programs), which must include, at a minimum: 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. For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 state fiscal years, the department shall use $4 million from the local government mineral impact fund or the local government severance tax fund for the grant program. The division may use up to 5% of the funds it receives for the grant program to pay for the direct and indirect costs of administering the grant program. The division may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of the grant program. The grant program is repealed, effective January 1, 2030. For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $50,000 is appropriated to the department for use by the division from the reappropriated funds from the local government mineral impact fund and the local government severance tax fund. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 29 · Republican 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 4, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 14, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 14, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 14, 2025Sent to the Governor
5. May 2, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. May 1, 2025Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
7. May 1, 2025Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
8. April 29, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations
9. April 28, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
10. April 25, 2025House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
11. April 25, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
12. February 13, 2025House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations

Showing 12 most recent of 13 actions. Full history