S.1542 Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007

Title: A bill to establish State infrastructure banks for education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [2] [D-NY] (introduced 6/5/2007)      Cosponsors (1)
Related Bills: H.R.2573 [3]
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.Highlights: Enters into cooperative agreements with states under which: (1) they establish state and multistate infrastructure banks for education; and (2) the Secretary awards grants to states for initial capital to make loans through such banks to local educational agencies and public libraries for construction, reconstruction, or renovation of public elementary or secondary schools and public library facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish Healthy, High Performance School Guidelines for the construction and renovation of schools, educational facilities, and libraries relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy, water use, building materials, indoor environmental quality, and other appropriate matters.

Grant eligibility: Requires any local educational agency or public library using a loan under this Act to fund a new construction or renovation project to ensure that the project conforms, to the maximum extent practicable, to such Healthy, High Performance School Guidelines.

ASPIRA Policy Position

ASPIRA supports school construction and modernization efforts. However, this legislation limits funding to LEAs and public libraries. ASPIRA favors extending the program to charter schools and other non-profit educational facilities.