School facilities: hardship assistance: health and safety projects.

Senator Cabaldon's proposal to modernize California's school facility safety programs expands emergency response capabilities beyond seismic risks to address wildfires, floods, and other state-declared emergencies. The legislation modifies existing hardship assistance provisions to help districts restore educational services when facilities face damage or destruction from these broader emergency scenarios.

The bill introduces new procedural tools to expedite facility repairs and reconstruction. School districts may employ design sequencing methods, allowing construction to begin on completed design phases while other elements remain in development. The measure also permits state oversight agencies and school districts to utilize machine learning technology for automating routine aspects of the permitting and approval processes.

Under the modified framework, districts must demonstrate that facility improvements are necessary through cost-benefit analyses comparing mitigation expenses to full replacement costs. Projects qualify for modernization funding when repair costs fall below 50 percent of replacement value, while reconstruction funding becomes available when repair estimates exceed that threshold. The Department of General Services maintains responsibility for developing detailed regulations defining eligible health and safety projects under these expanded criteria.

The concurrent review processes enabled by this legislation require coordination between the State Department of Education, State Architect, and State Allocation Board. While preserving existing funding mechanisms within the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act, the measure aims to accelerate project delivery through streamlined administrative procedures and technological automation.