This bill:

• establishes permitting and inspection authority for the division regarding public school construction projects;
• repeals and reenacts sections related to state board coordination with the division;
• establishes educational facility planning requirements for a local education agency (LEA), including notification requirements;
• establishes public school construction oversight under the division;
• establishes division authority to adopt comprehensive construction rules covering square footage, safety, costs, and building standards;
• requires consultation with the state security chief on mandatory safety and security standards;
• creates architect and design professional cost oversight with benchmarks and review requirements;
• establishes plan review and approval authority for the division before construction can begin;
• sets mandatory technical compliance requirements including fire safety, accessibility, and energy codes;
• creates an online document management system for construction documentation and compliance tracking;
• establishes inspection verification and monitoring procedures with qualified inspector requirements;
• implements standardized cost reporting systems with detailed requirements and cost database development;
• requires an LEA to obtain division approval that projects fit within established cost matrices before construction;
• requires training and technical assistance programs including resource manuals and annual training conferences;
• authorizes the division to delegate oversight authority to qualified school districts with demonstrated internal capacity;
• authorizes the division to establish a fee schedule to recover costs of oversight activities;
• designates a school construction liaison for coordination between the state board and division;
• allows division-managed construction services for a school district with fee structures and reimbursement requirements;
• creates enforcement and penalty provisions including administrative penalties up to $25,000 and mandatory compliance audits;
• establishes a qualified contractor and vendor registry for public school construction projects;
• requires an LEA to submit historical project information and documentation to the division upon request;
• authorizes the division to establish a fee schedule to recover costs of oversight activities;
• provides the division with construction permitting authority;
• sets an implementation timeline requiring full compliance by January 1, 2027; and
• makes conforming changes.