2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION › Part 2: SCHOOL ORGANIZATION › Chapter 121: MAINE-NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERSTATE SCHOOL COMPACT › Article 7: BORROWING › 20-A §3646. State aid programs

§3646. State aid programs
As used in this section, the term "initial aid" includes Maine and New Hampshire financial assistance with respect to a capital project, or the means of financing a capital project, that is available in connection with construction costs of a capital project or that is available at the time indebtedness is incurred to finance the project. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition, initial aid specifically includes a New Hampshire state guarantee under RSA 195-B with respect to bonds or notes. As used in this section, the term "long-term aid" includes Maine and New Hampshire financial assistance that is payable periodically in relation to capital costs incurred by an interstate district. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition, long-term aid specifically includes New Hampshire school building aid under RSA 198. For the purpose of applying for, receiving and expending initial aid and long-term aid, an interstate district must be deemed a native school district by each state, subject to the following provisions.   [PL 2019, c. 398, §18 (AMD).]
When an interstate district has appropriated money for a capital project, the amount appropriated shall be divided into a Maine share and a New Hampshire share in accordance with the capital expense apportionment formula in the articles of agreement as though the total amount appropriated for the project was a capital expense requiring apportionment in the year the appropriation is made. New Hampshire initial aid shall be available with respect to the amount of the New Hampshire share as though it were authorized indebtedness of a New Hampshire cooperative school district. In the case of a state guarantee of interstate district bonds or notes under RSA 195-B, the interstate district shall be eligible to apply for and receive an unconditional state guarantee with respect to an amount of its bonds or notes which does not exceed 50% of the amount of the New Hampshire share as determined above. Maine aid shall be available with respect to the amount of the Maine share as though it were funds voted by a Maine school district. Payments of Maine aid shall be made to the interstate district, and the amount of any borrowing authorized to meet the appropriation for the capital project shall be reduced accordingly. New Hampshire and Maine long-term aid shall be payable to the interstate district. The amounts of long-term aid in each year shall be based on the New Hampshire and Maine shares of the amount of indebtedness of the interstate district which is payable in that year and which has been apportioned in accordance with the capital expense apportionment formula in the articles of agreement. The New Hampshire aid shall be payable at the rate of 45% if there are 3 or less New Hampshire members in the interstate district, and otherwise it shall be payable as though the New Hampshire members were a New Hampshire cooperative school district. New Hampshire and Maine long-term aid shall be deducted from the total capital expenses for the fiscal year in which the long-term aid is payable, and the balance of such expenses shall be apportioned among the member districts. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, New Hampshire and Maine may at any time change their state school aid programs that are in existence when this compact takes effect and may establish new programs, and any legislation for these purposes may specify how such programs shall be applied with respect to interstate districts.   [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 398, §18 (AMD).