(a) A school district that receives any funds pursuant to this chapter shall submit a summary report of expenditure of state funds and of school district matching funds annually until all state funds and school district matching funds are expended, and shall then submit a final report to the board. The board may require an audit of these reports or other school district records to ensure that all funds received pursuant to this chapter are expended in accordance with program requirements.

(b) If the board finds that a participating school district has not made substantial progress towards increasing its pupil capacity or modernizing its facilities within 18 months of receiving any funding pursuant to this chapter, the board shall rescind the apportionment in an amount equal to the unexpended funds.

(c) (1) If the board, after the review of expenditures or audit has been conducted pursuant to subdivision (a), determines that a school district failed to expend funds in accordance with this chapter, the department shall notify the school district of the amount that must be repaid to the 1998 State School Facilities Fund, the 2002 State School Facilities Fund, the 2004 State School Facilities Fund, the 2006 State School Facilities Fund, or the 2016 State School Facilities Fund, as the case may be, within 60 days. If the school district fails to make the required payment within 60 days, the department shall notify the Controller and the school district in writing, and the Controller shall deduct an amount equal to the amount to be repaid by the school district under this subdivision, from the school district’s next principal apportionment or apportionments of state funds to the school district, other than basic aid apportionments required by § 6 of Article IX of the California Constitution. Any amounts obtained by the Controller shall be deposited into the 1998 State School Facilities Fund, the 2002 State School Facilities Fund, the 2004 State School Facilities Fund, the 2006 State School Facilities Fund, or the 2016 State School Facilities Fund, as appropriate.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the board determines that repayment of the full liability within 60 days after the board action would constitute a severe financial hardship, as defined by the board, for the school district, the board shall approve a plan of equal annual payments over a period of up to 20 years. The plan shall include interest on each year’s outstanding balance at the rate earned on the state’s Pooled Money Investment Account during that year. The Controller shall withhold amounts, other than basic aid apportionments required by § 6 of Article IX of the California Constitution, pursuant to the plan.

(d) If a school district receives an apportionment, but has not met the criteria to have funds released pursuant to Section 17072.32 or 17074.15 within a period established by the board, but not to exceed 18 months, the board shall rescind the apportionment and deny the district’s application.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 44, Sec. 13. (AB 130) Effective July 9, 2021.)