Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4001, sub-§8 is enacted to read:

8.__Leases authorized.__Notwithstanding the provisions of section 15603, subsection 8, and following a favorable vote of the legislative bodies of the respective school administrative unit pursuant to section 15904, subsection 1, the school committees of the City of Waterville, the Town of Winslow, School Administrative District 47 and School Administrative District 49 are authorized to lease for not more than 2 terms of up to 10 years each suitable premises and any buildings located on the premises that the school committee may use solely for the purpose of establishing a regional alternative education program.__ Notwithstanding section 15901, subsection 4, during the term or terms of any leases that may be entered into by the school committee, the leased premises constitute school property for all purposes, including, without limitation, school construction projects, except that any school construction projects on the leased premises are subject to the requirements of chapter 609 and its successor provisions.__Any leases that may be entered into by the school committee are wholly eligible as debt service costs for subsidy purposes under section 15603, subsection 8, paragraph B.

SUMMARY

This bill exempts the City of Waterville, the Town of Winslow and School Administrative District 47 and School Administrative District 49 from the limitations on including the lease of portable, temporary space or the lease or lease-purchase of temporary or permanent nonadministrative instructional space as eligible debt service costs for state subsidy. The exemption is provided solely for the purpose of establishing a regional alternative education program.