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Senate postpones action on bill that would let school districts lease property for long terms for solar or housing
Summary
Senators debated House Bill 1006, which would allow school boards to lease district property for renewable energy projects or affordable housing for long terms. Concerns about locking public educational property into long-term noneducational uses and omission of wind turbines prompted a layover to the bottom of the calendar.
DENVER — The Senate debated House Bill 1006 on March 31, a measure that would expand school-district authority to rent or lease district property — including for solar projects, energy storage, or affordable housing — and potentially for any term of years subject to statutory limits.
Senator Bridges, who moved the bill, said it allows school districts to use property in ways that benefit students and communities. Critics raised constitutional and policy questions. Senators asked whether locking educational property for very long lease terms was appropriate, whether the bill would create de facto restrictions on future boards, and why the bill mentioned solar and affordable housing but not wind. Senator Bridal said the bill was driven by school districts and supported by education associations; opponents including Senator Bright and others worried about long-term encumbrances and local control.
After debate, the Majority Leader moved a layover. House Bill 1006 was laid over to the bottom of the calendar; the Senate agreed to proceed out of order to other items.
Speakers included Senator Bridges (sponsor), Senator Bridal, Senator Pelton B., Senator Bright and others. The floor discussion focused on the trade-offs between generating revenue or community benefit from unused district land and preserving flexibility for future school boards.
