(a) The initial preliminary applications for projects to be funded pursuant to this article shall be submitted to the board by March 31, 2003. Thereafter, the board may establish subsequent application periods as needed.

(b) Preliminary applications may be submitted by eligible applicants as set forth in this article by either of the following:

(1) A school district on behalf of a charter school that is physically located within the geographical jurisdiction of the school district.

(2) A charter school on its own behalf if the charter school has notified both the superintendent and the governing board of the school district in which it is physically located of its intent to do so in writing at least 30 days prior to submission of the preliminary application.

(c) A preliminary application shall demonstrate either of the following:

(1) That a charter petition for the school for which the application is submitted has been granted by the appropriate chartering entity prior to the application deadline determined by the board.

(2) That an already existing charter has been amended to include the school for which the application is submitted and approved by the appropriate chartering entity prior to the deadline determined by the board.

(d) A preliminary application shall include either of the following:

(1) For a preliminary application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the number of unhoused pupils determined pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 17071.75) that will be housed by the project for which the preliminary application has been submitted.

(2) For a preliminary application submitted pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), a certification from the governing board of the district within which the charter school is physically located of the number of unhoused pupils for that district determined pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 17071.75) that will be housed by the project for which the preliminary application has been submitted.

(e) Prior to submitting a preliminary application, the school district and charter school shall consider existing school district facilities in accordance with Section 47614.

(f) The board, after consideration of the recommendations of the authority regarding whether a charter school is financially sound, shall approve the preliminary application and shall make the preliminary apportionment for funding pursuant to this article.

(g) (1) The board shall establish a process to ensure that pupil attendance in a charter school that is physically located within the geographical jurisdiction of a school district is counted as per-pupil eligibility for that school district and to ensure that the same per-pupil attendance is not so counted for any other school district or other applicant under this chapter.

(2) (A) Except as provided pursuant to subparagraph (B) and notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 17071.75, the number of pupils for which facilities are provided under this article shall not be included in the sum determined under subdivision (b) of Section 17071.75.

(B) The number of unhoused pupils determined pursuant to subdivision (d) that will be housed by the project for which a preliminary application has been submitted shall be included in the sum determined under subdivision (b) of Section 17071.75.

(h) The board shall establish a process to be used for release of funds for approved projects pursuant to this article. Notwithstanding Section 17072.30, the board may provide for the release of planning and site acquisition funds prior to the approval of the project by the Department of General Services pursuant to the Field Act, as defined in Section 17281.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 130, Sec. 53. Effective January 1, 2008.)