8. The Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall submit a report on the implementation of the grant program established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2021, c.402 (C. 18A:13-47.2) to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1) within one year following the date of enactment of P.L.2021, c.402 (C. 18A:13-47.1 et al.) and annually thereafter. The report shall include, but not be limited to:

a. an analysis of the grant program identifying:

(1) the boards of education or governing bodies that applied for a grant;

(2) the boards of education or governing bodies that were awarded a grant;

(3) the amount of each grant awarded;

(4) the availability of any funds remaining under the grant program;

(5) the reasoning behind the denial of any grant application; and

(6) an analysis of the effects of consolidations or withdrawals, or both, on the opportunities for students to attend schools that are integrated by race, socioeconomic, disability, and English Language Learner status;

b. a description of the experience of the boards of education or governing bodies that applied and were approved for grant funding, including the status and analysis of any feasibility studies conducted with grant funding;

c. information on whether any grant recipients completed regionalization;

d. an analysis of any legal, financial, educational, or other factors that either facilitated or impeded the expansion or creation of a regional district by participating districts including, but not limited to, recommendations to existing State laws or regulations that would remove impediments to regionalization; and

e. recommendations as to the feasibility and advisability of expanding the grant program.

L.2021, c.402, s.8.