Bill Text: NH HB550 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relative to chartered public school dissolution.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-21 - Signed by Governor Sununu 06/20/2023; Chapter 90; Eff: 06/20/2023 [HB550 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2023-HB550-Amended.html

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HB 550-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

22Mar2023... 0624h

04/13/2023   1355s

2023 SESSION

23-0099

09/10

 

HOUSE BILL 550-FN

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study chartered public school dissolution.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Fellows, Graf. 8; Rep. Heath, Hills. 41; Rep. Tanner, Sull. 5

 

COMMITTEE: Education

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

The bill establishes a committee to study the chartered public school dissolution process.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22Mar2023... 0624h

04/13/2023   1355s 23-0099

09/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study chartered public school dissolution.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Committee Established; Chartered Public School Dissolution.  There is established a committee to study the current chartered public school dissolution process and identify ways to ensure an orderly school closure that will support students, avoid insolvency, and reduce liability to the school and the state.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Four members of the house of representatives, at least 2 of whom are from the education committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.(a)  The committee shall seek the expertise and advice from:

(1)  A financial administrator (employee or contractor), preferably a CPA, for a charter school, nominated by the commissioner of education.

(2)  The administrator of the department of education’s chartered public school office.

(3)  A representative of the charitable trust unit of the department of justice.

(4)  The commissioner of the department of administrative services, or designee.

(5)  Any other person or entity relevant to the duty of the committee.

(b)  Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

III.  The committee shall study the following issues related to the operation of chartered public schools, which are recognized by the state as both private non-profit organizations and public schools:

(a)  Existing federal and state statues and rules related to financial and risk management, and dissolution including the disposal of property, inventory and monetary assets.

(b)  Identification of all state agencies that do, or should, have responsibilities related to the monitoring of financial status and practices, maintenance of fiscal solvency, and the dissolution process.

(c)  Financial liability of the state, school districts, and the employees, boards, parents and volunteers of chartered schools.

(d)  Current practices and best practices for schools and state agencies, related to maintenance of financial stability, risk management, and the dissolution process of chartered schools.

(e)  Non-financial issues related to dissolution including, but not limited to, notification of closure, placement of students and retention of academic records.

IV.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

V.  The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairs of the education committees in both the house of representatives and senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 15, 2023.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 

LBA

23-0099

1/9/23

 

HB 550-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to charter school dissolution.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Due to time constraints, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to provide a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, at this time.  When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Education and Department of Administrative Services