SB 178 – AS INTRODUCED
2011 SESSION
04/09
SENATE BILL 178
AN ACT establishing a commission to study long-term sustainable funding for school building aid and the establishment of eligibility criteria for school building aid in order to ensure that all school age children in every part of the state have access to a safe, healthy, and academic environment for learning.
SPONSORS: Sen. Kelly, Dist 10; Sen. Merrill, Dist 21; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. D’Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Houde, Dist 5; Rep. Ladd, Graf 5
This bill establishes a commission to study long-term sustainable funding for school building aid and the establishment of eligibility criteria for school building aid in order to ensure that all school age children in every part of the state have access to a safe, healthy, and academic environment for learning.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11-1053
04/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven
AN ACT establishing a commission to study long-term sustainable funding for school building aid and the establishment of eligibility criteria for school building aid in order to ensure that all school age children in every part of the state have access to a safe, healthy, and academic environment for learning.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Commission to Study School Building Aid. Amend RSA 198 by inserting after section 15-w the following new subdivision:
Commission to Study School Building Aid
198:15-x Commission Established.
I. There is established a commission to study long-term sustainable funding for school building aid and the establishment of eligibility criteria for school building aid in order to ensure that all school age children in every part of the state have access to a safe, healthy and academic environment for learning.
II. Membership and Compensation. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be from the education committee and one of whom shall be from the finance committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the education committee and one of whom shall be from the finance committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(d) The state fire marshal, or designee.
(e) One superintendent of a school district, appointed by the governor and council.
(f) Two school district business managers, appointed by the governor and council.
(g) Two school board members, appointed by the governor and council.
(h) Six members representing regional planning boards, architectural firms, construction companies, parents of school-age children, and the general public, at least one of whom shall represent each of the foregoing categories, appointed by the governor and council.
III. The term of office for members shall be 3 years and until a successor is appointed, except that members of the executive branch and the general court shall serve a term coterminous with their appointment or term in office. The initial members of the commission shall serve staggered terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as appointment and for the unexpired terms. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. Duties. The commission shall:
(a) Study methods of ensuring long-term sustainable funding for school buildings and identify any possible source of such funds.
(b) Examine the fiscal impact on the state of continuing the current practice of disbursing school building aid grants over the life of the project and study whether the state would realize any financial benefit by disbursing the total amount of the school building aid grant at the beginning of the project.
(c) Examine the feasibility of imposing limits on the amount of school building aid grants disbursed in a fiscal year.
(d) Study the establishment of eligibility criteria and a procedure for prioritizing school building aid grant applications.
(e) Study any other issue related to the school building aid grant procedure that it deems relevant.
(f) Solicit testimony from any individual or association with information or expertise relevant to this study.
V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. The commission shall meet at least monthly or more often, at the call of the chair or by request of a majority of the members directed to the chair. Nine members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall make findings and submit written recommendations to the chairpersons of the finance and educations committees of the senate and house of representatives, and to the governor.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.