Bill Text - SB139 (2019)

Establishing a committee to study options for lowering student debt.


Revision: Jan. 18, 2019, 4:38 p.m.

SB 139  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2019 SESSION

19-1055

08/06

 

SENATE BILL 139

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study options for lowering student debt.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Sen. Hennessey, Dist 5; Sen. Levesque, Dist 12; Rep. M. Murray, Hills. 22; Rep. Luneau, Merr. 10

 

COMMITTEE: Education and Workforce Development

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study options for lowering student loan debt.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19-1055

08/06

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study options for lowering student debt.

 

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

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study a state guarantee of refinancing of student loans and explore possible tax credits for businesses that offer tuition forgiveness.

2  Membership and Compensation.

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

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

(b)  Two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the minority leader.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

III.  The committee shall solicit advice and testimony from the following organizations, entities, and individuals and any other individual or organization with information relevant to the committee's study:

(a)  The chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire, or designee.

(b)  The chancellor of the community college system of New Hampshire, or designee.

(c)  The executive director of Stay Work Play New Hampshire, or designee.

(d)  The Business and Industry Association.

(e)  Chambers of Commerce.

(f)  The New Hampshire Bankers Association.

(g)  The New Hampshire College and University Council.

(h)  Members of the public affected by student loan debt.

3  Duties.  The committee shall review the possibility of a state guarantee of refinancing student loans and explore the possibility of a state guarantee of refinancing student loans and the possibility of business tax credits for businesses that offer student loan forgiveness, and other incentives.  

4  Chairperson; Quorum.  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 senate member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  

5  Report.  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 house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2019.

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