1 New Section; Commission to Study School Funding. Amend RSA 193-E by inserting after section 2-d the following new section:

193-E:2-e Commission Established.

I. There is established a commission to study school funding.

II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) Six members of the public, 3 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate and 3 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall:

(a) Review the education funding formula and make recommendations to ensure a uniform and equitable design for financing the cost of an adequate education for all public school students in the state.

(b) Determine whether the New Hampshire school funding formula complies with court decisions mandating the opportunity for an adequate education for all students, with a revenue source that is uniform across the state.

(c) Identify trends and disparities across the state in student performance in kindergarten through grade 12 based on current school funding options.

(d) Re-establish the baseline for the costs, programs, staffing, and facilities needed to provide the opportunity for an adequate education.

(e) Act as an independent commission.

(f) Consider other policy issues as the committee deems necessary. The commission may consult with outside resources and state agencies, including but not limited to the department of education, the department of revenue administration, and the legislative budget office.

V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint 3 individuals to be members of the commission. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 60 days of the effective date of this section. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The commission shall establish a calendar to meet on a regular basis.

VI. The commission shall establish a budget and hire staff with an understanding of school finance options. Such staff shall be independent of government agencies.

VII. The commission shall make an interim report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library 9 months after its first meeting, with a final report the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before September 1, 2020. The commission shall remain active until and when the general court addresses its recommendations.

2 Appropriation. The sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 is hereby appropriated to the commission to study school funding established in RSA 193-E:2-e for the purpose of administration, staffing, and the utilization of independent school finance experts. Notwithstanding restrictions on the use of moneys in the education trust fund in RSA 198:39, said appropriation shall be a charge against the education trust fund and shall be nonlapsing.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2019.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 New Section; Commission to Study School Funding. Amend RSA 193-E by inserting after section 2-d the following new section:

193-E:2-e Commission Established.

I. There is established a commission to study school funding.

II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) Six members of the public, 3 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate and 3 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall:

(a) Review the education funding formula and make recommendations to ensure a uniform and equitable design for financing the cost of an adequate education for all public school students in the state.

(b) Determine whether the New Hampshire school funding formula complies with court decisions mandating the opportunity for an adequate education for all students, with a revenue source that is uniform across the state.

(c) Identify trends and disparities across the state in student performance in kindergarten through grade 12 based on current school funding options.

(d) Re-establish the baseline for the costs, programs, staffing, and facilities needed to provide the opportunity for an adequate education.

(e) Act as an independent commission.

(f) Consider other policy issues as the committee deems necessary. The commission may consult with outside resources and state agencies, including but not limited to the department of education, the department of revenue administration, and the legislative budget office.

V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint 3 individuals to be members of the commission. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 60 days of the effective date of this section. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The commission shall establish a calendar to meet on a regular basis.

VI. The commission shall establish a budget and hire staff with an understanding of school finance options. Such staff shall be independent of government agencies.

VII. The commission shall make an interim report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library 9 months after its first meeting, with a final report the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before September 1, 2020. The commission shall remain active until and when the general court addresses its recommendations.

2 Appropriation. The sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 is hereby appropriated to the commission to study school funding established in RSA 193-E:2-e for the purpose of administration, staffing, and the utilization of independent school finance experts. Notwithstanding restrictions on the use of moneys in the education trust fund in RSA 198:39, said appropriation shall be a charge against the education trust fund and shall be nonlapsing.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2019.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.