Revision: March 14, 2023, 11:07 a.m.
Rep. Luneau, Merr. 9
Rep. Fellows, Graf. 8
February 21, 2023
2023-0624h
10/07
Amendment to HB 550-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a committee to study chartered public school dissolution.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
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) Two members 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. Four 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.
2023-0624h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
The bill establishes a committee to study the chartered public school dissolution process.