HB 1358 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3067
07/09
HOUSE BILL 1358
SPONSORS: Rep. Osborne, Rock. 2
COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study transitioning all public schools to public charter schools. This bill also amends one of the methods for converting a public school into a charter school.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3067
07/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Education; Chartered Public Schools; Establishment; Application; Amendment; Procedure. Amend RSA 194-B:3, VI(a) to read as follows:
VI.(a) Any existing public school may by a vote of the school board [and a 2/3] or a majority vote taken by the school district at [a regular annual meeting] the biennial state general election pursuant to RSA 195, RSA 197, or the governing charter, called for the purpose and provided that an article is inserted in the warrant for said meeting to become a charter conversion school.
2 New Section; Education; Chartered Public Schools; Transitioning Public Schools to Charter Schools Commission. Amend RSA 194-B by inserting after section 21 the following new section:
194-B:21-a Transitioning Public Schools to Charter Schools Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study the feasibility and potential impact of transitioning all public schools in New Hampshire to operate as public charter schools and whether such a transition could relieve local property taxpayers, restore local control, and ensure that state education dollars are used more efficiently to benefit students and families.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the house of representatives, appointed jointly by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the majority party of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) One member of the minority party of the house of representatives, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
(d) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(e) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(f) One representative of a public charter school, appointed by the New Hampshire alliance for public charter schools.
(g) One representative of a traditional public school district, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education.
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) Study the potential benefits of restructuring all public schools in New Hampshire as public charter schools or other independent schools.
(b) Examine funding models that would reduce reliance on local property taxes while increasing state level funding support.
(c) Consider how a transition to charter-based governance could increase local district flexibility, innovation, and autonomy.
(d) Assess potential impacts on student achievement, teacher recruitment and retention, accountability, and community engagement.
(e) Identify any statutory or constitutional changes that may be required to effectuate such a transition.
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 house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission 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 January 1, 2027.
3 Repeal. RSA 194-B:21-a, relative to the commission to study transitioning public schools to public charter schools, is repealed.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Dec. 2, 2025: To Be Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration