This bill mandates that the Department of Education report on the out-of-pocket costs incurred by local school districts to comply with rules that exceed state or federal special education standards. Specifically, it amends RSA 186-C:16-c, I(a) to replace the requirement for the state board to include certain information in its report with a directive for the Department of Education to identify the rule number, the nature of the rule, any state or federal minimum requirements exceeded, and the unfunded financial impact on local school districts. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to assess if any rules exceeding these standards may have an indeterminable fiscal impact on school districts.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions related to the newly established Pasquaney School District, formed by the towns of Bridgewater, Hebron, and Groton. It allows these towns to apply for an adjustment to their tax assessments for the 2025 tax year, enabling them to collect a sufficient amount to meet their financial responsibilities to the new school district. This adjustment is exempt from the usual limitations set forth in RSA 76:15-a, and the Department of Revenue Administration is tasked with expediting these applications. The bill is set to take effect upon its passage on July 15, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:16-c
As Amended by the Senate: 186-C:16-c
Version adopted by both bodies: 186-C:16-c
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 186-C:16-c