This bill establishes a commission tasked with studying the feasibility of transitioning all public schools in New Hampshire to public charter schools. It amends the current law regarding the conversion of public schools to charter schools by changing the voting requirement from a 2/3 majority to a simple majority vote at the biennial state general election, as opposed to a regular annual meeting. The commission will consist of various members, including representatives from the House and Senate, the Department of Education, and both public charter and traditional public school districts.

The commission's responsibilities include examining the potential benefits of restructuring public schools, exploring funding models to reduce reliance on local property taxes, and assessing the impacts of such a transition on student achievement and community engagement. The commission is required to report its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill includes a provision for the repeal of the commission once its work is completed, with the effective date for this repeal set for January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-B:3, 194-B:21-a
HB1358 text: 194-B:3