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Governor Hassan State-of-the-State Address
Yesterday afternoon, the House and Senate assembled in joint session to receive the Governor
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s State-of-the-State Address. Governor Hassan stated that the
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state of our state is strong, and getting stronger
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. She noted that the state
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s economy continues to get stronger and that we have the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 15 years while ending fiscal year 2015 with a $62 million surplus. The Governor emphasized that,
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A strong workforce begins with a strong education at all levels
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from early childhood, to our K-12 system, to higher education.
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She made reference to SB369 (mandatory drug education), noting that drug education is important to addressing the addiction problem, and making students aware of healthy life choices. She indicated that New Hampshire is recognized as a leader in competency-based education, and that PACE (Performance Assessment of Competency Education) now includes seven school districts and one charter school. These schools are reducing the level of standardized testing in favor of more locally managed assessments integrated into the student
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s day-to-day work. Finally, the Governor called for more focus on making full-day kindergarten available statewide, and to fully fund adequacy aid this year.
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Bus Transportation for Charter Schools
HB1272
removes the requirement that a chartered public school is liable for additional costs for transporting students to a chartered public school within the student's school district
. Current law states that pupils who reside in the school district in which the chartered public school is located shall be provided transportation to that school by the district on the same terms and conditions as is provided to pupils attending other public schools within that district. However, current law stipulates that,
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any added costs for such transportation services shall be borne by the chartered public school.
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HB1272 deletes that protective sentence, thereby increasing the financial exposure of the district. The House considered a floor amendment that limits the district obligation to only apply if,
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utilizing the same regular bus schedules and routes that are provided to pupils attending public schools within that district.
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The House approved this version of the bill and sent it to the Finance Committee for further review.
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House Votes Impacting Official Ballot Districts
Yesterday, the House voted to
support all committee recommendations relative to bills that impact official ballot (SB2) districts. The House killed
HB1221, which modifies the definition of one-time expenditures for purposes of determining default budgets, and HB1389, which prohibits an amendment to a petitioned warrant article that changes the subject matter or intent of the original warrant article.
The House voted to adopt HB1375, enabling legislation that provides a procedure that may be adopted in political subdivisions that operate under official ballot voting, for establishing a charter commission for the sole purpose of adopting a charter to modify procedures for the consideration, amendment, and adoption of an operating or default budget. This bill is a result of an "SB2 Study Committee" (SB242 from last year), seeking to address the ongoing frustration associated with the ability of small numbers of people at a deliberative session to control the process.
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School Lunch Meal Policies
SB371
establishes requirements for implementing a school lunch meal payment policy.
The bill requires that such policies,
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ensure that all students have access to a healthy school lunch, that the school district will make every reasonable effort to inform parents of the policy, and that no student will be subject to different treatment from the standard school lunch meal or school cafeteria procedures.
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The Senate Education Committee has recommended passage of this amended language, which now goes to the full Senate for a vote next week.
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Cooperative School Districts
Three bills have been introduced that significantly impact cooperative school districts. HB1201 and 1303 make significant changes to the procedures for withdrawal from a cooperative district, and HB1364 makes the school board member on a cooperative district budget committee a non-voting member. NHSBA has argued for the ability of the single representative of the school board on a cooperative district budget committee to maintain their vote, and that the issues associated with pre-existing districts withdrawing from a cooperative are very complex, especially those issues associated with the disposition of property and final approval of withdrawal plans. NHSBA has supported a comprehensive study of these details, with input from all stakeholders. The House Education Committee has scheduled a work session on the issue of withdrawal (HB1303) for next Thursday, and a scheduled vote on the bills March 1.
HB1201
amends the procedure for withdrawal from a cooperative school district. The bill allows a pre-existing district (single town) to determine by a vote within only the single town that initiated the withdrawal study, whether the withdrawal plan is approved. Current law requires the vote to be considered/voted on by the entire cooperative district.
HB1303
also amends the procedures for withdrawal from a cooperative school district. The bill provides for a minority report to be filed by a town, and requires a vote on withdrawal "in both the cooperative district and in the preexisting district." Changes are also made in the determination of capital contributions.
HB1364
makes the school board member of a cooperative school district budget committee a nonvoting member.
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Public Employee Pension Issues
HB1673
establishes a cash balance pension plan for retirement system members who begin service with the state on or after January 1, 2017. Teachers, policemen, firemen, and political subdivision employee members of a non-state employer hired on or after January 1, 2017 are cash balance plan members if their employer elects to have their members participate in the cash balance plan. It does not change the current traditional defined benefit plan for all current State and political subdivision employees: it would only apply to employees of political subdivisions if and when that subdivision's governing body voted to adopt the plan. Under a cash balance plan, the employer guarantees a minimum return on each employee's retirement account regardless of the investment return on the pension plan's investments. If the pension plan earns a rate of return greater than the guaranteed minimum return, the employer and employee share the benefits of those excess investment earnings. The Special Committee on Public Employee Pension Plans voted 7-6, recommending passage of the amended bill. The full House is scheduled to consider the bill next Wednesday
HB1449
establishes a procedure for funding and distributing additional temporary supplemental allowances for retired members of the retirement system or their beneficiaries. It creates a special fund to be used for temporary supplemental allowances (TSA) for retirees. This fund is funded from a one-time transfer of investment earnings of 2.5% in the first fiscal year when NHRS investment returns exceed 12.5%. According to the fiscal note, this transfer to the special fund will increase the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) by an estimated $144 million, which must then be paid by NHRS employers and, ultimately in the case of political subdivisions (municipalities, school districts and counties), by property taxpayers. NHSBA opposed this legislative proposal currently under review by The House Special Committee on Public Employee Pension Plans.
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House Finance Committee Rejects Funding Proposals
HB218
would have provided additional adequacy aid for each third grade pupil not testing at the proficient level or above on the reading or mathematics components of the statewide assessment.
HB549 would have ensured at least a $50 million annual appropriation for building aid. Both bills received overwhelming votes recommending they be killed, and the ITL recommendation will go to the full House on the consent calendar.
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Next Tuesday is
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Primary Day
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There will be no legislative activity on February 9 and the House Meets in Session on February 10
Education Hearing Schedule
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Thursday, February 11, 2016
House EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
1:40 p.m. Full committee work session on HB1274, establishing a committee to study the efficacy of
changes in the community college system of New Hampshire;
HB1303
, relative to withdrawal
from a cooperative school district; HB1364, relative to the membership of the cooperative school
district budget committee; HB1283, relative to school notification of a change in placement.
Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day, time permitting, from
the time the committee is initially convened.
Education Hearing Schedule
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Friday, February 12, 2016
House EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
9:30 a.m. HB 1637-FN, relative to school attendance in towns with no public schools.
10:30 a.m. HB 1372, permitting a child with a disability to use audio or video recording devices in the classroom.
11:00 a.m. HB 1484, relative to the election of members of the state board of education.
11:30 a.m. HB 1431, relative to academic freedom and whistleblower protection.
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