Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to examine how New Hampshire funds special education and to explore ways to reduce the reliance on local property taxes. The commission will be composed of representatives from the state legislature, school administrators, educators, and business officials, who will meet to analyze current costs and study alternative revenue sources. Their work includes reviewing student referral rates, estimating the expenses for various support services like therapy and tutoring, and comparing funding methods used by other states. The group is required to submit an initial report by January 31, 2025, and a final report by January 31, 2026, which will include specific cost estimates and draft legislation for any recommended funding changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for free school meals in New Hampshire to include students from households earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Under the new rules, school districts must provide at least one free meal daily to every student whose family income falls below this threshold, with the state funding the additional costs through the education trust fund. The legislation also updates the definition of the education trust fund to explicitly include money for these expanded meal programs. These changes take effect on September 1, 2023, and aim to ensure more children have access to nutritious food during school hours.
Maddy summaryHB 1087 proposes creating a temporary commission to study how public schools in New Hampshire teach information literacy and media literacy. The commission would be made up of legislators, educators, and representatives from youth media organizations to review current curriculum standards and identify barriers to effective instruction. Its main tasks include evaluating available resources for teachers, comparing the state's efforts with those of other states, and gathering input from students, parents, and experts. The group is required to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, though the bill was not enacted during the 2024 legislative session.
Maddy summaryHB 1084 proposes to update the qualifications required for the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Education. Under this bill, these leaders would need to hold an advanced degree, possess current certification as a teacher or school administrator, and have at least five years of combined experience in public school teaching or administration. The legislation also establishes a four-year term for these positions, allowing for reappointment, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Hampshire schools to provide at least one free meal daily to every student whose family income is at or below 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. To support this requirement, the state would use funds from the education trust fund to pay for the meals, ensuring that school districts do not bear the full cost. The legislation also directs the state board of education to set minimum nutritional standards and clarify the income thresholds used to determine eligibility. Although the bill was introduced to expand access to free school lunches, it ultimately did not become law as the session ended without final passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require municipalities to send any excess money collected from the statewide education property tax to the state's education trust fund instead of keeping it locally. It also prohibits the state revenue commissioner from setting negative tax rates on real property to offset other taxes. These changes aim to ensure that surplus education funds are directed toward the state education trust while preventing specific tax rate adjustments. Although the bill was introduced, it was laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 legislative session.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Master Teacher" credential for educators who have at least seven years of teaching experience and receive high ratings on local evaluation systems. To qualify, teachers must submit a portfolio demonstrating leadership in classroom practice, supervision, student support, collaboration, and professional development. The credential is intended to identify experienced teachers as resources to improve student learning and school collaboration, but it does not grant them authority to recommend personnel actions. Additionally, the bill sets fee limits for issuing and renewing Master Teacher licenses, ensuring they do not exceed the cost of standard educator licenses. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies which school districts are responsible for funding special education services for children with disabilities placed in state facilities for detained or adjudicated youth or county correctional facilities. It establishes that the responsible district is determined by the child's legal custody status and their most recent residence before entering the facility, while also capping the liability at the state average elementary cost per pupil. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Education to remove certain student records from the state special education information system and to develop rules for alternative dispute resolution procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Department of Education to delete student records from the state special education information system at the same time that school districts do. The change ensures that sensitive data for students with individualized education programs is removed from the central state database on a schedule consistent with local district retention policies. The law applies to all student records currently held within the state special education information system and will become effective 60 days after it is passed.
Maddy summaryThis law requires the state Department of Revenue Administration to study how forest carbon credit programs might reduce timber tax revenue and to submit reports to the legislature by late 2024 and late 2025. The bill also creates a public registry to list New Hampshire forest lands enrolled in carbon programs, requiring owners to provide details such as their name, property location, and enrollment dates. Additionally, it mandates that landowners or program administrators notify the local municipalities where the enrolled forest land is located about these enrollments.