CHAPTER 188

HB 1151 - FINAL VERSION

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4/10/02 3142s

2002 SESSION

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04/10

HOUSE BILL 1151

AN ACT establishing a commission to examine and assess the status of civic education in New Hampshire.

SPONSORS: Rep. Chandler, Carr 1; Rep. Sova, Graf 11; Sen. Klemm, Dist 22

COMMITTEE: Education

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to examine and assess the status of civic education in New Hampshire.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

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4/10/02 3142s

01-2290

04/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

AN ACT establishing a commission to examine and assess the status of civic education in New Hampshire.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

188:1 Purpose. The general court recognizes that an active and informed citizenry is the foundation for preserving personal liberty and democratic society under a republican form of government, and wishes to explore and improve the means by which the state seeks to promote civic understanding and engagement among its residents. The general court also recognizes that developing and maintaining an informed and engaged citizenry ultimately requires educating youth at both the primary and secondary levels in the principles, organization, and operation of federal, state, and local government. Moreover, the general court is concerned by New Hampshire department of education data indicating that 35 percent of 6th graders and 45 percent of 10th graders scored at the novice level in social studies examinations, as well as the implications such data may have for democratic governance and civil society in future years. The general court therefore establishes a commission to examine and assess the status of civic education in New Hampshire.

188:2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to examine and assess the status of civic education in New Hampshire.

188:3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.

(d) The secretary of state, or designee.

(e) One primary school educator and one secondary school educator, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education.

(f) A representative from the university system of New Hampshire, appointed by the chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire.

(g) A representative from the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, appointed by the president of the College.

(h) A representative from the business community, appointed by the president of the senate.

(i) A high school student, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(j) An undergraduate student from a college in New Hampshire, appointed by the president of the senate.

(k) A naturalized American citizen, appointed by the governor with the consent of the executive council.

(l) A permanent resident who has applied for naturalization, appointed by the governor with the consent of the executive council.

(m) A parent involved in home schooling, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(n) A representative from Kids Voting USA, appointed by the president of the senate.

(o) A representative of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, appointed by that association.

(p) A representative of NEA-New Hampshire, appointed by that association.

(q) A veteran of the United States armed services who is not a member of the New Hampshire general court, appointed by the governor with the consent of the executive council.

II. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation and shall not be entitled to reimbursement for expenses; provided, that legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

188:4 Duties. The commission shall examine and assess the status of civic education in New Hampshire, assess the status of existing curriculum requirements for educating students in the organization and operation of federal, state, and local government, and propose any changes to those requirements as deemed necessary.

188:5 Chairperson; Quorum. 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. A simple majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

188:6 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2003.

188:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: May 15, 2002)

(Effective Date: May 15, 2002)