21-N:8-c Commission Established; Department of Education; New Hampshire School Civics Program. –
The commission on New Hampshire civics is hereby established to develop educational materials to teach the state constitution in New Hampshire schools.
I. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49 the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Three public members appointed by the governor, of which at least one shall be the parent of a student in a qualified New Hampshire education program.
(b) The chair of NH Civics, or designee.
(c) The chief justice of the New Hampshire supreme court, or designee.
(d) The secretary of state, or designee.
(e) The chief administrative judge of the New Hampshire superior court, or designee.
(f) The chief administrative judge of the New Hampshire circuit court, or designee.
(g) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(h) Two New Hampshire civics teachers appointed by the commissioner of education.
(i) The executive director of the New Hampshire Historical Society, or designee.
(j) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(k) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(l) One member of the governor's office, appointed by the governor.
II. The commission shall create a textbook and related curriculum specifically designed for New Hampshire students and teachers to help them explore the history, heritage and principles of the New Hampshire Constitution and the government it established.
(a) A paper copy of the published textbook shall be available for each New Hampshire civics classroom and an interactive electronic version shall be made available on the department of education's website or in another form to all New Hampshire citizens at no charge.
(b) The commission shall meet as often as the chair determines and shall publish the book on or before August 1, 2025.
III. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named governor appointee. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.