HB 155 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

3Jan2024... 2450h

2023 SESSION

23-0568

04/08

HOUSE BILL 155

AN ACT relative to the higher education commission.

SPONSORS: Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4

COMMITTEE: Education

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill changes the membership of the higher education commission.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

3Jan2024... 2450h 23-0568

04/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

AN ACT relative to the higher education commission.

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

1 Department of Education; Division of Educator Support and Higher Education. Amend RSA 21-N:8-a, II to read as follows:

II.(a) There is hereby established a higher education commission which shall consist of the following members:

(1) The president of the university of New Hampshire, the president of Keene state college and the president of Plymouth state university.

(2) Two presidents from institutions within the community college system of New Hampshire, to be chosen by the board of trustees of the community college system.

(3) The chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire, or designee.

(4) The chancellor of the community college system of New Hampshire, or designee.

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

(6) Six representatives of the private 4-year colleges in New Hampshire appointed by the governor and council on recommendation by the New Hampshire College and University Council, with no more than one representative from any one college.

(7) [One member to be appointed by the governor and council as a representative from a for-profit college or university not a member of the New Hampshire College and University Council.

(8)] Four members to be appointed by the governor and council who shall be residents of the state and of the lay public, having no official connection with any college, university, or private postsecondary career school as an employee, trustee, or member on a board of directors.

[(9)] (8) Two members to be appointed by the governor and council, who shall be residents of the state and shall represent private postsecondary career schools.

(b) The terms of appointed members, except as otherwise indicated above, shall be for 5 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.

(c) Commission appointments shall be made in such a way as to preserve broad and equitable representation on the basis of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic groups in the state.

(d) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties on the commission from funds appropriated to the department of education specifically for this purpose.

(e) The commission shall:

(1) Regulate institutions of higher education pursuant to RSA 292:8-b through RSA 292:8-kk. The commission may accept accreditation by a recognized accrediting association in place of its own independent evaluation.

(2) Regulate private postsecondary career schools pursuant to RSA 188-G.

(3) Administer financial aid programs as provided in state and federal law for students attending higher education institutions, except as otherwise provided by law.

(4) [Apply for, accept, and expend state, federal, or other grants.

(5)] Oversee the functions of the Veterans Education Services as authorized by Congress.

[(6)] (5) Establish and collect reasonable annual fees related to the performance of statutory duties.

[(7)] (6) Enter into cooperative interstate or international agreements to further operating efficiencies, student access, and educational opportunities.

[(8)] (7) Be the designee for the integrated postsecondary education data system as developed by the United States Department of Education.

[(9)] (8) Adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to:

(A) Organization and operation of the higher education commission established in this section.

(B) Approval and regulation of institutions of higher education pursuant to RSA 292:8-b through RSA 292:8-kk.

(D) Administration of financial aid programs for institutions of higher education, except as otherwise provided by law.

(E) Establishment and collection of reasonable fees for functions performed by the division of higher education and the higher education commission as required in this section.

[(10)] (9) Assume other responsibilities as may be provided in state or federal law.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.