Proposed Amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution
August 6, 1998 - Senate Version



[Art.] 83. [Encouragement of Literature, etc.; Control of Corporations, Monopolies, etc.; Exclusive Authority of General Court to Determine Content, Extent, and Funding of Public Education; State's Responsibility to Provide for Public Education; Powers; Duties; Delegation.]

...The general court shall have the responsibility to provide to all citizens of the state the opportunity to receive a public education, and in furtherance thereof, it shall have the exclusive authority to determine and set forth the content, the extent, and the funding of that education. The general court shall fulfill its responsibility directly or in concert with its political subdivisions through the exercise of its power to make, ordain, and establish all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes, ordinances, directions, and instructions. The general court shall provide for the funding of said education through its power to directly impose and levy assessments, rates, and taxes, or through a delegation of such power, in whole or in part, to the political subdivisions of the state, provided that the resulting assessments, rates, and taxes are fair and proportional throughout the state or political subdivision whose legislative body imposes the assessment, rate, or tax. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the amount the state or any political subdivision may expend on the funding of education or to deny, disparage, or infringe any other right of the people as set forth elsewhere in this constitution.

This proposal: