House expected to slow down fast-tracked universal open enrollment effort

The House’s Republican leadership could slow down an attempt by the Senate to fast-track a universal open enrollment bill.

As school boards moved to adopt policies of their own to effectively block open enrollment, the Senate added language to an unrelated House bill late last month that would supersede those local attempts.

The proposed law would immediately allow students to attend any public school in the state at the expense of their home school district.

But following widespread criticism of the rushed effort by school board members and concerns raised by Gov. Kelly Ayotte over the weekend, the House is expected to request a committee of conference with the Senate, according to three individuals familiar with the process. This procedural step would require members of the Senate and House to meet to hash out disagreements on the bill.

The anticipated timing of the request is not clear, according to the three people. They said it could come during the House session on Thursday or after it recessed. If the House is in recess, Speaker Sherman Packard can request a committee of conference without a vote, according to House Clerk Paul Smith.

Republican Sen. Tim Lang, who has led the universal open enrollment effort, said in a text message Thursday morning that he “would expect the Senate to agree” to a committee of conference.

A spokesperson for the Republican House office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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