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Panel advances bill letting federally recognized tribes apply directly to state board to sponsor charter schools
Summary
The Senate Committee on Rules sent HB 3953 A to the floor after adopting its language: the bill allows federally recognized tribes to apply directly to the State Board of Education to sponsor a charter school under specified conditions and to receive state school‑fund dollars.
The Senate Committee on Rules on Wednesday approved House Bill 3953 A, which allows federally recognized tribes to apply directly to the State Board of Education for sponsorship of a public charter school in certain circumstances.
Under the measure, a federally recognized Indian tribe may submit a proposal to the State Board of Education for a charter school only if the tribe does not already operate a state‑board‑sponsored public charter school, the proposed school will be located on the tribe’s reservation (or within a school district that enrolls tribal members if the tribe has no reservation), and the tribe provides notice to the local school board. If approved, the charter school would be eligible for state school‑fund dollars.
Lisa (staff) summarized the measure for the committee and said the bill carries a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact. Senator Manning carried the bill to the committee during the work session and indicated support.
Senators discussed federal‑sovereignty and funding issues. Senator Thatcher asked why a sovereign nation would have to ask state permission; committee staff explained the requirement is tied to state funding rules: tribes must follow the state charter approval process to receive school‑fund dollars.
The committee voted to move HB 3953 A to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation.
