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HB 82

Study Commission for Local Education Agency Size.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Donny Lambeth and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a temporary Study Commission to assess whether the five largest North Carolina LEAs' size causes negative outcomes and to propose remedies, including possible legislation.

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Bill Summary · HB 82

Summary — HB 82: Study Commission for Large Local School Administrative Units

Status: Reported Favorably
Introduced: (Filed) — August 15, 2025 (docket info varies)
Classification: Bill (creates a temporary study commission)

Purpose

HB 82 creates the Study Commission on Large Local School Administrative Units to examine whether the five North Carolina local school administrative units (LEAs) with the largest student populations experience negative outcomes due to their size, to determine if those outcomes are caused by size, and to recommend remedies, including any legislative changes.

Key provisions

  • Creates a temporary Study Commission on Large Local School Administrative Units (the Commission).
  • Membership (9 voting members):
    • Chair — jointly appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (must be a sitting member of the General Assembly).
    • Two additional members of the House of Representatives (appointed by the Speaker).
    • Two members of the Senate (appointed by the President Pro Tempore).
    • Two members from local boards of education representing two of the five largest LEAs (one appointed by the Speaker, one by the President Pro Tempore; must be from different boards).
    • Two members jointly appointed by the Speaker and President Pro Tempore, recommended by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
  • Organization and operations:
    • The Commission meets at the call of the chair; a quorum is a majority.
    • Vacancies must be filled by the original appointing authority within 30 days.
    • Members receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances per state law (G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as applicable).
    • Legislative Services will provide professional staff upon approval; House and Senate legislative assistants will provide clerical staff (costs borne by the Commission).
    • The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services; any hired consultant may not be a state employee or currently under contract with the State.
    • All State and local agencies must furnish information requested by the Commission.
  • Scope of study:
    • Examine negative outcomes (academic, operational, administrative, safety, equity, etc.) in the five largest LEAs.
    • Assess whether outcomes are caused by large student populations.
    • Develop recommendations and remedies, which may include proposed legislation.
  • Reporting and termination:
    • The Commission must report findings and recommendations to the 2026 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly.
    • The Commission terminates on December 31, 2026, or upon filing its final report, whichever is earlier.
  • Funding:
    • Of funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission will allocate funds for the Commission’s expenses.

Who is affected

  • The five largest LEAs in the State (by student population) are the primary focus.
  • State and local education agencies and school boards will be asked to supply data and may participate in hearings or provide staff time.
  • The General Assembly may be asked to consider legislative changes based on the Commission’s recommendations.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Short-term: administrative and travel costs for Commission members, staff support, and possible consultant contracts (funded from General Assembly allocations).
  • Medium-term: the Commission’s recommendations could prompt changes to LEA governance, funding, staffing models, school zoning, administrative organization, or state policy intended to address problems associated with very large districts.
  • The Commission’s work may require collecting and analyzing student‑outcome, staffing, operational, and fiscal data from large LEAs.

Timeline / Procedure

  • Commission created on enactment; meets as called by the chair.
  • Final report due to the General Assembly for the 2026 Regular Session.
  • Commission terminates December 31, 2026 (or after filing report).

This summary describes the substantive provisions and expected functioning of HB 82 as a temporary, legislatively directed study of the effects of very large LEAs and possible remedies for size‑related problems.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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