SB 573 Summary

• Creates the Public Charter School Commission effective July 1, 2014, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor with Senate approval to authorize and oversee charter schools statewide, replacing previous local authorization methods.

• Establishes comprehensive charter school authorization requirements including detailed application procedures, performance frameworks based on student achievement and financial viability, and charter contracts with 5-year terms subject to renewal or revocation.

• Defines eligible authorizing agents (school districts, technology centers, higher education institutions, and federally recognized Indian tribes) limited to specific geographic and enrollment criteria in counties with populations over 500,000 or school improvement list schools.

• Requires charter schools to be non-sectarian, free, open to all eligible students via lottery if over capacity, and subject to same academic standards and reporting requirements as traditional public schools while maintaining operational autonomy.

• Repeals previous charter school authorization statutes and requires prior charter sponsors to reapply to the Commission for renewal; provides for binding arbitration if charter applications are denied twice.