CONCORD - The House Education Committee approved a bill to lift restrictions on the Department of Education's ability to fund new charter schools.

The committee voted 11-8 to recommend House Bill 299 pass.

The bill returns language on funding charter schools to the statute that was changed as part of the budget in 2011 capping state aid to charter schools.

The cap resulted in the State Board of Education refusing to approve any new charter school applications after September due to the funding issue.

The board has said it will once again entertain new applications if the Legislature changes the law or adds more money for charter schools in the upcoming two-year budget.

HB 299 will have a preliminary vote in the House and if it passes be referred to the House Finance Committee, which has to decide whether the money for additional charter schools will be included in the new state budget.