Education

HB 1708 reduces the statewide education property tax (SWEPT) rate for homeowners and property owners while increasing the business profits tax rate from 7.5% to 8.5% (with 40-44.2% of this revenue directed to the education trust fund). It sets specific annual revenue targets for the SWEPT - $346 million for 2026-2027, $284 million for 2027-2028, and $273 million annually thereafter - to maintain current education funding levels. Affected parties include residential property owners (who see lower taxes) and businesses (which pay higher profits taxes), with municipalities impacted by the tax shift receiving capped compensation up to $90 million. The bill ensures no net reduction in education funding by offsetting the SWEPT cut through increased business tax revenue.

HB 1448 prohibits New Hampshire public schools from including any educational materials created or provided by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in their curricula. The bill amends state education law to explicitly ban WEF lectures, lesson plans, and other educational content from being used in classroom instruction. This directly affects all public school districts and educators in New Hampshire who develop or select curriculum materials. The law requires schools to exclude all WEF-provided materials while maintaining local control over curriculum choices as outlined in existing law.

This bill requires New Hampshire public school districts to create and post online policies about classroom materials and establish procedures for parents to file complaints about materials they believe are inappropriate for students. The process mandates written complaints, investigations within 10 school days, written responses within 15 days, and detailed justifications for decisions. School boards must review appeals and make all decisions and communications public records, with all requirements to be implemented by November 1, 2026. The bill directly affects school districts, school boards, parents, and students by creating a standardized process for addressing concerns about educational materials.