Education

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1731: relative to the creation of an educational opportunities information system.

HB 1731 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to create an online system cataloging all public schools, charter schools, non-public schools, and "learn everywhere" programs across the state. The system must include detailed profiles, searchable maps, and allow schools to update their own data, enabling families to easily find educational options. It appropriates $1 for fiscal year 2027 but the fiscal note estimates actual costs at $250,000-$300,000 for development and $98,000-$105,000 annually for ongoing maintenance. This bill directly affects all New Hampshire schools and families seeking educational resources by centralizing location and program information in one accessible platform.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates online system for families to easily find school options, enhancing educational access and transparency per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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passed both · New Hampshire · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 1529: repealing the reading recovery training program.

HB 1529 repeals the reading recovery training program, a state-established initiative that provided professional development for educators on reading recovery methods. The bill removes RSA 186:70, the statute creating the program, ending its legal basis. This action discontinues the state's administration and funding of the training, which previously supported school staff in improving reading instruction. As a result, New Hampshire school districts and educators will no longer have access to this specific training program.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRepeals state-funded reading training program, ending state administration and funding for educator professional development, directly removing a support program.95% confidence

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1280: establishing a commission to study public school open enrollment.

HB 1280 establishes a 19-member commission to study public school open enrollment in New Hampshire. The commission, including school superintendents, local school board members, legislators, parents, and business administrators, will develop a system for open enrollment that addresses state funding, equitable access, transportation, special education responsibilities, and budget documentation. It must propose revisions to existing law (RSA 194-D) covering enrollment processes, timelines, and funding mechanisms to prevent direct invoicing between schools. The bill suspends current RSA 194-D rules until the commission submits its final report to the legislature. This directly affects New Hampshire public schools, students, and families by shaping future enrollment policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study open enrollment system addressing equitable access, funding, and transportation, indicating intent to improve educational access and equity in K-12 schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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died · New Hampshire · House Feb 27, 2026

HR 40: urging the legislature to adequately fund public education.

This House Resolution urges the New Hampshire legislature to fully fund K-12 public education at the level determined by the state Supreme Court in the Claremont series of rulings. It specifically references the court's 1993 and 1997 decisions, which established that the legislature must define, cost, fund, and ensure accountability for an adequate education. The resolution calls on the legislature to comply with the court's most recent findings regarding education funding requirements. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly urges full funding for K-12 education per court mandates, directly advancing public service funding within state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges full funding of K-12 education per court rulings, directly advancing funding requirements established by Claremont decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education School Funding

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signed · New Hampshire · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 1467: relative to the New Hampshire seal of civic excellence and engagement program.

HB 1467 establishes the New Hampshire Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement program, requiring the Department of Education to create criteria for high school students to earn a seal on their diplomas. It directly affects graduating high school students (starting with the 2027 class) who must complete two years of social studies (including a civics course), participate in civic activities like community service or student government, and demonstrate civics knowledge through assessments or portfolios. The seal, affixed to diplomas and noted on transcripts, recognizes proficiency in civics education and engagement. The bill does not provide funding for implementation, though the Department of Education estimates needing one new position costing about $81,000 annually starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires civics curriculum, civic activities, and assessments for diploma seal - directly enhances student civic education standards and engagement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1307: establishing a statutory commission to study the development of a statewide comprehensive civics curriculum.

HB 1307 establishes a 11-member commission to study developing a statewide civics curriculum for New Hampshire public schools. The commission includes educators (elementary, middle, and high school teachers), student representatives, state officials (like the Secretary of State and Education Commissioner), and legislative appointees. It will create a curriculum framework aligned with educational standards, design teacher training programs, and submit recommendations to the state education department and legislature by November 1, 2026. This bill directly affects public school teachers and students by initiating a formal process to enhance civics education, though it does not mandate curriculum changes itself.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to develop statewide civics curriculum and teacher training, directly advancing curriculum standards and educator resources for K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 601: relative to the allocation and disbursement of state contributions for non-state employer pension costs under the New Hampshire retirement system.

SB 601 changes how New Hampshire funds pension costs for public employees in school districts and municipal employers. Beginning July 1, 2026, the state will pay 7.5% of pension contributions for group I teachers (school districts) and group II members (municipal employees), shifting the remaining 92.5% to local employers. The state’s share will be transferred from the education trust fund to the retirement system quarterly, treated as part of general revenue. This affects school districts and municipalities that employ teachers or municipal staff covered under the state retirement system. The bill modifies existing contribution rules without new funding or positions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces state pension funding by shifting 92.5% of costs to local employers, defunding state contributions from education trust fund to retirement system.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill shifts 92.5% of pension costs from state to local school districts, reducing state funding support for education through the education trust fund.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Revenue

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1334: removing the authority of the education freedom accounts scholarship organization to make decisions about certain educational expenses.

HB 1334 repeals a section of New Hampshire law (RSA 194-F:2, II(o)) that previously gave the Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) scholarship organization authority to approve certain educational expenses for scholarship recipients. This bill removes the organization's decision-making power over which expenses - such as textbooks, supplies, or fees - qualify for EFA scholarships. The change shifts this authority away from the scholarship organization and directly to the legal framework governing EFA programs. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not alter scholarship eligibility or funding amounts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves EFA's authority to approve educational expenses, restricting scholarship flexibility and limiting allowable uses for funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1716: relative to the academic accountability of education freedom accounts.

HB 1716 requires students in New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program to demonstrate academic progress through one of three methods: taking standardized tests (national or state), or maintaining a portfolio evaluated by a certified teacher using a Department of Education-developed rubric. The bill directs the Department of Education's Division of Learner Support to create and publish this rubric annually, then compile data from all student reports to analyze academic proficiency rates. This data must include metrics like graduation rates, grade level, gender, race, and aid categories. The bill does not provide new funding but estimates annual costs of $300,000-$350,000 for staff and system upgrades to implement the reporting and analysis requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires academic accountability for EFA students via tests/portfolio, ensuring educational quality within the program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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passed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 517: relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 517 allows New Hampshire school districts to expand free meal eligibility to 200% of the federal poverty level, raising the current standard. Districts opting into this program will receive state reimbursement covering 50% of the cost difference between free meals and reduced-price meals, with the remaining 50% covered by the school district. The bill appropriates $107,000 for administrative support and $250,000 for meal reimbursements and software to enable online application systems for free/reduced-price meals. This directly affects low-income students and school districts that choose to implement the expanded eligibility starting July 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 for school meal reimbursements, funding an essential public service program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands free meal eligibility to 200% poverty level with state reimbursement, increasing student nutritional access and reducing financial barriers to education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health

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