Education (School Choice)

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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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 579: modifying the language for intra-district public school transfers to include schools within school administrative units.

SB 579 modifies New Hampshire's school transfer rules to allow parents to request transfers to any school within their school administrative unit (SAU), not just within their immediate district. It directly affects parents or guardians seeking to move their children to another public school within the same SAU or to schools outside the SAU. Key provisions include giving superintendents or service providers authority to approve transfers based on student needs (e.g., academic or social factors) and requiring them to consider school capacity for within-SAU requests. The bill also clarifies tuition arrangements for out-of-SAU transfers and specifies that parents are responsible for transportation. This change streamlines intra-SAU transfers while maintaining existing processes for district-wide moves.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands parental school choice within SAUs by removing transfer restrictions, directly increasing educational access for students seeking alternative placements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice School Transportation

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passed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1832: adding students with a parent or guardian on active military duty to the education freedom accounts priority guidelines.

HB 1832 adds students with at least one parent on active military duty (with a permanent change of station in New Hampshire) to the priority eligibility list for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). This means military-connected students who relocate to New Hampshire due to their parent's active duty orders will now qualify for priority enrollment in the EFA program, alongside existing priority groups like low-income students. The bill amends eligibility criteria in RSA 194-F:1, adding a new category (d) specifically for these military families. It takes effect 60 days after passage and has an estimated fiscal impact of $150,300 in FY 2027 for approximately 30 additional eligible students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands EFA eligibility, requiring state funding increase for military-connected students' education access. Supports public service funding under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands EFA access to military-connected students, increasing educational opportunity for a new priority group per bill's explicit eligibility amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1774: relative to qualifying scholarship granting organizations and federal workforce Pell grants.

HB 1774 requires New Hampshire to participate in a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations and creates a state list of qualifying groups. It prohibits state financial aid for college programs that don't meet federal earnings standards, defined by outcomes like job placement and wages above 150% of the federal poverty level. This affects public colleges, universities, and students enrolled in programs deemed "low-earning outcome" under federal criteria. The law aims to redirect state funding toward academic programs with stronger job prospects for graduates.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits state financial aid for programs not meeting federal earnings standards, defunding specific college programs and restricting state spending on education. Aligns with 'oppose' as it limits government expenditure.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill defunds college programs failing federal earnings standards, restricting state aid to high-outcome programs and limiting funding for lower-earning fields.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1817: relative to access to curricular courses and cocurricular programs within school districts.

HB 1817 allows students who reside in a New Hampshire school district - regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter, or home education programs - to access all curricular courses and cocurricular activities (like clubs, sports, and arts) offered by that district. It requires school boards to adopt policies ensuring these students face no stricter rules than resident students in the district. The bill specifically affects home-educated students (including those with disabilities under certain conditions), private school students, and charter school students who live within a district but are not enrolled there. It does not change where students must attend school but guarantees equal access to local programs once they reside in a district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by allowing home-educated students to participate fully in district courses and activities without stricter rules, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1834: relative to the education freedom account enrollment cap.

HB 1834 sets a fixed enrollment cap of 10,000 students for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, instead of allowing the cap to increase to 12,500 under current law. This directly affects families applying for EFA funds to cover private school costs and participating private schools. The bill freezes the cap until 2028, requiring any future increase only if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior year's cap. The fiscal note estimates this change would save approximately $6.3 million in state spending for fiscal year 2027 by limiting enrollment to 11,250 students instead of 12,500. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or funding per student.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesFreezes EFA enrollment cap at 10,000, restricting future state spending instead of allowing 12,500 cap increase per current law.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationFreezes EFA enrollment cap at 10,000 instead of allowing 12,500 increase, restricting program expansion and limiting educational access options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1401: amending the meaning of scholarship organization as it pertains to education freedom accounts.

HB 1401 expands the definition of "scholarship organization" for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) to include for-profit entities approved by the Department of Education. This change directly affects families using EFAs, as it allows for-profit organizations - not just non-profits - to administer and implement the program. The key provision amends RSA 194-F:1 by adding "a qualified entity approved by the department of education" to the definition of eligible scholarship organizations. The bill does not alter eligibility for EFA funds but changes who can manage the scholarship distribution process. It takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands EFA program to include for-profit administrators, increasing access options for families using education freedom accounts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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