Education (Higher Education)

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 748: establishing a local education freedom account program.

HB 748 establishes a Local Education Freedom Account (LEFA) program that allows parents of eligible students in participating school districts to receive grants from approved scholarship organizations for educational expenses. Eligible students include those attending public or charter schools, kindergarten students, or those receiving home education, who are aged 5-20 and not high school graduates. The program provides grants equal to twice the standard per-pupil education funding (approximately $8,531 for base aid), which can be used for tuition, textbooks, tutoring, transportation, online learning, and educational therapies. School districts must adopt the program through a 3/5 majority vote at a school meeting, and participating students remain counted in their district's enrollment for funding purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRedirects state education funding (twice per-pupil amount) to private scholarships, defunding public school programs by diverting existing public education funds.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates LEFA program providing grants for educational expenses, expanding access to funding beyond traditional public schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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passed · New Hampshire · House May 7, 2026

HB 112: requiring students in the university and community college systems of New Hampshire to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test, take a course that covers fundamental American documents as part of the general education curriculum, or pass a civics course competency test.

HB 112 requires students at New Hampshire's public universities and community colleges to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test (a 128-question test with a 70% passing score) to graduate, starting January 1, 2026. It applies to all students admitted or transferring after that date, excluding exchange students and foreign nationals. Institutions must establish procedures to administer, certify, and track test results, with costs estimated at $200,000-$1,000,000 annually covered by school operating funds. The bill does not provide state funding and exempts non-U.S. students, focusing solely on a graduation requirement for domestic students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates civics test and American documents curriculum for graduation, enhancing civic literacy standards in higher education curriculum without restricting access or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 716: making an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program.

HB 716 appropriates $3 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and $3 million for 2026-2027 from the General Fund to New Hampshire's community college system. The funds specifically support scholarships and program operations for the state's dual and concurrent enrollment program, which allows high school students to earn college credits. This appropriation is non-lapsing, meaning unspent funds carry forward to subsequent years. The bill directly affects community colleges and eligible high school students participating in this dual-enrollment program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $6M total from General Fund for dual enrollment program scholarships and operations, directly increasing public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $6M total for dual enrollment scholarships and operations, directly expanding K-12 college credit access and funding higher education pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 497: removing a reference to procurement through the department of administrative services for certain capital appropriations to the community college system of New Hampshire, changing the name of a capital project, and changing a reference regarding spaces assigned for use for members of the legislature.

SB 497 removes a requirement that community colleges in New Hampshire follow specific procurement rules (RSA 21-I) when awarding contracts for capital projects funded by state appropriations. The bill repeals Section 159:13, IV of the current law, which previously mandated that certain capital contracts be processed through the Department of Administrative Services. This change directly affects the Community College System of New Hampshire, streamlining how it manages construction and facility projects. The policy shift eliminates a procedural step without altering funding amounts or project eligibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines capital project procurement for community college infrastructure, facilitating facility improvements without direct funding changes. Aligns with infrastructure support indicators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1596: relative to the collection of certain health care program premiums; funding for the university system of New Hampshire; and raising the tobacco tax.

HB 1596 raises New Hampshire's cigarette and little cigar tax from $1.78 to $2.80 per pack of 20, increasing revenue for state funds. It appropriates $18 million annually to New Hampshire's university system to restore higher education funding to 2024 levels. The bill also stops collecting premiums for two health programs: the Children's Health Insurance Program and the NH Granite Advantage health care program. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, with tobacco tax revenue funding the university appropriation and education trust fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises tobacco tax to fund university system ($18M/year), increasing state revenue while restoring education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $18M annually to restore university system funding, directly advancing higher education support per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds two health programs (CHIP and Granite Advantage) while redirecting tobacco tax revenue to universities, directly reducing healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Higher Education Children's Health Insurance

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 1827: requiring the department of education to conduct a confidential criminal history record check on all prospective educational personnel.

HB 1827 establishes a grant program to address funding gaps in New Hampshire school districts that lack sufficient fiscal capacity to provide an adequate education. The bill requires eligible districts to submit annual accountability plans detailing how grant funds will support academic growth in K-12, with progress reports due by January 15 each even year. It applies to all public school districts, including cooperative districts and those with tuition agreements, mandating that districts demonstrate how funds improve student achievement through standardized assessments. Crucially, the bill does not provide new state funding or authorize new positions - only creating a framework for existing Education Trust Fund resources to be allocated based on need. The program will take effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state grant program to address school funding gaps, increasing public education appropriations and fiscal capacity for districts.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program to address school funding gaps for adequate education, requiring accountability plans for K-12 academic growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1183: relative to the mathematics requirement for high school graduation.

HB 1183 changes New Hampshire's high school graduation requirements by mandating that students complete four mathematics courses to meet the state's math competency standard for career and college readiness. This replaces the current option allowing students to fulfill the requirement with three math courses plus one non-math course that applied math skills (e.g., in career-technical education). The bill applies to all public high school students graduating after July 1, 2027, and requires school boards to approve the specific math courses. The change eliminates the flexibility of combining math with other subjects to meet the graduation standard.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates four math courses for graduation, strengthening college/career readiness standards by replacing flexible options with stricter requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 604: making an appropriation to the university system of New Hampshire.

SB 604 appropriates $14 million to New Hampshire's University System for fiscal year 2027 to restore funding reduced in 2025, and $3.5 million to the Community College System to maintain a freeze on credit-hour tuition rates. The bill directly affects public universities and community colleges in the state, providing concrete funding for operations and tuition stability. It authorizes the governor to draw these funds from the General Fund, effective July 1, 2026, with no additional revenue impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestores $14M university funding and maintains $3.5M for tuition freeze, directly increasing public education appropriations and stabilizing costs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestores $14M university funding and freezes community college tuition, directly advancing higher education financial stability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 407: making an appropriation for each full-time student eligible for the in-state tuition rate enrolled in the university system of New Hampshire.

SB 407 appropriates $300 per full-time, in-state eligible student enrolled in New Hampshire's university system starting in fiscal year 2027, to reduce in-state tuition costs. It applies to students who qualify for in-state tuition rates and requires annual calculation of eligible students on October 1. The total annual appropriation is capped at $5.4 million, with funds drawn from the General Fund and non-lapsing (carrying over if unused). This bill directly affects in-state undergraduate students at the University System of New Hampshire by providing state funding to lower their tuition expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5.4M from General Fund to reduce in-state tuition costs, funding essential education program with fiscal cap.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $300/student to reduce in-state tuition costs for university students, directly funding higher education access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1803: rendering a recipient of an education tax credit scholarship ineligible to receive education freedom account funds in the same program year.

HB 1803 prohibits students from receiving both education tax credit scholarships (under RSA 77-G:2) and education freedom account funds (under RSA 194-F:2) in the same program year. This directly affects students currently using or eligible for both programs, requiring them to choose one funding source per year. The bill also removes an additional $2,036 grant for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) when students in either program enroll part-time, shifting tuition responsibility to families. These changes aim to prevent duplicate funding and adjust state payments for specific school enrollments.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts dual funding for education programs, removing $2,036 grant for VLACS during part-time enrollment, limiting fiscal options and defunding overlapping programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts dual funding access by prohibiting combined use of tax credit scholarships and freedom accounts, limiting educational financial options for students.85% confidence

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

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