Rep. Patricia Cornell

Maddy summaryHB 431 establishes a commission to review draft rules for minimum standards in public school approval and state academic standards before they are submitted to the legislature. The commission includes 13 members representing school administrators, principals, curriculum specialists, and teachers at all grade levels, plus a competency-based education expert. It must recommend language supporting competency-based education, evidence-based practices, and professional learning for educators. The commission has 120 days to review each draft and submit recommendations to the education department and state board of education.

Maddy summaryHB 742 changes how New Hampshire funds special education costs for school districts with "catastrophic" needs (where costs exceed 3.5 times the state average per pupil). It removes the current system of prorating aid when funds are insufficient and requires all such state aid to come directly from the Education Trust Fund. This ensures full payment to qualifying districts without proportional cuts, affecting school districts with high special education costs. The fiscal note estimates this would increase annual state spending by approximately $16.4 million starting in 2026, as districts previously received only about 67.5% of requested funds.

Maddy summaryHB 742 would change how the state funds emergency special education aid by requiring these payments to come directly from the Education Trust Fund instead of other state accounts. This policy affects school districts that receive state aid for high-cost special education services, particularly for students with severe disabilities requiring intensive support. The bill's key provision is a mandatory reallocation of funding sources, ensuring these critical aid payments are prioritized from the designated education fund. As of the latest committee action (referred for interim study on November 13, 2025), the bill has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 431 establishes a commission to study the costs associated with special education programs in the state. The commission would examine funding requirements and operational expenses affecting school districts and students with disabilities. The bill was referred to the Education Committee but was later deemed "inexpedient to legislate" by the committee on May 15, 2025, effectively halting its progress. This procedural bill does not create new programs or funding but would have directed a study into existing special education cost structures.

Maddy summaryHB 563 updates New Hampshire's school funding formula to better address student needs and district wealth disparities. It increases the base per-pupil cost for an "adequate education" to $4,351 (plus additional amounts for students eligible for free/reduced meals, English language learners, and those in special education) and establishes two new grant programs: "Extraordinary Need Grants" for high-poverty districts and "Fiscal Capacity Disparity Aid" for low-wealth districts. Both grant programs use tiered formulas based on property wealth per student, with all funding amounts increasing annually by 2% starting in 2027. The bill affects all public school districts in New Hampshire, directly changing how state education aid is calculated and distributed. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 195 revises the membership structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. The bill specifies who serves on the council (including new stakeholder representation) and defines its key duties, such as advising the state on workforce education programs and curriculum standards. This directly affects the council members, state education officials, and career training programs across New Hampshire. The changes take effect on September 30, 2025, after the bill was signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 99 establishes new funding rules for regional career and technical education programs. It requires school districts sending students to these programs (sending districts) to pay host districts (receiving districts) at least 80% of the sending district's average per-pupil cost, based on state education department data. For part-time students, payments adjust based on credit hours; full-time students use a standard per-pupil rate. The law, effective July 2025, standardizes cost-sharing for career-focused education programs across districts.

Maddy summaryHB 354 creates new certification pathways for career and technical education (CTE) instructors, allowing individuals with significant industry experience or professional certifications to qualify without completing traditional teaching degrees. This directly affects CTE instructors in high schools and vocational programs who previously faced barriers due to lack of formal teaching credentials. The bill establishes specific criteria for evaluating industry experience and professional certifications to ensure instructor qualifications meet educational standards. It takes effect on August 30, 2025, after being signed by Governor Ayotte.

Maddy summarySB 194 is a procedural bill that only amends the bill's title and renumbers its sections (changing "Section 3" to "Section 2" after deleting Section 2). It does not change any cosmetology licensing qualifications, requirements, or fees. The bill directly affects administrative records but has no impact on cosmetologists or the public. It was signed into law on June 10, 2025, and takes effect August 9, 2025.