Committee Summary for House Education Funding (01/20/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1714 00:09:08.560 - 9:07:04 AM	Public Hearing	authorizing the state to issue bonds to fund public school expenses.	Markell, Jay(R)[B]2025
HB1826 00:43:16.960 - 9:41:12 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB1831 01:14:17.679 - 10:12:13 AM	Public Hearing	repealing the education trust fund targeted aid cap.	Chretien, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
HB1827 03:18:36.160 - 12:16:32 PM	Public Hearing	establishing a grant program to support school districts extraordinary needs and fiscal capacity disparities relative to providing an adequate education.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB1799 03:47:01.680 - 12:44:57 PM	Public Hearing	relative to required state funding for providing an opportunity for an adequate education.	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2025

HB1714: Representative Jay Markel, Rockingham County District 18 Information Only00:09:08.560 - 9:07:04 AM; Representative Jay Markel presented HB1714, which proposes issuing state bonds to fund public school expenses, aiming to provide relief to local property taxpayers while maintaining local control with state supervision and auditing. He highlighted ongoing school funding issues and referenced the ConVal school district Supreme Court decision without taking a position on it. Markel provided handouts showing New Hampshire's low state debt of $6.2 billion (46th nationally) and favorable debt affordability ratios per Moody's (3.8% vs. median 3.88%), projecting stability through 2031 even under adverse conditions. He noted $374 million in authorized but unissued general fund bonds and benefits like spreading costs over time, potential refinancing, and access to capital without new taxes. Challenges include whether bonds fit RSA 9:8-b for operating expenses, potential need for legislative fixes or a Supreme Court advisory opinion, and discussions with Fidelity indicating support for up to $700 million in bonds. The bill allows flexibility in bond amounts 'sufficient but not greater than necessary' to assist or assure adequate funding, independent of the ConVal decision.
HB1714: Representative Maguire Information Only00:22:09.840 - 9:20:05 AM; Representative Maguire questioned Markel on state debt per capita, noting New Hampshire ranks 30th, suggesting it might be a better metric than total debt. He followed up on bonding operating expenses, expressing concern that it shifts costs to future taxpayers.
HB1714: Representative Pillsbury Oppose00:25:45.679 - 9:23:41 AM; Representative Pillsbury asked about limiting factors in the bill's language for bond amounts, noting the fiscal note's $1 billion assumption and Markel's $700 million figure. He expressed concern over lacking limitations, relying on governor and council judgment, and the risk of annual compounding debt without controls.
HB1714: Representative Luno Information Only00:30:04.960 - 9:28:00 AM; Representative Luno inquired about the bill in the broader fiscal context, citing potential $1.4 billion in YDC/CNU settlements, $250 million school building aid backlog, $500 million highway plan overrun, and $600 million annual need from ConVal and Rand decisions. He asked if this could remedy all or part of these issues.
HB1714: Unnamed Representative (possibly Spilsbury) Oppose00:34:43.280 - 9:32:39 AM; The representative referenced past $540 million bonded debt for school building aid from 2008, not paid off until 2041, warning against repeating mistakes that limit current funding (e.g., half of $50 million annual aid used for debt service) and create severe consequences from past borrowing.
HB1714: Representative Bricky Information Only00:37:20.079 - 9:35:16 AM; Representative Bricky observed from the exhibits that New Hampshire's issue is not debt but possibly revenue, asking if the problem is controlling expenses, increasing revenue, or prudent borrowing, to which Markel affirmed the latter as viable based on indicators.
HB1714: Representative Fellows Information Only00:39:50.160 - 9:37:46 AM; Representative Fellows viewed the bill as a toolbox option for emergencies like recessions, hoping lessons from past building aid issues (caused by legislative formulas) inform future actions. She questioned the need for school districts to submit budgets, suggesting adequacy aid formulas already exist, and noted bonds would likely be under $1 billion.
HB1826: Representative Lad Support00:43:16.960 - 9:41:12 AM; Representative Lad introduces HB1826, which sets specific numbers for the base cost and differentiated aid categories for an adequate education, referencing RSA 193-E:2-a and the 11 substantive content areas. He provides handouts detailing components from a 2008 study, including staff like teachers and principals, and suggests a base cost of $4,438 per pupil for FY28, adjusted by 2% COLA from FY26's $4,266. He emphasizes shared responsibility between state and local districts, with locals deciding on ratios and enhancements beyond adequacy. For differentiated aid, he proposes no change beyond COLA for free and reduced lunch and English language learners, but increases special education to $3,23 per pupil, approved by the House last year but rejected by the Senate. He stresses the need for targeted funding and accountability, includes a sampling of state-required subjects, and highlights additions like financial literacy.
HB1826: Representative Luno Information Only00:51:41.359 - 9:49:37 AM; Representative Luno thanks Representative Lad and questions the 2008 framework for base cost, noting outdated elements like teacher salaries ($42,000 vs. actual average $20,000 higher) that may disadvantage less-resourced districts. He asks if there's an opportunity to update the adequacy policy components before adjusting costs, considering societal changes in education.
HB1826: Representative Lad (response) Information Only00:53:48.720 - 9:51:44 AM; Representative Lad agrees the 2008 formula needs review due to changes in society, education, and families. He notes other bills addressing resource elements like school nurses, and clarifies the $42,560 is the average minimum teacher salary plus 33% benefits, totaling $56,65 per teacher. He advocates for lower student-teacher ratios, especially in early grades, and suggests policy and funding committees collaborate on updates, emphasizing the need to separate adequacy costs from local expenses in audits.
HB1826: Representative Burton Information Only00:59:34.000 - 9:57:30 AM; Representative Burton notes the wrong bill number on the table (should be HB1826) and questions why not use the ConVal case's $7,356 per pupil figure instead of the 2008 document.
HB1826: Representative Lad (response) Information Only01:00:21.680 - 9:58:17 AM; Representative Lad responds that he hasn't seen inputs justifying the $7,356 figure from the judiciary.
HB1826: Representative Bricky Information Only01:00:21.680 - 9:58:17 AM; Representative Bricky questions the teacher salary division by 25 or 30 students, noting that with 35 students per grade, districts would need two classrooms but funding wouldn't cover full salaries, only partial.
HB1826: Representative Lad (response) Information Only01:01:14.640 - 9:59:10 AM; Representative Lad explains adequacy funding is district-wide, not per grade, and local administrators decide on class structures like combinations for 35-40 students. Enhanced ratios like 20:1 require local funding beyond adequacy.
HB1826: Representative Ricky Information Only01:02:27.920 - 10:00:23 AM; Representative Ricky points out the fiscal note shows FY28 base at $1 less and free/reduced at $49 less per student than current law, despite special ed increase, questioning if it means less money overall.
HB1826: Representative Lad (response) Information Only01:03:50.720 - 10:01:46 AM; Representative Lad clarifies the fiscal note is new, and increasing special ed would add about $28 million, with other categories adjusted by 2% COLA.
HB1826: Committee Member (fiscal clarification) Information Only01:05:08.079 - 10:03:04 AM; A committee member suggests the fiscal note has minor math discrepancies ($1 difference) and a one-year adjustment for free/reduced, requiring housekeeping to align with intent of increasing special ed without reducing others.
HB1826: Joe Hos, Gilmanton resident Support01:06:52.000 - 10:04:48 AM; Joe Hos testified about his personal court case in the New Hampshire Supreme Court challenging property taxes allocated to schools, arguing that the state is solely responsible for school operating expenses per the Conval case. He highlighted the 70% average school portion of property taxes draining family trusts and proposed an injunction to return funds to taxpayers. He supported HB1826 and suggested increasing funding to $14,000 per pupil, referencing the London case against downshifting costs. He advocated combining the bill with raising business taxes to distribute education costs more equitably across the state.
HB1831: Representative Suzanne Kian, Manchester Support01:14:17.679 - 10:12:13 AM; Representative Suzanne Kian, the bill sponsor, passionately advocated for HB1831, emphasizing her 31 years as a teacher in Manchester. She detailed funding disparities, with Manchester receiving $17,733 per pupil versus the state average of $21,545, and highlighted the district's needs: 25% special education students, 20% English language learners, and 54% in poverty. She criticized the 5,000-student cap on targeted aid, which leaves out 7,000 Manchester students, and noted recent budget cuts of $28 million despite staying under the tax cap, leading to program reductions like GEAR UP and Talent Search. She urged equitable funding to support working poor families and avoid property tax hikes.
HB1831: Representative Suzanne Kian, Manchester (continued testimony) Support01:15:26.560 - 10:13:22 AM; In response to committee questions, Kian deferred detailed fiscal questions to others but confirmed the bill primarily affects Manchester, with Nashua as another large district. She noted the cap's injustice in excluding thousands of students from aid.
HB1831: Dr. Jen Camille, Superintendent, Manchester School District Support01:21:46.000 - 10:19:42 AM; Dr. Jen Camille, Superintendent of Manchester School District, supported HB1831, noting the district ranks fourth from the bottom in per-pupil funding. She explained the proposed $3,750 per pupil targeted aid cap would cut over $10.354 million from the FY28 budget. She highlighted recent improvements: vertically aligned curriculum, reduced class sizes, better teacher contracts, and efficient management, including $1 million cut from the district office. Despite these, new requirements like 306 rules add costs without funding. She praised Manchester's achievements in dual language immersion, student projects, and awards, urging support to continue lifting learning for all students.
HB1831: Jim O'Connell, Vice Chair, Manchester Board of School Committee Support01:27:12.560 - 10:25:08 AM; Jim O'Connell spoke on behalf of the Manchester Board of School Committee in support of HB1831. He argued the $10 million cut from targeted aid targets the state's most vulnerable students in underfunded Manchester, ranking near the bottom per-pupil despite high needs: growing special education (up 4%, adding 140 students costing $50,000+ each on average). Reserves have dropped from $31 million to $12 million, with special ed trust at $450,000. He detailed escalating costs in transportation ($17 million), nursing (65 staff), and utilities ($970,000 increase), despite efficiencies like closing schools and cutting staff. He emphasized Manchester's lean operations and appealed for support to avoid harming needy students.
HB1831: Julie Turner, Ward One, Manchester School Board Support01:46:26.800 - 10:44:22 AM; Julie Turner, representing Ward One on the Manchester School Board, supported HB1831 by providing a snapshot of the district's 12,000 students: 25% special education (including autism, emotional, intellectual, and hearing programs), 53% economically disadvantaged, 5% homeless, and 21% English language learners. She argued the targeted aid cap shifts costs to local taxpayers, failing vulnerable students. Targeted aid formulas provide $2,346 for free/reduced lunch, $2,142 for special ed, and $816 for ELL students, but the cap burdens Manchester disproportionately. She urged repealing the cap to meet state/federal mandates without raising property taxes.
HB1831: Sean Parr, Ward Two, Manchester School Board Support01:50:36.560 - 10:48:32 AM; Sean Parr, a member of the Manchester Board of School Committee representing Ward Two and incoming chair of the teaching and learning committee, expresses full support for HB1831 from the board. He argues that the arbitrary cap on targeted aid unfairly penalizes Manchester for having 12,000 students, many from vulnerable groups including 2,700 special education students, 2,200 multilingual learners, 5,800 students of color, and 6,300 qualifying for free and reduced meals. He states that the cap discriminates against the district, deeming it unethical and unjust, and urges the committee to pass the bill for fairer aid distribution.
HB1831: Jason Bonia, Ward 5 Alderman, Manchester Support01:56:59.440 - 10:54:55 AM; Jason Bonia, a Manchester resident, former school board member, and current Ward 5 alderman, speaks in favor of HB1831 to ensure Manchester receives targeted aid. He highlights the city's role in serving over 12,000 diverse students and providing critical statewide services like specialized transportation, dual language immersion, feeding programs, and teacher retention, often at additional cost. He criticizes the $10 million cap as a disservice, invoking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words on injustice, and urges support for the bill.
HB1831: Roger Blow, Manchester resident Support01:59:12.800 - 10:57:08 AM; Roger Blow, a Manchester resident whose children and grandchildren attended Manchester public schools, supports HB1831 to maintain $10 million in funding. He praises the district's education quality, diversity, and dedicated teachers, sharing personal anecdotes of his family's positive experiences. He calls the 5,000-student cap arbitrary and unfair, compares it to federal education funding cuts, and emphasizes prioritizing children by supporting the bill.
HB1831: Megan Tuttle, President, NEA New Hampshire Support02:02:27.040 - 11:00:23 AM; Megan Tuttle, president of NEA New Hampshire representing 17,000 educators, briefly supports HB1831, noting that key points were already covered by Manchester officials and that the organization aligns with their testimony.
HB1831: Mark McNel, Bureau of School Finance, Department of Education Information Only02:03:19.199 - 11:01:15 AM; Mark McNel provides fiscal information on HB1831, stating that repealing the targeted aid cap would cost about $10 million in FY27, potentially closer to $9 million in FY28 assuming typical enrollment decline and property growth, with the cap effective in FY28.
HB1831: Zach Sheen, Executive Director, New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project Support02:03:55.920 - 11:01:51 AM; Zach Sheen supports HB1831, emphasizing that the cap uniquely targets Manchester and is poor policy for the education funding formula. He advocates repealing it to avoid singling out individual districts.
HB1831: Representative Greg Hill, Northfield Information Only02:05:55.199 - 11:03:51 AM; Representative Greg Hill presents HB1104 on modifying school building aid grant priorities but states the issue was addressed in HB366, now in the Senate, so no further action is needed on HB1104.
HB1827: Representative Lad Information Only03:18:36.160 - 12:16:32 PM; Representative Lad, the sponsor, presents HB1827, which establishes a grant program for school districts with extraordinary needs and fiscal capacity disparities. The bill requires districts receiving these grants to submit an educational plan identifying essential programs, accountability indicators, and how funds will be used to improve academic achievement and growth. He explains that currently, there is no accountability for how these funds are spent. The bill draws from a 2018 task force report (HB356) recommending such grants with required plans and assessments. The intent is to ensure funds are used effectively, with the commissioner able to withhold funds if reports are not submitted. He addresses committee questions on the purpose, emphasizing the need for accountability to show improvements in student outcomes, similar to successful models in other states like Mississippi.
HB1827: Representative McGuire Information Only03:23:30.000 - 12:21:26 PM; Representative McGuire questions whether the grants are simply to smooth out fiscal disparities due to property values and if they fund normal school expenses, suggesting extensive documentation might be unnecessary.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to McGuire) Information Only03:23:30.000 - 12:21:26 PM; In response, Representative Lad notes past discussions on the task force and argues that without accountability, achievement scores remain flat. He stresses the need to track how funds are used to ensure they improve education, citing Mississippi's success through standards and accountability rather than just more money. He mentions instances where reports were not submitted, like IBASS reports, and advocates for legal mechanisms to withhold funds if needed.
HB1827: Representative Ames Information Only03:26:34.720 - 12:24:30 PM; Representative Ames asks about the five-year grant award timeframe versus the year-to-year nature of eligibility based on property wealth and pupil numbers, questioning how districts can plan if eligibility changes. He also suggests applying accountability universally to all districts receiving state aid, with possible waivers for high-performing ones.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to Ames) Information Only03:26:34.720 - 12:24:30 PM; Representative Lad clarifies that the five-year timeframe applies to the grant plan and application, not the funding amount, allowing districts to set specific objectives without reapplying annually. He supports universal accountability for state dollars, including for differentiated aid, and expresses openness to waivers for well-performing districts.
HB1827: Representative Fellows Information Only03:31:53.840 - 12:29:49 PM; Representative Fellows agrees with the accountability goal but points out disconnects in the bill, such as awarding funds to low-property-value districts with proficient students or challenges in cooperative districts where funds are community-based but plans are district-wide, potentially limiting targeted help.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to Fellows) Information Only03:33:15.680 - 12:31:11 PM; Representative Lad acknowledges the bill's limitations, noting it was drafted quickly on the last filing day by echoing the 2018 report. He emphasizes the intent to ensure funds are used wisely for intended purposes and is open to improvements to address identified holes.
HB1827: Representative Damon Information Only03:34:27.520 - 12:32:23 PM; Representative Damon seeks clarification on page one, line five, referencing two RSAs (198:40 and 40-G), noting the second is not yet codified.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to Damon) Information Only03:34:27.520 - 12:32:23 PM; Representative Lad confirms these refer to the extraordinary needs and fiscal capacity disparity grants, part of the adequacy formula, with the latter effective from July 1 and not yet codified.
HB1827: Representative Bricky Information Only03:35:48.960 - 12:33:44 PM; Representative Bricky confirms the bill does not change grant amounts but focuses solely on accountability to ensure public funds are used for their original purpose, like increasing academic achievement.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to Bricky) Information Only03:35:48.960 - 12:33:44 PM; Representative Lad agrees, stressing that accountability and oversight are key to improvement, and the state needs to ensure funds are directed properly.
HB1827: Representative McGuire (follow-up) Information Only03:37:07.920 - 12:35:03 PM; Representative McGuire suggests accountability might be better applied to other adequacy components like ESL or special education, where outcomes like improved English scores could be tracked, rather than fiscal capacity grants aimed at lowering property taxes.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to McGuire follow-up) Information Only03:37:07.920 - 12:35:03 PM; Representative Lad agrees on broader accountability, citing past issues with third-grade reading aid where growth data was unavailable. He advocates measuring both achievement and growth, balancing testing with teaching, and ensuring legislative funding leads to appropriate use.
HB1827: Representative Phyllis Information Only03:39:28.960 - 12:37:24 PM; Representative Phyllis notes that districts of attendance are responsible for student performance and suggests considering disconnecting eligibility from municipal equalized valuation per pupil, linking it instead to the district of attendance for better accountability.
HB1827: Representative Lad (response to Phyllis) Information Only03:40:14.000 - 12:38:10 PM; Representative Lad calls it a loaded question but remains open-minded to improvements for better outcomes.
HB1827: Mark Manganello, Bureau of School Finance, Department of Education Information Only03:41:14.720 - 12:39:10 PM; Mark Manganello explains that accountability for extraordinary needs grants was implemented in FY23 for $15 million (now $158 million), requiring plans from 117 municipalities. He highlights mechanical challenges: adequacy must be paid annually for tax setting, requiring pre-tax commitments; sending districts lack control over education in tuition agreements; and small grants ($34) make planning burdensome. The requirement was repealed due to issues. He offers to work on technical fixes, like minimum thresholds, and notes the Department needs one additional position (instruction coordinator) for processing. A state accountability task force report is due this summer.
HB1799: Representative Ames Support03:47:01.680 - 12:44:57 PM; Representative Ames introduces House Bill 1799, which aims to align the state's public school funding system with recent 2025 court rulings from the Conval and Rand cases. The bill establishes new per pupil cost factors to increase state adequacy grants by approximately 1.7 times the current level, varying by municipality based on differentiated aid factors. It mandates statewide oversight of achievement disparities, requiring the commissioner of education and school districts to set targets and plans. Additionally, it creates an adequate education funding commission to explore transition and revenue options beyond local property taxes for full funding in fiscal years 2028-2029. The bill restructures the statewide property tax (swept) to direct all revenues to the Department of Revenue Administration for deposit into the education trust fund, ensuring it functions as a true statewide tax without local retention. Ames emphasizes the bill's commitment to constitutional obligations, high-quality education, and property tax relief, quoting supportive public testimony and noting over 300 online supports versus few oppositions. He addresses questions on swept revenue handling, confirming all funds go to the state for formula-based grants, and discusses impacts on cooperative districts, noting existing agreements address property wealth differences.
HB1799: Unidentified Speaker (possibly Representative) Information Only04:05:09.680 - 1:03:05 PM; The speaker discusses challenges in the ConVal school district, noting tensions between larger districts and smaller towns like Dublin, which has higher property values and has considered withdrawing. They acknowledge the issues but emphasize that solutions will require work.
HB1799: Karen Leo Hill, Executive Councilor for District 2 Support04:09:46.560 - 1:07:42 PM; Karen Leo Hill supports HB1799, arguing it addresses structural issues in New Hampshire's education funding by clarifying the state's responsibility and reducing reliance on local property taxes. She highlights the bill's focus on accountability, sustainability, and preserving local control while urging passage to support students and provide taxpayer relief. During questioning, she notes the funding source is outside the bill's scope but stresses the need for property tax relief, and defers to bill authors on specific tax impacts while affirming support for addressing the constitutional obligation.
HB1799: David Trumbull from the town of Ware Support04:14:16.640 - 1:12:12 PM; David Trumbull strongly supports HB1799, citing the state's constitutional duty from Claremont and Londonderry decisions to fund adequate public education, emphasizing separation of powers and the inadequacy of current funding levels (e.g., $7,356 per pupil is too low, adjusted for inflation it should be higher). He argues for increased funding to retain teachers, offer programs like AP classes, address special education (proposing $5,680 aid), study revenue options beyond property taxes, and reduce disparities between towns. New Hampshire ranks last in state funding percentage (25% vs. national 50%), leading to inequities. In Q&A, he discusses accountability challenges, cites studies showing funding improves outcomes especially in low-funded districts, references New Hampshire-specific data on post-COVID recovery and proficiency scores correlating with funding, supports targeted aid, and advocates for state base funding with optional local additions, praising the bill's comprehensive approach.

Ladd, Rick(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Brown, Pam(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Spilsbury, Walter(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
McGuire, Dan(R)[A]2025	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2025	Burton, Wayne(D)[F]2025
Luneau, David(D)[CT]2025	Colcombe, Riché(R)[B+]2025	Chretien, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A-]2025	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2025	Kofalt, Jim(R)[A+]2025
Fellows, Sallie(D)[CT]2025	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2025	Bricchi, Tracy(D)[D-]2025
Weinstein, Toni(D)[F]2025	Peeples, Raymond(R)[B+]2025	Mehegan, Peter(R)[B+]2025