Committee Summary for House Education Funding (01/24/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB295 00:03:43.040 - 8:33:14 AM	Public Hearing	making school building aid program funds nonlapsing.	Cahill, Michael(D)[CT]2025
HB237 00:32:03.120 - 9:01:34 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting the use of special education state aid funds and differentiated aid special education funds on students not receiving special education services.	Belcher, Mike(R)[B+]2025
HB354 01:02:13.400 - 9:31:44 AM	Public Hearing	relative to alternate certification pathways for career and technical education instructors.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB484 01:32:50.760 - 10:02:21 AM	Public Hearing	relative to reallocation or repurposing of career and technical education classroom space by local school districts.	Daniels, Gary(R)[A-]2025
HB549 03:18:13.640 - 11:47:44 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the use of education freedom account funds in religious schools and institutions of higher education.	Horrigan, Timothy(D)[F]2025

HB295: Michael Kahill, Representative from Rockingham 10 (Newfields and Newmarket) Support00:03:43.040 - 8:33:14 AM; Representative Kahill introduced HB295, which aims to make School Building Aid program funds non-lapsing. He explained that this would allow any unspent funds to be carried over to the next biennium, potentially enabling smaller projects to be funded or moving projects up the priority list. He stressed the importance of maximizing available funds for school repairs and improvements, referencing the need for real money as per Senator Everderkson's previous comments.
HB295: Representative McGuire Information Only00:05:26.680 - 8:34:57 AM; Representative McGuire inquired about historical data on lapsed funds, indicating the need for figures from recent years and the decade before the moratorium. He suggested that this information would be useful for understanding the impact of the proposed non-lapsing funds.
HB295: Representative Pellow Information Only00:08:51.959 - 8:38:22 AM; Representative Pellow discussed the possibility of using a dedicated fund approach to achieve the goals of HB295. He mentioned the potential to set up a non-lapsing dedicated fund but expressed uncertainty about the feasibility due to opposition from some members of the finance committee.
HB295: Jim Carney, Department of Education Information Only00:10:30.279 - 8:40:01 AM; Jim Carney from the Department of Education provided clarification on the funding for school building aid, stating that it comes from the education trust fund. He confirmed that the previous administrator, Amy Clark, had supported the idea of making the funds non-lapsing. Carney also mentioned that they were working on gathering historical data on lapsed funds as requested and noted that the decision to use any available lapsed dollars to pay off debt would be a legislative one.
HB295: Representative Dick Information Only00:15:57.480 - 8:45:28 AM; Representative Dick referenced the education trust fund statute, which includes a provision for distributing school building aid. He suggested that further clarification from the Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA) might be necessary to understand how these funds are utilized.
HB237: Representative McGuire Information Only00:32:03.120 - 9:01:34 AM; Representative McGuire introduced House Bill 237, which aims to prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid special education funds on students not receiving special education services. He mentioned that he had read the bill and was prepared to discuss it but deferred the presentation to others.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Oppose00:32:49.240 - 9:02:20 AM; Becky Wilson, Director of Governmental Relations for the New Hampshire School Boards Association, testified in opposition to HB237. She argued that the bill is unnecessary and unclear about its objectives. Wilson expressed concerns that the bill might not effectively ensure that students eligible for special education receive the necessary services. She detailed the complexities of how differentiated aid adequacy monies are used within school district budgets, emphasizing that these funds are not specifically assigned to individual students but are part of the larger operating budget. She highlighted potential issues with staff funding and the integration of special education services in general education settings, questioning the practicality of implementing the bill's requirements.
HB237: Representative Luno Information Only00:35:53.480 - 9:05:24 AM; Representative Luno asked about how school districts track the use of revenue dollars, specifically regarding state revenues associated with students under the adequacy funding formula. He sought clarification on whether districts track these funds down to individual students.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:37:26.280 - 9:06:57 AM; In response to Representative Luno, Becky Wilson explained that differentiated aid is not associated with specific pupil identifiers but is based on district-wide needs. She clarified that the adequacy and differentiated aid payments are less than the actual cost of educating a student with a disability, emphasizing that these funds are non-targeted and used at the discretion of the school board.
HB237: Representative Ames Information Only00:39:46.079 - 9:09:17 AM; Representative Ames discussed the integration of special education into regular education as a core element of special education law, questioning whether the current practice of not separating funds is consistent with this principle.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:40:34.480 - 9:10:05 AM; Becky Wilson responded to Representative Ames, affirming that the integration of special education into general education settings is required by law and necessary for providing the least restrictive environment for students. She explained how this integration benefits all students and is crucial for maintaining a strong general education curriculum.
HB237: Representative Damon Information Only00:41:51.920 - 9:11:22 AM; Representative Damon inquired about potential conflicts with federal law if HB237 were to pass, specifically regarding compliance with inclusion and least restrictive environment requirements.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:42:38.640 - 9:12:09 AM; Becky Wilson responded to Representative Damon, stating that making funds student-specific could raise privacy concerns and logistical challenges for districts in managing staffing and student services. She emphasized that the intent of ensuring students receive required services should not be tied to specific funding sources.
HB237: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:44:13.880 - 9:13:44 AM; An unnamed speaker questioned the need for a specific paragraph in the bill related to special education aid, previously known as catastrophic aid, arguing that it might be unnecessary given the nature of the program.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:44:58.200 - 9:14:29 AM; Becky Wilson agreed with the unnamed speaker that students not eligible for special education are not included in the special education aid or catastrophic aid categories for reimbursement.
HB237: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:44:58.200 - 9:14:29 AM; An unnamed speaker sought clarification on the implications of the bill for staff teaching mixed groups of students, questioning how the bill would affect the least restrictive environment for students receiving special education services.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:45:45.839 - 9:15:16 AM; Becky Wilson explained the challenges of adhering to the bill's intent, particularly in scenarios where staff teach mixed groups of students, emphasizing the difficulty of separating funds in such situations and the potential for increased restrictiveness for students.
HB237: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:46:51.319 - 9:16:22 AM; An unnamed speaker discussed the costs associated with developing and renewing IEPs, questioning whether the adequacy aid covers these costs adequately.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:47:38.599 - 9:17:09 AM; Becky Wilson confirmed that the costs of IEP development and renewal are significant and often exceed the $2,100 per student provided by adequacy aid, highlighting the rapid consumption of these funds.
HB237: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:48:26.960 - 9:17:57 AM; An unnamed speaker asked about early intervention services and their application to all students, seeking clarification on how these services are coordinated.
HB237: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:49:18.319 - 9:18:49 AM; Becky Wilson explained that early intervention services are for children identified by community agencies before age three, requiring districts to evaluate them upon turning three to determine their eligibility for school-based services.
HB237: Melissa White, Division Director for Learner Support, New Hampshire Department of Education Information Only00:50:04.200 - 9:19:35 AM; Melissa White clarified that special education aid funds are strictly used for services specified in a student's IEP. She also explained that IDEA funds can be used for broader services but require extensive data collection and analysis, which makes schools hesitant to use them for non-special education activities. She emphasized the stringent rules around using IDEA funds for mitigation purposes and the unlikelihood of schools pursuing such uses due to the complexity involved.
HB237: Representative McGuire Information Only00:53:39.319 - 9:23:10 AM; Representative McGuire discussed the total cost of special education statewide and the small portion that would be affected by the bill, questioning the likelihood of schools spending less on special education than the funds received.
HB237: Melissa White, Division Director for Learner Support, New Hampshire Department of Education Information Only00:54:26.079 - 9:23:57 AM; Melissa White addressed questions about the use of catastrophic aid, explaining that these funds are used for a range of services as long as they are specified in a student's IEP. She clarified that the department reviews each request for reimbursement to ensure compliance with the law and that there is no restriction on the type of student or disability for which these funds can be used.
HB354: Rick Lad, Hail, New Hampshire Support01:02:13.400 - 9:31:44 AM; Rick Lad introduced HB354, which aims to establish alternative certification pathways for Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors. He explained that the bill would allow instructors in specific trades to enter the teaching field without going through traditional teacher certification paths, which are more suited for academic classroom teachers. The bill focuses on incorporating the practical experience and credentials that CTE instructors bring from their fields, such as certifications from companies like Ford or the American Association of Welders. He emphasized the shortage of skilled CTE instructors and the competition for these individuals from other job markets. Lad also highlighted the difference between the current rule and the proposed bill, which adds 'professional paid' to the requirement of three years of full-time experience, aligning with the State Board of Education's rule-making authority. He provided examples to clarify the distinction between full-time experience and professional paid full-time experience, arguing that CTE programs should prioritize experienced professionals over traditional academic credentials.
HB354: Steve Rothenberg, Rothenberg Consultant Group Support01:15:26.679 - 9:44:57 AM; Steve Rothenberg, representing Rothenberg Consultant Group and with prior experience as a CTE principal in Contoocook, supported HB354. He explained his role in guiding CTE teachers through a three-year certification process and addressed questions from the committee. He clarified that licensing was not included in the bill because most licensed professions relevant to CTE require years in the field. Rothenberg highlighted the existing certifications and the state's flexibility in accepting credentials not on the pre-approved list. He endorsed the bill, noting that the concept of 'professional' experience is already in practice and should be codified in statute. He also discussed the cultural shift needed to attract industry professionals into teaching and the extensive training required to transition them into effective educators.
HB484: Gary Daniels, State Representative from Hillsboro District 43, Milford Support01:32:50.760 - 10:02:21 AM; Gary Daniels introduced HB484, which addresses the reallocation or repurposing of CTE classroom space by local school districts. He explained that under current law, once a district accepts state funds for CTE space, it must be used exclusively for CTE, with any repurposing requiring the district to buy back the space from the state. Daniels argued that this policy could limit student opportunities if a successful CTE program needs to expand. His bill proposes an amendment to allow space used for CTE for at least 20 years to be repurposed at no cost if it's to expand the same program, benefiting the state, school districts, taxpayers, and students. He provided an example from Milford, where a CTE expansion was opposed due to costs and the need to demolish newer parts of the school. Daniels hopes this bill will lead to a standard operating procedure for handling vacated CTE space.
HB484: Gary Daniels, State Representative from Hillsboro District 43, Milford Information Only01:32:50.760 - 10:02:21 AM; Representative Daniels provided clarification on the proposal. He explained that under the current law, space vacated from CTE must be used exclusively for CTE. However, his proposed legislation allows for the repurposing of CTE space that has been used for 20 years, provided that the space is being vacated due to an expansion of the program. He highlighted that this amendment changes the rule only under these specific conditions, allowing the old space to be repurposed for general education, another CTE program, or storage space. He also mentioned a situation where a district might have to repay money if they close a building within 20 years of receiving a grant for renovation or construction, suggesting that the 20-year threshold in his bill may be influenced by similar provisions in other areas of school finance.
HB484: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:38:02.159 - 10:07:33 AM; The speaker sought clarification on Representative Daniels' proposal, particularly on the repurposing of CTE space. They questioned whether the proposal addresses situations where a district might want to use CTE space for non-CTE purposes without an expansion plan. Daniels confirmed that the proposal changes the rule only if the space has been used for CTE for 20 years and is being vacated due to program expansion. The speaker also inquired about the 20-year timeframe mentioned in the bill, to which Daniels explained it was based on discussions with the Commissioner of Education, suggesting that a 20-year program run might have completed its course.
HB484: Keith Ammon, State Representative from Hillsboro District 42, New Boston, Mount Vernon, and Lyndeborough Support02:03:42.199 - 10:33:13 AM; Representative Ammon presented testimony from Bill Schmidt, the chair of the New Boston School Board, in support of the bill to eliminate mandates on busing and meal services for half-day kindergarten programs. Schmidt's testimony highlighted that New Boston operates a half-day kindergarten program due to space and cost constraints, which has been successful and culturally accepted in the community. The testimony argued that meal requirements add unnecessary costs and take away from instructional time, and requested the committee to recommend an 'ought to pass' on the legislation. Ammon clarified that the intent is to remove mandates that are more applicable to full-day programs and less suitable for their district's situation.
HB484: Laura Milikin, Executive Director of New Hampshire Hunger Solutions Oppose02:08:26.760 - 10:37:57 AM; Laura Milikin testified in opposition to HB 319, arguing that it would take away nutritious meals from young students, impacting their ability to focus and learn. She emphasized the importance of school meals for children's nutrition, physical and mental health, and academic success, especially in the context of increasing food insecurity among families. Milikin stressed that kindergarten is a critical phase and removing meal requirements would be detrimental to children's education. She urged the committee to vote 'inexpedient to legislate' on HB 319 to ensure all children have an equal opportunity to succeed.
HB484: Melissa White, Division Director for Learner Support, Department of Education Information Only02:17:54.760 - 10:47:25 AM; Melissa White provided information regarding the federal requirements for school meal programs. She explained that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program require that a meal be offered to every student, including those in part-time programs, if a school participates in these programs. She confirmed that failing to offer meals to kindergarten students when the rest of the school participates would be a violation of these federal requirements. White also noted that schools not participating in these federal programs, such as some charter schools, might operate differently. She committed to providing data on schools not participating in these programs upon request.
HB484: Melissa White, Division Director for Learner Support, Department of Education Information Only02:17:54.760 - 10:47:25 AM; Melissa White, from the Department of Education, discussed a waiver granted to New Boston regarding meal requirements. She explained that the waiver was temporary and provided by their department to allow schools time to come into compliance with federal meal programs. She emphasized that changing state law would not alter federal requirements.
HB484: Representative Fellows Information Only02:20:24.359 - 10:49:55 AM; Representative Fellows inquired about the nature of the waiver granted to New Boston and its relation to the Department of Education. He also asked about the applicability of meal requirements to Charter Schools, learning that only those participating in the national school lunch or breakfast program are required to comply.
HB484: Representative Damon Information Only02:24:21.680 - 10:53:52 AM; Representative Damon asked about the duration of the temporary waiver and the population of the school in New Boston. He was informed that the exact duration of the waiver was unknown and would require further investigation.
HB484: Representative Reading Information Only02:23:35.240 - 10:53:06 AM; Representative Reading questioned the cost implications of the meal mandate, specifically the transportation costs mentioned by New Boston. It was clarified that food and nutrition programs are separate from transportation costs.
HB549: Representative Tim Horgan, Strafford County District 6 (Durham) Support03:18:13.640 - 11:47:44 AM; Representative Tim Horgan, the bill's sponsor, presented HB549, which aims to prohibit the use of Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds for religious education. He argued that the program violates the State Constitution, particularly Part First, Article Six. Horgan highlighted the significant allocation of EFA funds to religious schools, suggesting that the program's growth was out of control. He proposed that the bill could reduce costs significantly and mentioned other aspects of the bill, including requiring accreditation for higher education institutions receiving EFA funds and removing special legal protections for EFA recipients. He also discussed potential constitutional and policy concerns with the program.
HB549: Representative Fellows Information Only03:28:57.800 - 11:58:28 AM; Representative Fellows sought clarification on the motivations of families choosing religious schools under the EFA program, referencing comments about traditional experiences and family values. Horgan responded by explaining that children attending religious schools would learn about the religion, regardless of the parents' motivations, and discussed the broader implications of subsidizing lifestyle choices.
HB549: Representative Damon Information Only03:46:07.000 - 12:15:38 PM; Representative Damon asked about discriminatory practices by private schools receiving EFA funds. Horgan acknowledged the possibility of such practices, particularly related to religious discrimination, and suggested that this should be further studied.
HB549: Representative Mire Information Only03:53:48.840 - 12:23:19 PM; Representative Mire questioned the legal history regarding government funding for religious education. Horgan responded by distinguishing the state and federal legal contexts and suggested that phasing out the program entirely could be considered as an alternative approach.
HB549: Representative Burton Information Only03:56:23.479 - 12:25:54 PM; Representative Burton asked about the impact of the bill on families' religious choices. Horgan clarified that the bill does not restrict religious freedom but aims to prevent the state from subsidizing religious education with taxpayer money.
HB549: Chairman Information Only04:08:07.680 - 12:37:38 PM; The Chairman discussed the committee's approach to handling bills, emphasizing the need to focus on fiscal impacts related to HB549. He also mentioned the importance of work sessions and the committee's workload, suggesting that some bills might be handled by smaller subcommittees.
HB549: Representative McGuire Information Only04:08:07.680 - 12:37:38 PM; Representative McGuire expressed appreciation for the Chairman's focus on bills likely to pass and inquired about the use of subcommittees during work sessions. The Chairman explained the approach, noting that some issues might require smaller working groups while others would be handled by the full committee.

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