Committee Summary for House Education Funding (02/07/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB659 00:02:58.000 - 8:31:49 AM	Public Hearing	establishing the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive program.	Manohar, Sanjeev(D)[D-]2025
HB770 00:45:05.760 - 9:13:56 AM	Public Hearing	relative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.	Schultz, Kris(D)[F]2025
Unclear 01:31:16.480 - 10:00:07 AM	Public Hearing	Unclear
HB718 02:00:37.800 - 10:29:28 AM	Public Hearing	requiring the state board of education to report the unfunded financial impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB771 03:40:44.800 - 12:09:35 PM	Public Hearing	relative to funding for open enrollment schools.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2025
HB665 04:31:11.159 - 1:00:02 PM	Public Hearing	relative to eligibility for free school meals.	Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2025
HB665 04:49:35.760 - 1:18:26 PM	Public Hearing	relative to eligibility for free school meals.	Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2025

HB659: Representative Fellows Information Only00:02:58.000 - 8:31:49 AM; Representative Fellows introduced HB659 on behalf of the sponsors and co-sponsors who were not present at the hearing. He mentioned that the bill aims to establish a New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive program.
HB659: Lauren O'Sullivan, Department of Revenue Administration Information Only00:04:18.720 - 8:33:09 AM; Lauren O'Sullivan, a Senior Financial Analyst at the Department of Revenue Administration, provided technical information related to the bill's impact on the Business Enterprise Tax (BET) rebate. She explained the difference between a rebate and a credit, how they are administered, and the fiscal implications of the proposed program. She highlighted the need for clarity in the bill's language regarding whether the program is a rebate or a credit, how it would be administered, and the effective tax years. She also noted that any reduction in BET could increase the Business Profits Tax (BPT) revenue, though not on a one-to-one basis, and that the Department of Revenue could absorb the cost of updating tax forms and systems within their current budget.
HB659: Andrew Horn, Amherst, New Hampshire Support00:17:53.280 - 8:46:44 AM; Andrew Horn from Amherst, New Hampshire, spoke in support of HB659. He explained that the bill was developed by Representative Sanji Manahar, who was unable to attend due to an accident. Horn highlighted the issue of significant graduate outflow from New Hampshire, noting that 48 to 56% of graduates leave the state post-graduation, making New Hampshire the number one state for graduates leaving. He stressed the importance of the bill in incentivizing graduates to stay and businesses to hire them, addressing the demographic growth primarily among seniors and the need to retain young talent in the state.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:20:30.159 - 8:49:21 AM; The speaker asked a clarifying question regarding statistics about New Hampshire college graduates leaving the state, specifically whether the figure of 48 to 56% pertains to all graduates or just New Hampshire residents. They indicated they would need to consult someone named Sanji for an accurate answer.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:21:04.799 - 8:49:55 AM; The speaker raised a concern about a potential discrepancy in the bill regarding the student loan forgiveness amount, questioning if a graduate could receive $20,000 in total forgiveness but only commit to staying in the state for three years. They speculated on the oversight and mentioned that Sanji might be able to clarify the intent of the bill.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:22:38.520 - 8:51:29 AM; The speaker inquired about the destinations of New Hampshire college graduates who do not stay in the state, asking if there was any research or discussion on this. They were informed that most graduates go to Massachusetts due to economic opportunities and higher salaries.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:23:24.679 - 8:52:15 AM; The speaker questioned the eligibility of public schools as employers under the bill, given that education is listed as a high-need field but the bill seems to prioritize small and medium-sized businesses. They referred to specific sections of the bill and discussed the need for clarification or amendment.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:25:50.440 - 8:54:41 AM; The speaker asked about federal funding opportunities mentioned in the bill, specifically the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and noted a discrepancy in the copies of the bill being referenced.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:26:17.600 - 8:55:08 AM; The speaker clarified a misunderstanding about contacting OS, explaining they were not planning to contact them but were speculating on the discrepancies in the bill. They also discussed the eligibility of students receiving the Granite Guarantee grant for this program, suggesting an amendment might be necessary.
HB659: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:27:49.760 - 8:56:40 AM; The speaker inquired about similar programs in other states, and the response was that no specific states were mentioned during discussions of the bill, though funding through lottery money is common for education-related programs.
HB770: Representative Schultz Support00:45:05.760 - 9:13:56 AM; Representative Schultz introduced HB770, emphasizing its origins from a constituent now at Harvard, and outlined the bill's three main goals: increasing high school student engagement in service projects, earning tuition credits at state institutions through community service, and enhancing affordable access to higher education. They mentioned previous suggestions for the bill and recommended retaining it for further development.
HB770: Ryan Casey Support00:48:05.400 - 9:16:56 AM; Ryan Casey, associated with the bill through his sister Morgan Casey, was preparing to testify but was instructed to fill out a pink card before beginning his testimony.
HB770: Ryan Casey, Bishop Brady High School Support00:48:36.960 - 9:17:27 AM; Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, spoke in favor of House Bill 770, also known as the triple win policy. He highlighted his involvement with Representative Schultz in developing this bill over the past year and a half, aimed at making higher education more attainable and affordable. Casey explained that the bill offers a tuition credit option to alleviate future student loan debt in New Hampshire, benefiting students, communities, and the state. He emphasized the benefits for students in avoiding heavy loan debt through community service, the value to communities from student volunteer work, and the potential for the state to retain talent through increased local higher education enrollment. He urged the New Hampshire Congress to pass the bill, describing it as a compromise between Democrats and Republicans.
HB770: Representative Fellows Information Only00:50:58.280 - 9:19:49 AM; Representative Fellows asked a clarifying question regarding the eligibility for the bill, specifically if it applied to out-of-state students attending college in New Hampshire. Ryan Casey clarified that the bill is intended only for New Hampshire high school students pursuing in-state universities.
HB770: Representative Papovich Information Only00:51:28.359 - 9:20:19 AM; Representative Papovich thanked Ryan Casey for his testimony and sought further explanation on Casey's statement about the bill being a compromise between Democrats and Republicans. Casey responded by explaining that the bill satisfies Democrats' interest in student loan forgiveness while also appealing to Republicans through the community service component.
HB770: Unnamed Committee Member Information Only00:52:25.520 - 9:21:16 AM; An unnamed committee member asked about the ineligibility of students from private high schools and preparatory schools under the bill. The discussion was paused to potentially direct the question to the bill's prime sponsor.
HB770: Unnamed Committee Member Information Only00:53:13.480 - 9:22:04 AM; Another committee member questioned Ryan Casey about his interest in attending a New Hampshire university if the bill were passed. Casey confirmed his interest and mentioned that he is already required to perform community service at Bishop Brady High School. He noted that the bill's revisions exclude mandatory service hours from being eligible for the tuition credit. Further clarification was provided regarding the exclusion of private and prep school students to ensure the program benefits students definitely from New Hampshire.
HB770: Representative Schultz Information Only00:54:46.599 - 9:23:37 AM; Representative Schultz was mentioned as a potential respondent to clarify the question regarding the exclusion of private and prep school students, but it was determined that his response was not needed as the committee was satisfied with the information provided.
HB770: Steve Applebe, Department of Education Information Only00:55:08.240 - 9:23:59 AM; Steve Applebe from the Department of Education testified that they missed the deadline to submit a fiscal note for HB770 but had a revised fiscal note dated February 3. He explained that implementing the proposed system would require at least three full-time staff members, with costs estimated at $150,000 a year. The total staff needed is indeterminant due to unknown numbers of eligible students. Additionally, a tracking system would need to be set up and maintained. This stems from the bill's requirement for the Department of Education to adopt rules and develop forms for volunteer sites, participating schools, and higher education institutions.
HB770: Representative Spillsbury Information Only00:57:30.359 - 9:26:21 AM; Representative Spillsbury asked if the Department of Education would be responsible for approving volunteer sites and maintaining a statewide master list, to which Steve Applebe confirmed. He also highlighted the extensive job of gathering and tabulating such information.
HB770: Representative Fellows Information Only00:58:16.400 - 9:27:07 AM; Representative Fellows inquired about how the proposed program would coordinate with existing incentives for high school students to attend higher education in New Hampshire. Steve Applebe responded that there are no statewide programs administered by his office, though there may be local college-level programs.
HB770: Representative Damon Information Only00:59:24.280 - 9:28:15 AM; Representative Damon questioned the 1253 number of high school seniors used in calculations, asking if it assumed all would stay in New Hampshire for state-funded higher education. Steve Applebe explained it was a worst-case scenario and that they lacked data on how many actually stay in-state for higher education but could provide such data to the committee.
Unclear: Steve Applebe, Department of Education Information Only01:31:16.480 - 10:00:07 AM; Steve Applebe provided background on the Higher Education Commission, formerly known as the Postsecondary Education Commission, which was renamed in 2011. The commission's responsibilities include rule-making for private colleges, licensing postsecondary vocational career schools, approving new colleges for degree-granting authority, and administering a small scholarship for orphans of veterans. He explained the composition of the commission and the issue with non-statutory positions where members must formally resign for the governor's office to appoint a replacement. The bill aims to address this by striking language that allows members to stay on the commission until they resign, even if they move out of state or become incapacitated. Applebe suggested more work on the wording to avoid unintended consequences.
Unclear: Representative F Information Only01:34:55.239 - 10:03:46 AM; Representative F expressed concerns about the proposed changes to the Higher Education Commission. He noted that the current statute allows members to serve beyond their five-year term until a successor is appointed, which the bill aims to change. However, his concern was that the bill might not address the problem of mid-term vacancies effectively. He suggested eliminating the commission and transferring its authorities to the Commissioner of Education, but raised questions about the feasibility and responsibilities involved. He also questioned the scope of the commission's authority and the impact of approving colleges both domestically and internationally.
Unclear: Steve Applebe, Department of Education Information Only01:42:01.920 - 10:10:52 AM; Steve Applebe responded to Representative F's questions by detailing the responsibilities of the Higher Education Commission, including approving colleges for degree-granting authority, overseeing vocational career schools, administering scholarships, and rule-making. He explained the process of reviewing new colleges and the change in accreditation rules by NEI, which has reduced the likelihood of approving foreign institutions. He emphasized the importance of the commission's role in ensuring the standards of higher education institutions.
HB718: Rick Lad, Hale, NH, representing Grafton 5 Support02:00:37.800 - 10:29:28 AM; Representative Rick Lad introduced HB 718, emphasizing the need for the State Board of Education to report the financial impact on school districts of rules that exceed state or federal minimum standards. He highlighted the issue of deregulation and the broad authority given to the Department of Education for rule-making, which he believes can lead to unfunded mandates on school districts. Lad provided examples from existing reports and forms used by the State Board, suggesting that an additional column detailing financial impacts could be beneficial. He stressed the importance of understanding these costs, especially in the context of declining demographics and funding challenges, and is open to amending the bill to reflect 'additional financial impact' instead of 'unfunded' to clarify the legislative intent and ease the burden on the State Board.
HB718: Carol McGuire, representing Jael car Information Only02:09:53.960 - 10:38:44 AM; Representative Carol McGuire, who is stepping down from her position as chair or vice chair of Jael car, discussed the process of rule-making and the potential for fiscal notes in the context of education rules. She highlighted the transition of leadership to Representative Lon and the complexities involved in determining the financial impact of rules on different school districts. McGuire suggested that the Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA) or similar body might be involved in creating fiscal notes for such rules.
HB718: Representative Damon, representing unspecified district Information Only02:11:12.440 - 10:40:03 AM; Representative Damon raised concerns about the financial impact of rules on different school districts, questioning whether the proposed bill seeks a summary number or a detailed breakdown of the impact across all districts. He pointed out the challenges in assessing the impact, given the size differences between districts like Manchester and smaller ones like Cuden.
HB718: Representative Ames, representing unspecified district Information Only02:14:22.000 - 10:43:13 AM; Representative Ames discussed the concept of fiscal notes and their potential applicability to rule-making in education. He questioned whether the model of fiscal notes could be used flexibly in this context, suggesting it might help in understanding the financial implications of new rules without requiring a hard number.
HB718: Representative Fellows, representing unspecified district Information Only02:17:28.160 - 10:46:19 AM; Representative Fellows supported the idea of assessing the financial impact of rules but suggested it could be done through a statement rather than a precise number. He used the example of changing the age for special education to illustrate how such statements could inform districts about potential costs.
HB718: Drew Klein, Chairman of the State Board of Education Information Only02:23:53.319 - 10:52:44 AM; Drew Klein, Chairman of the State Board of Education, emphasized that the board works diligently to align rules with statutory authority and does not exceed it. He noted the board does not have the resources to conduct financial impact analyses but acknowledged the importance of considering costs to districts. Klein suggested that a financial impact analysis could potentially lead to fewer rules if significant costs were identified.
HB718: Bonnie Dunham, Marac, NH Oppose02:31:39.680 - 11:00:30 AM; Bonnie Dunham, from Marac, NH, expressed strong opposition to the bill, emphasizing the importance of considering the lives of children with disabilities. She criticized the bill for focusing solely on the financial cost without considering the benefits, such as increased employment and educational opportunities for those with disabilities. Dunham argued that the bill could stigmatize children with disabilities by focusing only on costs and not on the long-term savings and societal benefits.
HB771: Rick Lad, Havil, NH, representing Grafton 5 Information Only03:40:44.800 - 12:09:35 PM; Rick Lad, from Havil, NH, and representing Grafton 5, introduced HB 771 as a co-sponsor. He explained the existing open enrollment school program established in 2009, which allows students to attend schools outside their district on a tuition basis. Lad highlighted the changes proposed by the bill, particularly focusing on the requirement for schools to establish a line item in their operating budget for open enrollment tuition. He noted the potential difficulty in estimating these expenditures but supported the concept of open enrollment for its cost efficiencies and educational benefits.
HB771: Representative Ames, NH Information Only03:47:49.199 - 12:16:40 PM; Representative Ames asked for clarification on how the bill differs from existing arrangements in small towns where schools do not offer all grade levels and instead pay tuition to other schools. They specifically inquired about whether these schools are open enrollment and how the proposed legislation would impact such arrangements. They also questioned the financial implications of the bill, particularly focusing on the requirement that the sending district pays at least 80% of its average cost per pupil to the receiving district, and whether this could lead to a scenario where the receiving school's costs per student are significantly higher than those of the sending district.
HB771: Representative Pap Miller, NH Information Only03:52:18.399 - 12:21:09 PM; Representative Pap Miller asked if the bill forces any school to become an open enrollment school, to which the response was negative. They also discussed the complexities of managing accounts for students transferring between schools, emphasizing the challenges of estimating costs and managing budgets under the proposed system.
HB771: Representative Kofalt, NH Information Only03:53:56.479 - 12:22:47 PM; Representative Kofalt inquired about the potential impact of the bill on Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, specifically how it could benefit students interested in CTE by facilitating easier access to these programs through open enrollment.
HB771: Representative Fellows, NH Information Only03:54:43.040 - 12:23:34 PM; Representative Fellows discussed the budgetary implications of the bill, focusing on the language regarding estimated expenditures. They expressed concern over how the requirement to include an 'estimated expenditure' could complicate budgeting, especially if the sending district cannot predict the number of students opting for open enrollment.
HB771: Representative McQuire, NH Information Only03:57:35.880 - 12:26:26 PM; Representative McQuire questioned who determines the amount of money sent from the sending district to the receiving district, pointing out the vagueness of the bill's language about paying 'not less than 80%' of the sending district's cost. They also raised concerns about the potential for open enrollment schools to receive students with high costs, which might not be fully covered by the sending district's payment.
HB771: Representative Dan, NH Information Only04:01:01.239 - 12:29:52 PM; Representative Dan asked about the fiscal impact on the sending district if a significant number of students choose open enrollment, particularly if this does not result in cost savings for the sending district due to unchanged classroom numbers. They discussed potential additional costs due to tuition payments without corresponding reductions in operational costs.
HB771: Bar Christino, Executive Director of the New Hampshire School Boards Association Oppose04:02:47.920 - 12:31:38 PM; Bar Christino expressed opposition to HB 771, emphasizing the need for the committee to consider a pending case before the New Hampshire Supreme Court. This case involves the obligations of school districts that have not adopted the Open Enrollment statute yet are affected by students transferring to districts that have. Christino highlighted that there is only one open enrollment school currently in the state, and the matter at hand involves differing interpretations of the statute between a hearings officer and the State Board of Education. He argued that until the Supreme Court clarifies the tuition obligations for non-adopting districts, no changes should be made to the statute. Additionally, he critiqued the fiscal aspects of the bill, particularly the requirement for districts to establish a budget line item for open enrollment tuitions, questioning its necessity for districts that haven't adopted the statute.
HB771: Representative Earth Information Only04:06:35.279 - 12:35:26 PM; Representative Earth asked Bar Christino about his concerns with the current law as it stands, separate from the proposed changes. Christino responded by stating that the statute is unclear in some areas, which might have led to the current litigation. He mentioned an instance from years ago where a school district sought to become an open enrollment school but received a legal opinion contrary to what the State Board later ruled.
HB771: Representative Guire Information Only04:07:58.920 - 12:36:49 PM; Representative Guire questioned the rationale behind waiting for the Supreme Court's decision rather than clarifying the law through amendments. Christino acknowledged that the legislature could amend the law but pointed out that differing interpretations could still arise. He clarified that the main issue is whether a district that has not adopted the Open Enrollment statute must pay tuition to a district that has.
HB771: Representative Ames Information Only04:09:34.720 - 12:38:25 PM; Representative Ames requested more information on the pending litigation to better understand the issue. Christino offered to reach out to the attorney involved to gather and share relevant documents. He also clarified his use of the word 'poach' to avoid implying any wrongdoing, suggesting 'actively solicit' as a more appropriate term.
HB771: Representative Damon Information Only04:11:03.119 - 12:39:54 PM; Representative Damon inquired about the New Hampshire School Boards Association's perspective on increasing the number of open enrollment schools. Christino stated that if two districts want to enter into an open enrollment agreement, that is their prerogative as it must be authorized by the voters.
HB771: Representative Pap Information Only04:11:51.080 - 12:40:42 PM; Representative Pap sought clarification on whether the concern was about the solicitation of students or simply the transfer to another district. Christino explained that the concern was about the State Board of Education's interpretation of the statute, which could have significant statewide ramifications, specifically regarding whether a sending district must also adopt the Open Enrollment statute for a student to transfer.
HB771: David Trumble, from the town of Ware Oppose04:14:14.560 - 12:43:05 PM; David Trumble expressed concerns about HB 771, stating he was not an expert but shared common concerns with the bill's sponsor. He highlighted three main issues: the requirement for a line item in every district's budget, which he believes forces all districts to be sending districts; the addition of the term 'open enrollment program,' which he fears could lead to online education replacing traditional classroom learning; and the general notion of open enrollment, arguing that it should not be expanded until every child has access to a good education. He used examples to illustrate disparities in school funding and proficiency across different towns in New Hampshire, suggesting that expanding open enrollment could exacerbate these disparities.
HB771: Timothy Robinson, Pittsfield Oppose04:21:54.600 - 12:50:45 PM; Timothy Robinson, a resident and member of the Pittsfield School Board, spoke in opposition to HB 771. He expressed concerns about the fairness of RSA 194D to taxpayers and the lack of local control over school budgets. He highlighted the issue of taxpayers being required to pay for students to attend schools outside their district without having voted on it. Robinson criticized the details of the bill, suggesting it reinforces issues seen in a recent Department of Education opinion. He also mentioned the impact on smaller districts like Pittsfield, emphasizing the loss of local control and the potential financial strain without caps on tuition costs. He concluded by stating that the legislation undermines the concept of New England town meeting local control.
HB665: Uriel Hall, Bow and Hooksett District 9 Support04:31:11.159 - 1:00:02 PM; Uriel Hall, representing Bow and Hooksett District 9, introduced HB 665 to increase eligibility for free school meals to household incomes up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines. He emphasized the importance of feeding children to improve their educational environment, citing a study committee's recommendation to expand eligibility. Hall noted the impact of high inflation on low-income families and the bipartisan agreement on the need to expand meal eligibility. He highlighted the benefits of the bill, including reducing food insecurity and supporting student health and learning.
HB665: Timothy Oregon, Strafford County District 10, Durham Support04:38:09.599 - 1:07:00 PM; Timothy Oregon from Strafford County District 10, Durham, expressed support for HB 665, noting he had co-sponsored similar bills in the past. He discussed the fiscal note indicating a cost of about $48 million, which he believes is a worthwhile investment in feeding children and supporting working families. Oregon suggested that the bill could be expanded further in future budget cycles and emphasized that it does not affect the existing school funding formula.
HB665: Nancy Vongh, American Heart Association Support04:42:01.280 - 1:10:52 PM; Nancy Vongh, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, supported HB 665, stating that access to nutritious school meals is vital for improving children's health and readiness to learn. She explained that the bill would increase eligibility for free meals, close the gap for low and moderate-income families, and reduce school meal debt. Vongh proposed funding the bill through a cigarette tax increase outlined in another bill and highlighted the broader benefits of the legislation on students' nutrition and academic success.
HB665: Rhiana Cor, New Hampshire Hunger Solutions Support04:49:35.760 - 1:18:26 PM; Rhiana Cor from New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, a clinical nutritionist, supported HB 665. She addressed previous questions about the nutritional content of school meals, explaining that meals provided under the federal program are fortified with necessary nutrients. She clarified that the funding formula for schools would not be affected by the bill as it adheres to federal guidelines. Cor emphasized the importance of the bill in reducing food insecurity and improving student health.
HB665: Rhiana Cor, New Hampshire Hunger Solutions Support04:49:35.760 - 1:18:26 PM; Rhiana Cor, representing New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, supports HB 665. She oversees child nutrition work and works directly with schools across New Hampshire to increase free and reduced meal applications, SNAP enrollment, and school budget appropriations. She emphasized that 39% of children in New Hampshire live in households reporting insufficient food. Despite the distribution of over 17 million pounds of food by the New Hampshire Food Bank, the need remains unmet. Rhiana highlighted the nutritional benefits of school meals, which are designed to meet USDA and state nutritional standards, helping children grow and learn better. She noted that the bill would reduce administrative burdens and school meal debt, particularly citing the Concord School District's high meal debt. She mentioned a fiscal policy report indicating that families earning between $35,000 and $97,000 annually are struggling, and the bill would help support these families.
HB665: Mike Appleberg, United Way of Greater Nashua Support04:55:55.160 - 1:24:46 PM; Mike Appleberg from United Way of Greater Nashua supports HB 665, stating that it is crucial to ensure no child goes hungry at school due to their family's income slightly exceeding the assistance threshold. He provided statistics showing that a family of four must earn less than $39,000 for free school meals and up to $55,000 for reduced-price meals, which HB 665 aims to increase to $90,000. He mentioned that in Nashua alone, over 1,500 students currently receive reduced-price meals, and this bill would automatically move them into the free category, eliminating barriers and stigma. He emphasized the academic and economic benefits of well-nourished students and urged support for the bill, highlighting its modest investment with significant returns.
HB665: Joanne Burke, Newmarket Support05:03:34.160 - 1:32:25 PM; Joanne Burke from Newmarket strongly supports HB 665. As a mother, health professional, and former nutrition professional at the University of New Hampshire, she cited data from the Economic Benefits of Child Nutrition report of 2024, which shows improved health and well-being from school nutrition. She referenced the Rockefeller Foundation and Center for Good Food Purchasing's findings on the economic benefits of school meal programs outweighing costs. Burke argued that the federal poverty level is artificially low and does not reflect the true cost of living, using MIT's cost of living data to support her point. She stressed that HB 665 would help working families by freeing up money for other necessities and reducing school meal debt. She expressed a wish for universal meals but sees 300% of poverty as a good start and urged the committee to vote in favor of the bill.
HB665: Maguire Information Only05:09:39.760 - 1:38:30 PM; Maguire addressed the committee with concerns about child malnutrition and the economic challenges faced by families. They highlighted the rising cost of housing and its impact on the ability of families to afford nutritious food, especially those at the federal poverty level. Maguire pointed out that more nutritious food is more expensive, and families often have to choose less healthy options due to budget constraints. They also discussed the ripple effect of school meal programs on the economy, suggesting that when children are adequately fed, families have more disposable income for other necessities. Maguire noted the lack of specific data on children from families just above the income threshold for school lunch programs, but emphasized that these families are likely struggling as well, suggesting that the proposed bill could help address these gaps.
HB665: Unknown Speaker Information Only05:16:11.120 - 1:45:02 PM; The speaker responded to a question about the nutritional content of school meals, specifically mentioning items like cheesy bites marinara and Scooby-Doo graham crackers. They explained that meals purchased through the federal food nutrition program must meet specific criteria for sodium, fat, protein, and carbs, though they acknowledged a desire for even more nutritious options. They emphasized that the vendor must comply with these federal standards.
HB665: Deborah House, American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire Support05:17:50.558 - 1:46:41 PM; Deborah House, representing the American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire, spoke in support of HB665. She emphasized the importance of feeding students in school to address food insecurity, which affects nearly 40% of children in New Hampshire. House highlighted how hunger impacts learning and behavior in school, and how teachers often use their own resources to provide snacks for students. She discussed the issue of lunch debt and how it discourages families from allowing their children to participate in school meal programs. House supported expanding eligibility to 300% of the poverty level to help more families and improve student performance and school attendance.
HB665: David Trumble Support05:24:19.958 - 1:53:10 PM; David Trumble expressed support for HB665, citing the benefits of well-fed children, including reduced absenteeism, lower special education rates, and improved academic performance. He compared the bill's proposed 300% poverty level to the 350% level used for the EFA program, arguing that the annual eligibility requirement in HB665 is fairer. Trumble also addressed concerns about meal quality, noting federal guidelines and the potential for schools to improve meal nutrition. He criticized the lack of oversight in the EFA program and emphasized the importance of access to meals for all children, including those with special needs.
HB665: Representative Spillbury Information Only05:36:40.878 - 2:05:31 PM; Representative Spillbury introduced HB665, which aims to establish a joint legislative committee to assess and recommend changes to the state's public education funding, particularly focusing on reducing the burden on local real property taxes. The committee would consist of members from both the House and Senate, specifically from the Ways and Means, Education Funding, and Finance Committees. Spillbury highlighted the need for a long-term strategy to rebalance revenue sources, mentioning potential options such as income or sales taxes. However, he expressed uncertainty about the necessity of the bill, suggesting further discussion closer to March 20th. He emphasized the complexity of current funding sources and the need for a comprehensive approach rather than reactive legislative measures.
HB665: Representative McGuire Information Only05:41:38.240 - 2:10:29 PM; Representative McGuire questioned whether the bill's purpose would allow for funding the Department of Health and Human Services with property tax and non-property tax into education, which Spillbury clarified was not the intention. McGuire pointed out the disproportionate burden on real property taxes, particularly in towns like Charlestown and Newport, and supported exploring alternative revenue sources to alleviate this burden. He also mentioned the potential of reinstating fiscal capacity disparity aid as a way to address funding disparities without new taxes.
HB665: Representative Ames Support05:44:45.200 - 2:13:36 PM; Representative Ames expressed support for the concept of a committee focused on breaking through the impasse in education funding. He acknowledged the potential usefulness of the committee, especially if other proposals do not make significant progress. He suggested that the committee should operate above partisan politics and recommended clarifying the appointing authority and representation balance. Ames also raised the issue of the committee's role in relation to the recently split Education Committee and the need to consider the organizational and governance aspects of education alongside funding.
HB665: Representative Fellows Support05:56:30.120 - 2:25:21 PM; Representative Fellows supported the idea of the study committee and inquired if Spillbury was aware of a similar effort about 26 years ago post-Claremont ruling. He suggested that the dynamics of revenue sources have changed significantly since then, particularly due to the internet, and asked if this could serve as a model for the current proposal. Spillbury was not aware of the study but appreciated the historical context.
HB665: Representative Burton Oppose05:57:41.478 - 2:26:32 PM; Representative Burton, who had witnessed a previous attempt at solving the education funding issue 40 years ago, criticized the bill for not addressing the cost of education directly but only focusing on how to spread the costs. He argued that determining the cost of education should precede discussions on funding sources, suggesting that the current approach might fail as it did in the past. Spillbury responded that other bills were addressing the spending side, and this bill was focused on the sourcing side.
HB665: Representative Kcom Information Only06:00:01.280 - 2:28:52 PM; Representative Kcom sought clarification on whether the 'spending side' referred to state funding or school district budgets. Spillbury clarified it was about state funds to assist districts. Kcom then suggested including provisions in the bill to control school district expenses to ensure a more uniform cost of adequate education across the state. Spillbury agreed that considering conditions and limitations on funding sources could be part of the discussion.

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