Committee Summary for House Education Funding (05/06/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB98 01:01:36.559 - 9:59:58 AM	General Working Session	extending the donations to regional career and technical education center programs.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB294 01:04:08.079 - 10:02:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to lab fees for career and technical education courses.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025
SB195 1938H 01:24:21.080 - 10:22:43 AM	Executive Session	(New TItle) relative to the composition and duties of the New Hampshire advisory council on career and technical education.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025

SB98: Representative Peoples Support01:01:36.559 - 9:59:58 AM; Representative Peoples made a motion to OTP (Ought to Pass) on SB98, stating that extending the ability for industry and others to donate money to the CTE program is in everyone's best interest.
SB98: Representative Luno Support01:01:36.559 - 9:59:58 AM; Representative Luno seconded the OTP motion on SB98, supporting the bill and highlighting the importance of allowing donations to CTE programs.
SB294: Representative Peoples Oppose01:04:08.079 - 10:02:30 AM; Representative Peoples moved to ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) SB294, arguing that the bill creates an unequal proposition for students from sending and receiving districts in paying lab fees, which he finds discriminatory.
SB294: Representative Luno Oppose01:05:28.400 - 10:03:50 AM; Representative Luno disagreed with the ITL motion, arguing that SB294 does not set up an unequal policy but rather requires that lab fees be addressed in the regional technology agreement. He believes this should not be a surprise cost to families and should be upfront in the agreement.
SB294: Representative Fellows Information Only01:06:34.400 - 10:04:56 AM; Representative Fellows clarified that the bill does not mandate who pays the lab fees but requires that they be included in the agreement. He noted that lab fees could be part of the tuition and are not unreasonable, especially for certain CTE courses.
SB294: Chairman Lad Information Only01:07:40.319 - 10:06:02 AM; Chairman Lad discussed the funding challenges of the CTE programs, mentioning the existing $9 million budget for tuition and transportation. He expressed concern about adding lab fees to this budget, questioning the funding source and the fairness between sending and receiving students.
SB294: Representative Damon Information Only01:08:55.920 - 10:07:17 AM; Representative Damon questioned the current payment structure for lab fees, suggesting that the bill should clarify who is responsible for lab fees. He noted that there is no current law addressing lab fees for sending or receiving districts.
SB294: Representative Kofal Oppose01:12:42.880 - 10:11:04 AM; Representative Kofal opposed the bill, stating that it mandates lab fees to be paid by the sending or regional school, creating an unfunded mandate and an unlevel playing field between in-district and out-of-district students.
SB294: Representative Pelos Information Only01:13:48.000 - 10:12:10 AM; Representative Pelos sought clarification on how tuition rates are set and whether lab fees could be included within the existing tuition cap without the need for the bill.
SB294: Representative Luno Oppose01:16:14.719 - 10:14:36 AM; Representative Luno argued against requiring students to pay lab fees, suggesting it could deter participation in CTE programs. He felt that lab fees should be treated similarly to tuition and transportation, which are covered by the sending school.
SB294: Representative Ellis Information Only01:19:56.080 - 10:18:18 AM; Representative Ellis requested more information from the Department of Education on tuition rates and fee structures before voting on the bill.
SB294: Representative Kofal Information Only01:20:52.320 - 10:19:14 AM; Representative Kofal believed they had enough information to vote on the bill and suggested that further clarification could be sought for potential future legislation.
SB294: Representative Damon Information Only01:20:52.320 - 10:19:14 AM; Representative Damon suggested deferring the vote to get more information from the Department of Education, noting the deadline to deal with remaining bills was May 29th.
SB195 1938H: Representative Lad Support01:24:21.080 - 10:22:43 AM; Representative Lad moved to OTP on SB195 and introduced amendment 1938H, which he discussed by walking through a side-by-side comparison of the current law, the original bill, and the amendment. The amendment removed a representative from the New Hampshire Business for Social Responsibility from the advisory council.
SB195 1938H: Unidentified Speaker Information Only01:28:35.679 - 10:26:57 AM; The speaker discussed the changes proposed in amendment 1938H to SB195. They highlighted that the amendment changes the appointment process of council members from being nominated by trade associations to being appointed by the commissioner of education, which aligns with current law. The amendment also maintains the role of a high school counselor and addresses legislative members' mileage at the legislative rate, and terms of membership to ensure council stability. The council's responsibilities are adjusted to focus on studying career and technical education (CTE) and making recommendations without directly engaging in rulemaking or legislation, which is seen as overreaching in the original bill. The amendment also combines access and delivery of CTE into one section and emphasizes the need to assess annually business and industry needs to align CTE with workforce demands. Additionally, the amendment changes the quorum requirement from seven to eight due to an increase in council members to 17, and it modifies the reporting requirement to remove the word 'legislation'.
SB195 1938H: Representative Damon Oppose01:35:51.840 - 10:34:13 AM; Representative Damon expressed disappointment and concern over the removal of a representative from New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) from the council. They argued that NHBSR's inclusion would enhance the council's understanding of sustainability, environmental impacts, and inclusivity in business practices. NHBSR's membership includes well-respected companies across various industries, and their exclusion was seen as a loss to the council's comprehensiveness.
SB195 1938H: Clerk Information Only01:38:14.000 - 10:36:36 AM; The clerk conducted a roll call vote on amendment 1938H to SB195, resulting in a 10-8 approval of the amendment.
SB195 1938H: Representative Lad Support01:39:08.480 - 10:37:30 AM; Representative Lad moved to pass SB195 with amendment 1938H as Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA). The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 17-1, with Representative Bricky voting no. Representative Lad will write the report, and there will be a minority report. The bill was marked for the consent calendar.
SB195 1938H: Unidentified Speaker Information Only01:41:02.320 - 10:39:24 AM; The speaker announced the conclusion of the executive session on SB195 and moved on to discuss the next bills, SB99 and SB20.
SB195 1938H: Unidentified Speaker Information Only01:42:17.520 - 10:40:39 AM; The speaker expressed concerns about the proposed amendment to SB195, particularly regarding part-time students in CTE programs. They highlighted potential issues with transportation to CTE schools, questioning whether the costs would be borne by the student or the school district. They also raised questions about the allocation of funds from a $9 million pot, the applicability of the formula to Vermont CTE centers, and the fairness of different treatments for New Hampshire students attending CTE programs in different states. Additionally, they mentioned unresolved questions about the integration of Carl Perkins funding and the 75/25 cost split. The speaker suggested forming a subcommittee to further discuss these issues and proposed scheduling a meeting for the following week.
SB195 1938H: Unidentified Speaker Information Only01:43:24.320 - 10:41:46 AM; The speaker continued to discuss logistical and financial concerns related to SB195, including the potential for students to participate in sports at the receiving school and how that might affect their status as part-time students. They emphasized the need for more clarity and proposed that the committee should not take action on the bill that day but instead schedule a work session for the following week, suggesting dates such as the 13th, 14th, or 15th.
SB195 1938H: Unidentified Speaker Information Only01:48:51.760 - 10:47:13 AM; The speaker discussed the scheduling of a future work session for SB195, considering the availability of committee members. They settled on the 20th at 10 AM for the work session, which would be followed by a possible executive session for both SB195 and another bill, SB209. They also mentioned the need to address other bills and set up subcommittees for topics like building aid, higher education, special education, and adequacy.
SB195 1938H: Unidentified Speaker Information Only01:50:22.080 - 10:48:44 AM; The speaker confirmed the scheduling of the work session for SB195 and SB209 on the 20th, followed by a potential executive session. They also mentioned upcoming floor sessions and the need to conclude committee business by mid-June. The meeting was then adjourned.

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