Committee Summary for House Education Funding (11/13/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB656 2024-02933h 00:12:50.399 - 12:09:41 PM	General Working Session	relative to the authority of local school districts to accept federal grants.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2024
HB665 00:41:51.440 - 12:38:42 PM	General Working Session	relative to eligibility for free school meals.	Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2024
HB729 00:45:21.599 - 12:42:12 PM	General Working Session	making an appropriation to the department of education for an attorney to recodify education laws.	Hill, Gregory(R)[A]2024
HB204 00:54:34.960 - 12:51:25 PM	General Working Session	relative to criteria for reporting child support delinquencies to federal agencies.	Spillane, James(R)[A]2024
HB112 3095h 01:38:00.480 - 1:34:51 PM	Executive Session	requiring students in the university and community college systems of New Hampshire to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
HB112 3095h 01:58:52.480 - 1:55:43 PM	Executive Session	requiring students in the university and community college systems of New Hampshire to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
HB295 02:01:25.440 - 1:58:16 PM	Executive Session	making school building aid program funds nonlapsing.	Cahill, Michael(D)[CT]2024
HB366 2025-3082h 02:10:40.159 - 2:07:31 PM	Executive Session	relative to school building aid for eligible projects.	Cahill, Michael(D)[CT]2024
HB443 02:38:47.600 - 2:35:38 PM	Executive Session	relative to terms of appointed members on the higher education commission.	Cordelli, Glenn(R)[A-]2024
HB491 02:41:15.439 - 2:38:06 PM	Executive Session	establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.	Spilsbury, Walter(R)[B+]2024
HB510 2024-3092h 02:45:30.479 - 2:42:21 PM	Executive Session	relative to establishing certain due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members facing disciplinary actions by state institutions of higher learning.	Lynn, Bob(R)[A]2024
HB651 02:58:01.200 - 2:54:52 PM	Executive Session	modifying the base cost and differential aid costs of an adequate education.	Luneau, David(D)[CT]2024
HB656 2024-2933h 03:02:50.000 - 2:59:41 PM	Executive Session	relative to the authority of local school districts to accept federal grants.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2024
HB665 03:06:50.080 - 3:03:41 PM	Executive Session	relative to eligibility for free school meals.	Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2024
HB729 03:09:57.920 - 3:06:48 PM	Executive Session	making an appropriation to the department of education for an attorney to recodify education laws.	Hill, Gregory(R)[A]2024
HB734 03:12:15.760 - 3:09:06 PM	Executive Session	relative to the state education property tax and the low- and moderate-income homeowners property tax relief program.	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2024
HB742 03:15:42.800 - 3:12:33 PM	Executive Session	requiring catastrophic special education state aid funding to be drawn from the education trust fund.	Luneau, David(D)[CT]2024
HB772 03:22:46.640 - 3:19:37 PM	Executive Session	establishing a foundation opportunity budget program for funding public education.	Luneau, David(D)[CT]2024
SB204 03:25:54.239 - 3:22:45 PM	Executive Session	relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024

HB656 2024-02933h: Chair (Representative) Information Only00:12:50.399 - 12:09:41 PM; The Chair introduces the work session on HB656, explains the bill's purpose for transparency in accepting federal grants, and details the amendment which replaces the original bill. The amendment requires annual reports to include summaries of anticipated state and federal funds with obligations, deems unreported funds as unanticipated, and mandates notices and minutes to include fund identifiers and obligation summaries to ensure public awareness of any matching requirements or in-kind contributions.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Damon Information Only00:17:07.119 - 12:13:58 PM; Representative Damon questions the Chair's statement that all grant funds are unanticipated, noting that some like fiscal capacity aid, extraordinary needs grants, Title I, Title II, and IDEA are anticipated and part of adequacy funding.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Papovich Support00:18:30.720 - 12:15:21 PM; Representative Papovich clarifies that the amendment addresses confusion by requiring anticipated funds to be listed in the annual report, with the rest treated as unanticipated, ensuring transparency without applying to already reported grants.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Fellows Oppose00:19:37.760 - 12:16:28 PM; Representative Fellows expresses concern about summarizing obligations, citing the 16-page federal assurances document and grant-specific requirements, arguing it would overburden reports without necessity.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Papovich Support00:20:41.200 - 12:17:32 PM; Representative Papovich supports publishing obligations for transparency, noting the annual report is optional reading and essential for understanding strings attached to federal funding.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Bricky Oppose00:21:49.760 - 12:18:40 PM; Representative Bricky argues that adding pages to annual reports increases printing costs, potentially bankrupting districts in tough financial times, especially with lengthy general assurances.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Kokan Information Only00:22:59.120 - 12:19:50 PM; Representative Kokan asks the sponsor to clarify intentions for 'obligations'—whether financial, curriculum, or all—and suggests tightening verbiage to avoid unnecessary inclusions.
HB656 2024-02933h: Chair (Representative) Support00:24:04.720 - 12:20:55 PM; The Chair explains the amendment's focus on transparency for matching funds or labor obligations, drawing from personal experiences in county and town roles, emphasizing the value of informing communities despite minor printing costs.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Kofel Support00:25:03.520 - 12:21:54 PM; Representative Kofel notes it's a summary and bullet points, not full details, with grant identifiers for further research, highlighting shocking obligations found in past municipal grants and the need for public hearings on unanticipated funds.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Phill Support00:26:04.559 - 12:22:55 PM; Representative Phill supports summaries as cues to prompt further inquiry into obligations without bureaucratic burden.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Phills Information Only00:27:17.360 - 12:24:08 PM; Representative Phills suggests posting grant applications and obligations on district websites instead of annual reports for easier access and to avoid summarization disputes.
HB656 2024-02933h: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:28:39.120 - 12:25:30 PM; Proposes requiring the Department of Education to publish a list of common federal grants and obligations, linking it in reports to reduce district workload since obligations are uniform.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Gold Support00:29:52.640 - 12:26:43 PM; Representative Gold suggests using AI like ChatGPT to quickly summarize multi-page contracts, prioritizing major obligations.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Bricky Information Only00:31:02.960 - 12:27:53 PM; Representative Bricky questions if the bill targets specific grants like federal or private, asking what the sponsor and Representative Parnell had in mind.
HB656 2024-02933h: Chair (Representative) Information Only00:32:10.720 - 12:29:01 PM; The Chair shares an example from Haverhill, NH, where grant-funded bridge work required town manager oversight, creating community unawareness of labor obligations, and advocates for broad application without narrowing to grant types.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Bilsbury Support00:33:13.679 - 12:30:04 PM; Representative Bilsbury emphasizes the bill applies only to unanticipated funds, informing hearing attendees for informed votes without overcomplicating.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Kolk Support00:34:11.839 - 12:31:02 PM; Representative Kolk supports transparency, citing personal experiences questioning school boards on federal grant costs and obligations, noting incomplete funding information at budget sessions.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Fellows Information Only00:35:15.599 - 12:32:06 PM; Representative Fellows clarifies federal grants don't cost districts extra but fund specific uses like reading teachers; public concern should focus on spending plans, not assurances.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Papovich Support00:36:19.520 - 12:33:10 PM; Representative Papovich stresses the bill ensures disclosure of strings attached to any grant, preventing past dysfunction from hidden obligations and enabling informed voter decisions.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Kofalt Support00:37:21.440 - 12:34:12 PM; Representative Kofalt warns of grants creating temporary positions that become permanent liabilities, reinforcing transparency via summaries and identifiers for public input on unanticipated funds.
HB656 2024-02933h: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:38:23.440 - 12:35:14 PM; An unnamed representative supports transparency but questions annual report utility, noting in their town it's distributed on voting day without prior access.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Well Oppose00:39:30.640 - 12:36:21 PM; Representative Well concludes the bill and amendment aren't ready, raising unresolved questions on 'summary' definitions; suggests public input time as no urgency exists.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Damon Oppose00:40:43.280 - 12:37:34 PM; Representative Damon agrees it's premature without public or Department of Education input, needing district feedback on implementation.
HB656 2024-02933h: Representative Burton Information Only00:41:51.440 - 12:38:42 PM; Representative Burton, a town counselor in Durham, NH, states he wouldn't decide without consulting colleagues or administrators on local impacts.
HB665: Representative Damon Support00:41:51.440 - 12:38:42 PM; Representative Damon strongly supports expanding eligibility to 300% of federal poverty guidelines, noting heightened food security awareness; corrects fiscal note overestimation by clarifying one meal per day, suggesting breakfast for lower cost and nutritional benefits.
HB665: Representative Hall Support00:44:08.480 - 12:40:59 PM; Representative Hall, a 40-year educator, emphasizes feeding kids' importance for health, stability, and focus on studies, reducing worry about meals.
HB665: Representative Kian Support00:45:21.599 - 12:42:12 PM; Representative Kian, a 31-year Title I teacher, shares how free breakfast transformed high-poverty students' days and classroom behavior.
HB665: Representative Damon Support00:59:22.559 - 12:56:13 PM; Representative Damon refutes $7 million fiscal note, citing 45% breakfast and 70% lunch participation rates, 10-24% absenteeism; highlights benefits like reduced special education and dropouts, offers amendment to exclude new eligibles from adequacy formula.
HB665: Representative Papovich Information Only01:00:09.040 - 12:57:00 PM; Representative Papovich seeks clarification on absenteeism stats: whether 10-24% miss school daily or annually.
HB665: Laura Milin (Hunger Solutions) Support01:02:10.079 - 12:59:01 PM; Laura Milin notes the fiscal note is outdated from Senate amendments removing online applications and making participation optional, lowering costs; confirms raising eligibility doesn't affect state funding formula tied to federal levels.
HB729: Chair (Representative) Oppose00:45:21.599 - 12:42:12 PM; The Chair, co-sponsor, discusses recodifying contradictory education statutes but doubts $100,000 suffices for the complex task; notes loss of experienced legislative attorneys and over 1,000 filed bills make timing poor.
HB729: Representative Fellows Information Only00:47:49.040 - 12:44:40 PM; Representative Fellows agrees, suggesting tackling statutes in small chunks, like specific sections, incrementally.
HB729: Representative Papovich Oppose00:49:01.599 - 12:45:52 PM; Representative Papovich recommends compiling known conflicts first using legislators' time before funding attorneys at high rates; calls the full recodification a futile, expensive task unlikely to complete for $100,000.
HB729: Chair (Representative) Oppose00:51:10.559 - 12:48:01 PM; The Chair laments the herculean task across cooperative districts, SAUs, adequacy, etc., lacking resources, money, and time despite desire to fix issues like charter school conflicts.
HB729: Representative Damon Oppose00:52:33.760 - 12:49:24 PM; Representative Damon agrees resources are insufficient now, urges deliberate legislative language to avoid worsening uncertainty.
HB729: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:53:37.359 - 12:50:28 PM; An unnamed representative warns of Google's AI inaccurately reporting unvoted bills as law.
HB204: Unnamed Representative Support00:54:34.960 - 12:51:25 PM; Provides federal poverty guidelines: $32,150 for family of four, 130% ($41,795) current free/reduced, 200% ($64,300) per bill; notes $550,000 median home price burdens families; from food bank work, sees struggles and deems 200% reasonable.
HB204: Representative Magcguire Oppose00:55:28.960 - 12:52:19 PM; Representative Magcguire opposes due to $7 million fiscal note for 12,500 students, plus potential $25 million adequacy impact ($2,100 multiplier); cites disappointing revenues, not time for more spending.
HB112 3095h: Pam Brown Support01:38:00.480 - 1:34:51 PM; Representative Brown moves that HB 112 ought to pass and introduces amendment 3095h, which addresses concerns by allowing alternatives to the citizenship test, such as a civics course or competency assessment. She explains that the amended bill requires American students (unless they served in the armed forces) to demonstrate basic knowledge of American institutions. She notes that 14 states require civics at the college level and 30 require the citizenship test, with exemptions for transfer students, international students, veterans, and National Guard members.
HB112 3095h: Unidentified Representative (concurring) Support01:40:06.000 - 1:36:57 PM; The representative concurs with the amendment.
HB112 3095h: Unidentified Representative (discussing amendment) Support01:40:06.000 - 1:36:57 PM; The representative elaborates on the amendment, stating it requires incoming undergraduates to take the citizenship test, a civics course on foundational documents, or a competency assessment. They list 14 states requiring college civics (Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming) and note that 42% of NH university students come from in-state high schools where they already take the test, plus students from 30 other states. Exemptions include military service.
HB112 3095h: Representative Burton Oppose01:43:28.239 - 1:40:19 PM; As a veteran, Representative Burton questions the rationale for exempting veterans, feeling it insulting, but opposes the bill overall. He notes fiscal concerns, the need for a new general ed course increasing costs beyond the $1 million fiscal note, lack of definition for fundamental documents, and the passing threshold mismatch (60% for citizenship test vs. 70% required).
HB112 3095h: Representative Lad Support01:43:28.239 - 1:40:19 PM; Representative Lad supports the veteran exemption, arguing that veterans swear to the Constitution, deserve preferences in education, and recognition for service, especially post-Veterans Day. She notes GI Bill users shouldn't face extra requirements.
HB112 3095h: Representative Bricky Oppose01:44:40.000 - 1:41:31 PM; Representative Bricky opposes due to financial impacts underestimated in the fiscal note, the amendment adding costs for a new course not accounted for, undefined fundamental documents, and the higher 70% passing requirement vs. 60% for the citizenship test.
HB112 3095h: Unidentified Representative (Fellows?) Information Only01:46:40.800 - 1:43:31 PM; The representative points out the 2020 citizenship test is obsolete, replaced by a new one with more civics and less geography. They deem the fiscal note's $100-500k reasonable for the open-ended, non-multiple-choice test. They question clarity on whether high school or college civics qualifies and note issues with the bill's wording.
HB112 3095h: Representative Burton Oppose01:48:03.600 - 1:44:54 PM; Representative Burton argues against legislative intervention in university policy, as the 1981 establishment delegated authority to the Board of Trustees for academic standards and curriculum. He opposes politicizing education, notes passing score inconsistencies (60% vs. 70%, or 14/20 vs. 90/128 questions), administrative costs ($400k for high schools), and complications from multiple options.
HB112 3095h: Representative Kof Support01:52:09.920 - 1:49:00 PM; Representative Kof supports, stating the test questions (e.g., major parties, president's party, law-making, veto power, highest court) are basic and every high school student should know them. He believes the fiscal note is overstated, the bill is straightforward with good intent, and college degrees require this knowledge.
HB112 3095h: Representative McGuire Information Only01:53:24.560 - 1:50:15 PM; Representative McGuire shares that sponsor Representative Moffett circulated a 10-question sample from the Washington Post, where both got 9/10 wrong on the 19th Amendment year (1919 vs. actual 1920), showing even experts err.
HB112 3095h: Representative Burton Oppose01:54:40.400 - 1:51:31 PM; Representative Burton highlights problematic questions for out-of-state students, like naming NH senators (they might say their home state's), and confusing ones like wars in the 1900s or presidential term limits. He reiterates opposition.
HB112 3095h: Representative Damon Oppose01:55:41.280 - 1:52:32 PM; Representative Damon opposes because legislators should not dictate university teaching content and methods; that's the university's role, and boundaries are needed.
HB112 3095h: Representative Pillows Oppose01:57:07.360 - 1:53:58 PM; Representative Pillows states the bill needs significant work if passed, as colleges must offer civics for out-of-state students, and descriptions of the test vary (10-12 vs. 128 questions). She would not vote for it but suggests improvements.
HB112 3095h: Committee Chair Information Only01:58:52.480 - 1:55:43 PM; The chair announces the passage of amendment 3095h and calls for a motion on Ought to Pass As Amended (OTPA) for HB 112.
HB112 3095h: Representative Kovalt Support01:59:30.000 - 1:56:21 PM; Moves OTPA for HB 112.
HB112 3095h: Committee Members Vote01:59:45.000 - 1:56:36 PM; Roll call vote on OTPA for HB 112 results in 10 yes, 8 no.
HB295: Representative Maguire Oppose02:01:25.440 - 1:58:16 PM; Moves Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) for HB 295, arguing that non-lapsing funds pre-spend money for future biennia, which disrupts budgeting as priorities change. Each biennium should be treated separately.
HB295: Representative Fellows Support02:02:22.719 - 1:59:13 PM; Supports the bill as it would allow funding for additional small projects every couple of years, covering 30-60% of costs. Notes potential leftover funds of a million or more due to large project sizes and a waiting list of projects. Criticizes the state's default on school building aid responsibilities.
HB295: Unnamed Representative Support02:03:54.880 - 2:00:45 PM; Agrees that school building aid allocation is inadequate but emphasizes that even small amounts can benefit communities. Cites testimony from DOE about $700,000 projects affecting real communities.
HB295: Representative Damon Support02:04:50.239 - 2:01:41 PM; Emphasizes that non-lapsing funds respect the biennial budget by keeping appropriated money for its intended purpose. The cumulative effect can fund small projects without violating processes.
HB295: Representative Papovich Oppose02:05:59.840 - 2:02:50 PM; Corrects misconception that funds accumulate indefinitely; explains retained funds rollover minimally without guarantee of growth. Opposes as bad practice to obligate future legislatures; better to return to general fund for annual decisions.
HB295: Representative Maguire Oppose02:07:10.480 - 2:04:01 PM; Explains that lapsing is built into budgeting with 2-3% unspent annually across the budget, anticipated and planned for in revenue estimates.
HB295: Committee Members Vote02:09:23.520 - 2:06:14 PM; Roll call vote on ITL for HB 295 passes 10-8.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Earth Support02:10:40.159 - 2:07:31 PM; Moves Ought to Pass (OTP) for HB 366.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative F. Support02:11:42.960 - 2:08:33 PM; Moves amendment 2025-3082h, which reverts the prioritization process to pre-prior biennium method: all projects ranked by DOE rubric each biennium without prioritizing prior queue over new higher-need projects. Describes the commission process involving DOE, fire marshal, etc.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Bricky Information Only02:12:57.760 - 2:09:48 PM; Questions if the amendment removes the original bill's increase from $50M to $60M for aid; clarified that it keeps the $50M cap without increase.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Weinstein Oppose02:15:17.760 - 2:12:08 PM; Speaks to original bill intent for safe school facilities, notes moratorium forced districts like Newmarket to spend $537M on property taxes without state aid; amendment removes this relief.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Damon Oppose02:16:26.239 - 2:13:17 PM; Objects to removing modest funding increase and requiring unfunded approved projects to start over, exacerbating needs; suggests updating costs instead of full resubmission.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Papovich Support02:17:47.439 - 2:14:38 PM; Argues for fixing inequitable system before adding funds; current queue favors old low-need projects over new high-need ones (e.g., 238 vs 523 scores). Reranking ensures fairness by need, not first-in-line.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Fellows Oppose02:19:02.879 - 2:15:53 PM; Notes amendment changes unhear public provisions on priority and resubmission without input or DOE feedback; questions costs like re-architecting.
HB366 2025-3082h: Unnamed Representative (Author) Support02:20:05.120 - 2:16:56 PM; Clarifies amendment aligns with original intent from 10 years ago, mixing old/new applications for ranking. Addresses low-priority old projects blocking high-need new ones (e.g., safety, accessibility). Resubmission is in existing law.
HB366 2025-3082h: Unnamed Representative Support02:21:24.319 - 2:18:15 PM; Notes 'resubmit' is in existing law (part E); districts do it routinely. Advocates for separate pots for reconstruction (25% costs) vs new construction, especially for small districts and consolidations like Colebrook.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Damon Oppose02:35:06.000 - 2:31:57 PM; Votes against amendment due to lack of public review; it's a complete rewrite without input.
HB366 2025-3082h: Committee Members Vote02:36:19.040 - 2:33:10 PM; Roll call on amendment 2025-3082h passes 10-8.
HB366 2025-3082h: Representative Earth Support02:37:41.040 - 2:34:32 PM; Moves OTPA for HB 366.
HB366 2025-3082h: Committee Members Vote02:37:41.040 - 2:34:32 PM; Roll call on OTPA for HB 366 passes 10-8.
HB443: Representative Vlad Oppose02:38:47.600 - 2:35:38 PM; Moves ITL for HB 443, noting subcommittee unanimous 7-0 vote; bill no longer needed as non-attending members can be replaced without legislation.
HB443: Representative Burton Oppose02:39:55.680 - 2:36:46 PM; Concurs with ITL motion.
HB443: Committee Members Vote02:39:55.680 - 2:36:46 PM; Unanimous roll call vote 18-0 for ITL on HB 443; placed on consent calendar.
HB491: Representative Spilsbury Oppose02:41:15.439 - 2:38:06 PM; Moves ITL for HB 491, their sponsored bill. Advocates for deliberative process with Senate/other committees to resolve property tax pressures; expects action in 2026 via LSR, justifying education funding committee's role in addressing both funding sources and distribution.
HB491: Representative Ames Support02:42:30.000 - 2:39:21 PM; Agrees with original proposal but opposes ITL, expecting proposals in coming months to address issues.
HB491: Representative Ames Oppose02:42:30.000 - 2:39:21 PM; Representative Ames concludes by opposing the ITL motion, emphasizing the constitutional need to address public school funding realities.
HB510 2024-3092h: Representative Papovich Support02:45:30.479 - 2:42:21 PM; Representative Papovich moves OTP and proposes amendment 2024-3092h to address inconsistencies in definitions and issues from hearings, fixing terms like disciplinary proceedings and ensuring uniform definitions from prior legislation. He urges support for the amendment to improve the bill.
HB510 2024-3092h: Representative Burton Oppose02:46:44.960 - 2:43:35 PM; Representative Burton opposes the bill, stating the amendment improves a terrible bill but does not change his view. He highlights concerns like allowing perpetrators to question victims as intimidating and unjust.
HB510 2024-3092h: Unnamed Speaker (likely committee member) Information Only02:47:58.000 - 2:44:49 PM; Provides details on the amendment, noting prior approval of definitions for disciplinary proceedings, faculty, etc., from the previous year. Explains clarifications on cross-examination without direct victim confrontation, based on Title IX advice, changes from 'may' to 'shall' for appointing third parties, and removal of self-incrimination language to comply with Title IX.
HB510 2024-3092h: Unnamed Speaker (likely Representative Papovich or committee member) Information Only02:50:42.560 - 2:47:33 PM; Explains amendment updates definitions of student organizations to align with last year's legislation for uniformity, located on lines 14-17 of page one. Also notes deletion of adverse inference language on self-incrimination per Title IX advice.
HB510 2024-3092h: Representative Papovich Support02:53:15.520 - 2:50:06 PM; Moves to amend the original motion to OTPA with amendment 2024-3092h, stating extensive prior discussion makes further comment unnecessary and looks forward to voting.
HB510 2024-3092h: Representative Burton Oppose02:54:32.240 - 2:51:23 PM; Opposes the bill as an egregious invasion of university autonomy over due process. Criticizes lack of evidence for gaps in university processes, which are compliant with Title IX and other protections. Notes the bill would disrupt collective bargaining agreements, increase costs, and require renegotiation without justification.
HB651: Representative Spillsbury Oppose02:58:01.200 - 2:54:52 PM; Moves ITL, explaining the subcommittee recommended it due to other bills addressing adequacy formula more fundamentally. Questions extrapolating multipliers for aid categories from the base figure and notes deeper paths available in January, making this bill unhelpful now.
HB651: Representative Ames Support03:00:34.560 - 2:57:25 PM; Opposes ITL, stressing constitutional obligations and that the bill aligns with judicial findings to raise aid levels, though more work is needed. Rejects outright rejection via ITL.
HB656 2024-2933h: Representative Lad Support03:02:50.000 - 2:59:41 PM; Moves OTP and introduces amendment 2024-2933h, deferring to prior work session discussion.
HB656 2024-2933h: Representative Damon Oppose03:04:09.760 - 3:01:00 PM; Will vote against the amendment due to rushed process, lack of public hearing, and insufficient stakeholder input, stating it's not ready.
HB665: Representative Papovich Oppose03:06:50.080 - 3:03:41 PM; Moves ITL, noting no testimony of children denied meals due to inability to pay over three years. Every child gets a meal regardless, so the bill won't feed more children but costs millions without justification.
HB665: Representative Damon Support03:07:46.000 - 3:04:37 PM; Supports the bill, arguing lack of systemic assurance leads to teachers and others filling gaps, which is inadequate and sad.
HB665: Representative Hall Support03:08:43.520 - 3:05:34 PM; Prioritizes feeding needy kids, noting the legislature finds money for other things when wanted.
HB729: Representative Papovich Information Only03:09:57.920 - 3:06:48 PM; Moves interim study, noting prior discussion and that the bill as written may not provide the best solution, suggesting more time to find the optimal approach.
HB729: Representative Damon Support03:11:04.720 - 3:07:55 PM; Concurs with interim study.
HB734: Representative Spillsbury Information Only03:12:15.760 - 3:09:06 PM; Moves interim study as recommended by subcommittee, noting important ideas not yet focused on, with potential for elements to be amended into other bills in 2026.
HB734: Representative Ames Support03:13:11.439 - 3:10:02 PM; As sponsor, glad for recognition of the bill's concepts on reforming statewide education property tax and hopes for collaborative improvement.
HB742: Representative Lack (likely Spillsbury) Information Only03:15:42.800 - 3:12:33 PM; Moves interim study, explaining logic in drawing from trust fund or general fund for full reimbursement but recommends study due to ongoing commission reviewing special education costing, with progress and upcoming meeting. Notes rising shortfalls to $50-60 million and need for comprehensive review of funding mechanisms.
HB742: Representative Ames Support03:18:08.960 - 3:14:59 PM; Acknowledges difficulties, federal threats to special education aid, value of the commission, and progress since the 1970s in educating special needs students, urging perspective and continued gains.
HB742: Representative Burton Support03:19:23.840 - 3:16:14 PM; Emphasizes that better special education leads to greater workforce needs later, advocating for employer involvement to help students contribute to society.
HB742: Representative Damon Support03:20:30.960 - 3:17:21 PM; Values the commission's thorough membership and requests chair provide updates to the committee.
HB742: Chairman Lad Information Only03:21:35.359 - 3:18:26 PM; Agrees to provide commission updates, notes recent report and productive upcoming meeting with diverse stakeholders to address funding corrections.
HB772: Representative Spillsbury Information Only03:22:46.640 - 3:19:37 PM; Moves interim study on the lengthy, complex bill, noting prior work and value in its parts, suggesting time in 2026 to parse and incorporate elements into discussions.
HB772: Representative Damon Support03:23:35.920 - 3:20:26 PM; Based on 2020 commission, it's the most comprehensive funding bill recently, needing equitable system; hopes equity extends across topics.
SB204: Representative McGuire Oppose03:25:54.239 - 3:22:45 PM; Moves ITL due to unaffordable expenditure magnitude, policy against large second-year spending without budget integration, and Senate's soft support without including in budget or conference.
SB204: Representative Damon Support03:27:01.520 - 3:23:52 PM; Raises cap to 200% poverty level still too low; community fills gaps but taxpayers bear burden. Contrasts with funding for private school via EFAs, questioning inability to fund free/reduced meals adequately.

Ladd, Rick(Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Brown, Pam(Clerk)(R)	Spilsbury, Walter(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2024
McGuire, Dan(R)[A+]2024	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2024	Burton, Wayne(D)[CT]2018
Luneau, David(D)[CT]2024	Colcombe, Riché(R)[A-]2024	Chretien, Suzanne(D)
Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A+]2024	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2024	Kofalt, Jim(R)[A+]2024
Fellows, Sallie(D)[CT]2024	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2024	Bricchi, Tracy(D)
Weinstein, Toni(D)	Peeples, Raymond(R)	Mehegan, Peter(R)