Committee Summary for House Education Policy and Administration (01/22/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1270 00:20:12.800 - 9:19:38 AM	Executive Session	clarifying the definition of part-time teacher.	Drye, Margaret(R)[B+]2025
HB1307 00:22:55.840 - 9:22:21 AM	Executive Session	establishing a statutory commission to study the development of a statewide comprehensive civics curriculum.	Luneau, David(D)[CT]2025
HB1448 00:26:00.639 - 9:25:26 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting the use of the World Economic Forum materials within state curriculum.	Morse, Bryan(R)[A-]2025
HB1341 00:32:00.960 - 9:31:26 AM	Executive Session	establishing a committee to investigate the department of education's actions regarding school administrative unit 6.	Luneau, David(D)[CT]2025
HB1373 01:44:57.680 - 10:44:23 AM	Executive Session	relative to background check disqualifications for applicants seeking educator credentials.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
HB1507 01:49:43.920 - 10:49:09 AM	Executive Session	requiring schools to provide a minimum amount of time for recess per day.	Murray, Megan(D)[CT]2025
HB1832 2026-0167h 01:55:20.160 - 10:54:46 AM	Executive Session	adding students with parents on active military duty to the education freedom accounts priority guidelines.	Morse, Bryan(R)[A-]2025
HR43 02:24:00.399 - 11:23:26 AM	Executive Session	recognizing the Manchester school district's community partners.	Wilhelm, Matthew(D)[F]2025
Unclear 02:29:49.840 - 11:29:15 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

HB1270: Representative Drive Support00:20:12.800 - 9:19:38 AM; Moved ought to pass. Explained the bill is simple, requested by the Department of Education to clarify unclear definitions and to specify how the professional code of ethics and code of conduct apply.
HB1307: Representative Belchure Oppose00:22:55.840 - 9:22:21 AM; Moved Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). Views the bill as duplicative of recent civics curriculum overhaul. Concerns about the committee's makeup with minimal legislator involvement and heavy influence from NGOs and outside organizations.
HB1307: Representative Hall Information Only00:24:03.679 - 9:23:29 AM; Acknowledges the idea of a civics curriculum is good but supports ITL because they need to start with updating standards first, not just lesson plans. Suggests getting stakeholders together for resources beyond Discovery Education.
HB1448: Representative Belchure Support00:26:00.639 - 9:25:26 AM; Moved Ought to Pass (OTP). Believes the bill is good as World Economic Forum values run counter to New Hampshire's government, constitution, and individual rights. Clarified the bill targets only World Economic Forum, not UN materials, and impact on Model UN is unclear.
HB1448: Unnamed Representative (likely Selig) Oppose00:27:03.600 - 9:26:29 AM; Opposes OTP. Argues school districts should decide materials. Banning would destroy Model UN programs. Emphasizes teaching critical evaluation of sources over elimination.
HB1448: Representative Balboni Oppose00:28:10.800 - 9:27:36 AM; Opposes the bill, agreeing with prior statements. Notes over 250 NH high school students participate in Model UN, with annual competition at Bedford High School. Prohibiting World Economic Forum materials, tied to UN, could hinder global issues focus and Model UN participation.
HB1341: Representative Belchure Oppose00:32:00.960 - 9:31:26 AM; Moved Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). No probable cause or identified law violation for investigation into DOE's role in SAU financial issues. It's a local matter; expanding oversight requires new legislation, not investigation.
HB1341: Representative Cornell Oppose00:34:10.400 - 9:33:36 AM; Agrees with ITL. Important to understand what happened via forensic audits, but priority is preventing recurrence and addressing educational issues.
HB1373: Representative Freeman Support01:44:57.680 - 10:44:23 AM; Moved that the committee ought to pass on HB 1373. Explained that the bill adds offenses like possession of a controlled drug with intent to sell (felony within the last 10 years) and violations involving obscene material with children to the list barring teaching credentials, aimed at protecting public and charter school children.
HB1373: Unidentified Representative (Second) Support01:44:57.680 - 10:44:23 AM; Seconded the motion and agreed with Representative Freeman's explanation.
HB1373: Representative Selig Information Only01:46:01.439 - 10:45:27 AM; Noted that some offenses were already in law and this bill adds negligent homicide from DUI, robbery, forgery, false academic information, second-degree assault, and domestic violence. Expressed concerns about permanent barriers for young offenders who redeem themselves later, seeking legal clarification on redeemability after 30-40 years.
HB1373: Representative Cornell Information Only01:47:03.200 - 10:46:29 AM; Shared that she consulted Steve Applebee on credentialing, who confirmed that annulments are possible for youthful offenses, allowing older individuals to pursue teaching. Emphasized that the added items are felonies requiring conviction.
HB1373: Unidentified (Paula) Information Only01:47:03.200 - 10:46:29 AM; Asked Representative Tenzar, based on professional experience, to confirm accuracy of annulments. Representative Tenzar confirmed annulments are possible after 7 years post-conviction, after serving time and paying fines.
HB1373: Representative Tenzar Information Only01:47:03.200 - 10:46:29 AM; Confirmed that annulments can be obtained after 7 years following conviction, provided time is served and fines paid.
HB1373: Representative Murray Information Only01:47:57.760 - 10:47:23 AM; Sought clarification on whether the bill pauses applications until full adjudication. Confirmed from testimony that it does.
HB1373: Committee Clerk and Members Vote01:47:57.760 - 10:47:23 AM; Motion for Ought to Pass passed unanimously with 18 yes votes and 0 nays from Vice Chairman Pedo, Representatives Dvito, Dry, Belchure, Freeman, Mer, McDonald, Tenzar, Nato, Cornell, Murray, Rung, Hall, Baloni, Selig, Kuger, Eileen Kelly, and Chairman Noble.
HB1507: Representative Freeman Oppose01:49:43.920 - 10:49:09 AM; Moved that HB1507 is inexpedient to legislate. Acknowledged the bill's good intentions but noted districts can already implement longer recess, and it could create an unfunded mandate, staff issues, teacher contract violations, and complications with 180-day calendars.
HB1507: Unidentified Representative Oppose01:50:45.760 - 10:50:11 AM; Added that the bill prohibits less than 45 minutes or more than 60 minutes of recess, which was likely not intended and creates a narrow window.
HB1507: Representative Murray Support01:50:45.760 - 10:50:11 AM; Opposed the ITL motion, emphasizing the importance of recess for children since 30 minutes was removed from rulemaking. Suggested finding a place in rules or statute for minimum recess and offered to bring another motion.
HB1507: Representative Para Support01:51:42.080 - 10:51:08 AM; Opposed the ITL motion, having spoken with a proponent from her town and being sympathetic to the need for more recess time.
HB1507: Representative Sully Oppose01:52:42.560 - 10:52:08 AM; Supported more recess and exploratory play for young children but opposed due to loss of local control, potential need to extend school days, change busing, or violate contracts, as heard from school districts.
HB1507: Committee Clerk and Members Vote01:52:42.560 - 10:52:08 AM; Motion for Inexpedient to Legislate passed with 16 yes votes (Vice Chairman Pedell no, Representatives Devito yes, Dry yes, Belchure yes, Freeman yes, Majer yes, McDonald yes, Tenzar yes, Nato yes, Cornell yes, Murray no, Rung yes, Hall yes, Balbone yes, Selig yes regretfully, Kuger yes, Eileen Kelly yes, Chairman Noble yes) and 2 nays. No minority report.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Belchure Support01:55:20.160 - 10:54:46 AM; Moved Ought to Pass. Introduced amendment 2026-0167h to address under- and over-inclusiveness in original language. Explained new language in lines 13-15 prioritizes any child residing in NH with a parent or guardian on active duty, regardless of duty location or deployment, to support military families' variability.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Unidentified Representative Information Only01:56:23.840 - 10:55:49 AM; Sought clarification on whether a NH-residing student with one parent in NH and the other on active duty qualifies. Representative Belchure confirmed yes, emphasizing student residency in NH.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative R Information Only01:57:30.560 - 10:56:56 AM; Asked if a child in NH with custodial parent qualifies if non-custodial parent out-of-state on active duty loses military status later; if it applies to National Guard; and re-certification requirements. Received explanations that it applies to activated National Guard, priority is for initial entry but once in the program, reapplication maintains eligibility without deprioritization.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Unidentified Representative Information Only01:57:57.680 - 10:57:23 AM; Questioned eligibility for boarding school students in NH with military parents from out-of-state (e.g., Hawaii), concerned about non-taxpayers using NH funds. Discussion clarified that student residency ties to parent's declared domicile; boarding school attendance alone doesn't confer residency without parental NH domicile.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Murray Information Only01:57:57.680 - 10:57:23 AM; Sought clarification on yearly re-certification and if priority requires reapplication. Confirmed amendment adds category without changing re-certification; once in, reapplication keeps them in the program.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative D Information Only01:59:57.359 - 10:59:23 AM; Clarified that participants become a different priority group once in the program, maintaining consistency for students.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Belchure (additional) Information Only02:01:09.359 - 11:00:35 AM; Addressed concerns by explaining amendment covers deployed parents with different residences but requires student NH residency. Noted minors' residency follows guardian's claim; uncertainty in wording may lead to interpretation by Children's Scholarship Fund, stressing need for clarity as DOE lacks authority to change.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Murray (additional) Information Only02:05:23.520 - 11:04:49 AM; Reiterated confusion over 'regardless of physical location or place of residence' phrasing regarding domicile vs. residence, seeking further clarification.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Belchure (further) Information Only02:05:23.520 - 11:04:49 AM; Clarified phrasing covers scenarios like one parent deployed elsewhere while other parent and student reside in NH; minors cannot claim independent residency from guardian.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Belchure Information Only02:20:01.279 - 11:19:27 AM; Clarified the legal residence of a minor for schooling purposes, citing 193 col2, stating it falls on the parent with custody.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Committee Roll Call Vote02:20:01.279 - 11:19:27 AM; Roll call vote on the amendment: 10 yes, 8 no.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Chair Information Only02:21:01.200 - 11:20:27 AM; Moved to Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA).
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Belchure Support02:21:01.200 - 11:20:27 AM; Thanked the sponsor and expressed happiness to provide this to families of servicemen and women.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Baloney Oppose02:21:55.680 - 11:21:21 AM; Opposed expanding priority eligibility due to lack of oversight and review of the current program.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Committee Roll Call Vote02:21:55.680 - 11:21:21 AM; Roll call vote on OTPA: 10 yes, 8 no.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Baloni Information Only02:23:02.160 - 11:22:28 AM; Assigned to write the minority report.
HB1832 2026-0167h: Representative Belchure Information Only02:23:02.160 - 11:22:28 AM; Assigned to write the majority report.
HR43: Representative Belchure Oppose02:24:00.399 - 11:23:26 AM; Moved for Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). Argued it falls within local government scope and lacks a limiting principle, potentially leading to similar legislation for every school annually.
HR43: Representative Freeman Oppose02:24:00.399 - 11:23:26 AM; Added that Manchester is capable of recognizing partners locally and has done so in the past; state mandate is inappropriate.
HR43: Representative Cornell Oppose02:25:06.880 - 11:24:32 AM; Agreed with ITL due to opening the door for every community to seek recognition, but commended the sponsor's intent to highlight Manchester's community partners.
HR43: Representative Murray Information Only02:25:06.880 - 11:24:32 AM; Felt conflicted; noted past recognitions for school partnerships like FIRST Robotics, and emphasized worthy district collaborations.
HR43: Representative McDonald Oppose02:25:58.640 - 11:25:24 AM; Curious about precedent; agreed with ITL, wished for hearing questions as no opportunity was given.
HR43: Representative Rung Information Only02:25:58.640 - 11:25:24 AM; Recalled past statewide organization New Hampshire Partners in Education that awarded recognitions for school volunteers and business partnerships, suggesting it's an appropriate alternative.
HR43: Representative D. Information Only02:26:53.760 - 11:26:19 AM; Mentioned Volunteer New Hampshire's Spirit of New Hampshire awards, which recognize volunteers and support programs in Manchester schools as a good route.
HR43: Committee Roll Call Vote02:26:53.760 - 11:26:19 AM; Roll call vote on ITL: 18 yes, 0 no.
HR43: Representative Murray Support02:27:56.560 - 11:27:22 AM; Requested to change vote to yes after initial confusion.
Unclear: Chair Information Only02:29:49.840 - 11:29:15 AM; Explained procedural error in listing bills with executive session; announced rescheduled executive session for Thursday after a 10:00 hearing, and noted potential Monday cancellation due to snowstorm with notice Sunday.

Noble, Kristin(Chairman)(R)[A+]2025	Drye, Margaret(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Peternel, Katy(V Chairman)(R)[A]2025
Cornell, Patricia(D)[F]2025	Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2025	Belcher, Mike(R)[B+]2025
Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2025	Terry, Paul(R)[B+]2025	McDonnell, Valerie(R)[B+]2025
Selig, Loren(D)[D-]2025	Balboni, Peggy(D)[CT]2025	Murray, Megan(D)[CT]2025
Tenczar, Jeffrey(R)[B+]2025	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025	Woodcock, Stephen(D)[F]2025
Kluger, Lee Ann(D)[F]2025	Snodgrass, Jim(D)[F]2025	Nadeau, Brian(R)[B+]2025