Committee Summary for Senate Education (03/03/2026)

Ward, Ruth(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Sullivan, Victoria(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB658 2024-0735s 00:08:19.988 - 8:22:05 AM	Executive Session	authorizing the department of education to establish a safe and resilient schools advisory council.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
HB1808 00:20:00.000 - 8:33:46 AM	Public Hearing	establishing the position of academic research and improvement performance data analyst in the department of education and making an appropriation therefor.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB1553 00:38:19.988 - 8:52:05 AM	Public Hearing	relative to pet-related fees and rent in residential tenancies.	Long, Patrick(D)[D]2025
HB709 00:53:19.988 - 9:07:05 AM	Public Hearing	allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A-]2025
HB1373 01:01:44.671 - 9:15:30 AM	Public Hearing	relative to background check disqualifications for applicants seeking educator credentials.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
HB1373 01:05:00.000 - 9:18:46 AM	Executive Session	relative to background check disqualifications for applicants seeking educator credentials.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
SB403 01:07:00.000 - 9:20:46 AM	Executive Session	requiring all schools to start the school year after Labor Day.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB431 01:16:44.671 - 9:30:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB574 2026-0734s 01:25:00.000 - 9:38:46 AM	Executive Session	establishing a commission to study the efficiency and structure of school administrative units.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
HB1808 01:51:11.154 - 10:04:57 AM	Executive Session	establishing the position of academic research and improvement performance data analyst in the department of education and making an appropriation therefor.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB709 01:54:15.784 - 10:08:01 AM	Executive Session	allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A-]2025
HB1832 01:55:10.153 - 10:08:56 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) adding students with a parent or guardian on active military duty to the education freedom accounts priority guidelines.	Morse, Bryan(R)[A-]2025

SB658 2024-0735s: Senator Ward Information Only00:08:19.988 - 8:22:05 AM; Leads the executive session, notes the bill is FN and must be addressed today. Moves for interim study due to the bill's broad scope, complexity, educational issues in NH, and lack of fiscal information.
SB658 2024-0735s: Senator Altschiller Support00:10:00.000 - 8:23:46 AM; Mentions an amendment from the prime sponsor adding the executive director of the Children's Law Center of NH and changing quorum from five to six. Supports the bill for creating space for grants and donations for school safety and resiliency, not requiring state expenditure.
SB658 2024-0735s: Senator Prentice Support00:12:00.000 - 8:25:46 AM; Opposes interim study, argues for policy merits despite incomplete fiscal note, which can be addressed later. Notes broad support in hearing, bill consolidates complex issues into a framework for safe and resilient schools.
SB658 2024-0735s: Senator Abbott Information Only00:15:00.000 - 8:28:46 AM; Expresses concern over broad language on behavioral issues beyond mental health crises, suggests cleaning it up.
SB658 2024-0735s: Senator Sullivan Oppose00:16:00.000 - 8:29:46 AM; Opposes the bill, argues schools already have safety committees and anti-bullying policies; issues are local. Sees it as a way to park external money with strings attached, not solving core problems like violence in schools.
HB1808: Representative Rick Ladd, Haverhill Support00:20:00.000 - 8:33:46 AM; Introduces the bill for the second time, requesting an analyst at the Department of Education to measure student progress, evaluate programs, guide curriculum, and promote accountability. Emphasizes the department's thin staffing, federal focus over state needs, and need to track student cohorts and utilize data effectively without misusing federal funds. Notes unanimous House passage.
HB1808: Dr. Nate Green, NH Department of Education Support00:28:00.000 - 8:41:46 AM; Supports the bill, explains the department collects data (the 'what') but needs analysis for the 'why' behind performance dips and regional differences. Details the $160,000 appropriation covers full position costs. Clarifies role in accountability systems, helping underperforming schools, promoting best practices, and optimizing resource allocation from funding streams like Title I and II.
HB1553: Kevin Grady, State Veterans Advisory Committee, Hooksett Support00:38:19.988 - 8:52:05 AM; Represents the committee, notes initial concerns with bill language on permanent change of station orders, which was amended to include active duty families residing in NH regardless of orders' destination (e.g., Pease AFB, Hanscom, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard). Supports for small numbers of transient military families, aligns with educating NH residents and attracting veterans via NH First program. Clarifies distinction between eligibility and priority; compact like MIC3 helps transitions but bill aids choice options.
HB709: Pat Christiana, NHSBA Oppose00:53:19.988 - 9:07:05 AM; The speaker raises concerns about the bill's wording regarding residency for school funding purposes. They question whether owning a rental unit in another town qualifies as paying property taxes, how families living with relatives would be eligible, whether second properties need to be in current use, and what happens if property taxes are delinquent. They express worry that the bill could disrupt school funding calculations based on average daily membership in residents, affecting adequacy aid, differentiated aid, free and reduced price calculations, English language learners, and special education services. NHSBA opposes the bill due to these potential chaotic implications.
HB709: Jerry Frew, New Hampshire School Administrators Association Oppose00:58:00.000 - 9:11:46 AM; The speaker urges careful consideration of open enrollment implications, such as non-residents owning commercial properties enrolling children in local schools, potentially stressing systems like Salem's. They question if elementary enrollees can stay through higher grades, leading to overcrowding and unclear staffing responsibilities. They recommend bundling all open enrollment concepts for comprehensive discussion to avoid unanticipated consequences for communities like Manchester, Salem, and Seacoast areas.
HB1373: Steve Appleby, Director, New Hampshire Department of Education, Auburn Information Only01:01:44.671 - 9:15:30 AM; The speaker explains that HB 1373 adds felony offenses to the screening list for educator licensing, including negligent homicide, second degree assault, domestic violence, felony robbery, felony forgery, and felony false academic documentation. These apply to convictions or pending charges, not dropped charges. He clarifies that false academic documentation refers to convictions for falsifying records like student assessments, not minor falsifications or personal excuses. A handout details the additions.
HB1373: Committee Discussion Vote01:05:00.000 - 9:18:46 AM; The committee discusses the bill, noting the importance of adding offenses like falsifying academic documentation, felony robbery, domestic violence, second degree assault, felony forgery, and negligent homicide to disqualifications. They agree these are appropriate for educator backgrounds. Motion for ought to pass passes 5-0, and consent calendar motion passes 5-0. Senator Sullivan takes the bill.
SB403: Committee Discussion Vote01:07:00.000 - 9:20:46 AM; Discussion on starting school before Labor Day, considering benefits for families and tourism but preferring easing children back in after Labor Day for routine consistency, especially at elementary level. Concerns about union contracts and election day overlaps in 2028. Motion for interim study passes 4-1. Consent motion passes unanimously after adjustment. Senator takes the bill.
SB431: Committee Discussion Vote01:16:44.671 - 9:30:30 AM; Debate on adding intent to prohibitions on teaching that individuals are inherently racist, sexist, or superior based on protected characteristics. Supporters argue it clarifies intentional teaching inappropriate for young students. Opponents cite vagueness chilling educators' ability to discuss history, current events like wage inequality, LGBTQ rights, and Stonewall riots, risking license threats. Testimony showed 361 opposed vs. 6 support. Motion for ought to pass passes 3-2. Senator Sullivan takes the bill.
SB574 2026-0734s: Committee Discussion Vote01:25:00.000 - 9:38:46 AM; Discussion on studying SAU consolidation for efficiency, noting varied constituent support and ongoing conversations. Amendment 2026-0734s repeals prior commission and sets new reporting deadline. Passes 4-1. On the bill, concerns about study committee feasibility but recognition of need to address cost per pupil disparities across districts. Support for deeper analysis to inform funding policy. Motion for ought to pass with amendment.
HB1808: Committee Discussion Vote01:51:11.154 - 10:04:57 AM; The bill creates an office to analyze collected education data for improvements, addressing stagnant proficiency scores. Concerns about $160,000 cost, to be reviewed by finance. Motion for ought to pass passes 5-0, consent 5-0. Senator Francis takes the bill.
HB709: Committee Chair Vote01:54:15.784 - 10:08:01 AM; The committee moves for Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 709, seconded, with no discussion. The motion passes 5-0 on consent.
HB1832: Unnamed Senator Support01:55:10.153 - 10:08:56 AM; Moves for Ought to Pass on HB 1832, which prioritizes military children in the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. Supports it for providing choice to military families but expresses concern about prioritizing certain children over others, noting 800 kids on the waiting list, and advocates removing the cap to give all children educational freedom.
HB1832: Senator Prentice Oppose01:55:30.000 - 10:09:16 AM; Seconds the motion but ultimately does not support HB 1832 at this time. Fully supports military families but seeks clarity on the interstate compact for military children, believing it may already provide priority and that the bill may not be necessary.
HB1832: Committee Chair (Ward) Support01:56:00.000 - 10:09:46 AM; Explains the need for priority in the EFA program for military children who relocate suddenly due to duty. Notes that waiting lists affect current New Hampshire families, but new arrivals should not be disadvantaged, allowing participation regardless of prior residency.
HB1832: Senator Alshiller Oppose01:56:30.000 - 10:10:16 AM; References testimony from Mr. Grady indicating the bill is not necessary as the military interstate compact already covers these issues. Supports military families but believes the residing provision in the bill is already addressed, making this a 'nice' but redundant measure. Notes the fiscal note (FN) and need for more info on the compact.