enabling the Derry town council to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment.
HB 1331 allows the town of Derry to legally take over its existing Derry cooperative school district. The bill provides three specific voter-approved methods for this absorption: placing the measure on a state election ballot (via 5% voter petition), including it as an article on a town meeting warrant, or having the town council place it on the town ballot. This bill directly affects Derry town residents and the governance structure of the local school district. It creates a clear procedural pathway for the town to assume full control of the school district without changing educational policies or funding mechanisms.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Signed Jun 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Version adopted by both bodies
→
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized by adding chapter number 165, a specific approval date of June 19, 2026, and a new effective date clause. The core policy content regarding the town council's ability to incorporate the school district remains unchanged.
TIMELINE
Added a specific approval date of June 19, 2026, and an effective date clause stating the act takes effect upon passage.
TECHNICAL
Added the official chapter number (165) and updated the section citation to 165:1 and 165:2.
Removed the 'VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES' header and replaced it with the 'FINAL VERSION' designation.
Floor votes · House Mar 5, 2026
How they voted
97–94
Passed · 31 other
Total votes 222
Mar 5, 2026
D
Democratic107
86% Nay
I
Independent2
50% Yea
R
Republican113
82% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Jun 24, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 165; eff. 06/19/2026
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6
upper
Mar 5, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (97-94-31)
house
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0581h: MA RC 193-157 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 74
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-0581h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 74
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0581h (NT) 02/18/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 9 P. 37
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 15
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Erica Layon
RRepublican
Co
David Love
RRepublican
Co
John Potucek
RRepublican
Co
Richard Tripp
RRepublican
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