HB 1791 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a competitive grant program for public colleges and universities. The program provides funding to institutions that develop comprehensive support services for students with developmental disabilities, ensuring equal access to academic courses, campus life, and employment opportunities. To qualify, institutions must offer peer mentoring, remove unnecessary admission barriers (like requiring high school diplomas or specific college entrance exams), and provide monthly progress coaching. The bill appropriates state funds to support this initiative, aiming to expand inclusive higher education options for this population.
HB 1716 requires students in New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program to demonstrate academic progress through one of three methods: taking standardized tests (national or state), or maintaining a portfolio evaluated by a certified teacher using a Department of Education-developed rubric. The bill directs the Department of Education's Division of Learner Support to create and publish this rubric annually, then compile data from all student reports to analyze academic proficiency rates. This data must include metrics like graduation rates, grade level, gender, race, and aid categories. The bill does not provide new funding but estimates annual costs of $300,000-$350,000 for staff and system upgrades to implement the reporting and analysis requirements.
HB 1596 raises New Hampshire's cigarette and little cigar tax from $1.78 to $2.80 per pack of 20, increasing revenue for state funds. It appropriates $18 million annually to New Hampshire's university system to restore higher education funding to 2024 levels. The bill also stops collecting premiums for two health programs: the Children's Health Insurance Program and the NH Granite Advantage health care program. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, with tobacco tax revenue funding the university appropriation and education trust fund.
HB 665 expands eligibility for free school meals in New Hampshire to students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $93,600 annually for a family of four), raising the current threshold. This change directly affects all public school students in qualifying households, including those previously eligible only for reduced-price meals. The bill requires school districts to provide at least one free meal daily to these students, funded entirely through the Education Trust Fund without new state positions. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns New Hampshire’s program with broader federal income guidelines for school nutrition assistance.
HB 295 makes funds allocated for New Hampshire's school building aid program nonlapsing, meaning unused money won't expire or return to the state treasury at year-end. This directly affects school districts and chartered public schools that receive these funds for building projects. The key provision changes the funding status under RSA 198:15-a, ensuring aid can carry over to future years if not spent in the current fiscal period. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, providing more stable long-term funding for school construction needs.
HB 651 increases the base cost of an adequate education per student from $4,100 to $7,356.01 and raises differential aid amounts for specific student groups: free or reduced-price meal eligible students by $1,733.28 (to $4,126.20), English language learners by $602.88 (to $1,435.20), and students with special education needs by $1,582.56 (to $3,767.40). The bill also expands the definition of an adequate education to include additional resource elements like teacher benefits, technology, and facility maintenance. This change, effective July 1, 2025, will require higher state funding for school districts, charter schools, and education freedom accounts, with an estimated $576 million increase for school districts in fiscal year 2026.
