Education (Special Education)

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1623: requiring charter schools to have uniform and transparent billing costs and practices for special education services.

HB 1623 requires charter schools in New Hampshire to use uniform, clear billing practices for special education services, prohibiting varying rates for identical services. It directly affects charter schools and school districts that provide special education, ensuring parents and oversight bodies can easily understand costs. The bill mandates transparent billing by July 1, 2026, with no new state funding or staffing authorized to implement it. This policy change aims to simplify cost structures for families and improve accountability without altering service delivery.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires transparent billing for special education services in charter schools, promoting equitable access and parental understanding of costs without restricting programs or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1557: modifying the state average expenditure per pupil relative to students in special education.

HB 1557 modifies how New Hampshire allocates state aid for special education costs. It lowers the threshold requiring state aid from 3.5 times the state average per-pupil expenditure to 1.5 times, making it easier for school districts to qualify for assistance. The bill removes the requirement to proportionally reduce funding if state funds are insufficient, ensuring districts receive at least 80% of their entitled aid. This change affects school districts serving students with special needs, redistributing existing funding without new state expenditures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ensures 80% minimum state aid for special education, increasing funding access for school districts serving students with disabilities through revised budget allocation rules.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers special education aid threshold from 3.5x to 1.5x state average, guarantees 80% funding access, directly strengthening support for students with special needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending School Funding Special Education

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1563: relative to the special education aid formula and the administration and monitoring of state special education aid.

HB 1563 adjusts New Hampshire's special education funding formula to better support school districts serving students with high-cost special education needs. It sets a new $60,000 threshold for aid eligibility (replacing the previous 3.5x average per-pupil cost formula), requiring districts to cover the first $60,000 plus 20% of costs up to $200,000 per student, while the state covers 80% of costs between $60,000-$200,000 and 90% above $200,000 - capping total state aid at $160,000 per student. The bill also creates emergency assistance funds ($250,000 annually for districts under 1,000 residents) to address sudden financial strain from special education costs. This directly affects school districts with students requiring costly specialized services, altering how costs are shared between districts and the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restructures state funding formula to increase state coverage (80-90%) for high-cost special education, boosting public education budget allocation without defunding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts special education funding to increase state coverage for high-cost cases (80% between $60k-$200k, 90% above $200k), replacing a less supportive formula to better fund districts serving students with special needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1712: relative to charter conversion schools.

HB 1712 establishes a clear statutory process for New Hampshire public schools to convert into charter schools. It requires a school board vote and a 2/3 majority vote by the school district at a meeting with a specific warrant article to initiate conversion, ensuring all students from the converting school can attend the new charter school. The bill sets governance rules, including capping overlapping board members at 25% (or one member), requiring at least 25% parent representation on charter school boards, and maintaining school districts' special education obligations. It also mandates voter ratification of charter contracts with a defined ballot question, specifies funding follows existing state law (80% of per-pupil funding), and requires an initial audit by the Department of Education followed by audits every three years after the third year of operation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables public school conversion to charters with student access guarantees and governance rules, expanding educational options and maintaining school continuity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Special Education

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1280: establishing a commission to study public school open enrollment.

HB 1280 establishes a 19-member commission to study public school open enrollment in New Hampshire. The commission, including school superintendents, local school board members, legislators, parents, and business administrators, will develop a system for open enrollment that addresses state funding, equitable access, transportation, special education responsibilities, and budget documentation. It must propose revisions to existing law (RSA 194-D) covering enrollment processes, timelines, and funding mechanisms to prevent direct invoicing between schools. The bill suspends current RSA 194-D rules until the commission submits its final report to the legislature. This directly affects New Hampshire public schools, students, and families by shaping future enrollment policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study open enrollment system addressing equitable access, funding, and transportation, indicating intent to improve educational access and equity in K-12 schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1586: allowing the commissioner of the department of education to withhold funds from public schools if such schools are not providing special education services in compliance with state law.

HB 1586 allows the state education commissioner to stop all public funding to any public school that fails to provide special education services meeting state and federal law requirements. This directly affects schools not complying with special education mandates, such as those not delivering individualized education plans (IEPs) for qualifying students. The bill requires the commissioner to notify the state treasurer to halt all state and federal school funding until the school comes into compliance, with the commissioner certifying resolution before funding resumes. The legislation does not create new funding but may require monitoring staff to track compliance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enforces special education compliance through funding, protecting student access to mandated IEP services under state/federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 584: increasing the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.

SB 584 increases state funding for students receiving special education services by adding $16,000 per student to the base education cost calculation. This change directly affects school districts and students in special education programs across New Hampshire, starting July 1, 2026. The bill modifies the formula used to determine per-pupil funding by specifying this additional amount for special education students, alongside existing adjustments for free/reduced meals and English language learners. The policy change aims to provide higher state support for these students' educational needs without altering current eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSB 584 explicitly increases state funding for special education by $16,000 per student, advancing public education spending under budget/fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding by $16k/student, directly advancing student support in education policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education Student Health

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1835: relative to the formula for distribution of aid to school districts.

HB 1835 updates New Hampshire's funding formula for special education by requiring the state to reimburse school districts 80% of the actual costs for services provided to students with disabilities, as defined by federal law (IDEA). This reimbursement must be paid within 90 days of the district submitting billing information, addressing delays in current funding cycles. School districts can now borrow funds in advance of receiving state payments and count those borrowed amounts as revenue when setting property tax rates. The bill directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities and aims to align state payments more closely with documented special education expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 80% state reimbursement for special education costs, increasing state budget allocation for public education funding within 90 days of billing.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires 80% state reimbursement for special education costs within 90 days, directly increasing funding for school districts serving students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding Special Education

Track