Rep. Patricia Cornell

Maddy summaryHB 1787 modifies New Hampshire's statewide education property tax system by requiring all tax revenues to be collected by local officials and deposited directly into the state education trust fund, rather than being handled by municipalities. It updates the low- and moderate-income homeowners property tax relief program and establishes a committee to study this program's effectiveness. The bill also mandates that tax bills include clear information about available relief programs, including the low-income homeowner program. These changes affect homeowners (particularly those eligible for tax relief) and ensure education funding flows through a centralized state trust fund for grants and tax relief payments. The tax rate is set to generate $378 million annually, increasing by 2% each year.

Maddy summaryHB 1834 sets a fixed enrollment cap of 10,000 students for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, instead of allowing the cap to increase to 12,500 under current law. This directly affects families applying for EFA funds to cover private school costs and participating private schools. The bill freezes the cap until 2028, requiring any future increase only if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior year's cap. The fiscal note estimates this change would save approximately $6.3 million in state spending for fiscal year 2027 by limiting enrollment to 11,250 students instead of 12,500. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or funding per student.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a $3,750 per pupil cap on targeted education aid for municipalities with 5,000 or more average daily student enrollment (ADMR). It directly affects only the City of Manchester, which has exceeded this threshold. The change removes a longstanding restriction that limited how much additional aid cities could receive for student needs. The state estimates this will cost approximately $9 million annually starting in 2028, funded from the Education Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1264 modifies the purpose and requirements of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Savings Account (EFA) Oversight Committee. The bill expands the committee's duties to specifically review student data, eligibility rules, and EFA fund expenditures, while requiring monthly meetings that must be live-streamed and recorded on the state website. It also mandates that all committee agendas, minutes, and reports be posted online. These changes aim to increase transparency and oversight of the EFA program, which directly affects students and families using education savings accounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1578 adds specific definitions (like "program administrator," "applicant," and "vendor") and mandates quarterly reporting for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. It requires program administrators to submit detailed reports to state education officials, including data on applications, approvals, student demographics (race, grade level, prior school type), vendor distributions, and expense categories. These reports, due within 30 days of each quarter-end, must be publicly posted on the state education department's website. The bill directly affects program administrators managing EFAs, parents/guardians applying for accounts, and vendors receiving funds, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in the EFA program.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 changes how video lottery terminal (VLT) revenue is distributed after covering administrative costs. It shifts the allocation from the current 75% to the General Fund and 25% to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to 100% to the ETF. This directly affects public schools by increasing funding through the Education Trust Fund, which supports public school aid. The bill modifies RSA 287-J:6 to require all remaining VLT revenue (after costs) to flow entirely to the ETF, eliminating General Fund deposits. The fiscal note confirms this would decrease General Fund revenue (e.g., ~$45M in FY2026) while increasing ETF revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 1820 shifts administration of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program from scholarship organizations to the Department of Education. It requires the Department to directly transfer funds to parents for qualifying education expenses (like tuition, materials, or tutoring) for eligible students, replacing the previous system where scholarship organizations managed distributions. Parents must apply through the Department, agree to educational requirements (including assessments or portfolio reviews), and use funds only for approved expenses. Unused EFA funds roll over annually but revert to the education trust fund if not used by graduation or after misuse. This bill directly affects parents of K-12 students participating in the EFA program.

Maddy summarySB 531 establishes a task force to study whether creating cosmetology training programming at the Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center and White Mountain Community College in Coos County is feasible. The task force will examine staffing, funding, joint operations with the community college system, public salon opportunities, and timelines for implementation by September 2027. It must report findings to state officials and the Berlin school board by June 2027, with no funding provided for the study. This bill does not create the program but assesses its potential to serve students and address cosmetology education needs in northern New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 490 establishes a task force to study the feasibility of building housing on vacant property at Great Bay Community College within the Pease development area. The task force will examine military/student housing models, funding sources, operational plans, and resident needs, specifically for students, faculty, staff, and New Hampshire National Guard personnel. The bill authorizes the college to develop housing on this property, subject to coordination with state agencies. The task force must submit recommendations by December 30, 2026, to the governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1574 allows New Hampshire school districts to extend free and reduced-price lunch benefits to special education students who are 21 years old but continue their education through age 22, as required by their individualized education plan (IEP). The bill authorizes school boards to maintain eligibility for these students until their IEP is completed or they turn 22, whichever comes first. The state will reimburse school districts for these meals through the general fund at the same rate as federal USDA meal programs. This change directly affects students with IEPs who remain in school beyond age 21, removing a barrier to nutritional support during their extended education. The policy takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.