Regular Legislative Updates are Back!
We are in the final weeks before all House and Senate Committees need to report on the bills that were held from the 2025 session. All reports will be voted on during the first session day of 2026, which will be Wednesday, January 7th.
Right out of the gate there will be consequential bills before each chamber for a floor vote, including a revamped forced school budget cap bill, more attempts at broadening the electioneering laws for public employees, and likely a new version of a book ban. We are also waiting to see if the Senate moves forward efforts to create a revolving loan fund to support the Claremont School District as they navigate a budget crisis. Finally, Rep. Glenn Cordelli is putting forward two non-germane amendments that will require hearings next week that would dismantle public schools under the auspices of Claremont accountability so please read the summary below and take the time to sign in opposed.
Several study committees who had a November 1st reporting deadline have also wrapped up, including the committee looking at consolidating SAU functions. It sure has been a very busy fall as we lead into the next legislative session. Add to all that, we have municipal elections next Tuesday and a food crisis with SNAP benefits ending November 1st.
House Finance Committee Recommends New Version of Forced School District Budget Cap Bill
This week, the House Republican leadership put forward a new version of a mandatory budget cap plan for school district budgets. You may recall that during this last session, House Majority Leader Jason Osborne pushed to include draconian school budget budget cap language in the trailer bill of the state budget. Fortunately, 38 House Republicans joined with Democrats to remove that provision from the budget bill.
But some lawmakers aren't taking no for an answer. Recently, the House Finance Committee voted on party lines to send HB 675 from last year to the floor with a new amendment that slightly changes the original artificial cap that would be mandated on all school districts. The new version is like one that school districts already have the option of adopting at their annual meeting that considers change in attendance and cost of living index (CPI). This formula still does not take into account all the unexpected and downshifted costs that school districts face in any given budget year.
Just like the last proposal, it would place a mandate on all school districts without the chance for voters to adopt it and would also require 2/3rds of the legislative body to override the cap if a school needed to keep up with the true rising costs of operating a school.
Majority Leader Jason Osborne was rejected by his House colleagues once before for trying this forced budget cap, and we need to make sure this bill does not move forward again. Time and again communities have shown their willingness to step up to ensure our next generation can succeed in spite of the continued lack of sufficient funding from the state. This latest move is nothing more than an effort to defund public education while tens of millions of dollars are being sent to private schools through the state’s voucher program.
Public Hearing on Rushed Amendment to Dismantle Financially Struggling School Districts
While House leaders continue to drag their feet on legislative efforts to help the Claremont School District resolve their financial crisis, Rep. Glenn Cordelli is proposing a rushed amendment to HB 121 that would give the NH State Board of Education the ability to appoint an administrator to rule over a school district under certain circumstances, some of which are extremely vague. Fiscal accountability is important so that districts do not get into a situation that puts students and educators at risk, but this effort is misguided.
ACTION REQUEST: Please sign in to OPPOSE the non-germane amendment to HB 121 before the House Education Policy and Administration Committee Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.. (Full sign in instruction below)
Follow Upcoming Bills on our Tracker!
While we are still waiting for language for 2026 bills, you can now check out all of the retained bills and legislative service requests for next year (LSRs) we are tracking by visiting: Bill Tracker | NEA-NH. You can also look at them by subject categories we have broken them down to as well. Our tracker will also allow you to subscribe to that list of bills and get regular updates on where they are in the process. Simply go to the list you want to follow, and then click on “Subscribe to this bill list.”
November 4 – Get Out and Vote for Pro-Public Education Candidates!
Local elections impact public education. If you live in one of the New Hampshire cities below, your next opportunity to make a difference is Tuesday, November 4!
The strength of public education depends upon elected officials at every level of government. Our communities need leaders who will work together to ensure educators are fairly compensated; our schools are fully funded; and every child receives a fair and equitable education.
For information on polling locations and how to cast your ballot, please contact your City Clerk. If you have additional questions about the election, please contact your local education association.
Thank you for supporting pro-public education candidates on November 4, 2025 in Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Dover, Keene, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Rochester, and Somersworth.
Questions?
If you have questions on any of these bills or ones not mentioned here, please feel free to contact Brian Hawkins, NEA-NH Director of Government Relations at [email protected].
Need help signing in on legislation? Follow these comprehensive instructions (details for public hearings are contained in each action request).
For House bills:
1. Visit this link: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
2. Enter your personal information
3. Select the hearing date
4. Select the committee
5. Choose the bill
6. I am - A member of the public
7. Choose who you are representing - Myself
8. Indicate your position on this bill
9. Upload remote testimony (Optional)
10. Review information and click submit
For Senate bills:
1. Go to https://bit.ly/3S4Cof1 and click the date that the bill you are interested in is being heard
2. Select the committee that is hearing the bill
3. Select the bill you are interested in
4. Select a category – Member of the Public
5. Indicate your position on this bill
6. Click continue
7. Enter your name and contact information
8. Click continue
9. Carefully review the information to ensure it is entered correctly. If it is correct, check the box and click continue.
