New Hampshire SB 582: modifying the base cost of an adequate education.

Bill Text

SB 582-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2197

 07/09

SENATE BILL 582-FN

AN ACT modifying the base cost of an adequate education.

SPONSORS: Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Balboni, Rock. 38; Rep. Manos, Rock. 12

COMMITTEE: Education Finance

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ANALYSIS

 This bill increases the base cost of an adequate education and expands the definition of an adequate education.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2197

 07/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT modifying the base cost of an adequate education.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Cost of an Opportunity for an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 198:40-a, I-II(a) to read as follows:

 I. For the biennium beginning July 1, [2023] 2027, the annual cost of providing the opportunity for an adequate education as defined in RSA 193-E:2-a shall be as specified in paragraph II. The department shall adjust the rates specified in this paragraph in accordance with RSA 198:40-d.

 II.(a) A cost of [$4,100] $7,356.01 per pupil in the ADMR, plus differentiated aid as follows:

 2 Cost of an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 193-E:2-b, I to read as follows:

 I. The general court shall use the definition of the opportunity for an adequate education in RSA 193-E:2-a to determine the resources necessary to provide essential programs, considering educational needs. The general court shall make an initial determination of the necessary specific resource elements to be included in the opportunity for an adequate education. The necessary specific resource elements shall include the costs for teachers, teacher benefits, student teacher ratios, principals, administrative assistants, school counselors, library-media specialists, technology coordinators, custodians, nurse services, instructional materials, technology, professional development, facilities operation and maintenance, and transportation. The general court shall update the cost of an adequate education at least every 2 years. The general court shall use evidence from actual costs from all approved schools to determine the cost of an adequate education.

 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2027.

 LBA

 26-2197

 Revised 1/28/26

SB 582-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT modifying the base cost of an adequate education.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$0

Indeterminable Increase

(Approximately $500M Per Year)

 Funding Source(s)

Education Trust Fund

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

Statutory Open Warrant Exists for Adequacy Grant, Charter School, and EFA Expenditures

 Funding Source(s)

Education Trust Fund

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Local Revenue

$0

$0

Indeterminable Increase (Approximately $433M Per Year)

 Local Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$0

METHODOLOGY:

This bill, effective FY 2028, increases the Base ADM adequacy rate from $4,439 to $7,356.01. The Department of Education states it can only make a reasonably accurate forecast one year in advance, relative to student and property data impacting the funding formulas. Therefore, the Department has calculated the impact on District Adequacy, Charter School State Aid, and Education Freedom Accounting State Aid as if this bill was effective FY 2027. Under this methodology, the fiscal impact is estimated to be $500 million a year starting in FY 2028 and each year after.

Net Increase Using Estimate FY 2027 Student Data & 

FY 2027 Formula

Factors Applicable to FY 2028 That May Impact These Estimates

 District Adequacy

(148,918 Students)

$433.3 Million

 Student Enrollment Will Likely Decrease in FY 2028 – Lowering Fiscal Impact

 Charter State Aid

(7,866 Students)

$23.6 Million

Student Enrollment Will Likely Increase in FY 2028 – Increasing Fiscal Impact

 EFA State Aid

(12,500 Students)

$37.5 Million

Student Enrollment Will Likely Increase in FY 2028 – Increasing Fiscal Impact

 Total

Approximately $500 Million Per Year

The Department has a statutory open warrant to make required adequate education grant, charter school grant, and education freedom account payments. For informational purposes, the education trust fund balance as of June 30,