New Hampshire HB 1826: relative to the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education.

Bill Text

HB 1826-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3123

 07/09

HOUSE BILL 1826-FN

AN ACT relative to the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education.

SPONSORS: Rep. Ladd, Graf. 5

COMMITTEE: Education Funding

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ANALYSIS

 This bill raises the cost associated with providing an opportunity for 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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3123

 07/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education.

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

 1 Education; School Money; Cost of an Opportunity for an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 198:40-a, I-II 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] $4,438 per pupil in the ADMR, plus differentiated aid as follows: 

 (b) An additional [$2,300] $2,441 for each pupil in the ADMR who is eligible for a free or reduced price meal anytime during the determination year; plus

 (c) An additional [$800] $866 for each pupil in the ADMR who is an English language learner anytime during the determination year; plus

 (d) An additional [$2,100] $3,203 for each pupil in the ADMR who is receiving special education services anytime during the determination year.

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 LBA

 26-3123

 Revised 1/12/26

HB 1826-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to the cost of an opportunity for 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 $27 Million 

Per Year

 Funding Source(s)

Education Trust Fund

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

Statutory "Open Warrant" Exists for District Adequacy, Charter School, and EFA Payments

 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 $25 Million 

Per Year

 Local Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$0

METHODOLOGY:

This bill changes per pupil adequacy rates defined in RSA 198:40-a effective FY 2028 as follows:

 FY 2028

Base

Differentiated Aid

 F&R

Special Education

 Current Law

$4,439

$2,490

$2,274

 Proposed Bill

$4,438

$2,441

$3,203

 Increase / (Decrease)

($1)

($49)

$929

This change will impact state adequacy aid to school districts, as well as state payments for charter schools and education freedom accounts (EFAs). Data for FY 2028 payments is not yet available, therefore this bill’s impact cannot be estimated at this time. Using most current data available, this bill will likely increase total state education trust fund expenditures by approximately $27 million per year ($25 million for district adequacy and $1 million each for charter schools and EFAs).

It should be noted that this bill’s effective date is “60 days after its passage”. To not affect FY 2027 education payment calculations, the effective date should be July 1, 2027, which would meet the bill’s intent of having FY 2028 being the first year of impact.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Education