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

Bill Text

HB 1557-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2845

 12/05

HOUSE BILL 1557-FN

AN ACT modifying the state average expenditure per pupil relative to students in special education.

SPONSORS: Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19; Rep. Luneau, Merr. 9; Rep. Ames, Ches. 13; Rep. Damon, Sull. 8; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 22; Rep. K. Murray, Rock. 22; Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. Rollins, Sull. 3; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13

COMMITTEE: Education Funding

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ANALYSIS

 This bill modifies the required state aid to be provided to school districts for the costs of special education. The bill also removes the proration of such appropriations relative to the costs of special education for each fiscal year.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2845

 12/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT modifying the state average expenditure per pupil relative to students in special education.

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

 1 Special Education; State Aid Reduced; Proration of Appropriation Removed. Amend RSA 186-C:18, III to read as follows:

 (a) The department of education shall distribute aid available under this paragraph as entitlement to such school districts as have a special education pupil for whose costs they are responsible, for whom the costs of special education in the fiscal year exceed [3 and 1/2] 1 and 1/2 times the most current state average expenditure per pupil for the school year preceding the year of distribution. If in any year, the amount appropriated for distribution as special education aid in accordance with this section is insufficient therefor, the appropriation shall be prorated proportionally based on entitlement among the districts entitled to a grant, provided that the department of education shall distribute to the school district not less than 80 percent of the district's entitlement in the fiscal year. The state may designate up to $250,000 of the funds which are appropriated as required by this paragraph, for each fiscal year, to assist those school districts which, under guidelines established by rules of the state board of education, may qualify for emergency assistance to mitigate the impact of special education costs. The state may designate up to an additional $250,000 of the funds which are appropriated under this paragraph for each fiscal year for any community of 1,000 or fewer residents to mitigate the impact of special education costs when emergency assistance is necessary to prevent significant financial harm to such district or community. Upon application to the commissioner of education, and approval by the commissioner, such funds may be accepted and expended by school districts in accordance with this chapter; provided, however, that if a school district has received emergency assistance funds for certain children with disabilities, it shall not receive special education aid for those same children with disabilities. If any of the funds designated for emergency assistance under this paragraph are not used for such emergency assistance purposes, the funds shall be used to assist school districts in meeting special education cost increases in their special education programs as provided by this paragraph.

 (b) The school district shall be liable for [3 and 1/2] 1 and 1/2 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil for the school year preceding the year of distribution, plus 20 percent of the additional cost, up to 10 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil for the school year preceding the year of distribution.

 (c) The department of education shall be liable for 80 percent of the cost above the [3 1/2] 1 and 1/2 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil for the school year preceding the year of distribution, up to 10 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil for the school year preceding the year of distribution. The department of education shall be liable for all costs in excess of 10 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil for the school year preceding the year of distribution.

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.

 LBA

 26-2845

 12/4/25

HB 1557-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT modifying the state average expenditure per pupil relative to students in special education.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0