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SB 292 · 2025 · Senate · Education Finance Committee

Special education funding changes

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to aid to school districts for the cost of special education.

Removes the requirement that catastrophic special education funds be prorated among eligible school districts and requires disbursements to reach at least 80 percent of a district's catastrophic aid entitlement in a fiscal year.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill removes the requirement that catastrophic special education funds be prorated among the school districts entitled to such aid and requires that disbursements for special education to a school district shall be at least 80 percent of the district’s entitlement for catastrophic aid costs in the fiscal year.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“If there are unexpended funds appropriated under this paragraph at the end of any fiscal year, such funds shall be distributed for court-ordered placements and episodes of treatment under RSA 186-C:19-b.”
Section 138:1
“Funds under this paragraph shall be administered and distributed by the state board of education through the commissioner.] The amount necessary to fund special education aid under this section is hereby appropriated to the department from the education trust fund created under RSA 198:39.”
Section 138:2
“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.”
Section 138:1
“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.”
Section 138:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Timothy LangRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Ruth WardRChair· Education
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

173 signed in online · 20 wrote testimony

96% support4% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The buyers club SAU model worked fine in 1873. Much like Biden, its time has passed. Internet and next day delivery have eliminated the need for carrying SAU overhead. It is worth studying (though my mind is made up).”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“I am in support of Bill 292 Authorizing A Warrant For The Funding Of State Special Education Aid.”
— susan howard, chestersupports
“Please ensure special education is well funded! These kids need our support!”
— Corrin Wilson, Bedfordsupports
“Teachers, parents, and administrators need to be part of this process!”
— Nancy Frost, Gilfordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseVoice voteVacated and Referred to Education Funding (Rep. Weyler)adopted
  • May 1, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1802h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-1802hadopted
  • May 8, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1802hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendmentadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 12, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamIntroduced (in recess); Vacated and Referred to Education Funding (Rep. Weyler) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Funding22:22–23:311m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:31:17–1:33:001m 43slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1802h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1802h (NT) — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor55:15–55:5944slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 30, 2025SenIntroduced 01/30/2025 and Referred to Education Finance; SJ 4
  2. Feb 19, 2025SenHearing: 02/19/2025, Room 103, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 10
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/13/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  6. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  7. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Finance HJ 11 P. 113
  8. Mar 27, 2025HouseVacated and Referred to Education Funding (Rep. Weyler): MA VV (in recess of) 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 114
  9. Apr 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/15/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  10. May 2, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 05/02/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  11. May 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/01/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  12. May 1, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1802h 05/01/2025 (Vote 18-0; RC) HC 23 P. 12
  13. May 8, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1802h (NT): AA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 30
  14. May 8, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1802h: MA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 31
  15. May 8, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 31
  16. May 8, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 42
  17. May 15, 2025SenSen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  18. Jun 12, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 24
  19. Jun 12, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/12/2025); SJ 17
  20. Jun 25, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/25/2025; Chapter 138; Effective 08/24/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.