Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 115 · 2025 · House · Education Funding Committee

Temporary state budget extension

AI-generated

(New Title) making temporary appropriations for the expenses and encumbrances of the state of New Hampshire.

Authorizes state agencies to spend at up to 45 percent of their fiscal year 2025 appropriation levels from July 1, 2025 until a new operating budget is enacted, no later than January 1, 2026.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · December 17, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“Given that House Bill 1 was signed into law, the continuing resolution contained in House Bill 115 is no longer needed. For this reason, I am vetoing House Bill 115.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 15, 2025
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 4

The House voted 1–347 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

Analysis

This bill makes temporary appropriations for the expenses and encumbrances of the state of New Hampshire from July 1, 2025 until an operating budget is enacted but in no event later than January 1, 2026.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“Each state agency or state entity for which the general court appropriated funds for its operating budget for fiscal year 2025 shall obligate additional funds for expenditures during the period this act is in effect at a rate not in excess of 45 percent of, and for the same purposes of, the appropriations for fiscal year 2025 contained in HB 1 of the 2023 regular legislative session”
Section 1, I(a)

The whole mechanism of a stopgap budget: keep spending at a fixed fraction of the last enacted budget, for the same purposes, until a real one passes.AI-generated

“Section 1 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025 and shall continue in effect until an operating budget is enacted into law but in no event later than January 1, 2026.”
Section 2

The deadline the temporary appropriation carried — six months, and no longer.AI-generated

“Expenditures obligated under authority of this act shall be charges upon any appropriations subsequently enacted with respect to identical purposes and periods.”
Section 1, I(c)

Spending under the stopgap is charged against whatever budget is eventually enacted, so the money is advanced, not added.AI-generated

“The state of New Hampshire hereby indemnifies any state official, commissioner, trustee, or other person having control of public funds appropriated by the general court for any liability personally incurred because of the provisions of RSA 9:19 and RSA 9:20 for whatever period of time elapses from 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2025, until the time that the provisions of this act making temporary appropriations become law.”
Section 1, II

The clause acknowledging the gap it was written for: officials spending without an enacted budget are indemnified for the interval.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Valerie McDonnellRPrime
  • Rep. Rick LaddRChair· Education Funding
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Kenneth WeylerRChair· Finance
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Ruth WardRChair· Education
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Finance

Also: Rep. Julius SotiR, Rep. Kevin VervilleR, Rep. Glenn CordelliR, Rep. Sheila SeidelR

Public testimony

4,208 signed in online · 1,949 wrote testimony

19% support81% oppose0% neutral

ForEFAs helped children struggling in public school

AgainstProgram mainly subsidizes already-private families

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If we hold the view that "public education" is a commitment by state government to provide for the education of our youngest citizens, then we should ensure students are able to learn according to their individual needs.…”
— Ashley Mullins, Mechanicsburg · ExcelinEd in Actionsupports
“I support this bill. The money should follow the child. Thank you.”
— Wesley Littlefield, Belmontsupports
“As a taxpayer in New Hampshire, I agree that funds being allocated for the purpose of facilitating a child's education is a valuable way to use resources.…”
— Keeley Rollert, Franklinsupports
“We need to eliminate the school voucher program completely. Any efforts to expand it just makes a bad situation worse. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund a private school or home school program when our public schools should be strengthened instead.…”
— Kris Schultz, Concord · Concord wards 4, 9 & 10opposes
“We citizens were told the voucher bill was solely intended to "help lower and middle income parents". This is a gross misuse of our tax dollars and will fall on the backs of us property owners. STOP THE STEAL.”
— Johnna Davis, Gilfordopposes
“Removal of the income eligibility cap is so far removed from what the original explanation of school voucher was in 2019 -- to level the playing field for lower income families to find the best suited learning environment for their children -- that sponsors of this bill should be ashamed.…”
— Liz Tentarelli, Manchesteropposes
“Committee Members: Let me be clear that I support school choice, but there's a hierarchy to the things I support and I give priority to preventing higher taxes and higher spending.…”
— Julie Smith, Nashuaneutral

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 5, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0651h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0651hadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseRoll callFloor amendment 2025-0916h (Rep. Luneau)Failed170–205How they voted
    Overall
    45% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    1–2040% yea
    Democrats
    169–0100% yea
    Other
    0–10% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseRoll callFloor amendment 2025-0922h (Rep. Ames)Failed171–205How they voted
    Overall
    45% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    2–2041% yea
    Democrats
    169–0100% yea
    Other
    0–10% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0651hAdopted198–180How they voted
    Overall
    52% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    197–1195% yea
    Democrats
    0–1690% yea
    Other
    1–0100% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 2, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass14–11
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Apr 10, 2025HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted188–181How they voted
    Overall
    51% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    187–1692% yea
    Democrats
    0–1650% yea
    Other
    1–0100% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2147s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Abbas Moved Laid on Tableadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved to Remove From Tableadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-2147sfailed
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved to suspend all rules necessary to permit the consideration of HB115; 2/3 necessaryadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-2880sadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2025-2893sFailed8–16How they voted
    Overall
    33% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2880sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 26, 2025HouseRoll callHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2880s (Reps. Ladd, Weyler)Adopted196–167How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    195–797% yea
    Democrats
    1–1601% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
  • Dec 17, 2025HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed1–347How they voted
    Overall
    0% yea
    Republicans
    1–1881% yea
    Democrats
    0–1590% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Funding4:27:29–4:36:409m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Education FundingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:51:59–2:01:329m 33slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0651h — adopted, roll call 198-180; Amendment # 2025-0651h — adopted, voice vote; FLAM # 2025-0916h (Rep. Luneau) — failed, roll call 170-205
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II6:13:55–6:15:021m 7slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II1:15:25–1:16:391m 14slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance1:18:56–1:20:011m 5slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Apr 10, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:32:35–1:42:269m 51slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 188-181
  • Apr 22, 2025Public hearingSenate Education2:19:39–2:32:0212m 23slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor6:49:50–6:50:4959slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2147s; Pending Motion Committee Amendment # 2025-2147s; Sen. Abbas Moved Laid on Table — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:33:26–5:00:3527m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2880s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-2147s — failed, voice vote; Sen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-2880s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor5:20:34–5:24:544m 20slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2880s (Reps. Ladd, Weyler) — adopted, roll call 196-167; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floor19:46–21:111m 25slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Sustained — roll call 1-347

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Funding HJ 2 P. 6
  2. Jan 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/16/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 11:00 am LOB 205-207
  4. Mar 5, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0651h 03/05/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  5. Mar 5, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0651h: AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 37
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-0916h (Rep. Luneau): AF RC 170-205 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 38
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-0922h (Rep. Ames): AF RC 171-205 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 40
  9. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0651h: MA RC 198-180 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 42
  10. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 44
  11. Mar 18, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 209
  12. Mar 19, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 209
  13. Apr 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  14. Apr 2, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 04/02/2025 (Vote 14-11; RC) HC 19 P. 15
  15. Apr 2, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  16. Apr 10, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 188-181 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 31
  17. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 10
  18. Apr 22, 2025SenHearing: 04/22/2025, Room 101, LOB, 10:15 am; SC 18
  19. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2147s, 06/05/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 24
  20. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Abbas Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  21. Jun 5, 2025SenPending Motion Committee Amendment # 2025-2147s; 06/05/2025; SC 25
  22. Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2147s, AF, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  24. Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to suspend all rules necessary to permit the consideration of HB115; 2/3 necessary, MA, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  25. Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-2880s, AA, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  26. Jun 26, 2025SenSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2025-2893s, RC 8Y-16N, AF; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  27. Jun 26, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2880s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; Read a Third Time and Final Passage in the Early Session; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  28. Jun 26, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2880s (Reps. Ladd, Weyler): MA RC 196-167 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 34
  29. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  30. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  31. Jul 15, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025 HJ 19 P. 4
  32. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 1-347 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 19

Coverage

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Understanding the New Hampshire state budgetExplainer — NH

    NH Fiscal Policy Institute — How HB 1 and HB 2 work, and what happens if the biennium starts without them.AI-generated

  • Budget processes in the statesComparative

    National Association of State Budget Officers — How other states handle a budget impasse, including which allow continuing appropriations.AI-generated

  • New Hampshire Legislative Budget AssistantFiscal notes and budget analyses

    NH General Court — The nonpartisan office whose fiscal notes score every bill, including the cost of running the state without a budget.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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