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HB 319 · 2025 · House · Education Funding Committee

Ending half-day kindergarten busing requirement

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide transportation for pupils in kindergarten.

Removes the requirement that school districts provide transportation to half-day kindergarten students.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

“By the authority vested in me, pursuant to part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution, on June 3, 2025, I have vetoed House Bill 319, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide transportation for pupils in kindergarten.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jun 3, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 13

The House voted 182–173 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained.

Analysis

This bill removes the requirement that school districts provide transportation and meals to half-day kindergarten students.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Keith AmmonRPrimeMajority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Lisa PostRClerk· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Public testimony

23 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

17% support83% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill removes the requirement for schools to provide meals to half-day kindergarten students. We oppose this bill because we know first-hand how important school meals are for the families that we serve in our affordable rental housing properties.…”
— Carmen Lorentz, Laconia · Lakes Region Community Developersopposes
“Students should be fully supported with transportation and meals from kindergarten (whether half days or full days) through 12th grade. Please vote this bill inexpedient to legislate. Thank you.”
— Rina Petit, Litchfieldopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-249:30 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1110:00 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing
  • 2025-04-019:00 amSenate EducationLOB 101Public hearing
  • 2025-04-089:15 amSenate EducationLOB 101Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Funding HJ 2 P. 14
  2. Jan 24, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/24/2025 11:30 am LOB 205-207
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
  4. Feb 11, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0345h (NT) 02/11/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  5. Feb 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0345h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 48
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0345h: MA RC 204-171 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 48
  8. Mar 13, 2025SenIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 8
  9. Apr 1, 2025Sen==RECESSED== Hearing: 04/01/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 15
  10. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:15 am; SC 16
  11. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025, Vote 3-1; SC 19
  12. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 13Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  13. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  14. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 51
  15. Jun 3, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/03/2025 HJ 19 P. 13
  16. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 182-173 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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