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HB 550 · 2025 · House · Education Funding Committee

Raising the school funding base

AI-generated

modifying the base cost of an adequate education.

Increases the per-pupil base cost of an adequate education from $4,100 to $7,356.01 beginning in the 2025-2027 biennium and expands the definition of an adequate education.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill increases the base cost of an adequate education and expands the definition of an adequate education.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David LuneauDPrimeRanking Member· Education Funding

Public testimony

504 signed in online · 185 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

ForState funding is unconstitutionally inadequate

AgainstPremature to codify a court ruling still under appeal

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

While New Hampshire's traditional public schools have provided the opportunity for students to learn, the state's funding cannot the described as adequate. Our students and their schools have performed well, but property taxpayers have paid the cost.
Michael Cahill, Newmarket · Newmarket, Newfieldssupports
The cost of an adequate education is a state responsibility described in the New Hampshire State Constitution, to which you all took an oath to uphold. The Supreme Court has ruled for many years this needs to be done.
William Farnum, Tamworthsupports
Education Funding from the State is inadequate causing property taxes to increase in amounts not sustainable for many. This bill addresses the issue and should be passed.
Kathleen Bean, Durhamsupports
Another silly season bill seeking to codify unconstitutional judges order, under court appeal and which has not been resolved. The sponsor strategically does not bother to cite his target source of proposed increased lavish funding.
Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
HB 550, if enacted, would bust the budget, and constitute an abject pre-emptive surrender to the unconstitutional policy decision (disguised as an adjudication) made by Superior Court Judge Ruoff in the ConVal litigation.
Gregory Sorg, Eastonopposes
I believe setting forth a grocery list of things which shall be included is unduly restrictive and does not account for new legislative requirements, both state and federal, as well as the differing situations in the school districts around this state.
Nancy Kelley, Hanoveropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-219:30 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1210:00 amHouse Education FundingLOB 210-211Public hearing
  • 2025-02-2510:00 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Funding HJ 3 P. 15
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 02:00 pm LOB 205-207
  3. Feb 12, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/12/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  4. Feb 25, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
  5. Feb 25, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
  6. Feb 25, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/25/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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