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SB 295 · 2025 · Senate · Education Finance Committee

Expanding education freedom accounts

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to education freedom accounts.

Removes household income limits on eligibility for education freedom accounts, sets an enrollment cap that can grow annually based on prior-year usage, and establishes priority enrollment guidelines for certain student groups.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Increases the number of students eligible for education freedom accounts by removing household income thresholds. II. Removes certain conditions tied to education freedom account funds.

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

“"Eligible student" means a resident of this state who is eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school [and whose annual household income at the time the student applies for the program is less than or equal to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902(2).”
Section 75:1
““Enrollment cap” means the total number of students that may be enrolled in the EFA program in a given school year before further enrollment is closed to all but students meeting priority guidelines, for whom enrollment is always open.”
Section 75:2
“A parent may apply to the scholarship organization to establish an EFA for an eligible student.”
Section 75:3
“The scholarship organization shall accept and approve applications for enrollment on a rolling basis each year and shall establish procedures for approving applications for enrollment in an expeditious manner.”
Section 75:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Victoria SullivanRPrimeVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Finance
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. James GrayRChair· Finance
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Valerie McDonnellR

Public testimony

956 signed in online · 397 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

ForEFAs give families freedom to choose private, religious, or home education

AgainstDrains funding from public schools and raises property taxes

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this bill. NH needs to change how it funds education. Funding the children instead of the system eliminates the special interest grift and corruption. The complexity of SWEPT is concealing systemic failure statewide.…”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“As a mother of 4 grade school children, I support this bill for the freedom to support what’s best for our children and inspire competition to improve all schools in NH.”
— Bailey Sweet, Greenfieldsupports
“Public monies should be used for public schools - period. If people want to send their children to private school, they should pay for that themselves. It is our responsibility as citizens to ensure our children are educated.…”
— Erin Yaeger, Salemsupports
“Unlimited access to school vouchers will further strain our already challenged educational funding in the state of NH. It’s one thing if you are in a failing school system however we should be investing in our public school system not diverting this money to private schools.…”
— Heather Reardon, Brookline · Myselflopposes
“This administration started off with a deficit. The new budget proposes to make many cuts. This year the current school voucher program is projected to cost the state $28 million dollars. This bill will increase that to at least $60 million or more. Please OPPOSE SB 295.”
— Anne Grossi, Bedfordopposes
“This bill requires tax payers to pay for a non-transparent system over which they have no control (e.g. private school curriculum)”
— Anthony Iannazzi, Leeopposes

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 Pass with Amendment # 2025-0793s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-0793sadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-0963sFailed8–16How they voted
    Overall
    33% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Altschiller Floor Amendment # 2025-0887sFailed8–16How they voted
    Overall
    33% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-0886sFailed8–16How they voted
    Overall
    33% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0793sAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–2
    Overall
    71% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 1, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1857h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseDivisionAmendment 2025-1857hAdopted185–155
    Overall
    54% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseDivisionPrevious QuestionAdopted195–166
    Overall
    54% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseRoll callFloor amendment 2025-1979h (Rep. Luneau)Failed165–199How they voted
    Overall
    45% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    4–1972% yea
    Democrats
    161–299% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1857hAdopted188–176How they voted
    Overall
    52% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    188–1394% yea
    Democrats
    0–1630% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2271h14–11
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Osborne)adopted
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-2271hadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseRoll callFloor amendment 2025-2702h (Rep. Luneau)Failed167–201How they voted
    Overall
    45% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    5–2002% yea
    Democrats
    162–199% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2271hAdopted190–178How they voted
    Overall
    52% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    190–1593% yea
    Democrats
    0–1630% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseRoll callReconsider OTPA (Rep. Osborne)Failed171–198How they voted
    Overall
    46% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    7–1983% yea
    Democrats
    164–0100% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendmentadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingSenate Education Finance50:31–59:499m 18slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:23:34–1:27:594m 25slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0793s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0793s — adopted, roll call 16-8; Committee Amendment # 2025-0793s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:12:31–4:17:114m 40slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • Apr 15, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Funding4:49:35–5:07:4318m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:32:40–1:39:116m 31slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1857h — adopted, roll call 188-176; Amendment # 2025-1857h — adopted, division 185-155; FLAM # 2025-1979h (Rep. Luneau) — failed, roll call 165-199
  • May 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II45:38–47:051m 27slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • May 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance21:17–25:103m 53slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2271h — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floor5:26:38–5:33:567m 18slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2271h — adopted, roll call 190-178; Amendment # 2025-2271h — adopted, voice vote; FLAM # 2025-2702h (Rep. Luneau) — failed, roll call 167-201
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor6:03:22–6:04:401m 18slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled 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 12, 2025SenHearing: 02/12/2025, Room 100, SH, 03:20 pm; SC 9
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0793s, 03/13/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0793s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 13, 2025SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-0963s, RC 8Y-16N, AF; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  6. Mar 13, 2025SenSen. Altschiller Floor Amendment # 2025-0887s, RC 8Y-16N, AF; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  7. Mar 13, 2025SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-0886s, RC 8Y-16N, AF; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  8. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0793s, RC 16Y-8N, MA; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  9. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025, Vote 5-2; SC 14
  10. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  11. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Education Funding HJ 11 P. 113
  12. Apr 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/15/2025 01:45 pm LOB 205-207
  13. May 2, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 05/02/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  14. May 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/01/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  15. May 1, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1857h 05/01/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 23 P. 13
  16. May 1, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  17. May 8, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1857h: AA DV 185-155 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 32
  18. May 8, 2025HousePrevious Question MA DV 195-166 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 33
  19. May 8, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-1979h (Rep. Luneau): AF RC 165-199 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 35
  20. May 8, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1857h: MA RC 188-176 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 35
  21. May 8, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 39
  22. May 23, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 05/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 209
  23. May 28, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/28/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  24. May 28, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2271h 05/28/2025 (Vote 14-11; RC) HC 27 P. 22
  25. May 28, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  26. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Osborne): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 94
  27. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-2271h: AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 95
  28. Jun 5, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-2702h (Rep. Luneau): AF RC 167-201 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 96
  29. Jun 5, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2271h: MA RC 190-178 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 98
  30. Jun 5, 2025HouseReconsider OTPA (Rep. Osborne): MF RC 171-198 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 100
  31. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  32. Jun 5, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  33. Jun 5, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 167
  34. Jun 10, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/10/2025; Chapter 0075
  35. Jun 11, 2025SenI. Sections 4 and 6 of this act shall take effect as provided in Section 7
  36. Jun 10, 2025SenII. Remainder Effective 06/10/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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