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HB 1374 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Cooperative school district withdrawal rules

AI-generated

(New Title) modifying the procedures for withdrawal from a cooperative school district and the discontinuance of elementary and high schools and requiring the review of school district operating documents by school boards.

Modifies the procedure for withdrawal from a cooperative school district, changes voting requirements for closing schools, and requires school boards to review district operating documents.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill modifies the procedure for withdrawal from a cooperative school district to allow a majority of voters in a single withdrawing district to elect to withdraw. The bill also clarifies that a supermajority of voters in the withdrawing district voting in favor of withdrawal shall constitute conclusive evidence of the withdrawal of the district.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mary MurphyRPrime
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance
  • Rep. Pam BrownRClerk· Education Funding
  • Sen. Ruth WardRChair· Education

Also: Rep. Riché ColcombeR, Rep. Mary FordR, Rep. Raymond PeeplesR, Rep. Susan PorcelliR

Public testimony

64 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

6% support94% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The bill I am referring to is hr 34 . By labeling Sharia as a threat there is misconceptions and prejudice. Respectfully I have never met one Muslim who believes they should not follow the law of the land. This is part of the teachings.…”
— Jennifer Crescenzo, Barringtonopposes
“It’s a very serious step to allow a Town to too easily break away from their Cooperative. There needs to be intense investigation and discussion of the ramifications so that all members involved can make an informed decision”
— Barbara Cavanaugh, Deeringopposes
“My children go to school in Derry, and I do want the whole town to decide what my children do or don’t do in school. As a resident please oppose this. This is in acceptable.”
— Megan Jackson, Derryopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0910:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-03-029:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-219:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 17
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  3. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 09:30 am GP 232
  4. Mar 2, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/02/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 37
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 179-149 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 134
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 7
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:25 am; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1731s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1731s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1731s, RC 14Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1731s and Requests CofC (Rep. Noble): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
  13. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Noble, Peternel, D. McGuire, Mary Murphy 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
  14. May 14, 2026SenSen. Ward Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  15. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Innis, Sullivan, Prentiss; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 09:30 am GP 230
  17. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 09:00 am GP 230
  18. May 26, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Prentiss; SJ 14
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2076c; 06/04/2026
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2076c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2076c: Adopted, RC 179-161 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 303; eff. 10/8/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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