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HB 1467 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

High school civic excellence seal

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the New Hampshire seal of civic excellence and engagement program.

Establishes criteria for a New Hampshire seal of civic excellence and engagement, authorizes school boards to award it to qualifying graduating students, and authorizes the state board of education to adopt implementing rules.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · April 22, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes the required criteria for a high school student to be awarded the New Hampshire seal of civic excellence and engagement. II. Authorizes school boards and school administrative unit boards to award qualifying graduating high school students the distinction of a seal affixed to their diploma and completion of the program referenced on their transcript. III. Authorizes the state board of education to adopt rules relative to the program.

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

“A school board or school administrative unit board may affix the New Hampshire state seal of civic excellence and engagement on a diploma awarded to a student graduating from high school, as defined in RSA 194:23.”
RSA 189:11-e
“Commencing with the classes graduating high school in 2027 and for each graduating class thereafter, a school board or school administrative unit board may affix the New Hampshire state seal of civic excellence and engagement, pursuant to RSA 189:11-e, to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved a high level of proficiency in civics education and engagement.”
RSA 194:23-g
“The seal shall signify a student who has achieved a high level of proficiency in civics education and engagement by satisfying the established criteria.”
RSA 189:11-e
“The state board of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the seal of civic excellence and engagement program in order to assist school boards and school administrative unit boards in the consistent application of this section in recognizing high student proficiency.”
RSA 189:11-e

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David PaigeDPrimeRanking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Patricia CornellDRanking Member· Education Policy
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“HB1467 proposes a state civic recognition program without adequate funding; implementation clarity is needed to ensure equitable access for students of all backgrounds.”
— georgina lambert, BELMONTopposes
“This is stuff students should be learning anyway. The bill smacks of a participant trophy.”
— Maura Annette Chappelle, Colebrookopposes

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
  • Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0522h (NT)17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0522hadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0522hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 12, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration5:50–20:0114m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and AdministrationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0522h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0522h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Education2:30–7:595m 29slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 21
  2. Jan 12, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/12/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Feb 4, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0522h (NT) 02/04/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 7 P. 30
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0522h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 58
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0522h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 58
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 59
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  9. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 5
  10. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:15 am; SC 9
  11. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 11
  12. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  13. Mar 26, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/26/2026); SJ 8
  14. Mar 26, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 56
  15. Apr 22, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 04/22/2026; Chapter 36; eff. 07/04/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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