Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1578 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

Education freedom account reporting rules

AI-generated

adds definitions and reporting requirements relative to education freedom accounts.

Adds definitions, including for program administrator, to the education freedom account statute and establishes quarterly reporting requirements for program administrators.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds definitions to the chapter relative to education freedom accounts (EFAs), including a definition for program administrator. The bill also adds quarterly reporting requirements for program administrators detailing information related to EFAs.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2026 and each quarter thereafter, the program administrator shall submit a detailed report to the commissioner of the department of education, the education freedom savings account oversight committee, the senate committees on education and education finance, and the house committees on education funding and education policy and administration.”
RSA 194-F:13
“The program administrator shall provide any additional information or data requested by the department of education, the education freedom savings account oversight committee, the senate committees on education and education finance, or the house committees on education funding and education policy and administration to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with RSA 194-F.”
RSA 194-F:13
“The program administrator shall also obtain and provide all necessary data to the office of the legislative budget assistant for purposes of conducting an audit of the education freedom account program.”
RSA 194-F:13
“The quarterly reports shall be submitted electronically by the program administrator within 30 days following the end of each quarter.”
RSA 194-F:13

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Peggy BalboniDPrime
  • Rep. Patricia CornellDRanking Member· Education Policy
  • Rep. David LuneauDRanking Member· Education Funding

Also: Rep. Loren SeligD, Rep. Megan MurrayD, Rep. Stephanie GrundD, Rep. Stephen WoodcockD, Rep. Tracy BricchiD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

195 signed in online · 39 wrote testimony

90% support10% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill insists on a reasonable amount of transparency and reporting, which is sorely needed.”
— Ann Carlson, Keenesupports
“There needs to be oversight of the voucher programs as well as accountability. It is our tax dollars going to private religious schools. Without documentation the voucher program was increased by our state legislators.”
— Marie Straiton, Pembrokesupports
“Transparency and true reporting of demographic and financial records are necessary for the legislature to make informed decisions on any bill -- the more so for HB1578 which entails such enormous amounts of money and the funding, now and future, for all of NH's students.”
— Susan Richman, Durhamsupports
“FERPA already permits disclosure of student data only to individuals or entities with a legitimate educational interest.…”
— WAYNE SWEARINGIN, Laconiaopposes
“I am writing in opposition to HB 1578. I am a New Hampshire parent whose family participates in the Education Freedom Account program.…”
— Sarah shaghasi, Barringtonopposes
“With a bill such as this, why not just mandate all children to be forced to go to public schools already.”
— James Gardner, Keeneopposes

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 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1578 on Table (Rep. Ladd)Adopted182–162How they voted
    Overall
    53% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    182–498% yea
    Democrats
    0–1580% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Funding3:48:00–3:50:572m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Funding1:58:10–1:59:361m 26slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:21:55–1:27:355m 40slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1578 on Table (Rep. Ladd) — adopted, roll call 182-162

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 Funding HJ 1 P. 26
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 01:45 pm GP 232
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/17/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 9 P. 34
  5. Feb 20, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseLay HB1578 on Table (Rep. Ladd): MA RC 182-162 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 56

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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