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HB 1817 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

School program access for voucher students

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to access to curricular courses and cocurricular programs within school districts.

As amended, this bill extends the existing right of access to school district curricular courses and cocurricular programs, including statewide assessments, to education freedom account students on the same terms as resident public school pupils.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows all students the choice to attend school in the school district in which they reside.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Valerie McDonnellRPrime
  • Rep. Pam BrownRClerk· Education Funding
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Bryan MorseR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

548 signed in online · 115 wrote testimony

49% support51% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral support without elaborated reasoning

AgainstProviding free access costs taxpayers/schools twice

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Today, public schools benefit from the most comprehensive access, the largest student enrollment, significant resources, and extensive grant opportunities, all funded primarily by federal and local taxpayers.…”
— Tiffany Diamond, Nashua · My childsupports
“As an individual who continues to pay full property taxes into my local school district yet neither of my children attend, I fully support treating EFA recipients as equal persons under the law and permitting those children reasonable access to their local school district.”
— William Miskimen, Doversupports
“All New Hampshire residents deserve access to public education, especially in their own town/city/district. It is unimaginable that residents are being taxed then charged for in district education. Whatever their choices are education it needs to be fair.”
— Andrew Fulchino, East Kingstonsupports
“If EFA recipients get equal access this ends up costing the state (aka taxpayers) more. Not only would those on the EFA pathway get the public funds in class wallet, if they utilize the public school, the state would end up paying out again for them to attend the class.…”
— Angela Turcotte, Doveropposes
“Having equal access as an EFA student has allowed my children educational opportunities that are impossible to provide as a home educated family.…”
— Lauren Rockafellow, Mont Vernonopposes
“State of New Hampshire: Adequately fund public schools! Stop further draining local resources with vouchers.”
— Beth Perkins, New Londonopposes
“I support this bill because it addresses a narrow access issue within existing law without destabilizing school funding, undermining local control, or expanding state bureaucracy.…”
— Timothy Swaan, North Haverhillneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0410:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-03-029:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-03-319:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 37
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 10:45 am GP 232
  3. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 09:30 am GP 232
  4. Mar 2, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0911h (NT) 03/02/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 38
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0911h (NT): AA DV 177-150 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 134
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0911h: MA RC 179-156 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 135
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 7
  9. Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:25 am; SC 12
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1733s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenPending Motion Committee Amendment # 2026-1733s; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 14, 2026SenSen. Abbas Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1733s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  15. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass: RC 15Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  16. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  17. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  18. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 183; eff.08/18/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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