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SB 101 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Statewide school open enrollment

AI-generated

(Second New Title) authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state.

Requires school districts to establish open enrollment policies letting parents apply to enroll their children in any public school in the state, using published capacity and a lottery when applications exceed available space, funded through the education trust fund.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows parents to send their children to public schools outside of their resident district.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Timothy LangRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Finance
  • Sen. James GrayRChair· Finance
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

2,250 signed in online · 812 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForLets parents choose the school that best fits their child

AgainstNot truly equitable access to "choice"

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Open enrollment is a way to bring constructive competition to public schools. When schools no longer get students by address, they will have to attract them via quality and specialization. Changes are likely to be gradual, but profound. Very much in favor.”
— Dan McGuire, Epsom · Epsomsupports
“I am writing to express my strong support for SB 101 and to urge you to advance this important Open Enrollment legislation for New Hampshire families and educators. As a teacher, I see firsthand the dedication educators bring to their classrooms every single day.…”
— Tiffany Locke-Barrett, Raymondsupports
“I am writing to express my strong support for SB 101 and the opportunity it presents to strengthen public education in New Hampshire.…”
— Robin Locke, Seabrooksupports
“The Pittsfield School Board wishes to express their concerns re: SB101. For small, property-tax dependent districts like Pittsfield, even a modest shift in student enrollment could create significant and unplanned financial impacts.…”
— Sandra Adams, Pittsfield · SAU51 Pittsfield School Distrctopposes
“This bill will prove disastrous for local schools, especially those who are already at a financial disadvantage.…”
— Nancy Jerauld, Litchfieldopposes
“?? UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT SB 101 — OPEN ENROLLMENT School boards and administrators across NH have submitted these questions. Not one has been answered. This is why we are asking legislators to slow down. ?? CAPACITY ??…”
— Andrew Sanborn, SANBORNTONopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-289:00 amSenate EducationLOB 101Public hearing
  • 2026-01-201:00 pmSenate FinanceSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-03-2510:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-0110:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-1310:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-131:00 pmHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 3
  2. Jan 28, 2025SenHearing: 01/28/2025, Room 101, LOB, 10:30 am; SC 7
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 03/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 01/07/2026; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenSB 101 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  7. Jan 7, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MF, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  8. Jan 7, 2026SenSen. Lang Moved Ought to Pass; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  9. Jan 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  10. Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 103, SH, 02:10 pm, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-0071s; SC 2
  11. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0194s, 01/29/2026, Vote 6-1; SC 3 P. 3
  12. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0194s, RC 14Y-10N, AA; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  13. Jan 29, 2026SenWithout Objection, Sen. Birdsell Moved the Question, MA; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  14. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0194s, RC 14Y-10N, MA; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  15. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
  16. Mar 25, 2026House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  17. Apr 1, 2026House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  18. Apr 13, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/13/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  19. Apr 13, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/13/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  20. Apr 15, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  21. Apr 13, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1451h (NT) 04/13/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  22. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1455h (NT)
  23. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1451h (NT): AA RC 182-172 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 37
  24. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1455h: AF RC 169-184 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 42
  25. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1451h: MF RC 168-184 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 45
  26. Apr 23, 2026HouseLay SB101 on Table (Rep. Sweeney): MA DV 320-32 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 47

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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