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SB 579 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

School transfers within districts

AI-generated

modifying the language for intra-district public school transfers to include schools within school administrative units.

Extends parents' ability to transfer children to other schools within school administrative units and authorizes superintendent service providers to approve or disapprove transfers based on the student's best interests.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · February 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill extends parents' ability to transfer their children to other schools to include students within school administrative units (SAUs). The bill also authorizes providers of superintendent services to approve or disapprove of school transfers depending on the best interests of the student.

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

“The parent or guardian of a student may apply to the superintendent of the student's district of residence or provider of superintendent services as defined in RSA 194-C:5, II(a) of the student's school administrative unit (SAU) to change the student's school or assignment to another specific public school, public academy, or an approved private school within the district or SAU.”
Section 1
“The parent or guardian of a student may also apply to the superintendent of the student's district of residence or the provider of superintendent services of the student's SAU if the parent or guardian believes it would be in the best interest of the student to change the student's school or assignment to another public school, public academy, or an approved private school which is outside the district or SAU.”
Section 1
“Unless the student is experiencing a manifest educational hardship, applications pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than July 1 for the upcoming school year.”
Section 1
“For requests to change assignments to schools outside the district or SAU, or for requests made after July 1 for the upcoming school year, the superintendent or provider of superintendent services shall schedule a meeting with the parent or guardian, to be held within 10 days of the request.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Victoria SullivanRPrimeVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Education44:13–45:0653slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:30 am; SC 3
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Taking the Mystery Out of Fund BalanceExplainer

    New Hampshire Municipal Association — Defines unassigned fund balance and explains how New Hampshire municipalities and districts account for year-end surpluses.AI-generated

  • Municipal Budgeting: Tackling the UnexpectedExplainer

    New Hampshire Municipal Association — Describes how reserves and fund balances function as a buffer against revenue shortfalls and emergency costs.AI-generated

  • HB 1610 (2026)NH context

    Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the bill changing how New Hampshire school districts may retain year-end unassigned funds.AI-generated

  • ConVal School Board takes action against potential impact of HB 1610District flexibility

    Monadnock Ledger-Transcript — Reports on a New Hampshire district's concerns that tighter retention limits reduce budgeting flexibility.AI-generated

  • $16M back to voters from unassigned fund balanceTaxpayer return

    Eagle Tribune — Illustrates the case for returning accumulated surpluses to taxpayers rather than retaining them in district accounts.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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