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SB 580 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

School cooperative purchasing program

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to establishing a school cooperative purchasing program.

Establishes a school cooperative purchasing program allowing multiple school districts or administrative units to jointly procure specific goods and services, authorizes the state board of education to place schools or units into limited receivership, and requires school boards to adopt related policies.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a school cooperative purchasing program to allow multiple school districts or school administrative units (SAUs) the ability to enter into joint agreements for the procurement of specific goods and services in schools. The bill also authorizes the state board of education to place schools and SAUs into a receivership in limited circumstances.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Victoria SullivanRPrimeVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

98 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose SB 580 because, while the cooperative purchasing program is voluntary, it centralizes control and adds state oversight that could create unnecessary bureaucracy and costs.…”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“I oppose this bill it not only would establish a cooperative purchasing program, it would also redefine the duties of school boards and would allow the state board of education to place any school or school administrative unit into receivership.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoveropposes
“This bill not only would establish a cooperative purchasing program, it would also redefine the duties of school boards and would allow the state board of education to place any school or school administrative unit into receivership.”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoveropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing
  • 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-071:30 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing

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, 09:45 am; SC 3
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0510s, 02/19/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0510s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenSpecial Order to the end of the Calendar, Without Objection, MA; 02/19/2026;
  6. Feb 19, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Next Session, Without Objection, MA; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0510s, 03/05/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 8
  8. Mar 5, 2026SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2026-0852s, AF, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  9. Mar 5, 2026SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Moved to divide the Question on Ought to Pass with Amendment with the first vote on Sections 5; 6; and the Effective Date and the second vote on the Remainder of the Bill and the Effective Date; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  10. Mar 5, 2026SenThe Chair ruled the Question Divisible; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  11. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment Sections 5; 6; and the Effective Date; MF; VV, 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  12. Mar 5, 2026SenSen. Lang Moved to Reconsider the vote on: Ought to Pass with Amendment Sections 5; 6; and the Effective Date, MA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  13. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment Sections 5; 6; and the Effective Date; MA; VV, 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  14. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment on the Remainder of the Bill and the Effective Date; MA; VV; OT3rdg, 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  15. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 8 P. 114
  16. Mar 12, 2026HouseVacated and Referred to Education Funding (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV (in recess of) 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 115
  17. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 11:30 am GP 232
  18. Apr 7, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
  19. Apr 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
  20. Apr 14, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/14/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC)
  21. Apr 23, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 7

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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