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SB 586 · 2026 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Independent audits for public schools

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring chartered public schools, school administrative units, and cities or school districts not audited under RSA 671:5 to be audited by an independent public accountant after the end of the fiscal year and requiring the results of such audits to be made available to the public.

Requires chartered public schools, school administrative units, and cities or school districts not audited under RSA 671:5 to be audited by an independent public accountant after the fiscal year ends and requires the results to be made public.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires school districts to publish a school administrative unit audit report after the end of the fiscal year.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Ruth WardRChair· Education
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate

Public testimony

57 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

32% support67% oppose2% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is an unneeded administrative mandate that carries a significant fiscal note at a time of budgetary constraints. Vote “Inexpedient to Legislate”. Respectfully, Rep. Janet Lucas Grafton Co. District 7”
— Janet Lucas, Camptonopposes
“I oppose SB 643 because it is a direct assault on the tradition of local control in New Hampshire. By restricting how towns can fund their own essential services, this bill strips power away from the voters who actually live in the community and understand its unique needs.…”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“This bill threatens to pull funding from schools for paperwork deadlines, which no one should support.”
— Stefanie Griffin, Durhamopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing
  • 2026-04-071:00 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-1410:00 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 3
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0772s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0772s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0772s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  6. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 11
  7. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  8. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 9 P. 54
  9. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  10. Apr 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/14/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  11. Apr 14, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1500h (NT) 04/14/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC)
  12. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1500h (NT): AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 33
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1625h: AF RC 162-193 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 34
  15. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1500h: MA DV 195-160 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 37
  16. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 37
  17. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
  18. May 7, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  19. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2121e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 37
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2121e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  23. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 272; Effective 07/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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