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HB 1280 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Study of school open enrollment

AI-generated

establishing a commission to study public school open enrollment.

Establishes a commission to study public school open enrollment and suspends RSA 194-D until the final date of the legislative session following submission of the commission's report.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · March 4, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a commission to study public school open enrollment. The bill also suspends RSA 194-D until the final date of the legislative session following the submission of the commission’s report.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Hope DamonDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Muriel HallDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Policy
  • Rep. Patricia CornellDRanking Member· Education Policy

Also: Rep. Eileen KellyD, Rep. Heather RaymondD, Rep. Megan MurrayD, Rep. Peggy BalboniD, Rep. Toni WeinsteinD, Rep. Tracy BricchiD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

85 signed in online · 17 wrote testimony

71% support29% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Open enrollment is among the most consequential policy changes New Hampshire could make to its public education system. It touches school budgets, property taxes, special education, staffing, transportation, and local control.…”
— Jacqueline Coe, Henniker · SAU 24 - John Stark, Henniker, Weare & Stoddardsupports
“The proposed open enrollment legislation leaves many unanswered questions and its implementation could be detrimental to our public schools. A commission to study open enrollment makes sense. Please vote OTP.”
— Karin Cevasco, Milfordsupports
“I am writing in support of HB 1280. Open enrollment represents a significant structural shift in how public education operates in New Hampshire. It directly affects district funding, special education obligations, transportation logistics, staffing, and local budgeting.…”
— Timothy Swaan, N. Haverhillsupports
“We have had open enrollment here in NH since 2015. What more do we need to study? Get on with it.”
— Russell Hodgkins, Amherstopposes
“I state my opinion for this bill for the sake of residents in NH.”
— Donna Tully, Littletonopposes
“I believe that we are rushing this. I believe that we should be studying this and the impacts and creating stronger guidelines around this.…”
— Jessica Wachsman, Salemopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-1810:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-03-029:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 13
  2. Feb 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  3. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 09:30 am GP 232
  4. Mar 2, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/02/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 83
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0937h

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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