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HB 129 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Defining 'evidence-based' in education law

AI-generated

relative to the definition of the term "evidence-based" within public education.

Defines the term 'evidence-based' as applied to pedagogical methods and requires the department of education and local school districts to conform to that definition in all communications.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill defines "evidence-based" as applied to pedagogical methods and requires the department of education and all local school districts to conform with such definition in all communications.

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

“All methods of delivering public education shall be evidence-based, including educator training, policies, and any pedagogical methods attached to or accompanying curriculum (though not to the content of the curriculum itself) adopted by the department of education, local school districts, and any other regulatory body that may prescribe teaching methods.”
RSA 193-E:1-a
“"Evidence-based" under this section shall exclude surveys and other self-reported data sets, and other subjective measurements such as reports of student progress and learning.”
RSA 193-E:1-a
“"Evidence-based" under this section means methods or techniques that meet at least one of the following requirements, without regard to peer review status:”
RSA 193-E:1-a
“Any use of the term "evidence-based" in communications by the department or local school districts shall conform to the definition in paragraph II.”
RSA 193-E:1-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime
  • Rep. Margaret DryeRClerk· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration

Also: Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 27, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–7
    Overall
    59% yea
  • Feb 6, 2025HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted203–155
    Overall
    57% yea
  • Oct 30, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate25–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration32:15–33:241m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor37:56–46:258m 29slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 203-155; Referred to Finance
  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II6:42–19:4112m 59slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance41:05–43:152m 10slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Mar 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II55:44–56:511m 7slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Oct 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II53:10–57:053m 55slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Oct 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance1:38:19–1:40:161m 57slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 2 P. 7
  2. Jan 27, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
  3. Jan 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2025 01:30 pm LOB 205-207
  4. Jan 27, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/27/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 10 P. 7
  5. Jan 30, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 203-155 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 15
  7. Feb 6, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 15
  8. Feb 19, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 02/19/2025 10:30 am LOB 209
  9. Mar 17, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2025 01:15 pm LOB 210-211
  10. Mar 21, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/21/2025 01:00 pm LOB 209
  11. Mar 28, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  12. Oct 16, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 10/16/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  13. Oct 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 10/30/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  14. Oct 30, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 10/30/2025 (Vote 25-0; CC) HC 51 P. 10
  15. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 70

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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