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HB 1331 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Derry school district under town control

AI-generated

(New Title) enabling the Derry town council to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment.

Authorizes the Derry town council to amend the town charter to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a town department, giving the council control over the school budget's form and adoption procedures.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill enables the Derry town council to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The Derry town council may incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment to give the town council control over the form and procedures for preparation and adoption of the school department budget. 165:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 49-B:16

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Erica LayonRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. John PotucekRVice Chair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Rep. David LoveR, Rep. Richard TrippR

Public testimony

152 signed in online · 53 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

AgainstA dedicated elected school board serves students better

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I feel local control is better representation for our town. If we lose local control we become sheep.”
— David Cone, Derry · Myself0opposes
“Please do not punish our schools and our students when the problems could be helped by more state assistance to our schools. This can be done while also maintaining local control, something that is valued in NH.”
— Misty Crompton, New Bostonopposes
“As a Derry resident and taxpayer, this bill flies in the face of what Derry residents want. Our education system is strong. The town cannot handle taking on the District.…”
— Sue Hannan, DERRYopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0581h (NT)9–8
    Overall
    53% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0581hadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0581hAdopted193–157How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    189–199% yea
    Democrats
    4–1563% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration25:28–31:045m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:34:45–2:35:531m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0581h — adopted, roll call 193-157; Amendment # 2026-0581h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 28, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs2:10:39–2:12:021m 23slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 15
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0581h (NT) 02/18/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 9 P. 37
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0581h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 74
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0581h: MA RC 193-157 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 74
  8. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6
  9. Apr 28, 2026SenHearing: 04/28/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 16
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  13. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  14. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 165; eff. 06/19/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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