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HB 1402 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Credential requirements for superintendents

AI-generated

relative to credentials for the position of superintendent of schools.

Establishes required credentials for a person to serve in the position of school superintendent.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes required credentials to serve in the position of school superintendent.

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

“An individual shall have the following entry-level requirements to be certified as superintendent:”
RSA 186:8-a
“The candidate may obtain the necessary forms and information from the bureau of credentialing; and (b) The candidate shall file the following materials and documents with the bureau of credentialing:”
RSA 186:8-a
“If the bureau of credentialing determines that the materials described in subparagraph (b) attest to the candidate's successful completion of the requirements for certification, the candidate shall receive initial certification as superintendent from the bureau of credentialing.”
RSA 186:8-a
“This certification shall enable the holder to apply for employment as a New Hampshire superintendent.”
RSA 186:8-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Hope DamonDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways

Also: Rep. Sallie FellowsD, Rep. Toni WeinsteinD, Rep. Tracy BricchiD

Public testimony

22 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

86% support14% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Qualifications are necessary for such an important position of leadership.”
— Carol A Wallace, Newportsupports
“This is a step in the right direction and would give back the 10% skimmed off the top of Voucher dollars by the current out-of-state administrative entity.…”
— Priscilla Dube, Concordsupports
“They just could not resist burying "diversity" and "equity" in the text. Deal breaker.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“HB 1402, while well-intentioned in its pursuit of improved credentials for superintendents in New Hampshire, poses significant challenges that could hinder educational leadership rather than enhance it.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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: Inexpedient to Legislate9–8
    Overall
    53% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1402 on Table (Rep. Noble)Adopted184–150
    Overall
    55% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:41:21–4:43:091m 48slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and AdministrationWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamExecutive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:24:17–4:30:115m 54slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1402 on Table (Rep. Noble) — adopted, division 184-150

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. 18
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 02:00 pm GP 232
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 9 P. 37
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0185h
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseLay HB1402 on Table (Rep. Noble): MA DV 184-150 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 84

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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