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HB 1561 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

Ban on Chinese nationals in research

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrollment in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education.

Prohibits nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrolling in masters and doctorate degree programs, participating in research, or holding full-time employment at public institutions of higher education, and establishes penalties for violations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrolling in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals and institutions engaging in such prohibited activities.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"PRC national" means any citizen or agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who is not a U.S. citizen, including but not limited to those with direct and compromising ties to the PRC, such as employment by PRC state-owned enterprises, membership in the Chinese Communist Party, financial links to the PRC government, pledged allegiance to PRC leaders, or acting on orders originating from the PRC government.”
RSA 187-A:10-b
“"Higher education institutions" means any public college or university in New Hampshire that is accredited by the state.”
RSA 187-A:10-b
“"Prohibited activity" means enrollment as a student in a master's or doctorate degree program, participation in research, or full-time employment at a public institution of higher education.”
RSA 187-A:10-b
“PRC nationals engaged in a prohibited activity shall have 90 days following the effective date of this act to voluntarily withdraw from the higher education institution which they attend, during which time they may retain their transcripts and academic credits previously attained.”
RSA 187-A:10-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. Travis CorcoranR

Public testimony

147 signed in online · 33 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This should be amended to include all private educational institutions. Examples are Kimball Union Academy in Plainfield, Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, and Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan.”
— Jesse Medeiros, Plainfieldsupports
“HB 1561 is xenophobic overreach masquerading as national security, lowering the bar for a civil society while undermining higher education, academic freedom, and the rule of law.”
— bonnie bruno, HOLLISopposes
“Really? Chinese citizens, as well as other nations, have the right and deserve to attend our state institutions of higher learning. Discriminating against Chinese students in particular is really a new low for our great state of NH.”
— Marie Straiton, Pembrokeopposes
“Dear Committee Members: I urge you to oppose HB 1561, which would ban Chinese citizens from attending state institutions of higher learning. This overly broad bill unfairly singles out Chinese students among all the international students attending public universities.…”
— Matthew Richards, Manchesteropposes

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 # 2026-0797h (NT)9–8
    Overall
    53% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0797hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0797hFailed157–173How they voted
    Overall
    48% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    157–2487% yea
    Democrats
    0–1490% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateAdopted186–145
    Overall
    56% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Education FundingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Education FundingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamExecutive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:31:26–4:36:565m 30slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0797h — failed, roll call 157-173; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, division 186-145; Amendment # 2026-0797h (NT) — 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 Funding HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Feb 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0797h (NT) 02/18/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10A P. 1
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0797h (NT): AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 98
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0797h: MF RC 157-173 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 99
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 186-145 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 102

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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