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HB 1586 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

Withholding funds for special ed noncompliance

AI-generated

allowing the commissioner of the department of education to withhold funds from public schools if such schools are not providing special education services in compliance with state law.

Authorizes the commissioner of the department of education to withhold funds from public schools that fail to provide special education services in compliance with state law.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill allows the commissioner of the department of education to withhold funds from public schools if such schools are not providing special education services in compliance with state law.

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

“Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a school district's obligation to provide special education services to all qualifying students residing in the district consistent with the requirements of state and federal law.”
Section 1
“Should a public school fail to abide by this section, the commissioner of the department of education and the state treasurer shall halt all sources of public funding to that school in the same manner described in RSA 194-B:3, VI(c).”
Section 2
“Should a public school fail to abide by this section, the commissioner of the department of education shall halt all sources of public funding to that school until such time as the school comes into compliance with this section.”
Section 1
“The commissioner shall notify the state treasurer if a public school is not in compliance with this section, at which time the treasurer shall halt all forms of public funding to the school until the commissioner has certified the school come into compliance with this section.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kristin NobleRPrimeChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Public testimony

29 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

24% support76% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this with the caveat that OUR legislators need to fund FAIR and ADEQUATE revenue to pay for public schools. Special education is expensive. It's necessary for the students that need the most help.…”
— James Chapman, Gilsumsupports
“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities believe this will could have a negative effect on the NH disability community.…”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiesopposes
“I oppose HB1586 because I believe it consolidates too much power into the political seat of Commissioner, and may lead to politically motivated withholding of monies from school districts due to external uncontrollable factors rather than intentional noncompliance.”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“While I agree there should be consequences for not providing sped services, withholding funding is NOT the right one. NH already refuses to fund an adequate education so this seems like just another avenue to withhold funding”
— Jennifer Tetreault, Whitefieldopposes

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
  • Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Funding49:40–53:343m 54slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 27
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:15 am GP 232
  3. Jan 15, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/15/2026 10:15 am GP 232
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 5 P. 4
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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