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HB 1816 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

School district financial emergency intervention

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the intervention of the department of education into a school or school district during a financial emergency and requiring the state school board to establish rules governing the vetting of school district business administrator candidates.

Allows the commissioner of education to initiate and implement a district recovery plan when a school district's financial and operational condition is deemed a financial emergency and requires the state school board to establish rules for vetting business administrator candidates.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows the commissioner of the department of education to initiate and implement a district recovery plan if a school district's financial and operational condition is deemed a financial emergency by the state board of education.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Rick LaddRPrimeChair· Education Funding
  • Rep. Walter SpilsburyRVice Chair· Education Funding
  • Sen. Ruth WardRChair· Education
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance

Also: Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Raymond PeeplesR, Rep. Jim KofaltR

Public testimony

143 signed in online · 20 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I strongly oppose HB 1816. This bill allows the state to step in and take control of local school districts after years of underfunding them.…”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“I can't believe I have to say this in the State of New Hampshire, but: stop stripping away local power! It's what makes this state great.”
— Alison Wilder, Keeneopposes
“No State takeovers of local school districts, and no State power over local contracts!”
— Priscilla Dube, Concordopposes
“State intervention may be necessary in genuine financial emergencies to protect students’ access to education, but it must be narrowly tailored, transparent, and respectful of local governance and community input.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machesterneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:30 amHouse Education FundingGP 234Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-02-1810:00 amHouse Education FundingGP 234Public hearing
  • 2026-03-031:00 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-011:00 pmSenate Education FinanceSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 37
  2. Jan 27, 2026House==ROOM CHANGE== Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 11:00 am GP 234
  3. Feb 18, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  4. Mar 3, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  5. Mar 2, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0983h 03/02/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 10 P. 12
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0983h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 19
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0983h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 19
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Education Finance; SJ 7
  9. Apr 1, 2026SenHearing: 04/01/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 12
  10. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1636s, 05/07/2026, Vote 4-2; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1636s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1636s, RC 14Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1636s and Requests CofC (Rep. Ladd): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  14. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Ladd, Spilsbury, Osborne, Luneau 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  15. May 14, 2026SenSen. Murphy Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Murphy, Ward, Altschiller; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 12:00 pm GP 234
  18. May 28, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Altschiller; SJ 14
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2064c; 06/04/2026
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2064c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2064c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 313; eff. 1/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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