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HB 1824 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

Aid for financially distressed schools

AI-generated

relative to school district financial distress.

Authorizes loan agreements and municipal assistance for financially insolvent school districts and establishes a revolving loan fund to help school districts manage cash flow pending adequacy payments.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 4, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Authorizes the commissioner of the department of education, with the affirmation of the joint legislative fiscal committee, to enter into loan agreements with financially insolvent school districts. II. Authorizes municipalities to provide financially insolvent school districts with assistance from existing municipal funds and increases the maximum percentage of funding available to such school districts through a contingency fund. III. Establishes the school district adequacy revolving loan fund to assist school districts with cash flow in anticipation of adequacy payments.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Hope DamonDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Dale GirardRVice Chair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Karen EbelDDemocratic Leader Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Dick AmesD, Rep. Eileen KellyD, Rep. Tony CaplanD, Rep. Tracy BricchiD

Public testimony

52 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Clear, early processes for addressing financial distress can prevent crises that harm students and educators, but solutions must prioritize educational equity and avoid disproportionate impacts on high-need districts.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“This is a better way to deal with insolvent school districts rather than having a ruthless intervention. Adequately funding schools would solve this problem.”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoversupports
“It seems rather foolish to repeal the business entrprise tax when the state faces fiscal challenges. This will increase financial pressure on property poor towns.”
— Susan Holcombe, Hanoversupports

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 38
  2. Jan 27, 2026House==ROOM CHANGE== Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 11:30 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, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 03/02/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 82
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Damon): MF RC 151-180 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 103

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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