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SB 588 · 2026 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Vote required on school closures

AI-generated

requiring that all municipalities that are served by a school district vote on the closure of schools.

Requires voters in all municipalities served by a school district to vote on school closures and requires school boards to hold a public meeting before such votes.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires that voters residing in all municipalities that are served by a school district vote on the closure of schools. This bill also requires school boards to hold a public meeting for such vote, with the same procedure applying to both single district and cooperative school districts.

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

“No elementary school, as defined in RSA 189:25, or high school, as defined in RSA 194:23, shall be discontinued, or the location thereof be changed, except by a majority vote of voters residing in all municipalities that are served by the school or district.”
RSA 194:19-b
“All cooperative school districts shall comply with the requirements of RSA 194:19-b relative to the closure of elementary and high schools.”
RSA 195:10-a
“Upon written petition to the school board by 20 or more legal voters of the towns or district in which such elementary or high school is located, the school board or cooperative school board shall hold an open public meeting for the purpose of voting on the question of discontinuance of the elementary or high school.”
RSA 194:19-b
“Notice of the meeting shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 7 days before the meeting.”
RSA 194:19-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daniel InnisRPrimeChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 1
  2. Feb 3, 2026SenHearing: 02/03/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 4
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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