Committee Summary for House Education Funding (02/18/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB112 00:20:54.440 - 9:49:00 AM	Executive Session	requiring students in the university and community college systems of New Hampshire to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
HB510 00:22:37.240 - 9:50:43 AM	Executive Session	relative to establishing certain due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members facing disciplinary actions by state institutions of higher learning.	Lynn, Bob(R)[A]2024
HB659 00:23:15.480 - 9:51:21 AM	Executive Session	establishing the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive program.	Manohar, Sanjeev(D)
HB770 00:24:53.919 - 9:52:59 AM	Executive Session	relative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.	Schultz, Kris(D)[CT]2024
HB583 2024-1453h 00:26:30.600 - 9:54:36 AM	Executive Session	relative to state participation in the Medicaid direct certification program for free and reduced price school meals.	Telerski, Laura(D)[CT]2024
HB646 01:01:06.680 - 10:29:12 AM	Executive Session	requiring school districts to establish an online application for participation in the free and reduced price meal program.	Telerski, Laura(D)[CT]2024
HB703 2024-0434h 01:08:20.279 - 10:36:26 AM	Executive Session	relative to prohibiting school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid meal balances, and making an appropriation therefor.	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2024
HB771 01:18:07.679 - 10:46:13 AM	Executive Session	relative to funding for open enrollment schools.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2024
HB718 01:22:50.000 - 10:50:56 AM	Executive Session	requiring the state board of education to report the unfunded financial impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2024
HB770 01:29:25.560 - 10:57:31 AM	Executive Session	relative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.	Schultz, Kris(D)[CT]2024

HB112: Representative Maguire Information Only00:20:54.440 - 9:49:00 AM; Representative Maguire moved to retain HB112.
HB112: Representative Luno Information Only00:20:54.440 - 9:49:00 AM; Representative Luno seconded the motion to retain HB112.
HB112: Committee Members Information Only00:21:50.320 - 9:49:56 AM; The committee voted unanimously to retain HB112 with no further discussion.
HB510: Chairman Information Only00:22:37.240 - 9:50:43 AM; The chairman announced that HB510 would be passed over and scheduled for the next Tuesday's docket. He requested that representatives from the University system and the community college system meet with the committee following the meeting to discuss the bill.
HB659: Representative Spilsbury Information Only00:23:15.480 - 9:51:21 AM; Representative Spilsbury moved to find HB659 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). He mentioned that the prime sponsor was unavailable at the time of the hearing and felt the bill was too complex to move forward with.
HB659: Representative Luno Information Only00:23:15.480 - 9:51:21 AM; Representative Luno seconded the motion to find HB659 ITL.
HB659: Committee Members Information Only00:24:08.320 - 9:52:14 AM; The committee voted unanimously to find HB659 ITL with no further discussion.
HB770: Chairman Information Only00:24:53.919 - 9:52:59 AM; The chairman suggested holding off on HB770 until later in the morning, anticipating a potential amendment from the prime sponsor. The bill was set aside for discussion purposes later.
HB583 2024-1453h: Chairman Information Only00:26:30.600 - 9:54:36 AM; The chairman opened the discussion on HB583 and introduced an amendment that had been circulated during a previous work session. He emphasized that the committee was still in the discussion stage and no action was to be taken on the amendment at that time.
HB583 2024-1453h: Representative Information Only00:27:16.279 - 9:55:22 AM; The representative explained the amendment to HB583. The underlying bill would have the Department of Education apply to the USDA for participation in the Medicaid direct certification pilot program. This would allow school districts to qualify students for free and reduced price lunch programs based on their Medicaid enrollment, potentially identifying an additional 10,000 students. The amendment ensures a budget-neutral impact on the school funding formula by holding steady the differentiated aid and extraordinary needs grant based on the current school year's data. The amendment aims to accurately identify eligible students, increase federal childcare scholarship funds, and potentially provide higher reimbursements for school districts. The representative highlighted the benefits for low-income families, using Manchester as an example where the program could save families over a million dollars.
HB583 2024-1453h: Representative Papovich Oppose00:54:53.680 - 10:22:59 AM; Representative Papovich moved to recommend the bill as is with an ideal motion, opposing the amendment. They argued that the amendment delays the financial impact for two years, which they believe is not good policy. They expressed concerns about the policy's long-term implications and suggested that the bill should be addressed immediately.
HB583 2024-1453h: Representative Maguire Information Only00:55:10.880 - 10:23:16 AM; Representative Maguire seconded the motion by Representative Papovich but did not provide additional commentary on the bill or amendment.
HB583 2024-1453h: Representative Luno Support00:55:57.880 - 10:24:03 AM; Representative Luno supported the amendment and opposed the motion to recommend the bill as is. They argued that the amendment would immediately enroll low-income families in a federal USDA grant, providing immediate meals to 10,000 children across the state. They also highlighted the amendment's role in providing accurate numbers for the funding formula, increasing federal funding for child care scholarships, boosting local school district revenues, and improving Title One funding calculations. They emphasized that these benefits outweigh the notion of 'kicking the can down the road'.
HB583 2024-1453h: Representative Damon Support00:58:27.400 - 10:26:33 AM; Representative Damon supported the amendment and echoed Representative Luno's points. They added that children with food insecurity face increased costs due to higher needs for special education services, grade repetition, and behavioral issues, which could be mitigated by ensuring they are fed, thus supporting the amendment's implementation.
HB583 2024-1453h: Representative Spillsbury Oppose00:59:16.000 - 10:27:22 AM; Representative Spillsbury opposed the amendment, stating that eligible students can already apply for the program, suggesting no further changes are necessary.
HB646: Representative Lad Oppose01:01:06.680 - 10:29:12 AM; Representative Lad moved to recommend the bill as inexpedient to legislate (ITL), arguing that many school districts already have online applications for the program without legislative mandate. They believe that the legislation is unnecessary as districts can implement it on their own.
HB646: Representative Maguire Information Only01:01:53.640 - 10:29:59 AM; Representative Maguire seconded the motion by Representative Lad but did not provide additional commentary on the bill.
HB646: Representative Weinstein Support01:02:01.079 - 10:30:07 AM; Representative Weinstein proposed an amendment to change the program from a mandate to a grant program, citing costs from Newmarket as an example. They argued that the amendment would help cover initial setup costs for districts, suggesting a more flexible approach to implementing the online application system.
HB646: Representative Luno Support01:02:57.440 - 10:31:03 AM; Representative Luno supported looking into Representative Weinstein's amendment before making a final decision on the bill. They suggested possibly delaying the vote until the next executive session to allow for further consideration of the amendment.
HB646: Representative Kcom Information Only01:05:39.039 - 10:33:45 AM; Representative Kcom made a motion to retain HB646, which was seconded by Representative Luno. No additional comments were made by Representative Kcom regarding the motion.
HB646: Representative Luno Information Only01:05:39.039 - 10:33:45 AM; Representative Luno seconded the motion to retain HB646 but did not provide additional comments on the matter.
HB646: Committee Members Information Only01:06:29.359 - 10:34:35 AM; The committee voted on the motion to retain HB646. The vote resulted in 15 yays and 3 nays, and the bill was retained in committee.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Damon Information Only01:08:20.279 - 10:36:26 AM; Representative Damon introduced Amendment 2024-0434h to HB703. The amendment removes the section where the Department of Education would pay off school district meal debt and also removes lines 20 through 22 of the original bill related to collections of school meal debt. The amendment now requires school districts to have a policy statement on fairness and not shaming or bullying students with unpaid meal balances, and it allows for voluntary donations to help alleviate school meal debt.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Peoples Oppose01:09:56.800 - 10:38:02 AM; Representative Peoples made a motion to ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) HB703, citing concerns from constituents about the ability to collect on student lunch programs. They argued that the program should be self-funded and that their district had run a deficit that year, causing displeasure among voters at the school deliberative session.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Maguire Information Only01:11:29.600 - 10:39:35 AM; Representative Maguire supported the motion to ITL HB703, stating that school districts could already adopt the policy if they wished, and there was nothing preventing them from doing so.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Damon Information Only01:11:52.040 - 10:39:58 AM; Representative Damon sought clarification from Representative Peoples regarding the amendment's impact on collections agencies. They explained that the amendment removes the prohibition on using collections agencies, allowing school districts to use this tool if they choose to do so, ensuring fairness for students with meal debt.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Kcom Oppose01:13:21.440 - 10:41:27 AM; Representative Kcom expressed concerns over item G of the bill, which authorizes schools to complete applications for students, citing it as a data privacy issue and supporting the ITL motion.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Damon Information Only01:13:21.440 - 10:41:27 AM; Representative Damon responded to Representative Kcom's concerns, stating that item G reflects existing federal statute and cannot be changed without altering federal law.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Luno Support01:14:08.280 - 10:42:14 AM; Representative Luno supported the bill, arguing that the legislature should require school districts to adopt policies to prevent shaming students over meal debt, similar to other areas where such policies are mandated.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Damon Information Only01:14:54.320 - 10:43:00 AM; Representative Damon questioned colleagues opposed to the bill about the acceptability of certain practices outlined in the bill, challenging them on their stance.
HB703 2024-0434h: Representative Mahagan Oppose01:15:35.600 - 10:43:41 AM; Representative Mahagan opposed the bill, sharing experiences of 37 years in schools where lunchroom staff and administrators treated students with care and did not need legislation to dictate how to treat students with meal debt.
HB703 2024-0434h: Committee Members Information Only01:16:34.000 - 10:44:40 AM; The committee voted on the motion to ITL HB703. The vote resulted in 9 yays and 8 nays, with Representatives Damon, Luno, Ames, Burton, Fellows, Damon, Bricky, and Chisan voting no. Representatives Damon and Peoples agreed to write the minority and majority reports respectively.
HB771: Representative Lad Support01:18:07.679 - 10:46:13 AM; Representative Lad made a motion for OTP (Ought to Pass) on HB771, explaining that the bill allows parents to send their children to open enrollment schools within or outside their district, which may offer more suitable programs or curricula. The sending district is responsible for budgeting the necessary funds, with 80% going to the receiving school and 20% retained by the sending school.
HB771: Representative Kofalt Support01:18:07.679 - 10:46:13 AM; Representative Kofalt seconded the OTP motion for HB771 but did not provide additional comments.
HB771: Representative Luno Information Only01:19:39.960 - 10:47:45 AM; Representative Luno questioned whether the bill requires school districts to raise public tax money to fund students attending open enrollment schools outside their district, seeking clarification on the financial implications for taxpayers.
HB771: Representative Lad Support01:20:26.159 - 10:48:32 AM; Representative Lad responded to Representative Luno's question, affirming that the bill requires the sending district to allocate funds for students attending open enrollment schools, with the majority of the funds going to the receiving school, and emphasized the benefits for the child's education.
HB771: Committee Members Information Only01:21:21.080 - 10:49:27 AM; The committee voted on the OTP motion for HB771. The vote resulted in 10 yays and 8 nays. Representatives Lad and Luno agreed to write the majority and minority reports respectively.
HB718: Representative Lad Support01:22:50.000 - 10:50:56 AM; Representative Lad moved for OTP (Ought to Pass) on HB718, which would require the State Board of Education to include the unfunded financial impact on local school districts in their annual report for rules exceeding state or federal minimum requirements. This addition to the existing statute is seen as necessary to understand the implications of exceeding minimum standards in special education and other areas.
HB718: Representative Damon Oppose01:25:15.119 - 10:53:21 AM; Representative Damon expressed concern about the lack of a fiscal note in HB718, which deals with the financial impact of rules. He is worried that this could lead to a reduction in standards that New Hampshire prides itself on, as the state currently exceeds federal minimum requirements.
HB718: Representative Luno Oppose01:26:07.440 - 10:54:13 AM; Representative Luno opposed HB718, arguing that identifying rules exceeding state and federal law as unfunded mandates shifts the financial burden to local taxpayers. He also expressed concern that this could lead to lower educational standards, which he feels contradicts the high performance of New Hampshire's public schools.
HB718: Representative Miller Support01:26:53.239 - 10:54:59 AM; Representative Miller supported HB718, stating that understanding the financial impact of rules is crucial for legislative decision-making. He argued that examining the costs and benefits of rules does not necessarily lead to lower standards but helps the legislature perform its duties more effectively.
HB770: Representative Peoples Oppose01:29:25.560 - 10:57:31 AM; Representative Peoples moved for ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) on HB770, citing the current budget constraints and the potential fiscal impact of creating a new program that would allow students to earn tuition credits through community service.
HB770: Representative Luno Support01:31:00.719 - 10:59:06 AM; Representative Luno expressed disappointment over the ITL motion for HB770, congratulating Ryan Casey and his sister Morgan for their efforts in promoting the bill. He highlighted their dedication and hoped they would continue their advocacy despite the bill's likely outcome.
HB770: Representative Burton Support01:31:26.119 - 10:59:32 AM; Representative Burton supported HB770, citing the positive impact of service learning programs on students' academic performance at his school. He argued that such programs foster a sense of civic duty and public service among the youth.
HB770: Representative Spillsbury Support01:32:11.239 - 11:00:17 AM; Representative Spillsbury praised Ryan Casey's presentation of HB770, suggesting that his involvement showed promise for his future in leadership roles.
HB770: Representative Popovich Support01:32:18.119 - 11:00:24 AM; Representative Popovich also commended Ryan Casey's presentation, describing it as one of the most impressive he had seen from a young member of the state. He appreciated the effort put into advocating for the bill.

Ladd, Rick(Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Brown, Pam(Clerk)(R)	Spilsbury, Walter(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2024
McGuire, Dan(R)[A+]2024	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2024	Burton, Wayne(D)[CT]2018
Luneau, David(D)[CT]2024	Colcombe, Riché(R)[A-]2024	Chretien, Suzanne(D)
Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A+]2024	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2024	Kofalt, Jim(R)[A+]2024
Fellows, Sallie(D)[CT]2024	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2024	Bricchi, Tracy(D)
Weinstein, Toni(D)	Peeples, Raymond(R)	Mehegan, Peter(R)