Committee Summary for Senate Education (02/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB532 00:09:08.560 - 8:23:09 AM	Public Hearing	increasing the requirements of the education freedom savings account oversight committee and modifying the purpose of the committee.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025
SB533 00:32:46.399 - 8:46:47 AM	Public Hearing	requiring the state to seek bids for contracts to oversee and operate the state's education freedom account program every three years.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025
SB576 00:41:15.200 - 8:55:16 AM	Public Hearing	adds definitions and reporting requirements relative to education freedom accounts.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025
SB532 01:14:22.320 - 9:28:23 AM	Executive Session	increasing the requirements of the education freedom savings account oversight committee and modifying the purpose of the committee.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025

SB532: Senator Deborah Aler, Senate District 24 (Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Stratham, Rye) Support00:09:08.560 - 8:23:09 AM; Senator Aler, the prime sponsor, provides background on the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program established in 2021, which allows low-income families to use public funds for private school tuition, online learning, or homeschooling. She notes the program's growth from 1,635 students at $8 million to over 10,500 students at $52 million annually, currently over budget by $12.3 million. She highlights that the oversight committee did not meet from December 2024 to November 2025, leading to a lack of accountability. The bill proposes four changes: clarifying review of aggregate student data, eligibility, and expenditures; requiring monthly meetings; live-streaming and recording meetings; and posting agendas, minutes, and reports online. She emphasizes that these measures ensure transparency and accountability for public funds without compromising student privacy, comparing it to standards for public schools. She welcomes amendments for clarity on privacy and urges support for the bill.
SB532: Representative Peggy Balbone, representing Greenland, North Hampton, and Rye; co-sponsor and oversight committee member Support00:18:04.000 - 8:32:05 AM; Representative Balbone, a co-sponsor, echoes Senator Aler's points on the EFA program's background and growth. She mentions a similar bill in the House and stresses the intent to restore accountability and transparency by requiring monthly oversight committee meetings, posting agendas, minutes, and reports on the Department of Education and General Court websites, and live-streaming meetings. She notes that current information is not readily accessible and that the public deserves to know how tax dollars are spent. The bill does not alter operations by the Children's Scholarship Fund or Department of Education but clarifies the committee's role. She supports a clarifying amendment on student privacy to align with public school standards and hopes for committee support to ensure public scrutiny.
SB532: Matt Sutherland, Director of Policy and Compliance, Children's Scholarship Fund Information Only00:21:53.760 - 8:35:54 AM; Matt Sutherland represents the Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF), which administers the EFA program. He describes CSF as highly accountable with public mission, IRS reporting, and oversight from the Department of Education and Revenue Administration. His primary concern is student and family privacy, requesting the bill define 'student data, eligibility requirements, and EFA expenditures' to protect personal information. He welcomes potential amendments and offers to answer questions about the program. In response to questions, he confirms annual audits including random reviews of student eligibility and expenses, compliance monitoring by the Department of Education, and public availability of financials like Form 990 on their website, highlighting New Hampshire's checks and balances to ensure transparency without a profit motive. He clarifies that the bill focuses on the oversight committee, not CSF directly.
SB532: David Trumbull, Town of Ware Support00:26:01.760 - 8:40:02 AM; David Trumbull supports SB 532 citing constitutional arguments from Article 8 emphasizing public right to know and government accountability. He argues the oversight committee is the only elected body overseeing the EFA program, akin to the state's school board, and should meet more frequently like the 200 local school boards, with meetings online. He opposes separate majority/minority meetings and suggests adding 'aggregate' to data reporting to address privacy. He proposes examining student retention/dropout rates, educational accountability via standardized test follow-ups, civil rights compliance checklists for providers, and excessive administrative costs (28% vs. 10-11% in public schools).
SB533: Senator Deborah Altschiller, Senate District 24 (Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Stratham, Rye) Support00:32:46.399 - 8:46:47 AM; Senator Altschiller, prime sponsor, supports SB 533 to mandate competitive bidding every three years for the EFA administration contract. She notes the initial sole-source contract with Children's Scholarship Fund in 2021 promised future bidding, which never occurred despite program growth from $500,000 to $52 million annually. She emphasizes competitive bidding ensures value, innovation, accountability, and prevents complacency, standard in state government. The bill maintains the current contract but requires open processes; CSF can re-compete. She cites examples from Florida and Arizona and addresses concerns about disruption with transition plans.
SB576: Senator Deborah Altschiller, Senate District 24 (Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, North Hampton, Hampton Falls, Stratham, Rye) Support00:41:15.200 - 8:55:16 AM; Senator Altschiller, prime sponsor, supports SB 576 for transparency in the EFA program, distributing $52 million annually. She highlights lack of oversight, with the committee not meeting for 13 months, redacted vendor reports removed then resurfaced, and unsubstantiated harassment claims without police reports. The bill requires quarterly aggregate reports on applications, funds distribution, demographics, eligibility, and costs, posted on DOE website, without violating privacy. She contrasts with public schools' accountability and notes the 2022 audit was limited due to withheld data; financial audits aren't performance audits.
SB576: Representative Peggy Balboni, representing Greenland, North Hampton, Rye Support00:53:12.800 - 9:07:13 AM; Representative Balboni supports SB 576, similar to her HB 578, for accountability after the incomplete performance audit due to CSF withholding data. She notes missing vendor student numbers required by Ed rules, despite resurfaced reports. The bill ensures transparency via quarterly reports on aggregate data, respecting privacy like public schools. From her school board experience, such data improves programs; without it, oversight is impossible. She welcomes amendments for privacy and views the committee as functioning like a school board.
SB576: Matt Sutherland, Director of Policy and Compliance, Children's Scholarship Fund Oppose00:59:49.599 - 9:13:50 AM; Matt Sutherland opposes SB 576, citing duplication of seven annual reports to DOE, potentially increasing costs (current admin rate 7.83%). He clarifies CSF provided all requested data to LBA via DOE, distinguishes provider directory (online) from spending reports (temporarily removed for provider/student safety in polarized times, now back with anonymized small providers akin to DOE's 11-student rule). He addresses misinformation on harassment (no police reports, individual concerns), notes all vendors listed, students served data available, and requests clear privacy protections if advanced. He explains 85% non-public school students include prior ETC participants transitioning to EFA.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (motion for ITL) Vote01:14:22.320 - 9:28:23 AM; Motion made to recommend Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on SB 532.
SB532: Senator (opposing ITL) Oppose01:15:28.480 - 9:29:29 AM; Argues against ITL, emphasizing the need for accountability to constituents by producing agendas, minutes, and reports publicly accessible online, and requesting monthly meetings broadcast or recorded on YouTube, questioning what is insurmountable about these requests.
SB532: Senator (responding, supporting ITL) Support01:16:40.080 - 9:30:41 AM; Explains challenges with the oversight committee including leadership changes, scheduling conflicts preventing regular meetings, and efforts to improve with a meeting set for March. Notes agendas and reports are produced and commitments to transparency and public access via website. Supports ITL.
SB532: Senator Sullivan (supporting ITL) Support01:17:53.120 - 9:31:54 AM; States minutes are accessible on the EFA website and committee's site. Notes lack of live feeds in other commissions due to setup and cost issues, suggesting it would require equipping all rooms if implemented, and that policy is worthy but expensive.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (on cost) Information Only01:18:57.280 - 9:32:58 AM; Agrees discussing live feeds for all committees sounds expensive.
SB532: Committee Chair Vote01:18:57.280 - 9:32:58 AM; Calls for vote on ITL, passes 3-1, notes objection to consent calendar.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (motion for ITL on SB 533) Vote01:18:57.280 - 9:32:58 AM; Motion made to recommend ITL on SB 533, which requires the education freedom administrator to seek bids for contracts.
SB532: Senator (supporting ITL) Support01:20:21.040 - 9:34:22 AM; Notes Florida's process is periodic, similar to current; in year two of a five-year contract originally bid via RFP. Argues frequent bidding every three years disrupts stability for kids, parents, and vendors in a new organization.
SB532: Senator (questioning) Information Only01:20:21.040 - 9:34:22 AM; Asks if colleague reviewed the current contract signed by the executive council as Governor Sununu left office.
SB532: Committee Chair Vote01:20:21.040 - 9:34:22 AM; Calls for vote on ITL for SB 533, passes 3-1, notes objection to consent.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (motion for ITL on SB 576) Vote01:21:42.239 - 9:35:43 AM; Motion made to recommend ITL on SB 576.
SB532: Senator Sullivan (supporting ITL) Support01:21:42.239 - 9:35:43 AM; Argues EFAs are already transparent with financials and data available online via Google search. Concerns about privacy of children's data, noting high protections in NH; believes bill adds cumbersome laws to a straightforward program.
SB532: Senator Abbas Information Only01:22:59.440 - 9:37:00 AM; Notes testimony on alleged harassment is often underreported, as heard in judiciary committee; whether it amounts to illegal stalking is not for this committee, but relevant to partisan issues involving vendors' information exposure.
SB532: Senator Allder (opposing ITL) Oppose01:22:59.440 - 9:37:00 AM; Explains need for legislation as current vendor removed information at will, obscuring millions in spending. Corrects narrative on harassment accusation based on public hearing info without verification; calls it a red herring, provides reports without naming names.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (responding on harassment) Information Only01:25:26.719 - 9:39:27 AM; Believes one instance extrapolated from series; witnessed vitriolic online comments towards vendors, including domestic abuse survivors; removal was to protect and recalibrate for safety while restoring info.
SB532: Senator Abbas (clarifying) Information Only01:26:28.719 - 9:40:29 AM; Not determining legal harassment, but if vendors feel intimidated, it could deter participation; airing on caution was good, information now available.
SB532: Senator Alill (challenging) Oppose01:27:29.040 - 9:41:30 AM; Challenges colleague to provide evidence of online content rather than vague claims; bill not about harassment but used in argument.
SB532: Senator Sullivan (responding) Support01:27:29.040 - 9:41:30 AM; Doesn't need to do homework for colleague; happy to vote on ITL.
SB532: Senator Alill (clarifying) Oppose01:27:29.040 - 9:41:30 AM; Did not ask for homework but to back up statement.
SB532: Committee Chair Vote01:28:27.440 - 9:42:28 AM; Calls for vote on ITL for SB 576, passes 3-1, notes objection to consent.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (motion for OTP on SB 430) Vote01:28:27.440 - 9:42:28 AM; Motion made to recommend Ought to Pass (OTP) on SB 430.
SB532: Senator Aler (opposing OTP) Oppose01:29:23.760 - 9:43:24 AM; Bill pits parents against teachers, empowering poor communicators to inundate schools with daily inquisitions, gumming up works via social media campaigns. Puts kids in danger by raising disclosure threshold for imminent risk, making educators reticent to report due to conduct violations. Creates adversarial roles.
SB532: Senator Sullivan (supporting OTP) Support01:30:18.800 - 9:44:19 AM; Frustrated by vilification of parents seeking partnership in education when kids withhold info. References Manchester situation with involved parent needing help; kids protect parents or feel uncomfortable. Teachers as confidants should partner with parents who spend less waking time with kids.
SB532: Senator Abbas (supporting OTP) Support01:32:42.719 - 9:46:43 AM; Teachers not gatekeepers of parental info; no legal confidentiality between students and teachers. Safeguards for imminent risk exist. Third parties shouldn't unilaterally withhold info. Sees bill as process for complaints.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (on process) Support01:34:30.159 - 9:48:31 AM; Bill as process bill per introducer Senator Lang; progression for issues. Hard to imagine daily harassment all year; other ways to handle. Parents should communicate openly with teachers without adversity.
SB532: Senator Alill (opposing, on LGBTQ concerns) Oppose01:35:39.600 - 9:49:40 AM; Testimony shows bill endangers LGBTQ youth; no protections. Allows daily requests to teachers, who must respond in 10 days, leading to harassment. Examples of probing LGBTQ status; not teachers' business to monitor social lives. References FOIA overload hiring extra staff.
SB532: Senator (responding on scenarios) Support01:38:10.480 - 9:52:11 AM; Scenarios made up; bill needed because teachers withhold info. Teachers mandatory reporters; can involve parents/guidance. References past school reporting to parents.
SB532: Senator Alill (on testimony) Oppose01:39:16.480 - 9:53:17 AM; No specific incident testimony in hearing report; no parent communications received indicating problem.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (on lack of testimony) Information Only01:40:15.199 - 9:54:16 AM; Possible informal talks; suggests school board/principal involvement for open talks. Educators already respond to written comms; addresses issues where gatekeeping occurs.
SB532: Senator (on Manchester) Support01:41:15.920 - 9:55:16 AM; Public legal battle in Manchester documented in court; not law for no reason.
SB532: Unidentified Senator (question on wording) Information Only01:41:15.920 - 9:55:16 AM; Questions if 'parents' on lines 4 and 6 should include 'guardians'; suggests amendment to add 'and guardians' throughout.
SB532: Senator Abbas (motion to amend) Vote01:42:13.040 - 9:56:14 AM; Offers committee amendment to add 'and guardians' to parents in relevant lines for clarity.
SB532: Senator Abbas Information Only01:43:08.320 - 9:57:09 AM; Senator Abbas discusses the amendment to include legal guardians alongside parents in lines 2, 4, and 6 of the bill for consistency with education law, emphasizing that legal guardians have the same rights as parents.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Oppose01:44:07.920 - 9:58:08 AM; A committee member opposes adding legal guardians, calling the bill 'lipstick on a pig' and votes against the amendment.
SB532: Chair (Unnamed) Support01:45:25.679 - 9:59:26 AM; The chair moves for ought to pass as amended after the vote on adding legal guardians fails, but clarifies the motion as ought to pass as amended.
SB532: Senator (Unnamed) Information Only01:46:21.840 - 10:00:22 AM; Discusses SB 434 as a process bill and proposes replacing 'principal' with 'superintendent or designate' in multiple sections (A, B, C, D, E, and on the next page) to ensure the superintendent has final say over library content, noting that even some opposition testimony preferred this change.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Information Only01:48:39.119 - 10:02:40 AM; Questions whether to add 'or designate' when replacing principal with superintendent, expressing concern that 'designate' is too open-ended and could lead to poor decisions in this burdensome complaint system, but supports trusting superintendents for tough decisions.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Support01:49:46.560 - 10:03:47 AM; Supports replacing principal with superintendent or designate, arguing that delegation requires trust in sound judgment, as suggested by Mr. Christina, and notes it applies to Roman numeral 2 on the second page as well.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Information Only01:51:43.040 - 10:05:44 AM; Suggests adding 'district' after 'school' in the complaints submission section for clarity.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Information Only01:52:38.080 - 10:06:39 AM; Proposes a further amendment in part D of section one to include students, parents, or other family members in receiving information about challenged materials and participating in the decision-making process, especially for identity-focused content, to protect First Amendment rights and ensure community involvement beyond just the complainant and superintendent.
SB532: Senator (Unnamed) Oppose01:53:54.639 - 10:07:55 AM; Opposes the suggestion to include community members or school board in the initial process, arguing it would make the procedure cumbersome and one-sided; notes that the superintendent would involve appropriate groups, and content-based complaints wouldn't qualify under the bill's criteria anyway.
SB532: Senator Abbas Oppose01:57:20.320 - 10:11:21 AM; Opposes including the school board in the initial process to avoid prejudicing appeals; explains that complaints must meet specific criteria, not just content-based ones like pornography, and allowing all parents standing would complicate the timeline; emphasizes the bill as a process for complainants, with accountability to the school board.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Information Only01:59:26.159 - 10:13:27 AM; Points out that the New Hampshire School Board Association strongly opposes the bill, stating that existing district policies already handle book challenges effectively, and the bill duplicates and overrides them without allowing input from those who disagree with the challenge.
SB532: Committee Member (Unnamed) Support02:01:15.920 - 10:15:16 AM; Defends the bill as a guide for complaints, not dictating the superintendent's internal process; highlights benefits of a uniform statewide policy for consistency, advisory opinions from the Department of Education, and training seminars to ensure similar outcomes across schools.
SB532: Senator Aliller Oppose02:04:30.960 - 10:18:31 AM; Notes overwhelming opposition with 12 in support and 476 against, suggesting unpopularity among schools, teachers, and unions; urges more aggressive signing up by supporters.

Ward, Ruth(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Sullivan, Victoria(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025