HB 557 (2025): relative to the information that appears on the school budget ballot.

HB 557 (2025)

relative to the information that appears on the school budget ballot.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education Finance
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 281

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The House withdrew that referral and sent the bill to the Education Policy and Administration committee instead. The committee held a public hearing on February 5, 2025, with 57 people signed in online: 5 in support and 52 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 12, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1031h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1031h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 27, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 27, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 202–166. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Education Finance committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 17, 2025. The committee voted 4–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1878s). The committee's amendment (2025-1878s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 15, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 15, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. On May 22, 2025 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1878s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jason Osborne. On June 5, 2025 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Keith Murphy. A committee of conference met on June 16, 2025 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2767c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2767c) on a division vote 196–156. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2929e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 281 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R - Carr 07)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Samuel Farrington (R - Straf 8)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 5, 2025, 11:15 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• March 12, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• March 27, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 17, 2025, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Education Finance, SH 103
• May 15, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• June 16, 2025, 9:30 AM: committee of conference, LOB 205-207

Votes

• March 27, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1031h — yeas 202, nays 166, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 15, nays 8, passed
• May 22, 2025, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1878s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 196, nays 156, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 671:20

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 52
• SC 17
• SC 21