HB 1374 (2026): modifying the procedures for withdrawal from a cooperative school district and the discontinuance of elementary and high schools and requiring the review of school district operating documents by school boards.

HB 1374 (2026)

modifying the procedures for withdrawal from a cooperative school district and the discontinuance of elementary and high schools and requiring the review of school district operating documents by school boards.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 303

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 9, 2026, with 64 people signed in online: 4 in support and 60 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 179–149. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 21, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1731s). The committee's amendment (2026-1731s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. On May 14, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1731s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Kristin Noble. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Ruth Ward. A committee of conference met on May 26, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 4, 2026 the Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2076c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2076c) on a roll call 179–161. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 303 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Mary Murphy (R - Hills 27) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Pam Brown (R - Rock 14)
• Rep. Riché Colcombe (R - Hills 30)
• Rep. Mary Ford (R - Rock 3)
• Rep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 14)
• Rep. Raymond Peeples (R - Hills 14)
• Rep. Susan Porcelli (R - Rock 19)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 9, 2026, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• March 2, 2026, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 21, 2026, 9:25 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 26, 2026, 9:00 AM: committee of conference, GP 230
• June 4, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 179, nays 149, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 14, nays 8, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1731s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 179, nays 161, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 195:29
• RSA 195:25
• RSA 194
• RSA 194-C
• RSA 195
• RSA 195-A:9
• RSA 189
• RSA 194-C:5
• RSA 195:5
• RSA 194:35

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 17
• HC 10, page 37
• HJ 7, page 134
• SJ 7
• SC 15
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 13, page 149
• SJ 13
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 31 and 56
• SJ 15