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HB 1563-FN-LOCAL

(New Title) relative to the special education aid formula and the administration and monitoring of state special education aid.

Filed 2026 · Signed into law · Education Funding · Education - General

Official record at gencourt.state.nh.us ↗

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On the record

Quoted from the General Court bill status page, not worked out from the docket.

StatusSIGNED BY GOVERNOR
In the HousePASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT
In the SenatePASSED/ADOPTED
Introduced1/7/2026
Floor date3/26/2026
LSR number2408
Chapter0232
Local government impactno
Committee codeH34

Bill text (PDF) ↗

Where it stands

House: PASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT · Senate: PASSED/ADOPTED

Every floor vote on this bill was a voice or division vote, so there is no record of how individual legislators voted.

A bill goes on the consent calendar when the committee vote was unanimous or nearly so, and any members who dissented did not object to placing it there. It then passes without floor debate. Ten members may file a petition to pull a bill off the consent calendar and have it debated and voted on separately.

Sponsors

Ladd, Rick(R) Graf 5, Erf, Keith(R) Hills 28, Innis, Daniel(R) Belk 7, McGuire, Dan(R) Merr 14, Murphy, Keith(R) Hills 16, Peeples, Raymond(R) Hills 14, Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R) Rock 17, Smith, Steven(R) Sull 3, Sullivan, Victoria(R) Hills 18
Prime sponsor in bold. From the General Court sponsor file.

What happened

Every action recorded in the official docket, in order. Each line ends with the journal or calendar that recorded it; where we have the document, that citation links to it.

Votes

Roll call tallies and individual votes from the General Court roll call files. Presiding, excused and absent are shown separately: one member presides over each House roll call and does not vote except to break a tie.

Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0546h

February 19, 2026 · House · None–None, adopted

Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.

Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1086h

March 26, 2026 · House · None–None, adopted

Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.

Ought to Pass

April 23, 2026 · Senate · None–None, adopted

Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.

Ought to Pass

May 14, 2026 · Senate · None–None, adopted

Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.

Committee reports

Reproduced from the House Calendar in the committee’s own words.

Committee — OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT

Rep. Rick Ladd

Within New Hampshire, approximately 890 children have disabilities for whom the cost of special education is greater than 3.5 times the average per pupil expenditure, which approximates $70,000. In recent years, funding appropriations for special education are derived from four primary sources: differentiated aid ($68 million), special education aid ($50 million), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)– Federal ($50 million) and the local education agency (LEA) ($809 million) for an approximate total cost of $977 million. 85% of special education aid costs are the responsibility of the LEA. In addition, it is very difficult for school districts to plan for these high occurrence costs, as children often move between districts. The IDEA, enacted in 1975, included a commitment to pay 40% of the “excess costs” of special education, but Congress has consistently failed to meet this target. As of 2025 data, federal contributions are at an all-time low, with New Hampshire receiving less than 10%, and most likely 6%. This shortfall has created a massive financial burden on local districts, as stated earlier, it’s un sustainable. A year ago, the amount appropriated for special education aid fell short by $16 million, resulting in a proration amount of 68%. The Education Funding Committee, along with other groups such as the current Commission to Study the Costs of Special Education, have worked with the Department of Education attempting to gather necessary data supporting needed changes to the state’s current special education aid formula. Data collection information for students with IEPs below the 3.5 times average per pupil expenditure level is not currently available at the state level. This bill, as amended, requires the department to distribute aid to school districts for pupils whose special education costs start at a $50,000 value, rather than the $70,000 current level, with graduated percentage state and local financial contribution responsibilities changing at $60,000 and again at $200,000. The proposed bill also addresses issues associated with Medicaid, annual COLA adjustments, and much more. This bill recognizes that local districts cannot sustain ever-increasing costs associated with special education aid, as local challenges associated with funding these special education services has resulted in many districts emptying reserve accounts and taking needed funds from vital curriculum accounts. This bill has the unanimous support of the Education Funding Committee. Lastly, it is recognized that to achieve a desired end, the legislature may have to move in incremental steps over the next few years as the department compiles necessary supporting data. Vote 18-0.

Hearings and recordings

Recordings are the General Court’s own, on YouTube. Start times are estimates unless stated otherwise, and the player opens early.

Page generated 2026-09-03 from data published by the New Hampshire General Court. Granite Record is an independent project, not affiliated with the General Court. The official record always takes precedence. Corrections: [email protected]