HB 1816-FN (2026): relative to the intervention of the department of education into a school or school district during a financial emergency and requiring the state school board to establish rules governing the vetting of school district business administrator candidates.

HB 1816-FN (2026)

relative to the intervention of the department of education into a school or school district during a financial emergency and requiring the state school board to establish rules governing the vetting of school district business administrator candidates.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Funding
• Senate committee: Education Finance
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 313

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Education Funding committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 27, 2026, with 143 people signed in online: 4 in support, 138 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on February 18, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0983h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee's amendment (2026-0983h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Education Finance committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 1, 2026. The committee voted 4–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1636s). The committee's amendment (2026-1636s) 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 2026-1636s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Rick Ladd. On May 14, 2026 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 May 26, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2064c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2064c) on a voice vote. 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 313 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Rick Ladd (R - Graf 5) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Raymond Peeples (R - Hills 14)
• Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Walter Spilsbury (R - Sull 3)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 27, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Education Funding, GP 234
• February 18, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education Funding, GP 234
• March 3, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Education Funding, GP 232
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 1, 2026, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Education Finance, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 26, 2026, 12:00 PM: committee of conference, GP 234

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0983h — voice vote, 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 2026-1636s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 186

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 37
• HC 10, page 12
• HJ 7, page 19
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 13, page 147
• SJ 13
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 35 and 56
• SJ 15