HB 491 (2026): establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.

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“HB 491 (2026): establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb491. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 491 (2026): establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb491
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Granite Record. “HB 491 (2026): establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb491.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2026-hb491, title = {HB 491 (2026): establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb491}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }

HB 491 (2026)

establishing a committee to study alternative funding methods for public education and how to reduce its reliance on local real estate property taxes.

  • Status: Killed
  • Term: 2025-2026
  • House committee: Education Funding
  • Subject: Study Committees and Commissions

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Education Funding committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 7, 2025, with 17 people signed in online: 9 in support, 7 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on March 12, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on September 16, 2025 and September 30, 2025. The committee met in executive session on November 13, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a roll call 195–157.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • February 7, 2025, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Education Funding, LOB 205-207
  • March 12, 2025, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Education Funding, LOB 201
  • September 16, 2025, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Education Funding, GP 232
  • September 30, 2025, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Education Funding, GP 232
  • November 13, 2025, 2:00 PM: executive session, House Education Funding, GP 232
  • January 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

  • January 7, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 195, nays 157, passed

The Docket

  • January 9, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Funding
  • February 7, 2025: Public Hearing: 02/07/2025 02:30 pm LOB 205-207
  • March 11, 2025: ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/11/2025 10:30 am LOB 205-207
  • March 12, 2025: Executive Session: 03/12/2025 10:30 am LOB 201
  • March 12, 2025: Retained in Committee
  • September 16, 2025: Subcommittee Work Session: 09/16/2025 10:00 am GP 232
  • September 30, 2025: Subcommittee Work Session: 09/30/2025 10:00 am GP 232
  • November 4, 2025: Executive Session: 11/04/2025 02:00 pm GP 232
  • November 13, 2025: Executive Session: 11/13/2025 02:00 pm GP 232
  • November 13, 2025: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 11/13/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  • November 20, 2025: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  • January 7, 2026: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 195-157 01/07/2026

From the General Court