SB 434 (2026): relative to regulation of public school materials.

SB 434 (2026)

relative to regulation of public school materials.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 3, 2026. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0643s). The committee's amendment (2026-0643s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-0826s), offered by Sen. Debra Altschiller, was rejected on a voice vote on February 19, 2026. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, with 752 people signed in online: 12 in support and 740 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 4, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1815h), 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 (2026-1815h) was rejected on a division vote 8–336 on May 14, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1937h), offered by Rep. Kristin Noble, was adopted on a division vote 191–157 on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 188–161. On May 21, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes, on a motion by Sen. Ruth Ward. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on July 2, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On August 19, 2026 the House voted 165–140 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold. On August 19, 2026 the Senate voted 16–8 to override the governor's veto on a roll call, meeting the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Rep. Margaret Drye (R - Sull 7)
• Rep. Lisa Freeman (R - Belk 8)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Kristin Noble (R - Hills 2)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 3, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 8, 2026, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• May 4, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 16, nays 8, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 8, nays 336, failed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 191, nays 157, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 188, nays 161, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Concur — yeas 14, nays 8, passed
• August 19, 2026, House: Veto Override — yeas 165, nays 140, failed
• August 19, 2026, Senate: Veto Override — yeas 16, nays 8, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 189

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 19, page 20
• HJ 13, pages 45 and 46
• SJ 13
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45
• HJ 16, page 56
• SJ 15
• This page’s data as JSON