SB 491-FN (2026): enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.

SB 491-FN (2026)

enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Funding
• Senate committee: Education Finance
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 256

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Education Finance committee. The committee voted 5–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0379s). The committee's amendment (2026-0379s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Education Funding committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026, with 36 people signed in online: 4 in support and 32 in opposition. The committee held a work session on April 7, 2026. The committee held a public hearing on April 28, 2026 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2026-1441h), with 8 people signed in online: 5 in support and 3 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 28, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1707h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1707h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Keith Murphy. 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 2, 2026, making it Chapter 256 of the session laws. It takes effect July 1, 2027.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)
• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2026, 10:20 AM: hearing, Senate Education Finance, SH 103
• February 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 12, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 31, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Education Funding, GP 232
• April 7, 2026, 1:30 PM: full committee work session, House Education Funding, GP 232
• April 28, 2026, 11:15 AM: executive session, House Education Funding, GP 232
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0379s — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1707h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 188-E:6
• RSA 188-E:9
• RSA 194-F:4
• RSA 193-E:2-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 47A
• SC 4
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 8, page 114
• HC 18, page 6
• HJ 12, page 5
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45