SB 531-FN (2026): establishing a task force to study the feasibility of the creation of cosmetology related programming in Coos County and requiring the reporting of student meal debt by school districts and public chartered schools to the department of education.

SB 531-FN (2026)

establishing a task force to study the feasibility of the creation of cosmetology related programming in Coos County and requiring the reporting of student meal debt by school districts and public chartered schools to the department of education.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Funding
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions
• Chapter law: 261

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Education Funding committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026, with 5 people signed in online: 4 in support and 1 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 (2026-1569h), with 14 people signed in online: 2 in support and 12 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 28, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1704h), and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1762h), by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1704h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. The committee minority's amendment (2026-1762h) was rejected on a division vote 152–188 on May 7, 2026. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 185–156. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, 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 signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 261 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Rep. Patricia Cornell (D - Hills 22)
• Rep. Lori Korzen (R - Coos 7)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 31, 2026, 11:00 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: floor debate, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 152, nays 188, failed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1704h — yeas 185, nays 156, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 188-E
• RSA 188-E:1
• RSA 189:11-a
• RSA 188-E:5-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 46
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 18, page 11
• HJ 12, page 16
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45