SB 574 (2026): establishing a commission to study the efficiency and structure of school administrative units.

SB 574 (2026)

establishing a commission to study the efficiency and structure of school administrative units.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions
• Chapter law: 268

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1011s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on March 12, 2026. The committee's amendment (2026-1011s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1093s), offered by Sen. Debra Altschiller, was rejected on a voice vote on March 12, 2026. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes 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 Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 30, 2026, with 7 people signed in online: 5 in support and 2 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 2026-1810h), 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 (2026-1810h) was adopted on a roll call 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 197–151. 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 signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 268 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 30, 2026, 2:00 PM: 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

Votes

• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1011s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 191, nays 157, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 197, nays 151, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Concur — yeas 13, nays 9, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 194-C
• RSA 194-C:13

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 6
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 8, page 114
• HC 19, page 21
• HJ 13, pages 52 and 54
• SJ 13
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45