SB 586-FN (2026): requiring chartered public schools, school administrative units, and cities or school districts not audited under RSA 671:5 to be audited by an independent public accountant after the end of the fiscal year and requiring the results of such audits to be made available to the public.

SB 586-FN (2026)

requiring chartered public schools, school administrative units, and cities or school districts not audited under RSA 671:5 to be audited by an independent public accountant after the end of the fiscal year and requiring the results of such audits to be made available to the public.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Funding
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 272

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 27, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0772s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0772s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 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, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 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 26, 2026 and was referred to the House Education Funding committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026, with 55 people signed in online: 16 in support, 38 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on April 14, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1500h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1500h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 23, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1625h) was rejected on a roll call 162–193 on April 23, 2026. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 195–160. On April 23, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. An enrolled bill amendment (2026-2121e) was adopted on a voice vote on May 21, 2026. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2121e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 272 of the session laws. It took effect on July 1, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 27, 2026, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 7, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Education Funding, GP 232
• April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education Funding, GP 232
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0772s — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 162, nays 193, failed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1500h — yeas 195, nays 160, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 198:4-d

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HJ 11, pages 33, 34, 37 and 72
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 37
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report