[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6573256,"mediaKeyId","3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5","parentId",3084111,"title","Lengthy testimony for and against HB 115: proposal to remove income cap on Education Freedom Accounts draws broad public comment","audioSeconds",7188,"startMs",5266000,"endMs",12454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5&start=5266&end=12454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5/thumbnail_5266000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573256/New-Hampshire/Lengthy-testimony-for-and-against-HB-115-proposal-to-remove-income-cap-on-Education-Freedom-Accounts-draws-broad-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573256-bd05d8deace1f73d02fc6e5fa787304f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198378&Signature=ES4mGQBNn8~If5gL5c8RRtV-pG4bJzEZ9KO~m3uXpzDgRtYHbIgQVJ2tEkXw9aWTXIueW1NzgKO1Xqh8B2k2-eglvO~2RaQaDlYS2tIoQdd0YcwNh8WXxeeS-jQXZ5R6wW2YfP9WPb9y8lc82X5tlBCWQvkLtUXHxc5xsijqOyojUgaJlAui8Pr7g-Aw8FwScSsQyRmHWOm3edA~9RLQHZJVFKGzxX7cchfLjrzEOiri~QYF2RPl4RDqf4IvZ8CTQFz~-oAPIdm7G7FRqoxHYubxC66VZ66pQE6lof59feoG3zACzEYUCbjF31QSQf4fZR4cmaYCOyw0tUsBjq4vXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-22T16:52:50.653Z","article","House Bill 115 — a proposal to eliminate the income cap on New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) — drew extensive testimony at the Senate Education Committee hearing. Supporters and opponents offered contrasting accounts of program accountability, equity and fiscal impact.

Sponsor Representative Valerie McDonald said HB 115 would create a universal EFA by fiscal year 2027 and raise the income threshold in FY26. \"I humbly ask for your support of house bill 115 FN,\" she told the committee, arguing that the model prevents children from being turned away due to application timing or income limits.

Supporters who spoke included parents and students who described EFAs as enabling choices that fit their children's needs. A student, Alyssa Sosa Molina, said EFAs \"gave me access to a bridal school that completely changed the trajectory of my life.\" Other supporters testified that EFAs provide opportunity and parental control over educational decisions.

Opponents — including teachers, school board and civic associations, the American Federation of Teachers‑New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Council of Churches, local elected officials and many individual citizens — raised multiple concerns:

- Fiscal exposure: Witnesses argued the program's cost to the state could be large. Speakers cited analyses with differing estimates and cited revenue shortfalls facing the state, arguing the expansion risks diverting money from higher education and public schools. Representative David Luna and others brought letters and town warrant articles from at least 17 towns opposing expansion.

- Transparency and oversight: Several speakers said the program is administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF), a third‑party nonprofit, and that auditors and legislators have limited access to detailed expense data; speakers urged fuller audits and performance reviews before expansion. The transcript records that the Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA) audit of the program was described as underway during the hearing.

- Equity and special education: Witnesses said EFAs are disproportionately used by students already enrolled in private schools, that many private providers can and do set enrollment criteria, and that families who accept EFAs sign waivers affecting IDEA special‑education protections. Several speakers said private schools receiving public funds are not subject to the same nondiscrimination and reporting requirements as public schools.

- Program design and take‑up uncertainty: Proponents and researchers presented competing fiscal models. EdChoice and the Josiah Bartlett Center produced a joint estimate that projected modest net costs under realistic take‑up assumptions drawn from other states; other witnesses and local officials said take‑up and costs could be much higher and cited past underestimates and pending litigation over school funding as complicating factors.

Representative Glenn Cordelli and other sponsors defended program design details: payments are managed through accounts administered by CSF (not direct cash handouts to families) and allowable expenditures must be approved; sponsors pointed to state and out‑of‑state Supreme Court precedent addressing aid to religious schools.

The hearing included dozens of public comment speakers in both support and opposition. Questions from senators addressed program auditing, whether unused funds roll over for families, how special education rights are affected, vendor and expense transparency, and whether the state should prioritize higher education and public school funding in a constrained fiscal environment.

Ending: The committee heard a mix of personal stories supporting choice and broad civic testimony urging caution; the LBA audit and additional review of program finances and oversight were discussed. No Senate action on the bill appears in the transcript record.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education (04/22/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 115, which would remove income eligibility limits for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), drew several hours of testimony from sponsors, researchers, parents, students and dozens of public commenters who presented sharply divergent views on fiscal impact, equity and oversight.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29511,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573275,"Senate hearing hears bill to tighten alternative certification for CTE instructors",516,1099000,1615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5&start=1099&end=1615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","/articles/6573275/New-Hampshire/Senate-hearing-hears-bill-to-tighten-alternative-certification-for-CTE-instructors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573275-9ce3bfac06aafd11d1e66bb5adbe2a13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198378&Signature=YmEWyeP~zENz13WUqD7PkmCqXtTSdUQOTrqDpObPiLVM7wq8DimCOzxHsADislMTeRJUmyJv03IYDHlQuGsS-JvaJUecQOeAp9TXoId~SDeU6RNK5FZbmntnF6B~vSGgK9dcGoGoLQn3CxrZyoKbOBr9JkGYqkitMsFQWxkDP6M1BrqkZ9u0mFAgp7tfiM4zByo1S3JhK87vq41eM~sEEwiFvOf9hsx3yCMk5rHl-xkivIADWhfu2qHgtQei8wS0iH-rINMtjBAIsTwW579OMYIwGv45-NiLr1d69IvBnw0sRUBw8FDHcu9Zpipf2sN3QabjTeY9tNA1FaM7lsFxPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rick Ladd, sponsor of House Bill 354, told the Senate Education Committee that the bill would put into statute the alternative certification pathway that the Department of Education and the State Board already manage by rule.

\"A candidate for a career and technical education CTE specialty area license may substitute the following in lieu of a nationally recognized test of academic proficiency...\" Ladd said, describing language that would require \"three years of professional paid full time experience in the area for which the license is sought\" and \"a current industry‑recognized credential approved by the department in a published list of acceptable credentials.\" Ladd said the change is intended to ensure the substitute experience is professional and paid, not simply any full‑time work.

The bill drew support from Dan Bennett, president of the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, who described the measure as a \"talent acquisition bill\" for CTE programs that need instructors with hands‑on, industry‑current experience. \"It gives them credit for that,\" Bennett said.

Ladd and witnesses said the proposal reflects existing administrative rule language but moves and strengthens those criteria into statute, and gives the Department of Education authority to identify acceptable industry credentials. Ladd cited RSA 21:9 and the administrative rule framework that delegates licensure standards and rulemaking authority to the department and board.

Supporters stressed the need for instructors who are current with industry practices and credentials — Ladd used automotive technician certification as an example of the level of skill lawmakers want recognized for classroom instructors. No opponents appeared during the hearing and no committee amendments were discussed in the Senate session.

The committee chair closed the HB 354 hearing with no further testimony.

Ending: The Senate Education Committee moved on to other items; the hearing record shows HB 354 was introduced and supported in the committee hearing but contains no final Senate action recorded in the transcript.","Representative Rick Ladd and industry supporters told the Senate Education Committee that House Bill 354 would require professional paid experience and department‑approved credentials for alternative certification of career and technical education instructors.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573261,"Sponsor proposes limited in‑class cellphone restriction; work‑study led to targeted amendment",269,4945000,5214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5&start=4945&end=5214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5/thumbnail_4945000.jpg","/articles/6573261/New-Hampshire/Sponsor-proposes-limited-inclass-cellphone-restriction-workstudy-led-to-targeted-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573261-11e31410a46beb67e40d356c7aac5a3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198378&Signature=DPCh1UEUQGLomIoKMbFuWn0RC6kBLRtOzLt2seWHzqCrBHSe7q2sYHaEOWLqIYq0E4obCcYiEjmGfXd7CKZctoj68M5BDWv8scw967U2SQTIfcu5RVHuYzvOEf8Myn7jJVeO-AXNcoZ6pA0~nYxgsAYShNalVHir1fhhdLWJuS0zP4Y0dRru0C3nDdP21dEHOnWw7l3fv1IxrvFONA45ibrUPdQhKQ1Y8vkoKgkMfGKmXT5GJt0htCzN~6qNxGrsjzWIGJSSo9G62qgc2Y01UMhMI50arxGAmXBDUqp05EbuJdc3ODifDb6jp9BII1MLy2J~eaZ-sgDmnuWrFmWUMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Melissa Litchfield introduced House Bill 781 and described the bill as a response to testimony and conference findings about phone use in classrooms. She said the original concept included a pilot to purchase phone‑storage pouches (a vendor named Yondr was cited) but that budget constraints removed the appropriation; the House Education Policy Committee established a work study and produced the amendment now before the Senate that limits the restriction to class instruction time and includes carved‑out exceptions for medical devices and documented needs.

Litchfield said teachers asked the legislature to take the policy out of classroom discretion and make a statewide expectation for classroom instruction time. \"Teachers are very hungry for us to make this a state law,\" she said, adding that the House panel met on a bipartisan basis and agreed to a limited version to avoid a full bell‑to‑bell prohibition.

Committee members asked operational questions about implementation, special‑needs and medical exceptions, and whether pilot funding could be revisited. Litchfield said the House had considered a pilot (she described pouch costs) but removed the financial note given revenue constraints; she said the amendment represents a compromise intended to give teachers support while allowing local implementation and carve‑outs.

Ending: The hearing closed after sponsor testimony and no additional public witnesses; the record shows the House moved a work‑study approach and narrowed the bill to classroom instructional time.","Representative Melissa Litchfield told the committee HB 781 would restrict student cellphone use during class instruction time; the House committee created a bipartisan work study and the bill before the Senate narrows the scope to classroom instruction while allowing medical and special‑needs exceptions and local discretion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573265,"Lawmakers hear bill to require epinephrine supply and reporting in public schools",229,3782000,4011000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5&start=3782&end=4011","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5/thumbnail_3782000.jpg","/articles/6573265/New-Hampshire/Lawmakers-hear-bill-to-require-epinephrine-supply-and-reporting-in-public-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573265-efa06a60f97fef7b49c9ff106d961ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198378&Signature=YyZc5YKl88FbxsY70Vp01QILfuPWWJAbQN5lQP0zMNqVk-dj8ObKEOU4uvLW3y7B-LQgxqHv3yYHIYMV23A64xhl0vZFQSHNWJvOD8YyZrxSTMQwry4RA17K1CNyCAjWzus0vKBo5VjB~Dx3Um7CgBLJ8ol9rsnoWf2PVRx3uTcXkBuVEpI1tSE6Nz-uphdGLCqHVQdEKqSN5lA5eB6ZAK6BSTsomUdgukQO2sE2KHSSYAfBlZW7J6oRu1NCKkA2t~p4yEzIyXGDVeDVkXnDBz--wKgF7dRGjTnA2L8MjFCFYJEVrlkRykDYRQxuLaWfVgmenFaJo7pE6D-jsIhUAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jaygo (Senator Sullivan introduced HB 677 on behalf of its sponsor) summarized House Bill 677 as a measure to require public schools to maintain epinephrine supplies and to name at least one trained assistive employee to cover school hours for administration and to report inventory for reimbursement.

Representative Mike Drago, the bill sponsor, said the bill would move from the existing permissive authority (allowing schools to maintain a supply) to a requirement that schools carry epinephrine. Drago cited research from other states that for every 100,000 pupils \"anywhere between 9 and 22 students need to use epinephrine during the school year,\" and he said 17–27 percent of students needing epinephrine may have no prior known allergy.

Drago emphasized that he designed the bill to avoid an unfunded mandate on local towns and noted two vendor programs that provide two free doses to schools and replace used doses. He said the bill would ask schools to pursue the free programs first and only request state funds if donation programs were unavailable.

Committee members questioned liability and coverage hours. Senator Aultchilla and others asked whether designating assistive personnel for \"as many hours as possible\" could create liability exposure; Drago said he left the phrase intentionally flexible to allow local nurses to identify personnel who can cover early drop‑off, after‑school activities and other hours, and he expressed willingness to accept language adjustments to reduce liability risk. Suggestions included a non‑lapsing fund to accept gifts and grants as a fallback funding mechanism.

Senators also asked about Good Samaritan legal protections and whether administering under job descriptions affects coverage; participants said they would check the statute and consider language clarifications.

Ending: The committee heard the bill and several senators asked technical and liability questions; no vote is recorded in the transcript.","Representative Mike Drago and supporters told the Senate committee HB 677 would require public schools to maintain supplies of epinephrine (auto‑injectors or approved nasal sprays), name trained assistive personnel, and report inventories for possible reimbursement; proponents cited programs that donate replacement doses.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573270,"Senate panel hears renewal, funding request for Math Learning Communities program",1779,1976000,3755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5&start=1976&end=3755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084111-fcb0f5cdfb4b5846f4474ebfb387d2d5/thumbnail_1976000.jpg","/articles/6573270/New-Hampshire/Senate-panel-hears-renewal-funding-request-for-Math-Learning-Communities-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573270-bdd16e4d9357b4765e21925ae041f149/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198378&Signature=LMHVO~7zcdawGaXENqmybISpZAuo-XxuaSn1OQlvWs0cNanPL--J73Ja309qgQsbFjqD1kSbYUEsoIgMYxQoP28HZYG1pS4ExjbleeOF0hCyfzEZXLuPsf6yTkbKBCQZ0CZy1CyLGFeJBCORJkhPwTZfPoDfaCuzOYF-XtgUrOMEJcPXLJdAmXbqJMrziGSxrRII~YCUcOAZ6~fFnVpMgUIT7E4tG7OzLEdEXOp-vMYTJa-iVH2MsQPw7C9aUq14ekNdV8y-EcPqA81SWHe2wpPlYh5a17HpWilrgDBinbMqlUejL03~0O0KicTxNo-VrAUyEEV-zjvOqBhPLjVgpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rick Ladd told the Senate Education Committee that House Bill 494 would place the Math Learning Communities program more clearly under the community college system, and asked the Senate to treat the program as a funding priority.

\"This bill is relative to the math learning communities and making appropriation therefore,\" Ladd said, outlining the program's history: it began as a grant program, was designed to reduce post‑secondary remedial placements, and trained high‑school teachers to deliver integrated, inquiry‑based mathematics that prepares students for algebra‑level coursework and dual enrollment.

Ladd described an appropriation that accompanied the bill at the House level: he said HB 494 was introduced with a $200,000 FY26 request and an amended $250,000 FY27 figure that was later moved into HB 2. He asked the Senate to recognize the program's role in strengthening college and career readiness.

Chris Conmey, project director for the Math Learning Communities program at the Community College System of New Hampshire, described program development, teacher professional development, and curriculum work. She said the program originally ran under grant funding from 2006 to 2017, then diminished when grants ended. Conmey said the renewed program focuses on teacher training, on a new Algebra 2: Functions, Modeling and Quantitative Reasoning curriculum developed with UNH, and on a dual‑enrollment statistics course. She said 12 partner high schools had memorandums of understanding signed and many others had expressed interest.

Conmey described the program's emphasis on pedagogy — moving away from rote memorization toward exploration and discourse — and on providing ongoing teacher support, including monthly Zoom meetings and summer institutes.

Questions from senators touched on program delivery (courses taught in high schools by trained high‑school teachers), the program's focus on college and career readiness, and the timing and scale of funding. Ladd said the community college system would administer and staff the program and provide professional development to participating high‑school teachers.

Ending: The committee closed the HB 494 hearing after sponsor and project director testimony; public testimony did not appear in the record.

","Sponsor Representative Rick Ladd and the community college project director described HB 494, which would clarify administration and funding for Math Learning Communities training and curriculum development; witnesses outlined program history, training for high‑school teachers, and a multi‑year funding path proposed during the House review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lengthy testimony for and against HB 115: proposal to remove income cap on Education Freedom Accounts draws broad public comment

Senate hearing hears bill to tighten alternative certification for CTE instructors

Sponsor proposes limited in‑class cellphone restriction; work‑study led to targeted amendment

Lawmakers hear bill to require epinephrine supply and reporting in public schools

Senate panel hears renewal, funding request for Math Learning Communities program