Citizen in a RepublicNH House Testimony
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HB1557

House · 2026 sessionDemocraticKilled in House

Special education funding formula changes

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Modifies the required state aid provided to school districts for special education costs and removes proration of related appropriations for each fiscal year.

modifying the state average expenditure per pupil relative to students in special education.Official record

Education - GeneralAgency AppropriationsAI-generated

Division of testimonyComputed by this site

116 submissions

All 25 written submissions were individually written — no organized campaign detected.

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law
Sponsors, hearings & roll-call votes

The record · every submission as filed

116 submissions
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Catharine Farkas
for Myself
Sanbornton

We need to support ALL our students!

Support
Deanna Lussier
for Myself
Rumney

I support this bill to help fund special education.

Support
Debrah Howes
for American Federation of Teachers - NH
Bow

AFT-NH supports the concept of lowering the threshhold at which a local district becomes eligible for State reimbursement of a portion of higher than average per pupil special education costs. Providing services so students can access their public education is a legal and moral requirement so district must incur the cost. Lowering the threshhold would ease the burden on local budgets and on local property taxpayers.

Support
georgina Lambert
for Myself
Belmont

Opposition Testimony for HB 1557: Modifying State Average Expenditure Per Pupil for Special Education HB 1557 aims to modify the state average expenditure per pupil for students in special education by reducing the threshold for state aid and eliminating provisions for emergency assistance. While the intention to increase funding for special education is commendable, the bill raises significant concerns regarding its underpinnings, particularly in its approach to funding and oversight. The removal of emergency assistance provisions may place undue financial burdens on local districts, especially those already struggling to meet the needs of their students with disabilities. Oversight and Funding Gaps One of the most glaring deficiencies in HB 1557 is its lack of funding provisions and the absence of clarity on the necessary resources for implementation. The bill does not authorize new positions within the Department of Education, despite the anticipated need for significantly increased staffing to process special education claims, which the fiscal impact note estimates at 213 staff members for the projected workload. Without adequate funding and personnel, the bill risks overwhelming the existing administrative framework, leading to potential delays in service delivery for students who rely on timely interventions. Intersectional Framework and Equity Considerations Moreover, the legislation fails to adequately incorporate an intersectional framework that considers the diverse needs of all students, particularly those from marginalized communities who may already face disparities in accessing educational resources. The broader implications of this bill can disproportionately affect students with disabilities, especially in districts where resources are already limited. Ensuring that funding mechanisms remain in place for emergency assistance, as well as creating pathways for adequate support, are critical steps needed to prevent exacerbating existing inequities. Policymakers must prioritize an inclusive approach that genuinely addresses the needs of all students while promoting long-term sustainability in special education funding.

Oppose
Giana Gelsey
for Myself
Madbury

I am also a school board member. We need increases in state funding for special education.

Support
Joseph Boyle
for Myself
Hillsborough

I do not support the death penalty for any reason whatsoever.

Support
Gabriele Lieberg
for Myself
Newfields

The state has long (30 years?) failed to meet court orders regarding inadequate education funding. I strongly support this bill, specifically for special education.

Support
Karen Bemis
for Myself
Bristol

My name is Karen and I live and vote in Bristol. This bill is an attempt at getting special education reimbursements closer to actual local expenditures, which will ultimately lower local property taxes when the state funds more special education.

Support
Robert Drysdale
for Myself
Hanover

Support
Priscilla Dube
for Myself
Concord

This study is absolutely necessary if we are to save our state from irreparable harm. We cannot continue successfully with the revenue stream being so dependent on property tax and innumerable fees; the revenue from gaming has never been fulsome. I'm old enough to remember when the original State lottery was sold as THE answer to funding education. Yeah. Right.

Support
Brian Flynn
for Myself
Rumney

Support
James Chapman
for Myself
Gilsum

I have to stay neutral on this because you say you're going to modify what is paid to special ed but you don't say whether you're gonna lower it or raise it. So here is what is said about the last bill: OUR legislators need to fund FAIR and ADEQUATE revenue to pay for public schools. Special education is expensive. It's necessary for the students that need the most help. In the long run, it's much less expensive to give them an education than it is to take care of them after they end up in prison. Look at the statistics.! If we don't teach children to read and write, they end up in drug rehab or in jail. Check it out for yourselves.

Neutral
Ashley dePreaux
for Myself
Merrimack

I support HB 1557 because it recognizes that special education is a legal obligation that school districts must meet regardless of cost, and that the financial risk of doing so should be shared fairly at the state level rather than pushed onto local property taxpayers. By lowering the threshold for state aid and eliminating proration, this bill provides more timely and predictable support to school districts, helping them meet the needs of students with disabilities without destabilizing local budgets or cutting general education programs. HB 1557 promotes equity, fiscal responsibility, and compliance with state and federal law by acknowledging that special education costs are not optional, evenly distributed, or within local control, and should be addressed through a reliable statewide funding approach.

Support
Sharon Racusin
for Myself
Hanover

This bill increases the required state aid to be provided to school districts for the costs of special education. NEA-NH states, “We must close funding gaps - especially in special education … Bills like…HB1557 are important steps in the right direction." I SUPPORT THIS BILL. Every student should be allowed to get not only an adequate education but an equal one. This is the strength of PUBLIC EDUCATION. Invest in the people.

Support
Sarah Young
for Myself
Hanover

Schools need the required state aid funds given for students who require speical education. The schools are being squeezed on so many financial fronts.

Support
Shirley Montgomery
for Myself
Hanover

I support this bill because I think the state needs to support education for special ed students. I have had a student in special education in another state and the program was a life saver. Also, most special ed students attend local rather than private schools.

Support
Arnold Scott
for Myself
Stratham

NH taxpayers are paying more for education and getting poorer results! There is no reason to increase spending!! Better management of spending is required. If better results are not forthcoming from the schools, we should cut spending by 50%!!!

Oppose
Joanne Scobie
for Myself
West Lebanon

Special Education needs to be properly funded and this bill helps provide that.

Support
Daniel Richardson
for Myself
Nashua

Malevolent forces want the state to pay for bloated local union contracts. Everyone knows cost impacts are best managed and become REAL when they are local. Judiciary has no business intruding into the legislature's constitutional authority. The NH Supreme Court must be fought as they are NOT superior to legislature ... only a co-equal branch. Live the oath you've sworn.

Oppose
Pierre DuPont
for Myself
Manchester

Members of the committee. Enough already!! They inflated their pensions as it is with their greed and thievery!! No Bo No. thank you

Oppose
tom luther
for Myself
claremont

Greetings from Sullivan County: I would be willing to consider this bill if it were perhaps combined with a property Tax Cap structured as a TABOR amendment. Another sweetener might be combination with the SAU consolidation and an EFA adjustment/inclusion. Your takeaway: I want substantive change and I am willing to pay for it.

Neutral
Kevin Craig
for Myself
Lancaster

The fiscal note alone points out the overhead this bill would require, which would reduce funds available for education.

Oppose
Marcia Hayward
for Myself
Laconia

Dear Sir or Madame Property tax relief is long over due. The State has been negligent is providing adequate funds for public education.. It is imperative that the State Legislature develop options on how to fund public education fairly.

Support
Bridget Detollenaere
for Myself
North Hampton

For years lawmakers have ignored the courts and continued to underfund public education while using taxpayer dollars to fund school vouchers, with budgets running over, no oversight or accountability and in direct violation of separation of church and state. Time to start adequately funding public education.

Support
Marie Straiton
for Myself
Pembroke

I am completely on board with the state spending more money on students in general.

Support