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SB 584-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2261
07/05
SENATE BILL
584-FN
AN ACT
increasing the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.
SPONSORS: Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24
COMMITTEE: Education Finance
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ANALYSIS
This bill increases the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2261
07/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
increasing the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Education; Adequate Education; Education Trust Fund; Cost of an Opportunity for an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 198:40-a to read as follows:
198:40-a Cost of an Opportunity for an Adequate Education.
I. For the biennium beginning July 1, [
2023
]
2026
, the annual cost of providing the opportunity for an adequate education as defined in RSA 193-E:2-a shall be as specified in paragraph II. The department shall adjust the rates specified in this paragraph in accordance with RSA 198:40-d.
II.(a) A cost of $4,100 per pupil in the ADMR, plus differentiated aid as follows:
(b) An additional $2,300 for each pupil in the ADMR who is eligible for a free or reduced price meal anytime during the determination year; plus
(c) An additional $800 for each pupil in the ADMR who is an English language learner anytime during the determination year; plus
(d) An additional [
$2,100
]
$16,000
for each pupil in the ADMR who is receiving special education services anytime during the determination year.
III. The sum total calculated under paragraph II shall be the cost of an adequate education. The department shall determine the cost of an adequate education for each municipality based on the ADMR of pupils who reside in that municipality.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
LBA
26-2261
Revised 1/28/26
SB 584-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT
increasing the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
Approximately $450M Per Year
Funding Source(s)
Education Trust Fund
Appropriations*
$0
Statutory Open Warrant Exists for Adequacy Payments
Funding Source(s)
Education Trust Fund
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Local Revenue
$0
Approximately $420M Per Year
Local Expenditures
$0
$0
$0
$0
METHODOLOGY:
This bill
will increase the special education differentiated aid rate in FY 2027 from $2,229 to $16,000. This will increase education trust fund spending for the following programs in FY 2027:
District Adequacy - $420 million.
Charter School Funding - $15 million.
Education Freedom Accounts - $15 million.
Impact beyond FY 2028 is indeterminable. However, a similar fiscal impact is expected. It should be noted that the estimated cost of this bill significantly exceeds available funding in the education trust fund, as well as the general fund and revenue stabilization account (rainy day fund).
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education