Revision: Jan. 27, 2025, 2:34 p.m.
HB 651-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0232
02/06
HOUSE BILL 651-FN
AN ACT modifying the base cost and differential aid costs of an adequate education.
SPONSORS: Rep. Luneau, Merr. 9
COMMITTEE: Education Funding
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ANALYSIS
This bill increases the base cost and differential aid costs of an adequate education and expands the definition of the cost of an adequate education.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0232
02/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT modifying the base cost and differential aid costs of an adequate education.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Cost of an Opportunity for an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 198:40-a, I-II to read as follows:
I. For the biennium beginning July 1, [2023] 2025, 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] $7,356.01 per pupil in the ADMR, plus differentiated aid as follows:
(b) An additional [$2,300] $4,126.20 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] $1,435.20 for each pupil in the ADMR who is an English language learner anytime during the determination year; plus
(d) An additional [$2,100] $3,767.40 for each pupil in the ADMR who is receiving special education services anytime during the determination year.
2 Cost of an Adequate Education. Amend RSA 193-E:2-b, I to read as follows:
I. The general court shall use the definition of the opportunity for an adequate education in RSA 193-E:2-a to determine the resources necessary to provide essential programs, considering educational needs. The general court shall make an initial determination of the necessary specific resource elements to be included in the opportunity for an adequate education. The necessary specific resource elements shall include costs for teachers, teacher benefits, student-teacher ratios, principals, administrative assistants, school counselors, library-media specialists, technology coordinators, custodians, nurse services, instructional materials, technology, professional development, facilities operation and maintenance, and transportation. The general court shall update the cost of an adequate education at least every 2 years. The general court shall use evidence from actual costs from all approved schools to determine the cost of an adequate education.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
25-0232
Revised 1/27/25
HB 651-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT modifying the base cost and differential aid costs of an adequate education.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | FY 2026 District Adequacy - Approximately $576.4M Charter School Grants - Approximately $28.3M Education Freedom Accounts - Approximately $25.6M Total - Approximately $630.6M
FY 2027 and Beyond Indeterminable, but similar magnitude expected (see methodology below) | ||||
Funding Source(s) | Education Trust Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | Statutory Open Warrant1 | ||||
Funding Source(s) | Education Trust Fund | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
| ||||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | FY 2026 Approximately $576.4M
FY 2027 and Beyond Indeterminable, but similar magnitude expected (see methodology below) | ||||
Local Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill, effective for FY 2026, increases the base aid, and each differentiated aid component, in the calculation of a cost of an opportunity for an adequate education under RSA 198:40-a:
FY 2026 Per Pupil Aid Amount | Current Law | Proposed | Increase |
Base Adequacy | $4,265.64 | $7,356.01 | $3,090.37 |
Differentiated Aid |
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|
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Free-Reduced Price Meal Eligible (F&R) | $2,392.92 | $4,126.20 | $1,733.28 |
English Language Learner (ELL) | $832.32 | $1,435.20 | $602.88 |
Special Education (SPED) | $2,184.84 | $3,767.40 | $1,582.56 |
This bill will impact adequacy payments to school districts, charter school grants, and education freedom accounts (EFAs).
District Adequacy
Based on preliminary estimate student data and per pupil aid amounts presented above, this bill will increase adequacy grants to school districts by an estimated $576,445,798 in FY 2026:
| Current Law | Proposed | Increase |
Adequacy Grant | $716,948,319 | $1,293,394,117 | $576,445,798 |
Statewide Education Property Tax (SWEPT) | $363,516,836 | $363,516,836 | $0 |
Final State Grant | $1,080,465,155 | $1,656,910,953 | $576,445,798 |
Data for FY 2027 and FY 2028 is not yet available, therefore, this bill’s impact on district adequacy beyond FY 2026 is indeterminable, however expected to be in the $585 million to $595 million range per year.
Charter School Grants
Based on FY 2026 enrollment estimates (7,868 total students, 1,321 F&R, 126 ELL, and 1,001 SPED), this bill would increase aid to charter schools by $28.3 million in FY 2026. Data to estimate FY 2027 and FY 2028 student counts is not yet available, therefore, this bill’s impact on charter school grants beyond FY 2026 is indeterminable, however expected to be approximately the same as the FY 2026 estimate.
Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs)
Based on FY 2026 program participation estimates (6,500 total students, 2,860 F&R, 11 ELL, and 400 SPED), this bill would increase EFAs by $25.6 million in FY 2026. Data to estimate FY 2027 and FY 2028 student counts is not yet available, therefore, this bill’s impact on EFAs beyond FY 2026 is indeterminable, however expected to be approximately the same as the FY 2026 estimate.
1 Statutorily, the Department of Education may draw a warrant to make all necessary district adequacy, charter school grant, and EFA payments, regardless of available funds in the education trust fund, with any deficit at the end of the fiscal year covered by the general fund. It should be noted that the most recently available preliminary draft (November 13, 2024) of the FY 2024 State of New Hampshire Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) reports the following balances, as of June 30, 2024 (actual amounts may differ when final audited report is released):
Education Trust Fund………. $158.9 million
General Fund………. $79.7 million
Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account……… $292.5 million
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education