SB 223-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0584
07/08
SENATE BILL 223-FN
AN ACT relative to using college or university student identification cards to obtain a ballot.
SPONSORS: Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Rep. Rice, Hills. 38; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4
COMMITTEE: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill provides for in-state tuition at any institution in the university system of New Hampshire or the community college system for any person who is registered to vote in this state. The bill also removes college or university identification cards from valid photo identification for obtaining a ballot.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0584
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to using college or university student identification cards to obtain a ballot.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; State College and University System; In-state Tuition for Persons Registered to Vote. Amend RSA 187-A by inserting after section 20-e the following new section:
187-A:20-f In-state Tuition for Persons Registered to Vote. The board of trustees shall provide the in-state undergraduate tuition rate at any institution in the university system of New Hampshire for up to 4 years for any person who submits to the board satisfactory written proof that such person is registered to vote in this state. To receive the in-state rate, such person shall submit to the board proof of registration to vote prior to the beginning of each academic year.
2 New Section; Community College System; In-state Tuition. Amend RSA 188-F by inserting after section 16-c the following new section:
188-F:16-d In-state Tuition for Persons Registered to Vote. The board of trustees shall provide the in-state undergraduate tuition rate at any institution in the community college system of New Hampshire for any person who submits to the board satisfactory written proof that such person is registered to vote in this state. To receive the instate rate, such person shall submit to the board proof of registration to vote prior to the beginning of each academic year.
3 Voting Procedures; Obtaining a Ballot; Student Identification Cards RSA 659:13, II(a)(5) is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
(A) The card is issued by:
(ii) A public high school in New Hampshire.
(ii) A nonpublic high school in New Hampshire accredited by a private school accrediting agency that is recognized by the department of education.
(B) The card has either an expiration date or an issuance date that has not been exceeded by a period of more than 5 years.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
25-0584
1/3/25
SB 223-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to using college or university student identification cards to obtain a ballot.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | USNH: Indeterminable Decrease CCSNH: $100,000 to $500,000 Decrease | ||||
Revenue Fund(s) | CCSNH & USNH Operating Funds | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill provides for in-state tuition at any institution in the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System for any person who is registered to vote in this state. The bill also removes college or university identification cards from valid photo identification for obtaining a ballot.
The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) projects a significant revenue decline due to the marked difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates. This could prompt many, if not all, out-of-state students to register to vote in order to qualify for in-state tuition. Out-of-state tuition revenue would decrease to unsustainable levels. Additionally, USNH anticipates a drop in New Hampshire student enrollment due to the likely in-state tuition increase.
Moreover, the bill would only grant in-state tuition to out-of-state students for four years. Out-of-state students expecting to graduate in their fifth or sixth year would face a tuition increase in those last two years, potentially lowering graduation rates and affecting the institution's reputation.
The USNH estimates the fiscal impact on its operating budget will be a decrease of $141.6 million annually. The estimate is based on the fiscal year 24 in- and out-of-state undergraduate gross tuition revenue differential, a 50/50 student residency mix, and 1.75% U.S. nonresident alien undergraduate enrollment share.
FISCAL YEAR 2024 UNDERGRADUATE GROSS TUITION REVENUES | |
Total Out-of-State Tuition | $269,700,000 |
Decrease in U.S. Nonresident Alien Share of Out-of-State Tuition at 1.75% | -$4,700,000 |
In-State Tuition Rate for Out of State Students | -$123,400,000 |
Total Revenue Loss if Out-of-State Students Paid In-State Rate | $141,600,000 |
Note, the fiscal impact of assumptions related to increased tuition rates for all students, decreased in-state enrollment, impact of fifth/sixth-year out-of-state student revenues, and reputation damage from institutional aid limitations and lower graduation rates are indeterminable and are not factors in this estimate.
To address the likely decrease in out-of-state tuition revenue, USNH would need to find ways to address the revenue shortfall. USNH assumes it would need to fill the revenue gap with increased in-state tuition rates and reduced institutional aid for the university system's over 26,000 students.
The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) reports that most of their students are New Hampshire residents, resulting in a lower number of out-of-state students that would be eligible for in-state tuition based on this bill. Furthermore, CCSNH indicates that multiple factors influence the anticipated fiscal impact on the CCSNH Operating Budget, projecting a budget decrease ranging from $100,000 to $500,000.
The Department of State indicates this bill will have no impact on the department.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Community College System of New Hampshire, Department of State, and University System of New Hampshire
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 11, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
Feb. 20, 2025: Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
Feb. 5, 2025: Hearing: 02/11/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 9
Jan. 23, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3