Revision: March 12, 2025, 3:55 p.m.
Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
March 11, 2025
2025-0886s
07/02
Floor Amendment to SB 295-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to education freedom accounts.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Education; Education Freedom Accounts; Definitions. Amend RSA 194-F:1, VI to read as follows:
VI. "Eligible student" means a resident of this state who is eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school [and whose annual household income at the time the student applies for the program is less than or equal to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902(2). No income threshold need be met in subsequent years, provided the student otherwise qualifies]. Students in the special school district within the department of corrections established in RSA 194:60 shall not be eligible students.
2 New Paragraphs; Education; Education Freedom Accounts; Application for an Education Freedom Account. Amend RSA 194-F:3 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraphs:
I-a. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, total enrollment for the education freedom account program shall be capped at 10,000. However, in any fiscal year when student applications for the education freedom account program are equal to or greater than 90 percent of the total enrollment cap applicable to that fiscal year, the total enrollment cap shall increase by 25 percent. The department shall publish on its website information identifying the total enrollment cap when it is increased pursuant to this paragraph.
I-b. In any fiscal year, if student applications during the spring application window exceed the program cap, priority shall be determined in the following order:
(a) A student currently enrolled in the EFA program;
(b) A student whose family income is less than or equal to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902 (2);
(c) A sibling of a student currently enrolled in the EFA program; and
(d) A child with disabilities as defined by RSA 186-C:2.
I-c. In any fiscal year, for students applying after June 30 during the fall application window, only students who meet the priority categories as defined by RSA 194-F:3, I-b(b)-(d) are eligible for pro-rated accounts. The scholarship organization shall prioritize current EFA students for renewal in the spring by reserving space for them under that year’s enrollment cap before awarding new EFA accounts for fall applicants.
3 Education; Education Freedom Accounts; Application for an Education Freedom Account. Amend RSA 194-F:3, III(b) to read as follows:
(b) The student on whose behalf the parent is applying is an eligible student and meets the priority guidelines when applications exceed the enrollment cap.
4 New Paragraph; Education; Education Freedom Accounts; Authority and Responsibilities of the Scholarship Organization. Amend RSA 194-F:4 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
IV-a. The scholarship organization shall establish and publicize no less than 2 deadlines by which application forms must be submitted.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2025-0886s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Increases the number of students eligible for education freedom accounts by removing household income thresholds.
II. Removes certain conditions tied to education freedom account funds.