New HampshireSchool districts could keep funds for unusual expenses
Districts could vote each year to keep limited funds for unusual expenses, while Manchester would need a school committee recommendation and existing open-ended approvals would end.
What it does
A school district could keep unused year-end funds for unusual expenses if its legislative body votes to allow it. The total could not exceed 3 percent of the current budget appropriation.
Manchester could approve keeping year-end unassigned school funds each year if the school committee recommends it.
Existing open-ended approvals for school districts to keep unassigned funds would end.
Argument forA district could use money it kept for an unusual expense instead of raising taxes to cover that expense.
Argument againstDistricts might have less money available for other needs if they set aside funds that can be spent only in unusual circumstances.
More detail
A district’s legislative body could vote each year to let the district keep unused year-end funds. This applies to a school district whose legislative body approves keeping the funds. The retained funds could not exceed 3 percent of the current year’s budget appropriation total. The district could spend the funds only for an unusual circumstance, following the procedure in RSA 32:11. The bill would take effect upon passage.
Manchester’s legislative body could vote each year to let its school district keep year-end unassigned general funds. This provision applies to the city of Manchester and its school district. The school committee must recommend the authorization. The bill would take effect upon passage.
Existing indefinite authorizations to keep unassigned general funds would be rescinded. This applies to existing authorizations under RSA 198:4-b, II. This would apply when setting tax rates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 19Veto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 162-148 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16 P. 48Latest
- Vote recorded Veto Override. Result: pass.Lower
- Jul 10Vetoed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/02/2026Major
- Jun 23Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52To Governor
- Jun 23Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14Minor
- May 21House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1635s (Rep. Ladd): MA RC 186-163 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 3
- Vote recorded Concur. Result: pass.Lower
- May 7Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1635s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Passed Senate
- May 7Committee Amendment # 2026-1635s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Apr 23Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1635s, 05/07/2026, Vote 4-2; SC 17Minor
- Mar 26Hearing: 04/01/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 12
- Mar 12==CANCELLED== Hearing: 03/18/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 10
- Mar 6Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Education Finance; SJ 6Minor
- Mar 5Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0809h: MA RC 182-167 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 58Passed House
- Vote recorded OTPA. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Amendment # 2026-0809h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 58
- Feb 24Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Feb 24Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0809h 02/18/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 9 P. 34Minor
- Feb 11Executive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 232
- Jan 21Public Hearing: 01/29/2026 11:30 am GP 232
- Aug 19Veto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 162-148 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16 P. 48Latest
- 2025
- Dec 10Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 28Introduced
EducationTaxes & Budget