New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB 491 — enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.

Last action — Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 256; Effective 07/01/2027

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 21, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 09, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill allows students to use education funds for career and technical education.

This legislation enables students to utilize funds from education freedom accounts specifically for career and technical education expenses. It also eliminates references to 'curriculum frameworks' concerning the essential educational content of a proper education.

What this means for you
  • Workers: Workers pursuing further technical education may find it easier to finance their training.
  • Families: Families can use education funds to support their children's career and technical training.

Summary

(New Title) enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

75 added · 94 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of SB 491 allows students to use education freedom account funds for specific career and technical education expenses and removes outdated references to "curriculum frameworks" regarding what constitutes an adequate education. Additionally, it now mandates the Department of Education to create a clear method for calculating tuition and transportation costs for approved technical education programs, ensuring better funding management. These changes are significant because they aim to provide more financial support for students pursuing vocational education, which can enhance their career opportunities.

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Latest
SB 491-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 02/05/2026 0379s 7May2026...
CHAPTER 256 SB 491-FN - FINAL VERSION 02/05/2026 0379s 7May2026...
Pearl, Dist 17 COMMITTEE:
Pearl, Dist COMMITTEE:
SB 491-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 02/05/2026 0379s 7May2026...
CHAPTER 256 SB 491-FN - FINAL VERSION 02/05/2026 0379s 7May2026...
1 Education;
256:1 Education;
2 New Paragraph;
256:2 New Paragraph;
The department of education shall establish separate funds for tuition and transportation and determine the cost for each on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of RSA 188:E- 6, IV and 188-E:9, II-III.
The department of education shall establish separate funds for tuition and transportation and determine the cost for each on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of RSA 188:E-6, IV and 188-E:9, II-III.
3 New Paragraph;
256:3 New Paragraph;
4 Adequate Public Education;
256:4 Adequate Public Education;
The curriculum shall present educational goals, broad pedagogical approaches, and strategies for assisting students in the development of the skills, competencies, and knowledge called for by the minimum standards for SB 491-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - public school approval and academic standards for each area of education identified in paragraph I.
The curriculum shall present educational goals, broad pedagogical approaches, and strategies for assisting students in the development of the skills, competencies, and knowledge called for by the minimum standards for public school approval and academic standards for each area of education identified in paragraph I.
Curriculum frameworks do not establish a statewide curriculum.] It is the responsibility of local teachers, administrators, and school boards to identify and implement approaches best suited for the students in their communities to acquire the skills and knowledge included in the curriculum, to determine the scope, organization, and sequence of course offerings, and to choose the methods of instruction, the activities, and the materials to be used.
Curriculum frameworks do not establish a statewide curriculum.It is the CHAPTER 256 SB 491-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - responsibility of local teachers, administrators, and school boards to identify and implement approaches best suited for the students in their communities to acquire the skills and knowledge included in the curriculum, to determine the scope, organization, and sequence of course offerings, and to choose the methods of instruction, the activities, and the materials to be used.
5 Effective Date.
256:5 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2056 05/18/2026 SB 491-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-1707h) AN ACT enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 02, 2026 Effective Date:
This bill requires the Department of Education to establish formulas and separate funds for career and technical education (CTE) tuition and transportation costs, and to determine those costs annually.
July 01, 2027
 This would be accomplished presumably through administrative rulemaking.
This bill also requires that Education Freedom Account (EFA) students in grades 9 through 12 be provided information about enrolling in CTE programs.
This bill also removes references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.
This bill is not expected to have a fiscal impact.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education
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Action History

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 256; Effective 07/01/2027

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  4. Sen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1707h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 5

  6. Amendment # 2026-1707h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 5

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1707h (NT) 04/28/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 18 P. 6

  8. Executive Session: 04/28/2026 11:15 am GP 232

  9. ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/28/2026 10:30 am GP 232

  10. Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1441h: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 232

  11. Full Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:30 pm GP 232

  12. Public Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 232

  13. Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 8 P. 114

  14. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  15. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 9

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0379s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/05/2026; SJ 3

  17. Committee Amendment # 2026-0379s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3

  18. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0379s, 02/05/2026, Vote 5-1; SC 4

  19. Hearing: 01/22/2026, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 47A

  20. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education Finance; SJ 1

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 407 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (407)

407 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 407 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 491 do?
(New Title) enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.
Who sponsors SB 491?
SB 491 is sponsored by Pat Long (Democrat), Victoria Sullivan (Republican), Tim McGough (Republican), Mark McConkey (Republican), Howard Pearl (Republican), Timothy Lang (Republican), Kevin Avard (Republican), and David Watters (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 491?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 21, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 491?
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