Committee amends, votes to pass bill to display per‑pupil cost and proficiency; adds five‑year data option

The Judiciary Committee, meeting in executive session, amended and voted to pass House Bill 557, a measure requiring per‑pupil cost data and associated student proficiency figures to appear with school budget items on ballots.

Proponents argued the proposal increases transparency for taxpayers weighing school budget requests. Senator Clarkson said the data are now “upfront and … easy for people to see,” and that the bill helps “educate the taxpayer.” Senator Rosenwald and others pressed for additional context on the ballot to avoid a misleading single‑year snapshot.

Opponents and cautious members raised implementation questions for cities that do not use a separate school‑district ballot, such as Nashua. Senator Rosemary said, “If there is not a separate school district ballot, it doesn't apply,” and asked why the requirement would apply unevenly across municipalities. Committee counsel and members noted the mechanics for cities without a separate school vote would be a matter for city attorneys.

The committee adopted Amendment 1825s to create a uniform definition intended to reconcile conflicts with existing statute. Later, members debated and proposed a committee amendment to include proficiency scores for the preceding five years on the ballot rather than a single year; supporters said a five‑year spread would show trends, while opponents worried about ballot length and printing costs.

The committee approved the committee amendment and ultimately passed the bill as amended. The final voice votes were recorded as 4 in favor and 2 opposed; the committee indicated Senator Innes will carry the bill forward.

Discussion in committee emphasized that the ballot statistic is intended as an information prompt for voters, and that districts may provide supplemental, multi‑year data in voter information pamphlets or on local websites. Several senators said local school districts already publish year‑over‑year data at meetings or online and can supply additional context.

The transcript shows extensive debate over whether a single‑year cost/proficiency snapshot could be misleading, with requests that districts supply context rather than the Legislature mandating multiple years on ballots.

The committee did not adopt any change that would alter local authority to prepare explanatory materials outside the ballot language.

The bill as amended will move out of committee to the floor with the adopted amendments.