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House approves expansion of Education Freedom Accounts, refers HB 115 to finance
Summary
After lengthy debate and multiple amendments, the House adopted the committee report on HB 115 to expand the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and referred the bill to Finance. Supporters called the measure a choice expansion; opponents raised fiscal and accountability concerns.
The New Hampshire House on March 6 voted to approve the majority committee report on House Bill 115, a proposal to expand the state's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and eventually remove an income cap, and referred the measure to the Finance Committee.
Supporters said universal EFAs would give parents choice and ensure students are not turned away because of zip code or family income. Representative McDonald's and other backers argued the program lets families choose educational options — including private schools, online learning and public‑school alternatives — and said the program returns money to taxpayers from the State Education Trust Fund.
Opponents raised several objections on the floor and in committee testimony: fiscal concerns about expanding a program before an auditor's performance review is complete; the projected multi‑million dollar price tag for full universal expansion; accountability and outcome measures for EFAs; and the policy choice of diverting State Education Trust Fund dollars into private education options rather than public schools.
Key floor activity included votes on multiple floor amendments: at least one amendment (0916H) that would have required annual income recertification for EFA recipients failed; another amendment (0922H) proposing that EFAs be subject to available appropriations also failed. The majority committee report passed on a roll call and the bill was referred to the Finance Committee for budget and fiscal review.
Next steps: HB 115 will be reviewed by the Finance Committee for appropriations and fiscal analysis before it can proceed toward final passage. The bill drew sustained floor debate and multiple roll‑call votes.
