Bill
HB 772
Establish a Foundation Opportunity Budget to fund NH public education via foundation-based per-pupil funding and opportunity metrics with oversight and interim evaluation.
HB 772 (Session 2026) – New Hampshire
Title: Establishing a Foundation Opportunity Budget Program for Funding Public Education
Summary overview
HB 772 proposes a new funding framework for public education in New Hampshire by creating a Foundation Opportunity Budget (FOB) program. The bill aims to restructure how state financial support for K-12 education is allocated, with emphasis on targeted foundation-level funding, potential investments in student opportunities, and oversight through a foundation-oriented budgeting model. The measure proceeds through interim study phases, suggesting it seeks substantial evaluation before full implementation.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a Foundation Opportunity Budget program to fund public education in lieu of or alongside existing funding formulas.
- Focus on financing mechanisms that support foundational opportunities for students, potentially emphasizing equity, access to core educational resources, and opportunities that enable student success across districts.
- Provide a framework for allocating state education dollars through a foundation-based approach, with potential performance or opportunity-based criteria.
Key provisions and changes (as generally anticipated in such measures)
- Creation of a Foundation Opportunity Budget program within the Department of Education or a related state agency.
- Definition of FOB funding components, including baseline foundation funding per pupil and opportunities-based supplements or incentives.
- Establishment of eligibility criteria for districts or schools to receive FOB funds, potentially tying allocations to student needs, district demographics, or opportunity metrics (e.g., access to advanced coursework, core classroom resources, or support services).
- Mechanisms for calculating FOB allocations, including per-pupil amounts, maximum caps, or phased funding scales.
- Accountability and reporting requirements to monitor how FOB funds are used and what outcomes are achieved (student achievement, opportunity indicators, resource availability).
- Governance provisions, including the role of a foundation or trusted independent body to oversee the program, and potential audit or oversight requirements.
- Sunset or evaluation provisions to review the effectiveness of FOB funding, with interim reports or recommendations for adjustments.
Who would be affected
- Public school districts and chartered schools in New Hampshire, as FOB funds would flow to districts based on the new funding methodology.
- Students, particularly those in districts with historically limited resources, who may gain increased opportunities due to FOB funding (e.g., better access to core services, instructional materials, or enrichment opportunities).
- State education authorities and local school boards responsible for administering funds and ensuring compliance with FOB requirements.
- Educational stakeholders (teachers, administrators, parents) who would be involved in or affected by changes in funding priorities and reporting expectations.
Procedural and timeline notes
- The bill has an active interim study path, indicating initial steps toward evaluation and stakeholder input before any full enactment.
- Timeline: It has been referenced for interim study in early January 2026 (HJ 1), with a history of committee hearings and executive sessions dating back to 2025. Final adoption would likely depend on findings from interim study and subsequent legislative action.
- Committee history shows: introduction, public hearings, full committee work sessions, subcommittee reviews, and a retained status (as of February 2025), followed by an interim study referral in January 2026.
Notes on complexity and next steps
- As the bill is in the interim-study phase, specifics such as exact per-pupil FOB amounts, eligibility rules, and performance metrics are likely to be refined through committee work and stakeholder input.
- The ultimate impact will depend on how FOB interacts with or replaces current funding formulas, any statutory changes to education funding, and the resulting budget implications for the state and districts.
This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose to establish a Foundation Opportunity Budget program and outlines the anticipated structural elements, affected parties, and procedural trajectory based on the available action history.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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