Next up on the Republican chopping block is special education and people with disabilities, in other words, the vulnerable.
A Democratic bill meant to help school districts with special education costs, HB 1557 was, naturally, voted down on Feb. 19th. The bill made minor changes to the required state aid provided to school districts for the costs of special education. The bill removed the grant proration if the state’s appropriation was not enough. Online public testimony had a little over 100 people who supported this bill, with only ten opposing. Those who left written testimony in support cited the need to reduce already burdensome property taxes. Still wanting to destroy any form of public education, the bill was defeated, 184-157.
Here’s one that actually passed by voice vote, with a few from the other side of the chamber yelling a feeble “no.” HB 1574 permits school boards to extend eligibility in the free and reduced meal program for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for an extra year. Students who receive special education are now permitted to remain in school until they reach age 22. The Democrat-sponsored bill further directs the state to reimburse school boards from the general fund for free and reduced price meals for those who are eligible.
HB 1791 initiates an inclusive higher education program for students with developmental disabilities, awarding grants to public higher education institutions to increase programming and support for students with developmental disabilities. Education Funding Committee Chairman Rep. Rick Ladd (who scored B+ on the Liberty Alliance 2025 scorecard) spoke out against the Democrat backed bill urging a vote to defeat it. The bill failed, 187-157.
Fun fact: New Hampshire is the only state who doesn’t do this for students with developmental disabilities. And sadly, will remain that way.
The state did get a few more wins before the day ended. HB 1467 will require the Dept. of Education to develop the NH Seal of Civic Engagement and Excellence Program. The bill further directs school boards to award qualifying graduating high school students the distinction of a seal attached to their diploma and completion of the program mentioned in their transcript. The Democrat proposed bill passed by voice vote.
As did HB1571, sponsored by Republicans! The statewide academic standards for math, science and English/language arts and reading are currently in need of a review. HB 1571 will require the Dept. of Education to review and update statewide academic standards, while making a recommended list of exceptional curriculum and instructional materials available to school districts.
This bill, HB 1792 pays homage to their slain “hero” Charlie Kirk, while targeting public schools again. “Short Title. This act may also be cited as the "Countering Hate And Revolutionary Leftist Indoctrination in Education Act" or the "CHARLIE Act". The bill prohibits the teaching of critical race theory, LGBTQ+ ideologies, identity based ideologies, and Marxist analyses in public schools. (Funny, how private, religious schools are never mentioned.) The bill also creates a private right of action for parents and students whose feelings and sensibilities are offended by a school violating these new rules. Naturally the party of “hard labor” added their favorite punishment in the way of fines, up to $10,000 per violation and a possible termination of a teaching certificate for “unprofessional” conduct under the Educator Code of Conduct.
Not surprisingly, online testimony had 1,271 opposing with 353 in support. Some people wrote: “Please send this white supremacist nonsense out of New Hampshire.”
“This bill, casts suspicion on our teachers, blatantly lies about classroom teaching, and then imposes stiff penalties on educators for violating vague, undefined sections.”
“This bill is anti-education and anti-freedom. I oppose this bill in the strongest possible terms.”
“Critical race theory and LGBTQ+ are NOT ideologies.”
Republican Rep. Matthew Coker gave a floor speech which you can see here (at the 1:15:31 mark) stating how he disagreed with this bill, spoke to many of his colleagues who agreed with him but were hesitant to vote against leadership and that they weren’t mindless robots. “There’s no way I will replace left “woke” with right “woke.” He then urged a “no” vote. To his credit, he DID vote against the bill. I hope his time in the woodshed was swift.
Rep. Katy Peternel (scores an “A” with Liberty Alliance) spoke of returning “truth to public education because this is how we improve our public schools.” No mention of how they are diligently working to defund and destroy them. Free Stater Jason Osborne spoke, his speech is at the 1:26:45 mark. And this terrible bill went on to pass, 184-164.
While we voted on nearly 50 bills, I’ll throw in just one more. HB 1499 adds new, mostly redundant reasons to evict a tenant. A landlord can already evict if someone lies on their application or participates in criminal behavior such as threats to property or other tenant safety. The bill further conflicts with the federal Fair Housing law, possibly creating confusion and increasing lawsuit risks for landlords. It passed anyway, 193-154, but not before Rep. Sheri Minor (B+ with Liberty Alliance) spoke, “ . . .if I know identity thieves, recent felons and registered sex offenders are not a protected class in our fair housing laws, would I then press the green button . . .”
Anybody else thinking of an (alleged) sex offender who IS in a protected class?