HB772 Establishing a foundation opportunity budget program for funding public education.
Establishing a foundation opportunity budget program for funding public education.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Residents in property-wealthy districts may see property tax increases capped at inflation adjustments, while those in lower-wealth districts could see reduced reliance on local taxes; overall state taxpayers' obligations depend on unspecified appropriations to fund the state share of adequacy.
Your Community
Districts with historically lower spending due to lower property wealth would receive substantially increased state funding to meet outcome standards, though implementation depends on efficient cost determinations and multi-year transition.
Your Freedom
Local districts retain flexibility in implementing educational approaches within state approval standards, but new outcome-based standards and efficiency requirements may reduce local discretion over spending and program design.
Status
Refer for Interim Study: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 01/07/2026 House Journal 1 P. 49
Sponsor
David Luneau (D)
The Short Version
This bill replaces New Hampshire's current school funding formula with a new 'foundation opportunity budget' system that aims to equalize education funding across wealthy and poor districts by setting outcome-based adequacy standards and capping local property tax obligations at inflation-adjusted 2023 levels. The state would cover the gap between local contributions (capped at 52% statewide average) and full funding needs, potentially requiring significant new state revenue.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Students in lower-wealth school districts who currently receive less total funding
- ▲ Residents in property-poor municipalities facing high tax rates relative to valuation
- ▲ Teachers and staff in underfunded districts receiving increased resources
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ New Hampshire state budget (must fund the state share of adequacy across all districts)
- ▼ Potentially property-wealthy districts if new outcome standards require higher spending than current baseline
- ▼ School districts subject to new efficiency factor requirements and cost-effectiveness screening
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.