SB491 Enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding.
Enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Gives families more options to use EFA funds for career training that leads to well-paying trade jobs, potentially a better return on education investment for many students.
Your Community
Supports NH's workforce development needs by making career and technical education more accessible, addressing skilled trade shortages across the state.
Your Freedom
Expands parental choice in education by allowing EFA funds to support vocational pathways, not just traditional academic settings.
Status
Sen. Murphy Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote; 05/14/2026; Senate Journal 12
Sponsor
David Watters (D)
The Short Version
Allows Education Freedom Account funds to be used for career and technical education (CTE) programs. Expands the uses of these school choice accounts to include vocational training and trade programs.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Students interested in trade careers
- ▲ Families with EFA accounts
- ▲ NH employers facing skilled worker shortages
- ▲ CTE programs gaining new funding sources
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Public schools if EFA diversion increases
- ▼ Taxpayers funding the expanded EFA program
Bill statuses as of May 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.