New Hampshire Legislature Takes Divided Votes on Education Freedom Accounts

NH Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut Speaks to a Group of Home School Students Touring the State House

CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Legislature took opposing votes on the future of the state's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) Thursday, with the House passing a bill to expand the program to all families while the Senate rejected efforts to impose additional restrictions. The decisions reflect the ongoing debate over school choice in the state and its role in New Hampshire's education system.

Senate Blocks Bills That Would Have Restricted EFA Access

The Senate voted down SB 203-FN and SB 207-FN, measures that aimed to increase state oversight of the EFA program by tightening income eligibility, requiring annual income verification, and shifting administrative control from scholarship organizations to the Department of Education.

Sen. Tim Lang (R-Sanbornton) defended the Senate’s decision, arguing that the proposed regulations would create unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for families already benefiting from the program.

“These bills threatened to cripple the EFA program with unnecessary bureaucracy and overregulation,” Lang stated. “Demanding annual income verification and implementing a wave of audits on 1,400 families yearly would burden our residents and make it harder for Granite State families to find the best education for their children.”

Since its launch, the EFA program has provided over 4,200 students with alternatives to public schools, 44% of whom come from low-income families. Supporters point out that the average EFA grant per student is less than $5,000, significantly lower than the per-pupil spending in public schools, which exceeds $20,000 per student in some districts.

House Approves Universal Expansion of EFAs

While the Senate moved to preserve the current program, the House took an even bolder step, passing HB 115 to make EFAs available to all New Hampshire families, regardless of income.

Rep. Valerie McDonnell (R-Salem), the bill’s prime sponsor, called the expansion a win for parental choice.

“This bill ensures children will no longer be turned away from education that best meets their needs, prioritizing students over systems,” McDonnell said. “EFAs empower parents—not the government—to decide the best educational pathway for their student, whether it be in a public, private, charter, or homeschool setting.”

Republican lawmakers emphasized that local school budgets continue to increase despite the EFA program’s growth and that EFAs have saved taxpayers over $266 million in the last five years by providing lower-cost alternatives.

Democratic Opposition

Despite the success reported by EFA supporters, the program remains a political flashpoint. Senate Democrats took to social media following the votes, calling the expansion “welfare for the wealthy” and claiming it would “raise property taxes.”

Opponents argue that diverting funds to private and alternative education options could weaken public schools. However, supporters counter that funding follows the student, and families should not be forced into a system that may not meet their child’s needs.

With the House sending HB 115 to the Senate, all eyes will be on whether the chamber that rejected new restrictions on EFAs will approve an expansion. If passed, the bill will move to Governor Kelly Ayotte, who has been a strong advocate for school choice in the past.

The debate over education freedom in New Hampshire is far from over, and the final decision on EFA expansion now rests with the Senate.