HB 770-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0785
07/08
HOUSE BILL770-FN
AN ACTrelative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.
SPONSORS:Rep. Schultz, Merr. 29; Rep. Damon, Sull. 8; Rep. Woodcock, Carr. 1
COMMITTEE:Education Funding
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a program in the department of education for eligible students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service.
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Explanation:Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0785
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACTrelative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Tuition Credits for State of New Hampshire Higher Education Institutions Through Community Service. Amend RSA 21-N by inserting after section 8-e the following new section:
21-N:8-f Tuition Credits for State of New Hampshire Higher Education Institutions Through Community Service.
I. The department of education shall establish and administer a program to provide tuition credits for state institutions of higher education earned through community service. The program, known as the "triple win program", shall provide tuition credits to eligible high school students and post-secondary education students. The credits may be used for tuition at participating institutions of higher education. Tuition credits shall be distributed based on available funding in accordance with this section and rules adopted thereunder.
II. The program shall be available to all high school and post-secondary education students attending public educational institutions in New Hampshire. To be eligible for a tuition credit, the student must be attending a public New Hampshire high school or be enrolled in a public institution of higher education in New Hampshire.
III. A student who volunteers 100 hours in one calendar year at an approved volunteer site in New Hampshire, such as a nursing home, food bank, or homeless shelter, shall be eligible for a tuition credit of $2,500 a year. An eligible student may receive a maximum of 8 tuition credits, over an 8 year period, totaling $20,000 in tuition credits.
IV. Tuition credits shall not be available to high school students attending a public university outside of New Hampshire or students attending private colleges or private universities. High school students attending private high schools or preparatory schools shall not be eligible.
V. There is established in the treasury a nonlapsing fund known as the triple win fund, which shall be kept separate and distinct from all other funds. The triple win fund shall be continually appropriated to the department of education for the purpose of distributing tuition credits in accordance with this section. In additional to general fund appropriations, the commissioner of the department of education may accept any gifts, grants, donations, or other funding from any source for deposit in fund. Each fiscal year, the commissioner shall disburse funds pursuant to this section up to the limit of available funds.
VI. The commissioner of the department of education shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to approved volunteer sites, participating schools and institutions of higher education, student eligibility criteria, and the distribution of tuition credits. The department shall also develop forms, in collaboration the participating organizations and educational institutions, to document program participation and volunteer service.
2 New Subparagraph; Dedicated Fund; Triple Win Fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (399) the following new paragraph:
(400) Moneys deposited in the triple win fund under RSA 21-N:8-f.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBA
25-0785
1/10/25
HB 770-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACTrelative to establishing a program to earn tuition credits for state of New Hampshire higher education institutions through community service.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill as it is awaiting information from the Department of Education, University System of New Hampshire, and Community College System of New Hampshire. The entities were contacted on 12/31/24 for a fiscal note worksheet. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education, University System of New Hampshire, and Community College System of New Hampshire