State representatives and candidates for the New Hampshire House will attend the Newport School Board meeting Thursday, Oct. 29, to discuss HB 1300, the state law requiring communities to consider school tax caps in November.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center, 243 N. Main St., Newport, according to the Newport School District's announcement.

The district did not identify which legislators or candidates plan to attend.

The discussion comes ahead of the Nov. 3 election, when Newport voters will consider a proposed limit on school property-tax growth and central-office administrative spending.

What HB 1300 does

Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed HB 1300 into law July 15. The legislation requires communities to consider a school tax-cap question in the 2026 and 2028 general elections, according to the New Hampshire General Court.

The question combines two proposed limits.

First, the local school property-tax levy generally could not grow beyond the previous year's amount, adjusted for inflation and new construction.

Second, school administrative unit central-office spending would be limited to 6% of total school district appropriations.

Bonded capital costs are excluded from both limits.

Adoption requires a three-fifths majority. If approved, the caps would apply for two years, with provisions allowing voters to override the limits.

The New Hampshire Secretary of State's office provides the legislation and supporting documents explaining the ballot question.

Debate over the impact

Supporters say the proposal would give voters more direct control over local school taxation and administrative spending.

Opponents argue that limiting revenue growth could affect school services if expenses rise faster than the permitted increase.

The New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project criticized the legislation in a July statement, arguing that it does not address the underlying balance between state education funding and local property taxes.

Supporters, including Ayotte, have presented the measure as a way to provide property-tax relief and increase direct voter participation in school funding decisions.

The ballot language states that the caps do not affect classroom instruction or school-based services. Critics have challenged whether that assurance can be made.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court denied a request in September to invalidate the ballot question, allowing it to remain on the November ballot.

Newport meeting

The Oct. 29 discussion gives residents an opportunity to hear from state representatives and House candidates about the legislation before the election.

The district's announcement does not specify whether the meeting will include a public comment period.

The school district is also searching for a new superintendent, according to an Oct. 6 posting on its website.