Curtis Hamilton

Written Testimony in Opposition to HB 1055 My name is Curtis Hamilton. I serve as Vice Chair of the Contoocook Valley School Board. I submit this testimony on my own behalf, from the perspective of a local school board member. I want to be clear at the outset: I support the current statutory ban on student cell phones and personal communication devices during the instructional day. I believe this is sound policy, and districts across New Hampshire are already implementing it thoughtfully, with appropriate exceptions for medical, disability, and language-access needs. My concern with HB 1055 is not about the policy outcome, but about governance and necessity. School boards already have both the authority and the obligation under current law to adopt and enforce these policies. That raises a fundamental question: what problem is being solved by granting the State Board of Education additional rulemaking authority in an area already governed by statute and local policy? If districts are required to implement this ban, and are doing so, then additional state oversight risks duplicating authority rather than improving outcomes. From a school board perspective, this also raises concern about future unfunded mandates. Once rulemaking authority is granted, rules can evolve over time, potentially introducing new compliance, reporting, or enforcement requirements without legislative review or funding. Even well-intentioned rules can impose real administrative and financial burdens on districts. Local school boards are directly accountable to their communities. We are best positioned to implement statewide requirements in ways that reflect local conditions while meeting student needs. HB 1055 risks setting a precedent for expanded state oversight in areas that have long and appropriately belonged to local governance. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1055. Respectfully submitted, Curtis Hamilton Vice Chair, Contoocook Valley School Board Speaking for myself