This bill allows cigarette wholesalers in New Hampshire to keep one cent of the tax revenue collected for each package of cigarettes they sell with an affixed tax stamp. The retained funds serve as compensation for the administrative work involved in applying the stamps and processing the tax payments to the state. This change takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies only to stamps affixed on or after that date. As a result, the state expects a decrease in tax revenue for the General Fund and Education Trust Fund, though the exact amount cannot be calculated.
SB 522 establishes a new Early Childhood Education Account program in New Hampshire designed to help families cover pre-kindergarten costs for eligible children aged 3 to 5. The bill creates a dedicated fund financed by transfers from the education trust, general appropriations, and voluntary contributions from individuals and businesses, with unused funds rolling over annually. Eligible families can use these grant funds to pay for licensed childcare, public or private pre-kindergarten programs, educational materials, and specialized therapies, provided the services meet specific quality standards. The legislation also outlines a process for selecting a third-party organization to manage the distribution of grants and requires staff training on the new reimbursement rules.
SB 328 aims to protect consumers from deceptive practices in the secondary ticket market by requiring online sellers and resellers to clearly display the total price of tickets, including all fees, before a purchase is made. The bill also prohibits resellers from selling "speculative tickets," which are tickets the seller does not actually possess or own at the time of sale, while allowing them to offer services to help consumers find tickets if those services are clearly distinguished from direct ticket sales. Additionally, the law forbids websites from using a ticket issuer's trademarks or logos in a way that could mislead buyers into thinking they are on the official site. These rules take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to anyone selling or reselling tickets for entertainment events.
This bill reduces the time required for state employees to earn permanent retirement benefits from 10 years to 5 years. It directly affects members of the state retirement system, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters, by allowing them to qualify for disability retirement or deferred benefits after just five years of service. The legislation also adjusts the age requirements for certain split-benefit retirement options for those with combined service in different employee groups. By lowering the vesting threshold, the law aims to provide earlier financial security for workers who leave their jobs due to injury or other reasons before completing a decade of employment.
This bill updates New Hampshire laws to standardize how hospitals and institutions collect and record information for birth worksheets. It requires facilities to gather specific details about the child, parents, and the birth event, including names, dates, addresses, and consent for sharing data with the Social Security Administration or immunization registry. The legislation also clarifies who must sign the documents, such as physicians or nurse midwives, and establishes rules for handling situations where parents refuse to provide certain information or when births occur in moving vehicles. Additionally, it mandates that a separate form be used to report health and statistical data about the mother, father, and baby to state divisions.
This bill allocates $2,000,000 from the state's General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The funds are designated to repair off-highway vehicle and snowmobile trails that were damaged by weather events in 2023. The money will be distributed through an existing grant-in-aid process and is classified as nonlapsing, meaning the funds remain available until fully spent. The legislation also authorizes the governor to issue a warrant to access these funds from the treasury.
This bill prohibits discrimination in New Hampshire public schools and workplaces based on hairstyles historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, and twists. It expands the legal definition of race to include hair texture and protective hairstyles, allowing individuals to file complaints with the state's human rights commission or in court if they face unfair treatment. The law explicitly excludes employees of the Department of Corrections from its protections and is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill allows pharmacists in New Hampshire to replace prescribed biological products, such as vaccines and blood derivatives, with FDA-approved interchangeable versions. Under the new rules, pharmacists must inform patients when a substitution occurs and cannot make the change if a doctor marks the prescription as medically necessary. The law also requires pharmacies to record the specific product dispensed and share that information with the prescribing doctor through electronic systems or other communication methods. Additionally, all dispensed biological products must display the nonproprietary name and the manufacturer on their labels.
This bill modifies New Hampshire law to streamline the process for individuals to retrieve firearms and ammunition seized due to restraining orders or other court orders. It establishes that courts are not required to conduct background checks before returning property, though they may choose to do so if they wish. If a court does order a check, the law sets strict deadlines for the state to complete the review and outlines specific procedures for denying returns, including the requirement for a hearing and the burden of proof to be on the state. The legislation also provides a clear path for individuals to appeal unfavorable decisions directly to the state supreme court without paying fees.
This bill appropriates $1 million from the state's general fund to the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The legislation specifically directs up to $350,000 of this money to reimburse organizations for expenses related to treating cyanobacteria in Lake Kanasatka. The fund supports municipalities, water systems, and non-profit groups by providing loans and grants for water quality projects. The act takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill appropriates $600,000 in state general funds to the Department of Transportation for the town of Warner. The money is designated as matching funds to support a federal grant that will help build a section of a rail trail connecting Contoocook Village with downtown Warner. The legislation authorizes the governor to issue a warrant for these funds, which will be spent during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
This bill allocates $500,000 in state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to support community and transitional housing for individuals served by state-designated community mental health centers. The money can be used to create new housing units or retain existing ones, with grants capped at $25,000 per bed, and the department must begin accepting applications by December 1, 2024. Recipients are required to prioritize assistance for veterans in need while being prohibited from using the funds to provide aid to individuals not legally present in the United States. The funding is intended to cover non-billable services for supported housing programs and remains available for future use if not spent in the current fiscal year.
