SB 123 requires New Hampshire's Medicaid program to cover ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse, including during detox and for opioid addiction or other substance use disorders. This policy change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with substance use disorders who choose this treatment option. The bill mandates adding ear acupuncture to the list of covered services under the state Medicaid plan, with implementation required by January 1, 2026. The state will cover the cost through existing Medicaid funding streams, with federal funds covering most expenses.
This bill allows New Hampshire towns and cities to collect a fee of up to $2 per day on hotel and room rentals priced above $40 per night, for up to 184 consecutive days per stay. Municipalities must hold a public hearing and obtain voter approval through a town meeting or city council vote before implementing the fee. Revenues must be deposited into a dedicated tourism or capital improvement fund to support services related to increased tourism and transient traffic, and cannot be used as general fund surplus. The fee applies only to rentals exceeding $40 daily, with no fee collected on lower-priced stays.
SB 553 increases penalties for drivers who willfully attempt to evade law enforcement by speeding, turning off headlights while moving, or abandoning their vehicle during a chase. Offenders will face a mandatory 5-day jail term (with no probation or deferred sentencing) and a driver's license suspension of at least six months. This law directly affects individuals who use these specific tactics to avoid police pursuit. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 618 requires drivers with repeated speeding violations - such as those suspended for excessive speeding (over 100 mph on highways or 50+ mph over limits on other roads) or multiple tickets - to install a GPS-based speed-limiting device (called an "intelligent speed assistance" or ISA device) as a condition for regaining their driver’s license. The device must actively prevent speeding by restricting vehicle speed to posted limits and cannot be tampered with, with data shared only under strict court or legal requirements. Offenders must pay for the device unless they qualify for affordability programs (e.g., low-income status via TANF, SNAP, or 150% of federal poverty level), and the device must remain active for at least 12 months after license reinstatement. This bill directly affects repeat speeding offenders in New Hampshire, focusing on behavioral correction through technology rather than new fines or jail time.
SB 471 allows New Hampshire municipalities to impose fees on new developments (like subdivisions or buildings) that don’t meet local affordable housing requirements. These fees must be kept separate from general funds and spent *only* on affordable housing projects through specific entities like the NH Housing Finance Authority or local housing authorities. Fees are collected when planning approvals or building permits are issued, and municipalities must report annual spending. The bill requires fees to directly address local affordable housing needs without altering existing planning board authority.
SB 539 reclassifies all eligible biomass technologies under "Class III" for renewable energy compliance, replacing previous subcategories. It specifically affects existing biomass plants (under 25 MW or operating in Coos County by 2026) and landfill methane projects. The bill removes methane gas from Class III eligibility if landfill sites exceed 10 MW total capacity, requiring new landfill projects to meet strict size limits. This change streamlines eligibility rules but restricts certain methane sources from qualifying under the renewable portfolio standards.
SB 636 creates tax credits for small businesses facing increased costs due to federal tariffs. Qualifying businesses - manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees or non-manufacturers with average annual revenue under $500,000 - can claim a credit equal to 25% of documented tariff-related costs (e.g., via invoices or supplier certifications), up to $7,500 per business annually. The total state spending on these credits is capped at $8 million per fiscal year, with applications processed in order of receipt and prorated if the cap is exceeded. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to three years, but credits are non-refundable and applied first against business profits tax.
SB 424 repeals the position of "northern county area industrial agent" within New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs and authorizes the department's commissioner to reassign those responsibilities to existing staff. The bill allows the commissioner to direct departmental employees to focus on economic development in specific regions of the state, including assisting local governments and businesses. Crucially, it requires that all areas of the state be served equally according to their economic needs. This is a procedural change to departmental structure with no new funding or direct impact on citizens or businesses.
SB 638 establishes a small business tariff stabilization fund to provide financial assistance to New Hampshire small businesses affected by reduced revenue from tariffs and trade disruptions. The fund, initially funded with $2.5 million from the General Fund, will distribute grants to support businesses facing supply chain issues or increased costs due to tariffs, specifically targeting those committed to avoiding layoffs. It directly benefits small businesses (defined per U.S. Small Business Administration standards) operating primarily in New Hampshire that have experienced revenue declines linked to lower exports to Canada and tourism impacts. The fund is separate from other state funds, non-lapsing, and will be managed by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs starting January 1, 2027.
HB 1476 allows homeowners to use third-party funding (like from nonprofits, companies, or government programs) to pay for installing point-of-entry water treatment systems or connecting to public water lines. This directly helps residents in areas lacking clean drinking water who cannot afford these installations themselves. The bill requires written agreements between third parties and property owners, ensures systems meet safety standards, and clarifies that such payments do not count as loans unless structured as such. It also ensures the state cannot block these installations solely because a third party covers the cost, while preserving eligibility for existing state or federal water assistance programs.
HB 314 prohibits using federal, state, or local public funds - including grants, appropriations, or payments from counties, towns, cities, or school districts - to lobby, influence legislation, or engage in political activities. It requires entities receiving public funds to physically and financially separate those funds from any money used for lobbying, not just through bookkeeping. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop violations and recover attorney fees, while imposing criminal penalties (Class A misdemeanor) and requiring violators to pay 3 times the misused amount. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to all public fund expenditures after that date.
SB 106 requires customer generators with facilities between 100 kilowatts and 5 megawatts (operational after January 1, 2023) to consume at least 20% of their own annual electricity generation through net energy metering. This applies to larger residential, commercial, or industrial systems that generate renewable energy but not to low- and moderate-income customers, who are exempt. The bill modifies existing net metering rules to allow these generators to retain their current tariff for up to 20 years or until 2040, whichever is longer. It does not create new funding but may involve utility billing system upgrades to track cross-territory energy data.
