New Hampshire Bills

SB 301 establishes a new joint legislative oversight committee to review state agency operations. The committee, composed of 14 members (2 appointed by the governor and 12 elected by the legislature with party balance limits), will conduct independent audits, issue subpoenas, and hold public hearings to examine agency performance. It must submit biennial public reports to the governor, legislature, and public by December 1 of even-numbered years, starting in 2026. This committee directly affects all state agencies subject to its reviews and provides a structured process for legislative oversight.

SB 136 creates a state fund to cover medically necessary care for uninsured patients by imposing a surcharge on commercial health insurers, reinsurers, and certain self-insured plans (including state/municipal plans). The fund, managed by the Department of Insurance, will support non-profit safety-net health providers who treat uninsured individuals who don’t qualify for government programs. Insurers must pay the assessment directly without passing costs to consumers via higher premiums, and an advisory committee will determine annual assessment levels and fund distribution. The program will begin in January 2026, with assessments collected quarterly starting in 2026.

SB 66, the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act," regulates third-party advisors helping veterans navigate benefits claims. It prohibits paid referrals to benefits advisors, requires written agreements for paid services (capping fees at 5x monthly benefit increases), and mandates clear disclosures about free government alternatives. The bill directly affects veterans seeking benefits assistance and third-party advisors, requiring them to disclose no affiliation with VA or state veterans' agencies and avoid guaranteeing outcomes. Violations face civil penalties enforced by the state attorney general, with fines returned to harmed veterans.

SB 109 requires applicants for state permits, approvals, or written authorizations to request a consultation with the Fish and Game Department's executive director if the issuing agency deems it necessary. The executive director must respond within 60 days (with possible written extensions) by approving the permit with the applicant's proposed conservation measures, suggesting additional measures, or denying it based on impacts to endangered species. The bill also creates a new "Threatened and Endangered Species Compensatory Mitigation Fund" to accept payments for unavoidable habitat loss, funding projects like habitat restoration. This directly affects permit applicants, state agencies issuing permits, and the Fish and Game Department, which must now manage these consultations within strict timelines.

SB 162 restricts foreign governments and entities from China, Russia, Iran, Syria, and North Korea from purchasing or leasing property within 10 miles of six specific New Hampshire military installations, including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Pease Air National Guard Base. The bill requires anyone acquiring such property to file a sworn affidavit confirming they aren't a foreign principal from a designated country and that they understand the restrictions. Violations could result in criminal penalties (a Class A misdemeanor for individuals, Class B felony for entities) or civil forfeiture of the property. This law applies to real property within 10 miles of protected facilities, measured as the shortest distance between property and facility perimeters.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for natural organic reduction (NOR) of human remains, which converts human remains into soil through a contained, accelerated process. It requires NOR facilities to be licensed by the state board of registration of funeral directors and embalmers, sets detailed requirements for authorization, handling, and disposal of remains, and defines key terms including "authorizing agent" and "NOR facility." The bill affects funeral directors, embalmers, NOR facility operators, and individuals making final disposition decisions for human remains. It establishes procedures for medical examiner certification, facility inspections, and record-keeping while prohibiting certain practices like embalming before NOR.

SB 231 would limit local zoning requirements for road frontage and setbacks near wetlands to a maximum of 50 feet, aiming to increase housing density by reducing the minimum distance properties must be from wetlands. The bill ensures these limits remain consistent with existing shoreland protection standards (RSA 483-B:9) and do not override broader environmental regulations (RSA 489:2). It directly affects local governments creating zoning rules and developers building near wetlands, allowing more compact development while maintaining current environmental safeguards. The bill amends state law to add this purpose to zoning ordinances and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

SB 261 requires that all custodial interrogations (questioning of individuals in police custody) be electronically recorded with audio and/or video, with exceptions for equipment failure or specific requests by the person being questioned. The bill establishes a $50,000 fund to help state law enforcement agencies purchase recording equipment, prioritizing departments without any recording capability. It creates a presumption that unrecorded statements cannot be used as evidence in court, though this can be overcome with reasonable justification. The law applies to all state law enforcement agencies conducting interrogations at police stations, jails, or other detention facilities and would take effect 9 months after passage.

SB 220 allows taxpayers denied tax exemptions, deferrals, or credits to request a public hearing with the assessing official who made the denial. It requires hearings to occur within 45 days of the denial notice, mandates 14-day public notice in local newspapers and community postings, and requires taxpayers to pay all associated costs upfront (failure to pay results in denial without a hearing). The bill directly affects taxpayers whose applications are rejected and the local assessing officials or selectmen who make those decisions. It does not change existing appeals to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals or courts, which remain available.

This bill authorizes the joint legislative historical committee to accept a portrait gift of Sylvia Larsen and oversee its display in the New Hampshire State House. It does not change any laws or affect specific groups, as it is a purely procedural measure for accepting a ceremonial gift. The committee would handle the portrait's storage and placement within the statehouse. The bill requires no new funding or policy implementation.

SB 204 requires New Hampshire school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students from households earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level during school hours. It reimburses schools at 50% of the difference between federal free meal rates and paid/reduced rates, with local districts covering the remaining 50%. The bill appropriates $500,000 to help districts implement online applications for meal eligibility and covers administrative costs for the Department of Education. This directly affects public school districts and low-income students, expanding meal access while establishing a new online application process for qualifying families.

This bill requires each state agency to create and submit a strategic plan for its program activities to a newly established State Commission on Program Efficiency. The strategic plans must include mission statements, measurable goals, implementation methods, and external factors that could affect performance, and must be updated every two years. Agencies must also submit annual performance plans with measurable goals and yearly performance reports comparing actual results to these goals. The Commission will review these documents and can make budget recommendations to the House Finance Committee based on its findings, without creating new funding or positions.