SB 414 clarifies that if a court finds a party in contempt for failing to comply with a marital property settlement (such as a divorce agreement about dividing assets), the court must order an immediate remedy to fix the problem. This applies directly to divorcing or separating couples and their enforcement cases, requiring courts to mandate immediate access to withheld funds, payments, or property when feasible. The bill amends state law to ensure courts prioritize resolving the core issue of noncompliance - not just imposing penalties - during enforcement proceedings. The change takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1602 creates a statewide program requiring battery manufacturers and brands (producers) to fund and manage the safe collection and recycling of covered batteries. It applies to portable batteries (under 4.4 lbs primary or 11 lbs rechargeable) and medium-format batteries (11-25 lbs), excluding medical device batteries, vehicle batteries, and lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds. Producers must join a "battery stewardship organization" that meets annual collection targets and follows environmental safety rules, with the Department of Environmental Services overseeing compliance. The program shifts recycling responsibility from consumers to producers, ensuring covered batteries are handled safely through a structured, industry-funded system.
HB 1086 bans the sale of corn, wheat, and soybean seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, directly affecting farmers and seed sellers in New Hampshire. The bill prohibits selling or using these treated seeds but allows sellers to request a written waiver from the Agriculture Commissioner. It takes effect January 1, 2029, with no estimated state or local costs identified. The measure focuses on restricting specific agricultural seed treatments without altering other farming practices.
SB 449 requires commercial or industrial entities with solar or wind systems between 1 and 5 megawatts (called "industrial hosts") to consume at least 33% of their own electricity generation annually. This applies to new systems installed after January 1, 2027, that participate in net metering. The rule does not apply to low-income customers as defined by utility regulations. The bill modifies New Hampshire's net metering rules to ensure larger systems primarily offset their own electricity use, rather than exporting excess power.
HB 1173 allows New Hampshire's commissioner of corrections to release inmates from state prison at any time during their sentence to attend community college or university programs for which they've been accepted. This directly affects incarcerated individuals in New Hampshire state prisons who are accepted into post-secondary education. The bill requires the commissioner to notify the sentencing court and prosecutor before release, who may object within 10 days; if objected to, a court hearing determines approval. Time spent in education outside prison counts fully toward the inmate's sentence, and the commissioner may recall the inmate if community safety is threatened.
HB 1100 allows individuals to record phone calls or conversations if the other party has already been informed the call may be recorded. This exception directly affects people and businesses that want to document communications, such as in customer service or personal contexts. The bill amends New Hampshire law by adding a new provision (RSA 570-A:2, II(n)) to permit such recording, while maintaining existing prohibitions against unauthorized interception. The change takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.
HB 1836 requires New Hampshire public schools and districts to submit annual input-based accountability reports by January 15 of even-numbered years. The bill mandates that school principals and superintendents certify the accuracy of these reports, and the state education commissioner must verify compliance before releasing grant funds. Schools failing to submit the required reports will have grant funds withheld until they comply. This replaces a previous requirement for NEASC-certified schools to file separate reports. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1711 requires state, county, town, city, school district, or university entities to provide 60 days' written notice to local governing bodies before changing or starting a new public land use on government-owned or occupied property. The notice must include project plans, a schedule, and a statement confirming the use is "governmental" (as defined in the bill). Local governing bodies must then hold a public hearing within 45 days to review the proposal, after which they may issue nonbinding comments on whether the project aligns with local land use rules. This applies to all government land uses, including construction or development, but does not affect non-governmental uses on public property, which remain subject to local regulations.
HB 1759 changes the process for disqualifying local land use board members by making the board's vote on disqualification binding, not advisory. If a majority of board members vote that a member should be disqualified due to a conflict of interest, that member must step aside from the matter. The bill requires such votes to occur before or at the start of public hearings and limits who can request a disqualification vote to board members (or as allowed by local rules). This directly affects local land use board members facing potential conflicts during zoning or development decisions.
HB 1196 repeals New Hampshire's Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program, which provided financial incentives and recognition to municipalities for adopting housing-friendly policies. The bill ends the state's authority to issue new grants or designations under this program, affecting participating municipalities and the Department of Business and Economic Affairs that administered it. Existing contracts (worth approximately $2.6 million) will be honored until June 2027, but no new funding or recognition will be provided after the bill's effective date. The repeal also eliminates the Housing Champion Program Fund and the associated advisory committee.
HB 1301 increases the annual fee for moorings not located in designated mooring areas from $25 to $50, with $25 of each fee directed to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. This primarily affects boat owners with individual moorings on New Hampshire's inland waterways who pay annual registration fees. The funds will support competitive grants or loans to municipalities and nonprofit lake/watershed groups for projects preventing or mitigating harmful cyanobacteria blooms. The bill generates an estimated $68,750-$80,000 annually for the fund starting in fiscal year 2027. It modifies RSA 270:62, V to establish this fee allocation.
HB 590 requires that members of cooperative school district school boards be elected only by voters registered in the same town as the candidate. This change directly affects school board candidates and voters in cooperative districts, ensuring candidates must secure support from residents of their specific town. The bill amends state law to mandate that school board elections use a "same-town" voting rule, replacing current methods that may allow broader voting. This policy change clarifies that candidates must be elected by voters whose town checklist matches their own registration. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
