SB 152 authorizes the sale of turnpike toll credits to create a dedicated "noise barrier construction fund" for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to design and build highway noise barriers meeting specific federal criteria. The fund would receive revenue from selling up to $10 million annually in toll credits, subject to federal match requirements and legislative approvals, with funds restricted solely for noise barrier projects. NHDOT must follow established guidelines for Type II noise barriers and consult affected communities on project eligibility. The bill's fiscal impact is indeterminable, as the Department of Transportation notes no existing market or federal authority for toll credit sales, making implementation uncertain.
SB 39 establishes an alternative driver education program for New Hampshire teens under 18 seeking a license. Instead of traditional classroom and driving school, participants must complete 40 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night), pass a vision and knowledge test, and finish a state-approved driver training program. The commissioner of safety will develop rules for this program, which takes effect January 1, 2026. This option provides a new pathway to license eligibility for young drivers, directly affecting those choosing this alternative over standard requirements.
This constitutional amendment (CACR 4) would change New Hampshire's voting eligibility requirements by requiring voters to be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and actually live in the community they claim as their home. It replaces the current constitutional term "inhabitant" with "legal resident citizen" and adds a requirement that voters must physically reside where they claim domicile. If approved, this would affect all voters in local, state, and federal elections by explicitly tying voting rights to both citizenship and actual physical residence in the voting jurisdiction. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.
HB 570 modifies New Hampshire's Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) by expanding the definition of "public payor" to include state-funded health plans and corrections department coverage. It adds an alternate board member appointed from an advisory council (with terms tied to council membership), sets a 2-year term for the board chair (elected by members), and extends the executive director position until June 2030 (previously limited to 2 years after initial hire). The bill does not repeal the PDAB but adjusts its structure, with estimated annual costs of $140,000-$153,000 for the executive director role funded by the General Fund. It takes effect 60 days after passage.
SB 71, the "Anti-Sanctuary City Act," prohibits New Hampshire local governments (counties, municipalities, and other local entities) from blocking state or federal law enforcement from complying with federal immigration laws (Title 8 of the U.S. Code). The bill allows the state Attorney General to sue local entities that violate this law, seeking court-ordered remedies including injunctions and fines up to 25% of the local entity’s state funds from the previous fiscal year. Violations would require the Attorney General to specify the violating policy in court findings. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and does not impose direct costs on the state but may require Attorney General resources for enforcement.
HB 665 expands eligibility for free school meals in New Hampshire to students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $93,600 annually for a family of four), raising the current threshold. This change directly affects all public school students in qualifying households, including those previously eligible only for reduced-price meals. The bill requires school districts to provide at least one free meal daily to these students, funded entirely through the Education Trust Fund without new state positions. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns New Hampshire’s program with broader federal income guidelines for school nutrition assistance.
SB 44 requires cities and towns using electronic voting machines to conduct a hand recount of all or part of an election if 100 registered voters who participated in that election request it. The request must be submitted to the secretary of state within 15 days of the election. This applies to any election where electronic machines were used, ensuring voters can seek a manual verification of results. The bill adds this requirement to existing election law and takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 439 eliminates driver's license suspensions for non-driving violations, such as unpaid fines for non-traffic offenses (e.g., parking tickets or civil citations). It directly affects individuals who face license suspension solely due to unpaid court fines unrelated to motor vehicle safety. The bill amends state law to restrict license suspensions only to moving violations (like speeding) or cases where a court has specifically authorized suspension. Effective January 1, 2026, this change removes the ability to suspend licenses for non-driving-related defaults, aligning suspension criteria with driving offenses only.
HB 133 requires new New Hampshire residents who hold out-of-state driver’s licenses to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 60 days if they cease residency or if their out-of-state license expires or is surrendered. It also mandates the DMV to send violation notices to individuals who remain residents for over 90 days without obtaining a New Hampshire license, including both in-state and out-of-state addresses. The bill appropriates $40,000 from the General Fund to upgrade DMV technology for implementing these notification systems and information-sharing requirements with the voter registration database. This affects new residents who delay obtaining a NH driver’s license, ensuring compliance with residency-based licensing rules.
This constitutional amendment (CACR 6) proposes adding Article 2-c to New Hampshire's constitution, guaranteeing individuals the right to freely access, use, and employ computation resources like devices and networks. It would prevent laws or regulations from imposing discriminatory rates, restrictions, or unreasonable burdens on this right. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect, as it modifies the state constitution rather than creating new laws. It directly affects all New Hampshire residents by constitutionally protecting their access to computing resources.
HB 453 prevents towns and cities from banning the use of gas-powered grounds maintenance and snow/ice removal equipment on private or public property within their borders. It directly affects property owners, landscapers, and municipalities by prohibiting local governments from restricting the operation of these machines. The key provision states that local governing bodies cannot forbid such equipment use, though they may choose to ban purchasing these machines if voters approve a separate vote. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 547 provides New Hampshire counties with a state reimbursement credit for overpayments made to nursing homes for resident services. It allocates $11,228,839 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, distributed based on each county’s proportional share of overpayments from 2020-2021. The credit directly affects all New Hampshire counties that incurred these overpayments, reducing their state reimbursement obligations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires state General Fund appropriations to cover the payments. This is a concrete reimbursement mechanism, not new funding or policy.
