HB 1667 establishes New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation security task force to coordinate planning for presidential campaign events during the 2028 election cycle. The task force, chaired by the safety commissioner and including members from state agencies, universities, police associations, and both major political committees, must develop statewide security guidance that protects free speech while ensuring public safety. Key provisions require the task force to create coordination protocols for law enforcement, identify resource needs like communication tools, and produce a comprehensive security plan by September 2027. This bill directly affects all presidential campaign events in New Hampshire and requires reports to state leaders by 2026-2028, with minimal fiscal impact ($10,000/year).
HB 1370 removes a requirement for New Hampshire public schools to report to the Department of Education if they lack policies for identifying and accommodating gifted and talented students. The bill amends RSA 189:29-b to eliminate the specific language (now in brackets) that previously forced schools to state "if no such policies exist" in their annual reports. Instead, schools must now only submit an annual narrative report detailing their existing policies, programs, and procedures for gifted students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This change simplifies reporting for schools that do not have dedicated gifted education programs, while maintaining the requirement for those that do. The bill directly affects all public schools in New Hampshire and the Department of Education.
HB 1090 applies New Hampshire's 8.5% meals and rooms tax to motorboat rentals. It expands the definition of "motor vehicle" to include registered watercraft (like motorboats) used on public waterways and requires rental companies to collect this tax on all boat rental receipts. The bill also changes tax rounding rules to the nearest nickel for all taxable transactions. This affects boat rental businesses statewide, with estimated annual revenue increases of about $189,000 for the Education Trust Fund.
HB 1135 prohibits the creation of prescriptive rights (such as easements) in private roads, driveways, or trails through long-term, unauthorized use. It directly affects landowners of private roads and the public who may have used these properties without permission for extended periods. The law explicitly states that any use of such private properties, regardless of duration, cannot establish a legal right or easement. It does not apply to claims already resolved by court before its effective date, which is 60 days after passage.
HB 1751 establishes a 5% public safety surcharge on paid parking at New Hampshire state park facilities. The surcharge, collected through existing parking systems, funds a dedicated account that distributes quarterly revenues to the host municipalities based on each park's collected surcharge. These funds must be used solely for public safety services directly related to park visitation, such as police, fire, and emergency medical services. The bill creates a new revenue stream for local public safety without imposing new fees on visitors or creating new criminal penalties.
SB 558 moves the Youth Development Center claims administrator position from the executive branch to the judicial branch, requiring the Supreme Court to appoint the administrator instead of the governor. It reverses specific 2025 changes to the claims process, including rules about attorney fees in periodic payment settlements and the time period for accepting decisions. The administrator, appointed by the Supreme Court after consultation with the attorney general and claimants' counsel, will process claims and settle them based on established guidelines, with decisions being final and non-appealable. This bill directly affects individuals filing claims against the Youth Development Center regarding compensation for injuries or services.
HB 1126 repeals the requirement that professionals must hold a certification to perform residential mold assessments in New Hampshire. This directly affects mold assessment professionals who previously needed certification under RSA 310-A:189-b. The bill directs the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to remove related administrative rules and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027, on whether further changes are needed. The repeal takes effect 60 days after the bill's passage.
HB 1472 changes the process for individuals or educational programs licensed in lead paint poisoning prevention who have had their licenses revoked. It establishes a fixed 2-year waiting period before they can reapply for a license or certificate after receiving the initial revocation notice. This applies specifically to those certified for lead abatement, inspection, or educational services related to lead poisoning prevention. The bill replaces indefinite suspension with a clear timeline for reapplication.
This bill limits conflicts of interest for municipal board and committee members in New Hampshire by prohibiting them from holding certain incompatible offices simultaneously. It specifically bans combinations like serving as both a selectman and treasurer, a town clerk and another elected office (with limited exceptions for tax collector roles), or a full-time municipal employee and positions on planning or budget committees. Existing officeholders with conflicting roles may remain until the next election, but new appointments must comply with these restrictions. The law applies to all municipal boards, committees, and related positions across the state.
HB 1296 raises the income and asset thresholds for New Hampshire's elderly property tax exemption, directly affecting residents aged 65+ who own their homes. It increases the maximum allowable annual income for single seniors from $13,400 to $23,300 (and for married couples from $20,400 to $35,500), while raising the asset limit from $35,000 to $60,900. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these thresholds based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, starting in 2026. Municipalities must apply these updated minimums automatically, though they may set higher limits if desired.
HB 1171 creates a 90-day grace period for renters who miss rent payments due to an unexpected interruption in their monthly Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects residential tenants in New Hampshire whose Social Security payments are halted unexpectedly, providing time to secure alternative housing or funding without facing immediate eviction. It amends state law to require landlords to grant this 90-day extension when rent is missed specifically because of disrupted Social Security payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1609 prohibits New Hampshire state, county, and municipal governments from using public funds or property to build, operate, or pay for immigrant detention facilities, particularly those managed by private companies. It bans spending on construction, renovation, repurposing public property for detention, selling public property for such use, and making payments to private detention operators. The bill does not affect existing 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities or the provision of health and safety services to detained individuals. Counties may face potential revenue losses if they stop cooperating with federal immigration programs, but municipalities are not expected to have financial impacts.
