This House Resolution (HR 45) urges Congress to formally recognize that the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor are entirely within New Hampshire's boundaries. It specifically requests Congress establish the New Hampshire-Maine boundary in the river and designate Portsmouth Naval Shipyard personnel's duty stations as Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The resolution directly affects New Hampshire's state authority over the river's submerged lands and the naval shipyard's administrative jurisdiction. It does not create new laws but seeks federal acknowledgment of existing state claims.
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.
SB 84 sets maximum lot sizes for single-family homes based on water and sewage infrastructure availability. For lots without municipal sewer, the cap is 66,000 square feet; with municipal water, 44,000 square feet; and with municipal sewage, 22,000 square feet. Municipalities must provide empirical evidence if they seek to exceed these limits due to infrastructure capacity concerns. The bill directly affects local zoning regulations in New Hampshire municipalities with single-family residential zoning.
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.
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 470 allows dentists to administer moderate sedation to patients under 13 without requiring a second anesthesia provider, provided they meet specific training and safety standards. Key provisions include requiring dentists to complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, obtaining informed consent that notes potential hospital alternatives, and conducting a pre-procedure medical evaluation. The bill updates the Dental Board’s rulemaking authority to align with national standards from groups like the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This directly affects dentists performing sedation on pediatric patients under 13 and ensures safety while expanding access to dental care in non-hospital settings.
HB 321 allows drivers who plead guilty or nolo contendere to certain motor vehicle violations (without court appearance) to request a payment extension for fines. If eligible (with no other unpaid fines or violations), drivers can extend the initial 30-day payment period to 90 days, and request a second 90-day extension if they cannot pay within the first period. The bill requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to implement this change through administrative rules, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers facing eligible traffic fines who need more time to pay.
This bill establishes the New Hampshire Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act to regulate companies that provide funding for consumer lawsuits. It requires these funding companies to register with the state, provide clear disclosures in contracts (including a 10-day right to cancel without penalty), and limit charges to 36% annually. The bill prohibits practices like paying referral fees to attorneys and restricts funding companies from influencing legal decisions or settlement choices. It also requires disclosure of funding arrangements to other parties in legal claims and sets out registration requirements and penalties for violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 741 would allow New Hampshire parents to send their children to any public school district in the state, not just their resident district. The bill creates "open enrollment" schools that can accept students from outside their district, with the student's resident district paying 80% of the average cost per pupil to the receiving district. School districts may deny enrollment only for specific reasons including expulsion, documented disciplinary issues, chronic absenteeism, or lack of available space. This policy would take effect January 1, 2026, and apply to all public schools in New Hampshire, though school districts would not be required to participate in open enrollment.
HB 452 modifies New Hampshire's driver's license rules for non-U.S. citizens temporarily residing in the state. It prohibits renewing licenses for non-citizens who aren't lawful permanent residents and requires new applicants to provide proof of education, employment, or driver's education. The bill also explicitly states that asylees cannot receive licenses until they obtain lawful permanent residency, regardless of prior work authorization. All licenses issued under this bill must include a specific marking indicating the holder is a nonresident alien, and the license term cannot exceed five years. This affects temporary residents including students, workers, and family members of noncitizens.
HB 697 changes witness fee rules for civilian witnesses in criminal court. It specifies that witnesses only qualify for daily fees and mileage reimbursement if they must return to court for a second or subsequent day - due to no fault of their own - after their initial appearance. The bill aligns these fees with federal standards (28 U.S.C. §1821) and does not cover payment for the first day of testimony. This rule applies to criminal cases starting January 1, 2026.
HB 486 expands the criteria courts must consider when deciding if grandparents can visit a minor child. It adds specific factors like whether the grandparent lived with the child for six months, provided primary care for six months, or had regular visitation for a year. The bill also requires courts to weigh friction between the grandparent and parent, and the reasons for the family separation (such as divorce or death). For unwed parents, grandparents must provide proof of the parent's legitimacy or paternity. This law aims to balance the child's well-being with parental authority in visitation decisions.
