HB 1705 establishes a First Responders Support Fund to cover enrollment costs for small town and volunteer first responders into the state’s existing Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It directly affects first responders in communities with no more than 5 full-time paid staff, including volunteer departments. The fund, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, uses state appropriations (initially $1 for FY 2026-2027) and accepts gifts, grants, or donations to cover EAP enrollment fees. The EAP provides mental health support, including services for PTSD, with the department required to report annually on fund usage and program outcomes. This bill does not create new services but expands access to an existing state EAP for eligible small-community responders.
HB 1195 requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow child care centers (such as group centers, preschools, and school-age programs) to operate on commercially zoned land without special permits, provided they meet state licensing standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill defines "child care center" to exclude family day care homes (run from residences) and specifies that municipalities cannot impose additional zoning rules beyond state requirements. It also exempts centers from certain building restrictions when converting existing structures (without altering size) and permits local restrictions in industrial zones if child care conflicts with existing uses. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1594 changes New Hampshire's registration fees for electric vehicles from a flat rate to a weight-based system. Fully electric cars (BEVs) will pay $25 for vehicles under 2,000 pounds, $100 for 2,000-5,000 pounds, and $150 for heavier models, while plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will continue to pay $50 regardless of weight. Neighborhood electric vehicles and low-speed scooters would be exempt from fees. The fees collected would go into the highway fund, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1433 creates a tax credit for New Hampshire businesses that create or expand child care programs. Businesses can claim a credit equal to 50% of qualifying expenses for building new facilities or expanding existing ones by at least 12 child care seats not available before January 1, 2027. The credit applies against business profits or enterprise taxes and can be carried forward for up to four years if not fully used in a given year. To qualify, businesses must create or expand licensed child care seats (either directly or through third parties) and submit an application to the Department of Revenue Administration.
HB 1577 allows utilities to share customer information with town emergency planners for emergency response planning and coordination. It requires utilities to have contracts with municipalities that include security safeguards to protect data and prohibit using the information for unrelated commercial purposes without customer consent. The bill directly affects utilities and municipal emergency management authorities by creating a legal pathway for this data sharing while adding privacy protections. This amends existing law (RSA 363:38) to permit the disclosure specifically for emergency planning, not for general use or billing.
HB 1252 requires New Hampshire's Department of Motor Vehicles to administer commercial driver's license (CDL) skills tests only in English, prohibiting the use of interpreters during these practical driving tests. It directly affects individuals applying for CDLs in New Hampshire who must understand and respond to examiner instructions in English. The bill codifies existing federal requirements (49 C.F.R. part 383) into state law, specifying that neither applicants nor examiners may communicate in any language other than English during the skills test. This applies specifically to the driving test portion, not the written knowledge exam.
SB 667 amends New Hampshire assault laws to specifically address violence against emergency room personnel. It adds new provisions making it a first-degree assault (RSA 631:1, I(e)) to knowingly cause serious bodily injury to ER staff acting in their duties, and a second-degree assault (RSA 631:2, I(g)) to knowingly cause bodily injury to them. The bill defines "emergency room personnel" broadly to include all hospital ER staff and volunteers providing public services, such as doctors, nurses, clerks, technicians, students, and volunteers. This law directly affects individuals who assault ER workers and increases penalties for such acts by classifying them as specific assault offenses. The bill is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027.
SB 670 establishes a Developmental Services Oversight Commission to monitor health and safety for individuals receiving home and community-based developmental services in New Hampshire. The commission, composed of 15 members including legislative representatives, agency staff, service providers, parents, and people receiving services, will review data from the Department of Health and Human Services and make recommendations to improve outcomes. Key duties include analyzing satisfaction surveys, training requirements, licensing data, and waiver performance measures, with annual reports due starting November 2026. The bill also creates a new $52,000 position to support the commission and amends related reporting requirements for vulnerable adult fatality reviews and child deaths in residential care.
HB 164 requires New Hampshire municipalities to store local government records electronically on a publicly accessible website designated by the state archivist, eliminating the need for physical copies if free public access is provided. It creates a funded position for a local government records manager (previously unfilled since 2002) to develop and maintain this website, with $150,000 appropriated for the 2026 fiscal year to cover setup, maintenance, and staffing. The bill directly affects all municipal governments by changing how they manage and provide public access to electronic records, while ensuring transparency through free online access. Key provisions include allowing digital storage without duplicate paper copies and mandating that public bodies provide website links instead of physical records upon request. This policy change streamlines public access to local government records while shifting management responsibilities to the state archives office.
HB 131 requires New Hampshire school boards to create and adopt policies governing student cell phone use during school hours. The policy must restrict personal phone use in classrooms without teacher approval, while allowing exceptions when teachers use devices for lessons or when students with disabilities need devices for learning as outlined in their IEP or 504 plan. This bill directly affects all public school districts and students in New Hampshire. It takes effect 60 days after enactment. The legislation does not address bullying prevention, as the title incorrectly states.
SB 223 changes New Hampshire's voter ID rules by removing college and university student identification cards from the list of acceptable photo IDs for obtaining a ballot. This affects college students who previously could use their campus ID to vote. The bill amends RSA 659:13 to require voter ID to be issued by a New Hampshire high school (public or accredited private) instead. The change directly impacts students at New Hampshire colleges who relied on their student ID for voting access.
SB 569 requires hearing officers in New Hampshire's Department of Labor to be licensed attorneys with relevant adjudicative experience. This applies specifically to officers handling workers' compensation cases. The bill mandates that hearing officers must be in good standing with the bar, have experience conducting administrative hearings, and complete 15 hours of annual continuing education plus 15 hours of training with the attorney general's office. It also requires the commissioner to establish a code of ethics for these officers.
