HB 733 requires individuals or organizations that fund lawsuits (such as large companies or advocacy groups) to disclose their identities and funding amounts to the court. This directly affects plaintiffs' attorneys and entities financing legal cases by mandating transparency about who is paying for the lawsuit. The key provision creates a new reporting requirement for these funders to submit details to the court before certain legal actions proceed. The bill aims to increase public awareness of financial influences in litigation without specifying penalties or enforcement mechanisms. (Note: The bill is still pending committee review as of the provided dates.)
HB 321 would allow drivers to request a 90-day extension to pay fines for certain motor vehicle violations, instead of the current 30-day deadline. Drivers must formally ask the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for this extension. The bill changes the standard payment period only for eligible violations when a request is made. It does not alter the fine amount or apply to all traffic violations.
HB 697 is a proposed bill that would adjust the payment rates for witnesses testifying in criminal court cases. It directly affects individuals who are subpoenaed to testify, ensuring they receive updated compensation for their time and expenses. The bill's key provision modifies the current fee schedule to align with current cost-of-living standards, increasing the daily payment amount. This change aims to improve witness participation in criminal proceedings by providing fairer reimbursement. The bill is currently under review in committee and has not yet become law.
HB 778 allows the director of the Police Standards and Training Council to assign council-employed law enforcement training specialists to provide direct services to police departments for training and crowd control. It also includes provisions related to disability retirement benefits for affected personnel. The bill's key mechanism is enabling the council director to reassign existing staff to support local law enforcement operations without creating new positions. This administrative change primarily affects the Police Standards and Training Council and the law enforcement agencies receiving these services.
SB 27 allows state officials to waive certain construction standards for repairs or expansions of structures over water (like docks or piers) under specific conditions. It applies only if the work improves public water or environmental protection and doesn’t convert recreational water activities into land-based uses. The waiver requires no increase in the structure’s physical size, a net reduction in bathroom/kitchen space, and no new water penetrations. This directly affects owners of water-based structures seeking renovations while prioritizing environmental safeguards.
HB 705 requires health plans (including insurers and pharmacy benefit managers) to publish specific cost data in machine-readable files on their public websites. It mandates disclosure of in-network provider rates, out-of-network allowed amounts, billed charges for services, and historical net prices for prescription drugs. The bill defines key terms like "historical net price" (the actual price paid by health plans after rebates) and "machine-readable file" (digital data easily processed by computers). This transparency measure directly affects consumers seeking cost information and providers needing to understand billing structures. Health plans must update these files regularly to meet the new disclosure requirements.
HB 126 limits most prescriptions for Schedule II and III controlled drugs to a 34-day supply per pharmacy fill, affecting pharmacists and patients using these medications. Exceptions allow up to 60 days for certain commercially packaged products (like metered inhalers), 90 days for amphetamines treating ADHD or narcolepsy, and 92 days for topical or injectable androgens used for chronic low testosterone. The bill aims to standardize prescription durations while maintaining access for specific medical treatments. It does not change which drugs are prescribed but regulates how much can be dispensed at one time.
HB 224 establishes a renewable energy fund to support solar, thermal, electrical, and offshore wind initiatives in New Hampshire. Any excess funds in the renewable energy fund - after covering program costs, administrative expenses, and specific initiatives like offshore wind development - must be rebated to all electricity customers in the state. The rebates are calculated based on each customer’s kilowatt-hour usage and distributed promptly. This policy directly affects all residential and commercial electricity ratepayers by returning unused program funds to their bills. The bill modifies existing law to ensure continuous funding for renewable programs and automatic rebates when surplus funds exist.
SB 56 would transfer the responsibilities of the New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority into the Business Finance Authority. This consolidation would combine the management of state-funded health, education, and economic development projects under one agency. The bill directly affects state agencies overseeing financing for facilities like hospitals, schools, and business development initiatives. It aims to streamline operations by eliminating separate administrative structures for these functions.
HB 470 regulates the use of general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation during dental procedures. It directly affects dentists performing complex treatments and their patients requiring sedation. The bill would establish specific guidelines for when each sedation level may be used, ensuring patient safety during dental care. It does not change current dental licensing requirements but sets new standards for sedation administration practices. The bill is currently under review by the relevant committee.
SB 103 requires New Hampshire towns and cities to provide at least one polling place for every 15,000 registered voters in presidential elections, unless they submit and get approval for a detailed plan addressing potential voter delays. The plan must cover traffic flow, parking, staffing levels, equipment availability (like electronic poll books), and other operational factors specified by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. Approval of such plans is conditional on meeting specific measures to prevent delays, and the officials may request additional information before granting approval. This bill directly affects local election planning for all towns and cities holding presidential elections.
HB 81 prohibits the serving or consumption of beverages or liquor in specific areas not approved by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, including foyers, hallways, kitchens, and restrooms. This law directly affects businesses that serve alcohol, such as restaurants, bars, and event venues, requiring them to restrict consumption to officially approved spaces. The bill amends existing law to explicitly list these prohibited areas, clarifying where alcohol service is not permitted. (Enacted June 26, 2025, without governor's signature.)
