SB 551 establishes that every individual in New Hampshire has a fundamental right to reproductive health care services permitted under state law, including abortion, contraception, and pregnancy-related care. The bill prohibits state officials from cooperating with out-of-state investigations into such care, protects health care providers from professional discipline for legally provided services, and bans malpractice insurers from considering protected care when setting premiums. It also blocks enforcement of foreign court judgments related to reproductive health care and prevents extradition for legally protected activities. This law directly affects all residents of New Hampshire, health care providers, licensing boards, and state agencies handling reproductive health services.
HB 1106 requires New Hampshire candidates for public office to publicly disclose whether they hold citizenship in any country other than the United States. Candidates must declare this information under oath or affirmation to the Secretary of State, including details like the specific country, basis for citizenship, date acquired (if known), and other relevant facts. This disclosure will be made publicly available, increasing transparency for voters. The bill does not change the existing requirement that candidates must be U.S. citizens (by birth or naturalization) but mandates this additional transparency measure regarding dual citizenship.
CACR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Hampshire's Article 6, granting towns, parishes, religious societies, and other groups the right to elect and contract with their own teachers for religious and moral instruction within Christian denominations. It would prohibit compelling individuals to pay for teachers of a different Christian denomination and ensure all Christian groups receive equal legal protection without establishing religious hierarchies. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election to take effect.
HB 1303 authorizes New Hampshire municipalities to adopt local zoning rules for protecting, managing, or replacing tree canopy. These rules could require developers to retain existing trees during construction, plant new trees when trees are removed, or set long-term goals for tree coverage in community planning. The bill gives municipalities the option to implement such rules but does not require them to do so. This policy change directly affects development projects and land use decisions in towns or cities that choose to adopt these provisions.
HB 1473 prevents New Hampshire towns and cities from adopting zoning rules that restrict land used for agricultural fairs, specifically targeting properties owned by corporations dedicated to promoting agricultural skills. It directly affects local governments (municipalities and counties) and fairground operators by blocking zoning restrictions on these sites. The bill adds language clarifying that agricultural fairs, along with agritourism and farming, are traditional land uses that shouldn’t be unreasonably limited by zoning. It requires local authorities to recognize these activities as fundamental to New Hampshire’s economy and environment, rather than imposing new restrictions. The law takes effect upon passage with minimal fiscal impact, as noted in the bill’s analysis.
HB 1227 modifies how local tax caps are calculated for towns and school districts in New Hampshire. It requires that new annual debt payments from bond votes (approved at meetings) be added to the tax base once repayment begins. This change affects the calculation of the base amount used to determine the annual tax cap limit, which is adjusted for inflation and population changes. The bill applies to existing tax caps without needing towns to re-adopt them, effective 60 days after passage.
HB 1158 expands the legal definition of "intimate partner" in New Hampshire domestic violence cases to include individuals who were in a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of whether the relationship was sexually consummated. This change directly affects victims and perpetrators in domestic violence proceedings under New Hampshire law. The bill modifies existing statutes (RSA 173-B:1 and RSA 631:2-b) to remove the previous requirement that such relationships must have been sexually consummated. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.
HB 1424 changes how courts must deliver summonses to law enforcement officers and public officials. It requires summonses to be served by reading them to the person, handing them directly, or leaving an attested copy at their agency's office. The bill also mandates paying travel fees and one day's attendance fee to the recipient. This affects law enforcement employees (full or part-time) and elected or appointed public officials who receive summonses to testify.
HB 1394 allows municipal officers (like mayors and town councils) to directly place proposed charter amendments changing a municipality's government structure on the ballot, bypassing signature petition requirements. It requires a two-thirds vote by municipal officers to initiate such a ballot measure, covering changes like adopting a town council form, switching to a city government, or transitioning between council-manager and mayor-council systems. Any such amendment must address a single topic and be approved by a majority of voters. The bill also prohibits multiple alternative versions of the same amendment. This change streamlines the process for communities seeking to reorganize their local government operations.
This bill requires New Hampshire state and local law enforcement officers who assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program to display their name or badge number, refrain from wearing facial coverings, and keep body-worn cameras active during these duties. It mandates that law enforcement agencies establish disciplinary measures for officers who violate these requirements and directs all complaints about violations to the state Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Unit for investigation. The bill applies only to officers participating in the 287(g) program and takes effect 60 days after enactment. It does not alter existing requirements for officers not engaged in federal immigration enforcement.
HB 1510 clarifies that county departments of corrections, not law enforcement agencies, are solely responsible for the custody and control of individuals ordered to a county correctional facility. This applies from the moment a court orders confinement, including during transport to the facility or for unforeseen circumstances. The bill removes ambiguity by stating no other agency or officer may manage custody beyond delivering the person to the facility. While the fiscal note indicates potential significant costs for counties (e.g., overtime or healthcare during transport), the exact financial impact is described as "indeterminable" by the New Hampshire Association of Counties.
HB 1282 creates the Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission within New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services. The commission, composed of 15 members representing legislators, environmental groups, waste management, businesses (grocers, hospitals), municipalities, and academia, will advise the department on developing food waste diversion programs. Key duties include recommending rules, timelines, business support strategies, and educational outreach to help businesses and communities reduce food waste. The commission must submit its first report by November 1, 2027, and annual reports thereafter. This bill directly affects the Department of Environmental Services, businesses generating food waste, municipalities, and waste management facilities.
