HB 1351 establishes statewide standards for home-based businesses in New Hampshire, directly affecting homeowners operating such businesses and local municipalities that regulate them. The bill defines "no-impact" businesses (e.g., invisible, no customer visits) as allowed without permits in all zoning districts, while "low-impact" businesses (with up to 4 non-resident employees and ≤20 daily customer visits) require only ministerial registration. It preempts local rules that conflict with these standards, such as banning outdoor storage compliant with the bill, imposing stricter employee limits, or requiring special permits. Municipalities can no longer enforce categorical bans on home businesses unrelated to health/safety, like 2-client caps or blanket signage prohibitions. The law aims to standardize regulations while preserving residential character and neutral nuisance standards.
HB 1107 allows New Hampshire towns and school districts to appoint 1-3 alternate members to their municipal budget committees. These alternates, appointed annually by the committee itself, have the same authority as regular members during meetings. The bill amends existing law to formally permit this structure, which previously required committees to operate without alternates. It directly affects all municipalities that establish budget committees under RSA 32:14-15.
HB 1036 limits the maximum duration of term alimony (temporary spousal support during divorce) to 8 years, unless the parties agree otherwise or a court determines justice requires a different term. It specifies that term alimony cannot exceed 50% of the marriage length but is capped at 8 years, ending automatically upon the recipient's remarriage unless otherwise agreed. This bill directly affects individuals involved in divorce proceedings where term alimony is awarded under New Hampshire law. The change takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1736 repeals a provision (RSA 374:3-a) that allowed New Hampshire's Public Utilities Commission to approve alternative regulatory approaches for investor-owned electric and gas utilities. The bill removes the commission's authority to implement non-traditional methods, forcing these utilities to return to standard cost-of-service regulation, which sets rates based on utility costs and a fixed profit margin. This directly affects investor-owned electric and gas utility companies by limiting regulatory flexibility and requiring adherence to traditional rate-setting processes. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment, eliminating an existing option for customized utility regulation.
HB 1321 regulates who can provide elective intravenous (IV) therapy, which is defined as non-medical treatments for temporary comfort or wellness (like hydration or vitamins) not administered in licensed health facilities. The bill requires such therapy to be prescribed only by physicians, physician associates, or advanced practice nurses, and administered only by those professionals or registered nurses. It directly affects patients seeking these temporary wellness treatments and healthcare providers offering them outside traditional medical settings. The law aims to ensure these services are delivered by qualified licensed professionals under specific guidelines.
HB 1684 establishes a Free Speech Advisory Commission to address complaints about conduct that suppresses free speech. The commission will review complaints regarding coercive actions that chill speech, refer potential legal violations to the Department of Justice, and provide educational resources to public entities on lawful speech protections. It will consist of nine members: two legislative appointees (one from the House majority, one from the Senate minority) and seven experts appointed by the Governor, including a first amendment specialist, law enforcement officer, civil liberties expert, and representatives from higher education and local government. The commission must annually report its findings and activities to the Governor and legislative leaders, but it has no enforcement power. This bill directly affects the public (who can file complaints), the Department of Justice (which receives referrals), and public entities (which may receive educational outreach).
HB 1666 requires New Hampshire’s 10-year energy strategy to include two new elements: (1) electric capacity planning for emerging sectors like housing, transportation, technology, and data centers, with expert consultations every 3 years; and (2) analysis of demand-side measures (such as efficiency, conservation, and load management) to cost-effectively meet energy needs. The bill directly affects the state’s energy planning process and the Department of Energy, which must update the strategy accordingly. It does not provide new funding or change existing energy infrastructure requirements. The changes aim to align long-term planning with evolving energy demands without specifying new construction or operational mandates.
HB 1283 prohibits New Hampshire state agencies and law enforcement from using face recognition technology without a warrant supported by probable cause or under specific legal exceptions. It directly affects state departments, police departments, and municipal entities that previously used this technology for identification purposes. The bill makes evidence collected through unauthorized use inadmissible in court and imposes class A misdemeanor penalties for violations. Key provisions require warrants for any state use, ban access to facial databases by third parties, and establish strict evidence rules to prevent misuse. This bill aims to limit surveillance capabilities while protecting privacy rights through clear legal safeguards.
HB 1769 prohibits publicly funded medical facilities (including state-funded hospitals and clinics) from referring patients for abortions, except in medical emergencies or when referring to a pregnancy resource center (a nonprofit facility offering counseling/support but not abortion services). The bill requires these facilities to submit compliance affidavits and allows taxpayers or affected mothers/family members to sue the facility or state for violations. It also voids contracts with organizations that violate the referral ban. This law directly affects state-funded healthcare providers and creates new legal avenues for challenging abortion referrals. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1257 requires candidates for New Hampshire state representative or state senator to have lived in their specific legislative district for at least two years prior to running for office. The bill amends existing law (RSA 655:8 for representatives and RSA 655:7 for senators) to explicitly add this two-year district residency requirement. This directly affects all individuals seeking these state legislative seats by setting a new eligibility criterion. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change existing statewide residency requirements.
HB 1414 allows dogs to be present year-round in all New Hampshire state parks when under the owner's control. Dogs must be leashed to a maximum of 6 feet or reliably controlled through other approved methods. The bill prohibits blanket park-wide dog bans, restricting access only in specific areas like swimming zones, beaches during peak seasons, environmentally sensitive sites, or temporary events (e.g., Mount Sunapee arts festival). It takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to follow these rules without overriding them with conflicting policies.
HB 1455 establishes new criteria for energy sources used in New Hampshire state programs, requiring them to be affordable, reliable, dispatchable, and include hydrocarbons. It defines "reliable" energy as sources available on demand (dispatchable), maintaining grid stability, and including hydrocarbon-based generation like natural gas. The bill redefines "green energy" to explicitly include nuclear power and natural gas combustion, aligning with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. These standards apply to all energy serving New Hampshire customers through state-funded programs, prioritizing domestic sources and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.
