HB 1103 expands tax relief credits for municipalities by allowing them to apply community revitalization tax credits to more property types. Specifically, it enables tax credits for converting existing office, commercial, or industrial buildings to residential use, and for new residential construction meeting affordability standards. Properties must be located in designated housing opportunity or residential conversion zones, with tax relief lasting up to 11 years if workforce housing is created. This directly affects property owners and municipalities seeking to incentivize housing development in targeted areas. The bill amends New Hampshire’s tax code to broaden eligibility beyond current standards, effective April 1, 2027.
HB 524 repeals the New Hampshire Vaccine Association (NHVA), a state program that collected funds from insurance companies to help cover the cost of childhood vaccines for privately-insured children under 19. After repeal, healthcare providers will directly purchase vaccines for these children and bill insurers directly, ending the state’s annual $24 million revenue stream from the NHVA. The state will also need to fund vaccines for public health emergencies (estimated at $150,000 in the first year), as it will no longer receive NHVA reimbursements for vaccine costs. Insurance companies, which previously saved about 30% on vaccine prices through the NHVA, may face higher costs and potential premium increases for families.
HB 113 designates two specific road segments in Windsor for off-highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) use: Windsor Road from the Hillsborough town line to Black Pond Road intersection, and Black Pond Road from Windsor Road to Miller Road. The bill directly affects OHRV operators traveling on these designated portions of town highways within Windsor. It adds these routes to the list of approved areas for OHRV operation under state law, with no additional regulatory changes or funding mechanisms. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
HB 564 revises how school administrative units (SAUs) adopt budgets in New Hampshire, primarily affecting SAUs with multiple school districts. It repeals the previous "alternative budget procedure" and requires SAUs to place their budget warrant article first (after bond articles) at meetings, post mandatory voter reports 7 days prior, and apportion budgets based on student attendance and property value. For new services, SAUs must now secure approval from a majority of districts representing at least 60% of students. The bill also standardizes voting procedures, requiring separate ballot votes on SAU budgets at district meetings and preserving the previous year’s adjusted budget if the vote fails.
HB 297 allows self-funded employer health plans to access their own claims data from New Hampshire's health information system. Employers must opt-in in writing to authorize their health carrier or third-party administrator to submit claims data to the state; carriers must annually notify employers of this option. If authorized, the insurance commissioner will provide employers with annual access to their specific claims data for their plan. The bill does not change how self-funded plans are administered or require employers to submit data, only providing access upon written authorization. This directly affects self-funded employers managing their own health benefits, not fully insured plans.
HB 1153 increases annual dog license fees from $4.50 to $4.75 for unspayed/unneutered dogs 7 months or older and for certain younger dogs, directly affecting dog owners in New Hampshire municipalities. It also establishes a legislative committee to review the state’s dog and cat statutes (RSA 466), focusing on whether current laws match regulatory needs and are clearly organized. The committee, composed of three House members and one Senate member, must submit findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026. The fee change is expected to generate minimal additional revenue for municipalities - less than $10,000 per town - without altering existing animal regulations.
This bill repeals a 2025 law requiring New Hampshire to sell the Anna Philbrook Center property in Concord by June 2027. The state currently uses the property for adult transitional housing and office space for about 40 state staff. By removing the sales mandate, the bill prevents the state from collecting an expected $5 million in revenue from the sale while avoiding $75,000-$90,000 in costs related to preparing the property for sale and relocating equipment. The repeal keeps the property under state management without changing its current operational use.
HB 1199 allows New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department to establish a permit and fee system for other state agencies requesting its staff, equipment, or expertise to support their work. The bill requires fees to cover actual department costs, including staff salaries/benefits, vehicle/equipment use, and administrative coordination. All collected fees would be deposited into the Fish and Game fund. This policy change directly affects state agencies needing Fish and Game support, creating a formal reimbursement process for services previously provided without cost recovery.
SB 607 aligns New Hampshire's rules with federal limits for short-term health insurance policies. It prohibits insurers from offering these policies for more than the maximum duration permitted under federal law, removing previous state-specific limits (like the 6-month cap and 540-day total coverage restriction). This directly affects consumers seeking temporary health coverage and insurance companies selling these policies in New Hampshire. The bill ensures state regulations do not allow longer coverage periods than federal guidelines permit. It becomes effective January 1, 2027.
SB 548 requires health insurance companies in New Hampshire to hold a public hearing with the insurance commissioner within 15 business days if they terminate a contract with a healthcare provider that would affect 1,000 or more patients. It also mandates that all health insurance provider contracts include a 60-day provision ensuring patients maintain access to their provider after termination (except for unprofessional conduct), and requires insurers and providers to jointly notify affected patients about this access and the hearing. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients covered by these contracts. These provisions aim to ensure transparency and continuity of care during contract terminations that impact large groups of patients.
HB 1298 requires local election officials (town clerks) to dispose of external memory devices from electronic ballot counting machines in the same manner as physical ballots. The bill amends state law to explicitly include these devices under existing disposal rules for ballots, absentee applications, and related election materials. This applies to both federal and non-federal elections, with retention periods of at least 22 months for federal elections or 60 days for others. The change ensures memory devices are destroyed rather than stored, aligning their disposal with standard ballot handling procedures.
SB 529 requires state-funded building projects in New Hampshire to prioritize lumber harvested in the United States for material specifications, unless design needs necessitate imported sources. It specifically directs contractors to reference U.S.-sourced spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber for softwood framing in construction plans. This applies to all state-funded projects, affecting state agencies and contractors working on public buildings. The bill does not mandate exclusive use of U.S. lumber but establishes a preference, with implementation set for 60 days after passage.
