HB 1428 standardizes the process for submitting complaints about potential criminal misconduct by state, county, municipal, or local law enforcement officials to the Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit. It requires written complaints (via mail or email) with sufficient factual details, limits anonymous complaints (though confidentiality may be granted if practical), and mandates that all complaints undergo a preliminary review based on whether they show "reasonable suspicion" of criminal conduct. The bill specifies that complaints lacking adequate facts may be returned, and the unit must notify complainants in writing whether an investigation will proceed or if the matter is referred to another agency. This affects anyone filing such complaints, ensuring consistent handling of allegations against law enforcement officials.
HB 1821 requires election officials to publicly post ballot images and cast vote records (voter selections captured by electronic machines) within 48 hours after an election, making this data accessible online. It mandates secure backups at both state and municipal levels, standardized formats for counting devices, and audit logs tracking access to prevent tampering. The bill exempts records involving fewer than 10 absentee ballots or specific ballot designs from standard public access rules but requires all other records to be posted publicly. Officials face civil fines of $250-$1,000 per violation for failing to meet the 48-hour deadline. This applies directly to local election clerks and the secretary of state’s office, ensuring transparency in election results.
HB 1053 establishes a legislative study committee to examine whether the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture should accept pesticide use reports electronically instead of via paper. The committee will assess if electronic submissions should be mandatory or optional and whether an online system could automate spray notification processes, with findings due by November 1, 2026. This bill does not change current reporting requirements but sets up a review to potentially modernize the process.
HB 1645 defines "Rules" for innovation schools as administrative rules and related state laws, specifically excluding RSA 194-E:8. It requires that safety-related rules and laws under this chapter (covering student and school safety) cannot be waived. This bill directly affects innovation schools in New Hampshire by clarifying terminology and preventing exemptions for safety regulations. The key change is prohibiting waivers for safety rules, ensuring consistent application of safety standards. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1209 requires school districts, bus operators, and drivers to place bus stops so students never need to cross traffic lanes when boarding or exiting. It specifically prohibits drivers from allowing children to cross any lane of traffic for these activities. The bill amends state law to mandate this safety measure, directly affecting school transportation operations statewide. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1147 reinstates requirements for local governments (counties, towns, districts, and water departments) using capital reserve funds to make multiple payments under lease/purchase agreements. It requires such agreements to contain no "escape clause" or "non-appropriation clause" and mandates approval by a 2/3 vote of the legislative body at a public meeting. The bill directly affects how these entities finance capital projects through lease/purchase arrangements. This amendment restores prior rules governing the use of capital reserve funds for these specific financing agreements.
This bill (CACR 30) proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Hampshire's public utilities commissioners are selected. Currently appointed by the governor and executive council for staggered six-year terms, commissioners would instead be elected by qualified voters starting in the 2028 general election for six-year terms. The elected commissioners would continue to enforce insurance laws and administer public utilities regulations as defined by state law. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect.
HB 1754 repeals the statewide requirement for New Hampshire schools to use the multi-tiered system of supports for behavioral health and wellness (MTSS-B), a tiered approach to student mental health support. The bill directly affects public schools across New Hampshire by removing this mandated framework from state law. It eliminates the legal obligation under RSA 135-F:3, III(l) for schools to implement MTSS-B as part of their mental health care systems for students. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment, shifting oversight of student mental health support to local school districts.
HB 1512 allows New Hampshire towns, cities, or municipalities to hold a local vote (referendum) to block residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers. If voters approve the "no" option in the referendum, eligible residents in that municipality would lose access to these state-funded education vouchers. The bill creates a formal process requiring municipalities to follow procedures similar to those for town meetings (RSA 40) when conducting such votes. This policy change directly affects residents in municipalities that choose to hold the referendum, with the vote outcome determining voucher eligibility starting July 1, 2026.
HB 1385 prohibits municipalities with minimal or no public education costs from using negative property tax rates, which would otherwise require the state to pay the municipality for taxable property. The bill specifically targets towns or cities that have taxable property but allocate little or nothing to public education in their budgets. It requires the Department of Revenue Administration to reject any negative tax rate proposals from these localities. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage and applies statewide to all qualifying municipalities.
HB 1085 limits the duties of New Hampshire police commissions to four specific areas: appointing police personnel and setting pay scales, establishing operational rules for the police force, removing officers (with due process for most, but allowing special officers to be removed without cause), and managing police department budgets. The bill prohibits salary increases beyond those based on years of service and position rank, requires funds for vacant positions to be held until filled, and mandates that unused budget funds lapse to the general fund at year-end. These changes directly affect police commissions and their management of local police departments. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1465 requires certain state employees, including court staff, judges, attorneys, and bar association members, to report suspected civil rights violations or breaches of judicial conduct rules committed by judicial branch members. If they have reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred (e.g., in person or reported to them), they must immediately notify the Attorney General’s office. Failure to report is punishable as a misdemeanor, with a $1,500 fine and up to one week in jail. The Attorney General forwards reports to the court administrative office, county sheriffs, and the chief justice, while protecting good-faith reporters from retaliation. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
