SB 411 revises the procedure for creating inventories of property seized under search warrants in New Hampshire. It requires that the inventory be made in the presence of the person from whom property was taken (if present) or, if they are not present, in the presence of at least one neutral third-party witness. For electronic searches, officers may skip the witness requirement if they personally attest to the inventory's accuracy. This change applies to all law enforcement officers executing search warrants and takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 182 renames the "maternal mortality review panel" to "maternal mortality review committee" and revises its membership to include specific health professionals like obstetricians, pediatric specialists, and community health representatives. It updates the definition of "pregnancy-related death" to include deaths from accidental or incidental causes, removing a prior exclusion. The committee will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and facilitated by the New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NHPQC) affiliated with Dartmouth Health. This bill aims to improve the review process for maternal deaths to identify systemic factors and recommend healthcare system changes.
HB 723 repeals the legal requirement for electric and natural gas utilities to establish and operate a statewide multi-use energy data platform. It removes specific sections of law (RSA 378:50-54) that defined the platform, set its operational requirements, and outlined cost recovery mechanisms. This repeal prevents future costs that would have been incurred by utilities - estimated at $4.6-$7 million initially and $272,800-$416,400 annually - and passed on to ratepayers, including state and local governments. The bill becomes effective 60 days after passage.
HB 1246 limits conflicts of interest for planning board members who serve on other local boards. It prohibits a planning board member from voting on both a planning board and a zoning board when reviewing the same development project, requiring them to recuse from voting on matters they've already decided as a zoning board member. The bill directly affects planning board members holding dual roles on zoning boards or other boards like conservation commissions, with the key provision mandating single-board voting for overlapping matters. This change aims to clarify voting responsibilities in land use decisions under New Hampshire law.
HB 1503 allows New Hampshire's Department of Education to use existing funds to create a centralized database of detailed maps for all public schools. This database would include site-specific details like building layouts and grounds features to help emergency responders and school staff during crises. The bill amends education funding law to add a new provision requiring this mapping technology for unified emergency response coordination. It directly affects public schools and emergency personnel by providing standardized, location-specific information during incidents. The bill does not change funding levels but specifies a new use for current education funds.
HB 1259 modifies New Hampshire's CPA licensing rules to allow out-of-state CPAs to practice in the state without additional fees or paperwork. It creates a "mobility" provision (RSA 309-B:6-a) enabling CPAs licensed in other states, territories, or DC to offer services in New Hampshire if they meet the state's education, exam, and experience requirements (as defined in RSA 309-B:5). This directly affects licensed CPAs from other jurisdictions seeking to provide services in New Hampshire, eliminating the need for separate state application or fees. The bill also updates minor details about education requirements and exam passing scores but focuses primarily on expanding practice access for qualified out-of-state CPAs.
HB 1019 would increase the New Hampshire Water Well Board from seven to eight members by adding a public member with demonstrated knowledge of water resources management. The board currently includes the commissioner of environmental services, state geologist, two water well contractors, and other professionals; the new member would be appointed by the governor following the same process as existing board members. This change does not alter the board’s duties but expands its composition to include a dedicated public representative. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1485 clarifies rules for late road toll refund requests. It eliminates fees for local governments (like towns or counties) when they receive a waiver for missing filing deadlines due to "just cause." For all other requesters, a fee of 5% of the refund amount or $50 (whichever is greater) applies, and waivers cannot be granted more than once every three years per requester. The bill modifies existing law to specifically exempt local government agencies from these fees while applying them to other entities.
HB 1624 eliminates three state special funds: the radiation long-term care fund, mosquito control fund, and New Hampshire recovery monument special account. It repeals the legal references establishing these funds and transfers the remaining balance from the recovery monument account to the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund. The bill has a minor fiscal impact, costing less than $10,000 annually through 2029. This procedural bill directly affects state fund management by redirecting unused balances to a related public health fund.
HB 1204 allows New Hampshire-harvested softwood timber (above 44°N latitude) to be classified as spruce-pine-fir (SPF) if it meets national structural and visual grading standards. It requires state-funded building projects in New Hampshire to prioritize lumber harvested within the state, unless design needs require imported materials. The bill directly affects New Hampshire timber growers by expanding eligibility for SPF grading and state construction projects by changing procurement rules. These provisions become effective 60 days after the bill's passage.
HB 1202 sets funding limits for high school students taking college courses through New Hampshire's community college system. It restricts state-funded enrollment to a maximum of four dual or concurrent enrollment courses per grade (10th, 11th, and 12th), with each funded course limited to four credits. Students may take additional courses beyond these limits at their own expense. The bill amends existing law to implement these requirements, directly affecting high school students enrolled in such programs within the state's community college system.
HB 1287 updates New Hampshire's definition of "veteran" to match the federal standard, requiring active military service (including naval, air, or space forces) and a non-dishonorable discharge. This affects veterans seeking state benefits like special license plates and employment preferences by aligning state eligibility with federal criteria. The bill amends multiple statutes - including those governing proof of veteran status, special license plates (RSA 261:87-b), and veterans' decals (RSA 261-C:3) - to replace outdated references with the federal definition. It ensures consistency between state and federal veteran eligibility without creating new benefits or altering existing programs.
