HB 1160 amends the structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's county-state finance commission, which oversees shared funding between counties and the state for programs like Medicaid long-term care. The bill changes commission membership to include specific state agency representatives, county government appointees, and legislative members, while adding six new duties. Key provisions require the commission to review and recommend changes to Medicaid plans, state rate settings for long-term care services, county billing systems, and funding options before they are finalized. This directly affects counties and state agencies managing shared financial obligations for healthcare and social services programs.
HB 1467 establishes the New Hampshire Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement program, requiring the Department of Education to create criteria for high school students to earn a seal on their diplomas. It directly affects graduating high school students (starting with the 2027 class) who must complete two years of social studies (including a civics course), participate in civic activities like community service or student government, and demonstrate civics knowledge through assessments or portfolios. The seal, affixed to diplomas and noted on transcripts, recognizes proficiency in civics education and engagement. The bill does not provide funding for implementation, though the Department of Education estimates needing one new position costing about $81,000 annually starting in 2027.
SB 497 removes a requirement that community colleges in New Hampshire follow specific procurement rules (RSA 21-I) when awarding contracts for capital projects funded by state appropriations. The bill repeals Section 159:13, IV of the current law, which previously mandated that certain capital contracts be processed through the Department of Administrative Services. This change directly affects the Community College System of New Hampshire, streamlining how it manages construction and facility projects. The policy shift eliminates a procedural step without altering funding amounts or project eligibility.
SB 620 increases license suspension periods for drivers who refuse alcohol testing and modifies penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI). For a first refusal of testing, license suspension rises from 180 days to 12 months; for repeat offenders with prior DWI convictions or refusals, it increases from 2 to 3 years. The bill also adds new requirements for aggravated DWI convictions, including a mandatory 17-day jail sentence (suspensible), a substance use disorder evaluation within 60 days of release, and installation of an ignition interlock device. These changes directly affect drivers arrested for DWI who refuse testing or are convicted of aggravated DWI offenses. The policy focuses on stricter consequences for refusal and repeat offenses, with court discretion to suspend up to 6 months of license revocation if treatment requirements are met.
This bill allows New Hampshire electric utilities to recover storm-related repair costs by issuing special bonds (rated AAA) to finance infrastructure resilience. Utilities would apply to the Public Utilities Commission for approval to issue these bonds, which would be repaid through a small fee added to customers' electricity bills. The bill defines "storm costs" as prudently incurred expenses for storm preparation, restoration, and response, requiring Commission approval within 60 days. This mechanism aims to provide faster cost recovery while potentially keeping overall electricity rates lower than traditional rate-based recovery methods.
HB 323 requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID at polling places to cast a ballot. It directly affects all voters participating in New Hampshire elections. Acceptable IDs include New Hampshire driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports, military IDs, and approved student IDs from New Hampshire schools. The bill allows expired IDs for voters aged 65 or older and requires out-of-state IDs to match the voter's registered address if registered less than 63 days.
HB 1119 creates a new state licensing requirement for "associate funeral directors" in New Hampshire. To work in this role, individuals must obtain a specific license, pass board-approved exams, and secure certification through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. This bill directly affects people seeking to work as associate funeral directors, establishing a formal pathway distinct from existing full funeral director licensing. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1110 clarifies and updates New Hampshire's Real Estate Practice Act to affect real estate licensees, including active brokers, salespersons, and those on inactive status. It specifies that educational requirements (like the 60 credit hours for licensure and 3 credit hours for core continuing education) must be measured in credit hours, not hours. The bill removes surety bond requirements for inactive principal or managing brokers, ensures annulled convictions don't trigger disciplinary actions, and expands anti-discrimination rules to cover rental activities alongside sales. These changes streamline licensing rules, reduce burdens for inactive professionals, and clarify enforcement standards.
HB 1373 expands background checks for individuals seeking teaching credentials in New Hampshire by adding specific crimes to the list that would disqualify applicants. It disqualifies applicants convicted of certain drug trafficking offenses (like RSA 318-B:2), sex offenses involving children (including RSA 650:2), or other serious violations listed in the bill within the last 10 years. This directly affects people applying for educator credentials who have these specific criminal histories. The bill modifies existing law (RSA 189:13-c) to include these additional disqualifying offenses, effective upon passage.
HB 1379 changes the annual deadline for publishing special education complaint data reports from July 1st to September 1st, starting in 2026. This bill directly affects the New Hampshire Department of Education, which is required to publish the annual report on its website and share it with the Office of Special Education Advocate, the State Advisory Council, and education committee chairs. The key change modifies the reporting date in RSA 186-C:5-a, III without altering the report's content or scope. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
SB 134 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to resubmit a federal waiver application to CMS by July 1, 2025, seeking approval to enforce work requirements as a condition of Medicaid eligibility under the Granite Advantage program. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature starting November 1, 2025, detailing the waiver status and implementation progress. This bill does not change current Medicaid rules, as work requirements are not currently in effect; it only sets a process for the state to seek federal approval to potentially implement such requirements. The bill has no immediate cost but may lead to future expenses if the waiver is approved and implemented.
SB 94 prohibits New Hampshire municipalities from creating new local building, energy, or fire code regulations that differ from the state codes after July 1, 2025. It allows existing local amendments in effect as of that date to remain valid but bans any new local modifications. The bill directly affects cities and towns that previously had the authority to adopt supplementary code requirements. All municipalities must now fully comply with the state codes without local changes, though they may continue enforcing pre-July 2025 local amendments.
