New Hampshire Bills

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 594: eliminating the use of agitators in instances where temporary docks have been removed from bodies of water.

SB 594 prohibits the use of devices that prevent natural ice formation (commonly called "agitators") when temporary docks are removed from water bodies. It directly affects property owners and dock managers who previously could use these devices during temporary dock removals. The bill amends state law to remove an exception that allowed such devices for temporary structures, requiring all ice-prevention devices to now comply with restrictions only for permanent structures. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 421: relative to the membership and duties of the trauma medical review committee and establishing a study committee to review the membership and duties of other boards and an appointment related to emergency medical services.

SB 421 amends New Hampshire's trauma medical review committee membership and adds an annual reporting requirement. The bill specifies that the committee must include representatives from all trauma hospital levels (I-IV), emergency medical services groups, trauma nurses, fire services, and a trauma survivor. It also requires the committee to annually report to the governor on trauma hospital locations and levels, committee recommendations for system improvement, and data on leading causes of injury and death from both intentional and unintentional causes. This bill directly affects trauma hospitals, medical providers, emergency services, and injury prevention stakeholders in New Hampshire.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 454: requiring the department of health and human services to update existing relevant public health outreach programs by incorporating information to aid public understanding and awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

SB 454 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to update existing public health outreach programs with specific information about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It directs the department to incorporate content for the public on early signs, early detection benefits, links to other health conditions, and brain-healthy lifestyle tips, while also adding provider-focused materials on cognitive assessments, Medicare wellness visits, and FDA-approved treatments. The bill mandates biennial reports starting in 2027 to track implementation progress. This update applies to current outreach programs without creating new initiatives, with minimal estimated costs under $10,000 annually.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 515: relative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances.

SB 515 requires that children placed in specialized treatment facilities (qualified residential treatment programs) receive a qualified assessment within 30 days and have their placement reviewed by a court within 60 days. It directly affects children in juvenile court cases involving such placements, their families, and the courts handling these matters. The bill also allows court proceedings to continue if a child’s legal counsel cannot be secured after diligent efforts, while prioritizing issues not affecting the child’s expressed interests. These changes align state law with federal requirements under the Family First Prevention Services Act and aim to ensure timely oversight of children’s care. The bill has no fiscal impact on state or local government.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 1051: modifying the procedures and requirements for school bus driver criminal history records checks and expanding the personnel subject to such checks.

HB 1051 establishes a commission to study whether New Hampshire should create a centralized statewide database for fingerprinting and background checks. The commission, composed of two House members, one Senate member, and state agency representatives (including from safety, education, and licensing), will examine current check practices, assess costs, review other states' systems, and determine the best agency to manage such a database. It must report its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026, without creating the database itself. The bill only sets up a study to inform future decisions, not to change current laws or practices.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 1091: relative to unauthorized camping on private property.

HB 1091 requires New Hampshire towns and cities to offer nonmonetary penalties (such as community service) as an alternative to fines for violations of local rules prohibiting sleeping or camping outdoors. It directly affects individuals cited under municipal ordinances for outdoor sleeping or camping, replacing the current option of only financial penalties. The bill mandates that towns must include this nonmonetary penalty choice in their enforcement of such ordinances, while still allowing fines as an option. This change applies to all relevant local rules and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · New Hampshire · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 751: establishing a committee to study licensure of outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities, authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state, and creating a limited exemption from parental consent required for certain recordings under the parental bill of rights.

This bill requires outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities in New Hampshire to obtain certification from the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a certification process for facilities providing outpatient services like intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and medically managed outpatient treatment, while exempting nonclinical recovery support services and certain other providers. Facilities will pay certification fees to a new "substance use treatment certification fund" that will cover the costs of the certification program. The bill also requires the Department to maintain a public online list of certified facilities and to create a dedicated behavioral health specialist position within the Ombudsman's office to investigate complaints about treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed both · New Hampshire · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1709: prohibiting certain unlawfully present felons from occupying or renting real property, relative to pet vendor foster home and defining pet vendor foster facility, and providing procedures for the potential confiscation of livestock involved in cruelty to animal cases.

HB 1709 requires residential rental applicants in New Hampshire to disclose in writing if they are not U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States. Applicants can prove lawful presence using specific documents like a New Hampshire driver's license, tribal ID, or federal identification, and landlords cannot independently verify immigration status. Violating this disclosure requirement is classified as a class B felony. The bill directly affects renters applying for housing and landlords managing residential properties in New Hampshire.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 660: requiring historic horse racing facilities to compensate their host communities with a percentage of the revenue generated from their historic horse racing machines.

HB 660 requires historic horse racing facilities in New Hampshire to pay 10% of their revenue (after breakage and paying winnings to patrons) directly to the municipalities where they operate. This affects all HHR facilities, with host communities like Manchester, Dover, and Seabrook receiving annual payments totaling approximately $14.3 million based on 2024 revenue data. The bill mandates this payment be deposited into the municipality's general fund starting July 1, 2025. This changes how HHR revenue is distributed, shifting funds from state Lottery revenue streams to local governments. The fiscal note confirms this would increase local revenue by $14.3 million annually while decreasing state Lottery revenue by $2.3 million per year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 635: relative to taxing non-profit entities who settle illegal immigrants as for-profit entities.

HB 635 would require non-profit organizations that provide housing, legal assistance, or other support to undocumented immigrants (defined as people in the U.S. without legal status) to pay business taxes as if they were for-profit entities. It defines "settling" to include offering housing, cash, legal aid, or help applying for government benefits to undocumented immigrants. The bill also allows the state to pay whistleblowers up to 10% of the tax owed for reporting such non-profits to the Department of Revenue Administration. This primarily affects 501(c)(3) non-profits engaging in these activities, expanding the tax base to include them under the business enterprise tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Housing ✗ Immigration

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 417: relative to repealing the communications services tax.

HB 417 would reduce the communications services tax rate from 7% to 4% for the 2026 tax year and completely repeal the tax effective July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects businesses providing communications services in New Hampshire, including phone, internet, and cable services. The legislation removes the tax from state law by repealing RSA 82-A and amending other sections to eliminate references to the communications services tax. Based on 2024 revenue data of $30.6 million, the repeal is expected to reduce annual state revenue by approximately $30.6 million starting in fiscal year 2027. The Department of Revenue Administration will need to update tax forms and systems but anticipates no additional administrative costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1647: relative to the taxation of farm and farm structures.

This bill changes how New Hampshire municipalities tax farm structures and the land beneath them. It requires qualifying farm structures (like barns, greenhouses, and processing sheds) to be assessed at no more than their replacement cost minus depreciation, and the land under them at no more than 10% of market value. Municipalities must adopt these rules by April 1, 2027, and property owners must notify assessors within 60 days of any changes that could disqualify their property from the reduced tax rate. Unpaid taxes accrue interest and may result in property liens, with penalties applying if structures cease to qualify for the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results