SB 283 changes how local governments calculate floor-area-ratio (FAR) under building ordinances. FAR determines the maximum building size allowed on a lot relative to the lot size. This bill directly affects developers, property owners, and local planning departments by altering the calculation method used in zoning decisions. It takes effect on September 30, 2025, after being signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.
SB 221 requires local election officials to annually verify voter registration lists starting in 2026, instead of every 10 years. Towns must hold public sessions between April and August each year, provide 30-day written notice before removing names, and allow voters to maintain registration by voting in the last five years or being newly added to the list. Officials must remove names of unregistered voters after September 1 and file a certification with the state secretary of state. This directly affects all New Hampshire towns and cities, their election administrators, and registered voters who must actively maintain their registration status.
SB 118 establishes the Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility Capital Investment Fund to support capital projects at that facility. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to deposit lease and administrative revenue from the facility into the fund, with a $3 million reporting threshold for excess revenue. The fund is nonlapsing (can be used year after year) and may only be used for required capital investments at Hampstead Hospital, not for other purposes. The fund provisions take effect July 1, 2025, while related sections about nursing home allowances and staff appropriations (mentioned in the title but not detailed in the bill text) have separate effective dates. The bill does not address cannabis cultivation, as that appears to be an error in the provided title.
Signed by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0294; Effective 09/30/2025
SB 26 allows homebuyers or developers to access part of an escrow deposit before closing to pay for specific construction customizations, such as upgrades or modifications. The Department of Justice must approve each request for these funds. This applies to projects where buyers or builders have paid a deposit held in escrow for custom features. The law became effective on August 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.
SB 87 modifies liquor licensing rules by allowing one-day temporary licenses for events (like festivals or fundraisers) and permits salons and barber shops to apply for on-premise alcohol licenses. This directly affects event organizers and these specific businesses, which previously could not serve alcohol on-site. The bill takes effect on September 30, 2025, for most provisions, with a specific section (RSA 178:21 IV) becoming effective August 1, 2026. These changes simplify temporary licensing and expand eligibility for alcohol service in new business settings.
SB 232 clarifies net metering rules for renewable energy generators participating in ISO-NE electricity markets. It allows these generators (such as solar or wind producers) to remain active in energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets without having to withdraw from them to qualify for net metering. Instead, they must transfer all market revenues - earned from selling energy, capacity, or services - to their local utility while maintaining net metering eligibility. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, directly impacting small renewable energy producers who operate within ISO-NE markets.
Signed by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0296; Effective 01/01/2026
SB 97 allows parents or guardians to request school transfers for their children within or outside their district. For intra-district transfers, superintendents must approve if the requested school has space; for out-of-district transfers, they must consider the student's academic, physical, personal, or social needs. If a student transfers to a school outside their district, the sending district pays tuition (which may be waived for good cause), and parents cover transportation. The bill also requires school boards to create policies for handling high demand when school capacity is limited.
SB 287 requires voters applying for absentee ballots in New Hampshire to verify their identity by submitting a copy of their photo ID meeting state requirements (RSA 659:13), providing a notarized signature, or presenting the ID in person to the clerk. This directly affects all voters seeking absentee ballots, ensuring they provide proof of identity before receiving a ballot. The bill mandates that no absentee ballot may be issued without one of these verification methods being satisfied. Signed into law on August 1, 2025, it takes effect September 30, 2025.
SB 195 revises the membership structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. The bill specifies who serves on the council (including new stakeholder representation) and defines its key duties, such as advising the state on workforce education programs and curriculum standards. This directly affects the council members, state education officials, and career training programs across New Hampshire. The changes take effect on September 30, 2025, after the bill was signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.
SB 291 expands New Hampshire's property tax exemption for religious organizations to include convents, monasteries, and their associated lands and buildings. It allows these properties - owned, used, and occupied directly for religious training or worship by recognized religious groups - to qualify for the exemption, aligning them with existing church and parish properties. The bill specifically covers properties leased for pastor housing allowances and personal property used for religious purposes. This change directly affects religious institutions operating convents or monasteries in New Hampshire that meet the state's incorporation and recognition requirements. The law became effective July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.
