HB 1143 requires landlords to fix significant mold problems in rental housing, directly affecting landlords (who must remediate) and tenants (who gain protection from unhealthy conditions). It defines "significant mold" as visible growth or detectable behind walls/carpet using professional tools, adding this as a violation of minimum housing standards. Municipal officers can now inspect properties, issue remediation orders, and pursue enforcement for such violations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, giving local authorities clear authority to address mold hazards.
HB 1054 establishes a legislative committee to study the decline of insect populations in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of three House members (appointed by the Speaker) and one Senate member (appointed by the President), will assess insect population trends, impacts on wildlife and agriculture, ecosystem service losses, human causes, and potential legislative solutions. It must report findings and recommendations to state officials by November 1, 2026. This bill does not create new laws or funding but directs a formal study to inform future policy. The committee’s work directly affects state decision-making on environmental and agricultural policy.
HB 1778 bars public schools in New Hampshire from teaching any approach that prioritizes personal identity factors (like race, gender, or sexual orientation) over individual merit in curriculum or policies. It requires school districts to create policies banning DEI-related curriculum, trainings, and programs, while prohibiting staff or students from being required to declare gender identity or pronouns. The law also mandates schools to promote equal opportunities for all students regardless of identity, with violations subject to civil action or educator disciplinary measures. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not provide new state funding for implementation.
SB 601 changes how New Hampshire funds pension costs for public employees in school districts and municipal employers. Beginning July 1, 2026, the state will pay 7.5% of pension contributions for group I teachers (school districts) and group II members (municipal employees), shifting the remaining 92.5% to local employers. The state’s share will be transferred from the education trust fund to the retirement system quarterly, treated as part of general revenue. This affects school districts and municipalities that employ teachers or municipal staff covered under the state retirement system. The bill modifies existing contribution rules without new funding or positions.
HB 1835 updates New Hampshire's funding formula for special education by requiring the state to reimburse school districts 80% of the actual costs for services provided to students with disabilities, as defined by federal law (IDEA). This reimbursement must be paid within 90 days of the district submitting billing information, addressing delays in current funding cycles. School districts can now borrow funds in advance of receiving state payments and count those borrowed amounts as revenue when setting property tax rates. The bill directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities and aims to align state payments more closely with documented special education expenses.
HB 1811 repeals all state-mandated vaccination requirements for children in New Hampshire, removing legal obligations for schools and childcare agencies to require immunizations or maintain related records. The bill eliminates provisions for religious and medical exemptions, attendance rules during outbreaks, and reporting requirements to health authorities. It replaces mandatory vaccination with advisory recommendations from health officials, stating schools and agencies cannot deny enrollment based on vaccination status. This directly affects parents, schools, childcare providers, and public health officials by ending the state’s enforcement of childhood immunization rules. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1210 changes who can claim the federal child tax credit for children in divorce or child support cases. It ensures the parent paying child support (the obligor) can claim the credit for each qualifying child annually if their required support payments exceed the credit amount, unless the parents agree otherwise in writing. The bill requires the paying parent to be current on all child support obligations to claim the credit. This applies to all new or amended child support orders starting January 1, 2027, directly affecting parents involved in custody or support arrangements. The policy clarifies tax credit allocation without altering the credit amount itself.
HB 1254 defines key agricultural products including biostimulants (substances that boost plant health without adding nutrients), plant regulators (chemicals affecting growth), nutritional chemicals (products improving nutrient use), and vitamin hormone products. It directly affects farmers, manufacturers, and sellers of these agricultural inputs by creating clear legal definitions for the first time. The bill requires New Hampshire's Department of Agriculture commissioner to establish rules within 120 days governing the sale and use of these products. This provides regulatory clarity for the agricultural industry while ensuring products meet defined standards before being marketed.
This bill establishes a statewide domestic violence program within the judicial branch to improve handling of civil domestic violence cases. It requires judges and court staff to complete specialized training on domestic violence dynamics, lethality assessment, and victim safety, and mandates law enforcement to use a standardized lethality assessment form in suspected cases. The bill also allows victims to submit safety affidavits when filing family court petitions, updates stalking laws to include installing electronic devices on a person as a stalking offense, and expands annulment eligibility for violent crimes while requiring courts to notify and seek input from victims before granting annulment. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims, law enforcement, courts, and individuals seeking annulment of criminal records.
HB 1429 allows election moderators at polling places to pause ballot counting if it may extend past midnight (after 11:00 p.m.), requiring it to resume the next morning. This directly affects local election officials managing polling places, who must securely store ballots overnight with at least two election officials or one official plus a police officer present, complete chain-of-custody forms, and preserve all materials. The bill also permits up to five public observers during overnight storage, mandates time-stamped audio/video recording of the storage area, and requires live broadcasting if feasible. These provisions aim to address potential delays in vote counting while maintaining security and transparency.
HB 1380, the "Replacement Value Property Assessment Act," changes how property taxes are calculated in New Hampshire by requiring assessments to be based on replacement or cost-based value (not current market value) for both buildings and land. It affects all property owners and municipalities, implementing a phased transition: 2026 assessments use a 50/50 blend of old and new methods, shifting to 25% market value/75% cost-based value in 2027, and fully adopting cost-based assessments starting in 2028. The bill includes revenue neutrality rules (municipalities cannot raise total tax revenue solely from this change) and establishes appeal processes for property owners. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with annual reporting on assessment impacts required starting in 2028.
HB 1150 requires public employers in New Hampshire to provide written notice to employees within 5 business days of receiving a complaint against them, including the complaint text and complainant identity unless specific exceptions apply. It directly affects public employees who face formal complaints and their employers. Key exceptions include situations where disclosure would violate whistleblower protections, endanger safety, interfere with investigations, involve sensitive matters like sexual harassment, or relate to anonymous complaints. Employers who fail to comply face civil fines enforced by the Department of Labor. The bill aims to increase transparency while balancing legal and safety constraints.
