SB 522 re-establishes a commission to study the economic impact of arts and culture in New Hampshire. The commission, composed of appointed members from the legislature, state arts agencies, cultural organizations, and the governor’s office, will analyze how this sector contributes to the state economy. It will gather input from artists and groups, then recommend ways to grow the arts and culture industry. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026.
SB 593 clarifies that landfill expansions (adding capacity to existing permitted sites) require approval solely from New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services, overriding local zoning rules. It mandates landfill operators expanding capacity to pay host municipalities at least $2.50 per ton of waste received. For new landfills not on existing sites, the bill requires visual impact assessments within one mile of homes and analysis of benefits/impacts on regional land uses. This directly affects landfill operators, host communities, and municipalities near proposed landfill sites.
HB 1159 updates New Hampshire's definition of the state building code to reference the 2024 editions of key model codes, including the International Building Code and International Plumbing Code, instead of the previous 2021 versions. This change directly affects builders, contractors, architects, and building inspectors who must comply with the updated code standards for new construction and renovations. The bill specifies that the 2024 versions, along with the National Electrical Code 2023, become effective upon legislative ratification and review by the state building code review board. It does not create new requirements but aligns state law with current model code standards.
SB 427 revises salary ranges for specific unclassified state employee positions, primarily affecting medical examiners, corrections facility wardens, and fire safety directors. The bill updates salary brackets - such as raising the chief medical examiner's range from $210,000-$300,000 to $210,000-$350,000 - based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Employee Classification. It does not create new positions or provide new funding, instead adjusting existing pay structures using current budget resources. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to roles identified in the bill’s amendments to state law.
SB 401 removes two outdated reporting requirements. It ends the annual requirement for municipal overseers of public welfare to report to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the number of people assisted and support costs. It also repeals DHHS’s requirement to submit 10-year demographic cost projections to the legislature. These changes simplify administrative tasks for local officials and DHHS, with minimal fiscal impact (under $10,000 annually). The bill was requested by DHHS as the requirements were deemed obsolete.
HB 1270 clarifies the definition of part-time teachers in New Hampshire public schools. It specifies that part-time teachers (working up to 20 hours weekly) do not need state teaching credentials if they are affiliated with a NH university or community college, have subject-area expertise verified by a school leader, and pass criminal history checks. The bill also requires part-time teachers to follow the state's educator ethics code and bars those with revoked credentials from teaching under this section. This directly affects schools hiring part-time educators, particularly those with professional experience but without traditional teaching licenses.
SB 412 allows courts to continue handling violations of conditional release conditions for two groups: minors found delinquent (who broke laws) and children in need of services (due to family or safety concerns). The bill explicitly permits courts to retain jurisdiction over these cases as long as violations are reported during the release period, rather than requiring immediate action. This change clarifies that courts can address breaches of conditions like curfews or school attendance throughout the entire release term. It directly affects juvenile court proceedings for these minors and the judges overseeing their cases. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
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.
HB 1378 would require healthcare providers to give parents or legal guardians full access to their minor child's electronic medical records (including online patient portals), except in three specific cases: 1) when the minor can legally consent to treatment without parents (e.g., certain reproductive or mental health services), 2) when a protective order or court ruling prohibits access, or 3) when a provider documents in writing that disclosure could cause abuse or neglect. This bill directly affects parents, guardians, and healthcare providers by changing how medical records are shared. It aims to support parental involvement in children’s healthcare decisions while preserving existing legal protections for minors in sensitive situations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
SB 533 requires New Hampshire's education freedom account program administrator to seek multiple bids from scholarship organizations every three years for overseeing and operating the program. This change affects how the state selects contractors managing the program, ensuring periodic competition for these contracts. The bill mandates a competitive bidding process every three years, subject to governor and executive council approval, to promote transparency in awarding contracts. It does not alter the program's eligibility or funding structure, only the contracting mechanism for its administration.
HB 1335 requires physicians to disclose to patients any financial incentives exceeding $5,000 received from a single source (like drug manufacturers) for preferential promotions related to specific treatments. It directly affects patients receiving care from providers who receive such payments, ensuring they learn about potential conflicts before prescriptions. The law mandates written disclosure as part of informed consent, including the source, amount, and a statement that the recommendation is based on clinical judgment. This applies only to incentives tied to the treatment being prescribed, not general practice income. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 532 modifies the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee's purpose to require it to review student data, eligibility requirements, and how funds are spent under the education savings account program. The bill mandates that committee meetings occur at least monthly, with live broadcasts and recordings posted online for public access. It also requires all meeting agendas, minutes, and annual reports to be published on the Department of Education's website. The committee must submit its annual report to the legislature by November 30 each year, focusing on program implementation and potential improvements.
