HB 1043 allows employers to create their own pay policies for employees who report to work at the employer's request, making the existing statutory minimum pay requirement (2 hours' pay at regular rate) apply only if the employer has no alternative policy. It directly affects most private-sector employees who report to work, excluding county/municipal employees and ski resort instructors who receive equivalent alternative compensation. The bill does not change the minimum pay standard but gives employers flexibility to set higher or different policies that meet or exceed the baseline. Employers who make a good-faith effort to notify employees not to report to work are not liable for pay under this section. The bill amends RSA 275:43-a and takes effect 60 days after passage.
SB 603 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to internally transfer existing state funds to cover any shortfall in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding caused by reduced federal support. It applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period and mandates that transfers exceeding $100,000 require approval from the Fiscal Committee, governor, and council. The bill does not provide new funding or create new costs; it simply directs the department to reallocate current resources to maintain SNAP operations. This addresses an expected $4.6 million state cost increase starting October 2026 due to federal funding changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no net fiscal impact as it only shifts existing funds.
HB 1189 establishes a new committee to evaluate proposed major solid waste disposal facilities that accept over 100,000 tons of waste annually. The committee will assess impacts beyond current regulations - including noise, odor, economic effects, property values, tourism, and traffic - and issue a Certificate authorizing construction. It consists of seven members appointed by the governor, including environmental and business representatives, plus a local conservation expert and waste industry specialists. This process directly affects facility applicants and nearby municipalities, requiring them to be considered in the evaluation before new sites can proceed. The bill aims to ensure a more comprehensive review of community and environmental impacts for large waste facilities.
HB 1421 exempts most motor vehicles manufactured 15 or more years ago from requiring a certificate of title, replacing the previous rule that exempted vehicles made before 2000. This applies to standard passenger vehicles and light trucks, but excludes heavy trucks and truck-tractors weighing over 18,000 pounds. The exemption automatically applies as vehicles reach 15 years of age (e.g., a 2009 vehicle would be exempt in 2024). It directly affects owners of older, non-commercial vehicles who would no longer need to pay title fees or process title applications. The change simplifies registration for these vehicles while maintaining title requirements for larger commercial vehicles.
SB 572 exempts the sale of the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property (located at 105 Pleasant Street, Concord) from standard New Hampshire hospital real estate sale requirements. It directs the Department of Administrative Services to first offer the property to the City of Concord and then Merrimack County at fair market value, with a deadline of January 1, 2026, for acceptance. If unsold by that date, the department must issue a request for proposals by June 30, 2027, with all sale proceeds going to the state general fund. This bill specifically affects the state's process for selling this particular property, not hospital operations or services.
HB 1818 allows school construction grant funds to be used for consolidating school buildings and facilities, creating a new "School Facility Consolidation Incentive Fund." The fund provides grants to public school districts that close underutilized schools (e.g., those with less than 70% facility usage or declining enrollment), covering costs like planning, closure, tuition agreements, and transition expenses. Districts receiving funds must keep closed facilities shut for at least 20 years, with repayment required for violations. Priority is given to districts with high operating costs per student or significant enrollment declines, aiming to improve efficiency and educational access through consolidation.
HB 1478 requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services to revise rules for new landfills to better protect public health and the environment. The bill mandates that new landfills must maintain a minimum 1,500-foot setback from drinking water wells, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, calculated using a specific groundwater travel distance method. This method requires applicants to hire independent hydrogeologists to test groundwater velocity and ensure contamination cannot reach water sources within five years. The rule changes directly affect landfill applicants and the Department, replacing current rules deemed insufficiently protective of water resources.
HB 1601 requires New Hampshire's Secretary of State to create a voter education program using $50,000 in existing federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds. The program must provide voters with clear information about recent changes to voting laws in the state. It directly affects all New Hampshire voters by ensuring they receive updated, accessible information about voting procedures. The bill specifies the program will develop and distribute educational materials but does not alter voting laws or create new state funding.
SB 422 expands the governor's commission on addiction, treatment, and prevention by adding two new public members: one with expertise in gaming addiction and one representing long-term recovery. It also changes the status of the faith-based community representative from non-voting to a voting member. The bill modifies the commission's membership structure under state law to include these additions, increasing the total public members from seven to nine. These changes directly affect the commission's composition and decision-making process for addressing addiction-related policies. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1217 permits public and private entities to separate individuals by biological sex in two specific situations: multi-user bathrooms/locker rooms and athletic competitions where biological males typically have physical advantages (like strength or speed). It defines "biological sex" as male or female and states that such separation does not count as discrimination under New Hampshire law. The bill makes this classification optional - entities are not required to implement it. This change modifies New Hampshire's anti-discrimination law to explicitly allow these limited sex-based classifications.
HB 1828 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to create an auditing process for teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities. The audit ensures these programs teach research-backed literacy instruction (including phonics, fluency, and vocabulary) aligned with the science of reading. The department must develop metrics to evaluate how effectively programs teach these methods and publish the results online. This directly affects all post-secondary institutions offering teacher training in New Hampshire.
HB 1447 requires New Hampshire public facilities (including restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters) and private entities to separate access based on biological sex as defined by birth certificate. The bill defines "biological sex" as male or female based on sex listed on an individual's birth certificate issued at or near birth, and specifies that "woman," "girl," "man," and "boy" refer to these categories for facility access. It explicitly states that such sex-based separation policies do not constitute discrimination under state law. The law applies to all state political subdivisions and private businesses operating in New Hampshire.
