HB 565 changes New Hampshire law to allow people under 21 (but not under 18) to enter veterans' clubs, private clubs, and social clubs under specific conditions. The bill requires that a person aged 21 or older must sign minors into the club and list their ages, replacing the previous rule that restricted minors under 18. It also includes an exception for military personnel under 21, who do not need an accompanying adult. The law amends RSA 178:22 and takes effect 60 days after passage. This directly affects underage individuals seeking access to these venues and the clubs' enforcement of age policies.
SB 27 allows owners of existing dwellings built over water (such as houseboats or structures on pilings) to repair, reconstruct, or improve them for maintenance or to meet current building codes without expanding the structure's footprint or increasing interior living space. It requires an approved sewage disposal system for any project and permits the commissioner to waive standard restrictions if the project enhances environmental protection without converting recreational use to residential activity or increasing the structure's size (while reducing kitchen/bathroom square footage). Routine maintenance not involving water work does not require a permit. This bill directly affects owners of existing water-based dwellings in New Hampshire.
HB 529 extends alcohol sales hours, allowing takeout stores to operate until 1:00 a.m. and restaurants/bars until 2:00 a.m. (with some towns permitted to extend to 3:00 a.m.). It permits restaurants to deliver alcohol with a meal ordered for home delivery, requiring the delivery to include food, be made by a W-2 employee, and include a signed receipt. The bill also allows restaurants to sell and refill beer in containers regardless of the brand and prohibits deliveries to schools, libraries, parks, and other public areas. These changes directly affect alcohol retailers, delivery services, and consumers in New Hampshire.
HB 1815 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by specifying 11 required learning areas: English/language arts, math, science, social studies (including Holocaust education), arts, world languages, health/wellness, physical education, technology/engineering, personal finance, and computer science. It directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by mandating these subjects as core components of the state's definition of adequate education. The bill revises state law to replace previous standards with this detailed list of required content areas. It does not address funding mechanisms or budget allocations, focusing solely on curriculum requirements.
HB 1025 updates the statutory designation of the chief financial officer (CFO) responsible for identifying eligible agency income for deposit into the New Hampshire Armories Fund. It changes the reference from "CFO of the New Hampshire National Guard" to "CFO of the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services," clarifying which department manages this fund. This fund supplements general funds for operating military facilities (excluding federal program income), with the CFO identifying eligible income for deposit. The bill was requested by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill increases the size of New Hampshire's State Veterans Council from 4 to 5 members. The council will now consist of 4 veterans (as defined by state law) and 1 family member of a veteran or currently serving military member, all appointed by the governor. Council members must meet at least twice yearly to provide guidance on veterans' programs, make recommendations for improvements, and oversee the "New Hampshire first for veterans" initiative. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and align with the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services' organizational structure.
HB 1162 extends the deadline for the Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Studies to submit its final report from November 1, 2026, to November 1, 2029. The bill directly affects the commission, which is tasked with studying Holocaust and genocide education in New Hampshire schools. It modifies the commission's reporting requirements by updating the final report deadline in state law, while maintaining existing provisions for preliminary and annual reports. This is a procedural adjustment to the commission's timeline, with no changes to its duties or funding.
HB 1152 designates all donations and bequests received by New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services as non-lapsing funds. This means these funds will automatically carry over year-to-year without expiring, rather than requiring annual reappropriation. The bill directly affects the department’s ability to manage and use donor contributions for military/veteran programs without needing new budget approvals each year. It clarifies existing law (RSA 110-B:1, III) to ensure continuous funding for veteran support initiatives. The bill was requested by the department itself and will take effect July 1, 2026.
SB 659 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by listing 11 required subject areas, including English, math, science, civics, arts, health, physical education, and computer science. It establishes that the state must determine the cost of this defined education for each municipality based on student enrollment. The bill directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by setting mandatory curriculum standards for funding and accountability. It replaces previous definitions with specific, measurable learning areas that school districts must provide.
SB 650 allows New Hampshire alternative treatment centers to use CBD and other nonintoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids (like CBD) in therapeutic products, while requiring these products to undergo contaminant and cannabinoid testing. It specifically prohibits centers from using any hemp-derived products containing natural THC over 0.3% (including delta-8, delta-9, or synthetic THC variants). The bill directly affects licensed alternative treatment centers by expanding permitted ingredients for therapeutic products under strict safety testing rules. It does not change recreational cannabis laws or allow intoxicating THC products. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1710 adopts the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act into New Hampshire law, creating new procedures for courts to address child abduction risks. It requires courts to issue prevention measures - such as travel restrictions or custody adjustments - when a credible risk of abduction is proven, based on specific risk factors like prior abduction attempts or threats. The bill mandates detailed petitions including the child’s location, the respondent’s details, and history of domestic violence or custody disputes. This applies to all courts handling child-custody cases, directly affecting parents, guardians, and legal entities involved in custody proceedings.
SB 613 requires new health care facilities (like ambulatory surgical centers, walk-in care centers, or dialysis centers) planning to operate within 15 miles of a critical access hospital to provide written notice to that hospital. The notice, sent by certified mail, must describe the facility and its services before opening. This bill adds a notification step to current licensing requirements but does not alter facility approval standards or restrict new facilities. It directly affects health care providers seeking to establish services near existing critical access hospitals.
