HB 128 establishes a 3-member committee (appointed by the House Speaker) to study New Hampshire's unemployment insurance program. The committee will examine why the government currently provides unemployment insurance exclusively, assess whether private-sector options exist or could be beneficial, and evaluate if introducing competition would improve the system. It must answer specific questions about the economic efficiency of the current monopoly, consumer benefits, and the feasibility of private insurers. The committee will report its findings to state leaders by November 1, 2025, but the bill itself does not change unemployment benefits or create new programs.
HB 693 allows voters to request hand-counting of their ballots instead of using electronic devices at polling places. It also permits selectmen and town clerks to conduct supplemental hand counts to verify election results for specific races or ballots not processed by machines. The bill amends New Hampshire election laws to clarify these procedures, requiring privacy folders for both voter-requested and official hand counts. This directly affects voters seeking manual counting, election officials, and polling locations handling ballot processing. The bill does not create new funding or positions but may increase local costs if many voters request hand counts.
HB 431 establishes a commission to review draft rules for minimum standards in public school approval and state academic standards before they are submitted to the legislature. The commission includes 13 members representing school administrators, principals, curriculum specialists, and teachers at all grade levels, plus a competency-based education expert. It must recommend language supporting competency-based education, evidence-based practices, and professional learning for educators. The commission has 120 days to review each draft and submit recommendations to the education department and state board of education.
HB 295 makes funds allocated for New Hampshire's school building aid program nonlapsing, meaning unused money won't expire or return to the state treasury at year-end. This directly affects school districts and chartered public schools that receive these funds for building projects. The key provision changes the funding status under RSA 198:15-a, ensuring aid can carry over to future years if not spent in the current fiscal period. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, providing more stable long-term funding for school construction needs.
HB 611 eliminates the requirement for indigent defendants in criminal cases to repay court-appointed legal fees. It removes all provisions allowing courts to collect repayment from defendants who qualify for free counsel due to financial inability, including repealing RSA 604-A:9 (which governed repayment) and related sections. The bill directly affects individuals who receive appointed counsel in criminal proceedings because they cannot afford private attorneys. This change ends the practice of seeking repayment through periodic installments or financial investigations, streamlining access to defense services without financial burden on qualifying defendants. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 197 requires the state to pay 7.5% of retirement contributions for group I teachers and group II members (including local police and firefighters) employed by cities, towns, and other local governments. This shifts the payment responsibility from local employers to the state, beginning in fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects local governments that fund these retirement contributions, reducing their costs by approximately $28 million annually starting in 2026. The state will cover this 7.5% share using General Fund resources, while local governments will see a corresponding decrease in their retirement-related expenses.
HB 491 establishes a committee to study how New Hampshire funds public education and to explore ways to reduce the state's reliance on local real estate property taxes. The committee, composed of 5 House members (including 2 from the Education Committee) and 4 Senate members, will examine current funding methods and assess the impacts of over-relying on local property taxes. It must submit recommendations for potential legislative changes by November 1, 2025, to the Governor, Legislature, and state library. This bill creates a study process but does not enact any funding changes itself.
SB 41 increases penalties for drivers exceeding 100 miles per hour. It creates a separate offense for driving at or above 100 mph, raising the minimum fine for a first offense from $500 to $750 and increasing license revocation from 60 days to 90 days. For subsequent offenses, fines rise to $1,000 minimum and license revocation extends to 90 days up to one year. The bill directly affects drivers who speed at 100+ mph, as specified in New Hampshire law, and takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 725 prohibits ambulance providers from charging patients extra fees (balance billing) after insurance pays for services. It requires health insurance companies to pay nonparticipating ambulance providers the lesser of three amounts: the local government's set rate, 325% of Medicare's rate for the same service, or the provider's billed charges. This payment is considered full payment, meaning providers cannot bill patients for additional costs beyond standard copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles. The bill applies to ground ambulance services and takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 477 creates a commission to study safety and security measures at the New Hampshire state house. The commission, including lawmakers, safety officials, and the Concord fire chief, will examine specific options like metal detectors, visitor sign-in systems, security training, and policies for handling threats. It must submit an interim report by November 2025 and a final report by November 2026. The bill does not implement new security rules but aims to assess potential improvements for lawmakers, staff, and visitors.
HB 208 updates certification rules for school nurses in New Hampshire by requiring 3 years of current experience in acute/chronic pediatric care (replacing broader "related nursing areas" language) and adding leadership skills in professional nursing practice as a competency requirement. It directly affects school nurses seeking or renewing certification in the state. The bill amends RSA 200:29 to tighten clinical experience standards and emphasizes pediatric-focused skills. The Legislative Budget Assistant estimates minimal fiscal impact ($10,000 or less annually through 2028). The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 640 requires New Hampshire's Attorney General to request and publish aggregated, anonymized data from federal agencies operating in the state, covering metrics like staffing levels, surveillance operations, investigations involving residents, and arrests. The bill mandates a public website displaying this data in a searchable format, showing which agencies voluntarily provided information and which did not, along with quarterly summaries for transparency. The Attorney General must also submit an annual report to the legislature on participation rates and effectiveness, with the state covering costs through new staff positions starting in 2025. This bill directly affects the Attorney General's office and federal agencies in New Hampshire, aiming to increase transparency without compelling federal data sharing.
