HB 1063 reduces the percentage of meals and rooms tax that businesses (like restaurants and hotels) can retain from 3% to 1.5% for returns filed electronically and received on time by the Department of Revenue Administration. This change directly affects operators who collect these taxes, shifting revenue from their retained portion to state funds. The bill amends RSA 78-A:7, III and takes effect July 1, 2026. Based on FY 2025 data, this would increase state revenue by approximately $6.4 million annually, primarily benefiting the General Fund.
HB 1105 changes the term length for certain Belknap County elected officials (including county attorney, sheriff, treasurer, register of deeds, and register of probate) from two years to four years. It directly affects voters in Belknap County and those officials by altering when they are elected, effective starting with the 2026 general election. The bill amends existing state law to specify that Belknap County voters will elect these officials for four-year terms instead of two-year terms.
SB 431 amends New Hampshire law to require that a public school teacher must have intentionally or knowingly taught discriminatory content for it to violate the prohibition on teaching discrimination. This change adds a mental state requirement, meaning accidental or unintentional teaching of discriminatory material would not be considered a violation. The bill applies to all public schools in New Hampshire and directly affects teachers and students by clarifying when the prohibition triggers. The key mechanism is modifying the existing law to specify that the teaching must be done with intent or knowledge of its discriminatory nature.
HB 1264 modifies the purpose and requirements of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Savings Account (EFA) Oversight Committee. The bill expands the committee's duties to specifically review student data, eligibility rules, and EFA fund expenditures, while requiring monthly meetings that must be live-streamed and recorded on the state website. It also mandates that all committee agendas, minutes, and reports be posted online. These changes aim to increase transparency and oversight of the EFA program, which directly affects students and families using education savings accounts.
This bill (CACR 22) proposes a constitutional amendment to abolish the fixed annual compensation for New Hampshire legislators. It removes the current $250 per elected term for presiding officers and $200 per term for all other legislators from the state constitution. The amendment would eliminate these specific payment amounts, replacing them with a system that only provides mileage for actual attendance on legislative days (with limits on days and timing). If approved by voters in 2026, this change would take effect, ending the fixed stipends for all state legislators.
HB 1114 requires New Hampshire legislative committees to preserve all written public comments received on bills - including those submitted via in-person hearings, written submissions, and the state's remote sign-in system - and to create reports explaining how these comments influenced their recommendations. Committees must detail in these reports why specific arguments from public comments were or were not considered when forming their bill recommendations. The reports, overseen by committee leadership, must be submitted to the legislative clerk and retained in the bill’s permanent record, with exclusions allowed for duplicate, out-of-state, lobbyist-submitted, or erroneous comments. This bill increases transparency in how public input shapes legislative decisions without altering policy outcomes.
HB 1720 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to notify licensed child care providers electronically within 3 business days when a family applies for a child care scholarship naming that provider. The notice must include the child's name, anticipated start date (if provided), and the application's pending status. It also mandates follow-up electronic notifications within 3 business days if the application is approved, denied, or withdrawn. This bill directly affects licensed child care providers and the state agency managing the scholarship program, streamlining communication about scholarship applications. The law specifies secure electronic transmission and does not alter funding or eligibility criteria.
HB 1098 allows New Hampshire municipalities to deny building or occupancy permits for properties adjacent to class VI highways if specific conditions aren't met. It requires towns to first vote to permit construction after planning board review, explicitly state they won’t maintain the road or assume liability for damages, and ensure applicants record this notice in property records. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to build near class VI roads and local governments managing land use. It becomes effective July 2, 2026, clarifying when municipalities may consider road safety and maintenance in permit decisions.
HB 1612 prohibits landlords from using price-fixing websites, algorithms, or software to set rental prices, making such use a violation of New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act. It directly affects landlords who employ these tools, requiring them to stop using such software or face enforcement actions. The bill establishes a process where tenants or others can file complaints with the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Bureau, which must investigate these claims. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and would require one additional attorney position at an estimated annual cost of $72,000 starting in 2027, though no funding is provided in the bill.
HR 38 authorizes the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether there is cause to impeach a New Hampshire Supreme Court justice, following recent criminal charges against Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. The committee may subpoena witnesses and documents to gather evidence related to the justice's conduct, including past legal actions and pleas. It must report its findings and recommendations to the full House of Representatives. This resolution is a procedural step based on constitutional impeachment standards, not a policy change.
HB 1741 requires New Hampshire electric utilities to create programs that coordinate customer-owned distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar panels, batteries, and smart thermostats to support the grid. Utilities must file proposals with the Public Utilities Commission for enrollment programs offering upfront payments and performance-based payments during grid events, with special incentives for low-income customers. The bill establishes rules for aggregators (third-party coordinators) and direct customer participation, including payment structures, equipment requirements, and restrictions on penalties. It aims to reduce peak demand, lower costs for ratepayers, and improve grid reliability by integrating existing DERs into utility-managed systems.
HB 1814 establishes a 10-year statewide strategic housing and infrastructure plan (SHIP) that requires the governor to develop and update the plan every two years. The plan must identify housing needs, incorporate regional infrastructure projects, and include public input through hearings in each executive council district. It directly affects state agencies (like the Department of Business and Economic Affairs), municipalities (which must update master plans every 10 years), and regional planning organizations. The bill also expands the Council on Housing Stability’s membership to include regional planning representatives and housing advocates, ensuring broader input into housing strategy.
