This proposed constitutional amendment would grant New Hampshire adults aged 21 and older the right to possess a modest amount of cannabis for personal consumption. If approved by voters in November 2026, it would amend the state constitution to explicitly protect this right, replacing current laws that lack such a provision. The amendment specifically covers personal possession and consumption, not cultivation, sales, or public use. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in the referendum to take effect.
This constitutional amendment (CACR 18) would cap annual increases in New Hampshire state and local government spending and tax rates based on inflation and population growth. Specifically, it limits annual spending increases to a four-year average inflation rate (capped at 2.5%) plus the prior year's population change, with excess revenues up to 10% directed to a rainy day fund. It also grants citizens the right to sue the state or local governments for violations, including recovery of attorney fees and up to 20x those costs if successful. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.
HB 1559 increases the percentage of New Hampshire's video lottery revenue allocated to problem gambling services from 0.25% to 1%. Specifically, it requires video lottery terminal (VLT) licensees to distribute 1% of their gross revenue to the state's addiction, treatment, and prevention fund. This fund directly supports services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, including counseling and prevention programs. The change becomes effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.
HB 1704, the "Public Employee Choice Act," would allow most state and local government workers in New Hampshire to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions directly with their employers without union representation. It specifically exempts law enforcement officers, firefighters (with specific certification requirements), emergency medical personnel, and corrections officers, who would remain under existing collective bargaining rules. The bill defines "independent bargaining" as direct negotiation and prohibits employers from forcing eligible employees to use a union. Violations of these new rights would be subject to penalties under the law.
SB 404 modifies New Hampshire's economic revitalization zone tax credit program. It increases the annual credit limit from $825,000 to $1,000,000 and raises the maximum credit per business from $40,000 to $50,000. Businesses creating new jobs in designated zones qualify for tax credits: 4-5% of wages for jobs paying up to 2.5x the state minimum wage, plus 5% of facility renovation costs (capped at $20,000 per job). The bill also extends zone reevaluation from every 5 to 8 years and adjusts carry-forward rules for unused credits. These changes directly affect businesses seeking tax incentives for job creation and facility investments in revitalization zones.
HB 1061 establishes a commission to study alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers, such as parents of young children. The commission, made up of lawmakers, state agency representatives, and community experts (including formerly incarcerated individuals), will examine current sentencing impacts on families and identify community-based options like home confinement or treatment programs. It must submit a report with recommendations by November 1, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current laws or policies.
SB 616 requires healthcare providers offering treatments under New Hampshire's Right to Try Act to report specific patient and treatment data to the facility where care is provided. This includes the patient's illness, in-state/out-of-state residence during consultation and treatment, provider licensing, and insurance coverage status. Facilities must then submit anonymized, aggregated data to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which must produce an annual report for the legislature starting in 2027. The bill also establishes $100 daily fines for facilities that fail to comply and directs DHHS to create rules for data collection, confidentiality, and reporting schedules.
HB 1357 permits the placement of new manufactured homes on individual lots in all residentially zoned areas across New Hampshire without requiring special local permits. The bill defines "new manufactured homes" as those built after 1976 under federal safety standards and not previously placed, and requires all municipalities to update zoning ordinances to allow these homes within one year. Municipalities must apply the same general lot size and design standards to manufactured homes as to traditional homes but may set more flexible requirements, such as smaller lot sizes, for manufactured housing. This law directly affects homeowners seeking affordable housing options and municipalities responsible for zoning enforcement.
HB 1722 creates a new regulatory classification for large-energy-use electric facilities (defined as sites using 20+ megawatts at peak demand, such as data centers or processing facilities) and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a separate tariff system for them. The bill mandates that costs for serving these facilities be allocated based on their actual service costs or directly assigned to them, preventing cost-shifting to other ratepayers. It also requires 10-year contracts with specific terms, including minimum usage commitments and provisions to address early termination risks. The law aims to protect all electricity customers by ensuring large facilities pay their fair share for grid services and infrastructure.
This non-binding New Hampshire House resolution expresses support for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and urges U.S. action. It calls on the U.S. government to increase diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, and coordination with international partners like the UN and African Union to address ongoing conflict, displacement, and humanitarian needs in the DRC. The resolution specifically requests regular congressional reporting on progress toward stability. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new funding or legal obligations but reinforces New Hampshire's stance on international engagement.
HB 1288 allows New Hampshire school administrative units to set annual budget caps for their operations. The cap is calculated using the previous year's overhead cost per student (adjusted for inflation via a standard index) multiplied by average daily student enrollment across all member districts. If a school district's proposed budget exceeds this cap, voters must approve an override with a 3/5 majority vote; otherwise, the cap amount automatically becomes the adopted budget. This applies to any school administrative unit that chooses to adopt the cap, directly affecting how school budgets are set and approved within those units.
SB 583 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a public education funding transparency system tracking how state education dollars are allocated, disbursed, and spent over the past decade at the school, district, and intermediate unit levels. The system must include data visualization dashboards for state officials (like the legislature and governor) and public-facing tools showing aggregate, non-identifiable funding data. Key features require the system to integrate diverse data sources, ensure strict privacy compliance (including de-identified data and small cell suppression), and support advanced analytics for forecasting and program evaluation. The bill appropriates $900,000 for system creation and $500,000 annually for maintenance starting in 2027.
