HB 1490 requires scholarship organizations (which manage education freedom accounts) to provide parents with a written explanation of their obligation to notify school districts in writing when ending a home education program. This applies specifically to parents using scholarship programs for home education under New Hampshire law. The bill adds a new requirement for scholarship organizations to ensure parents understand this termination notice duty, which is currently mandated by law but not clearly explained to families. The change aims to clarify parental responsibilities without altering the underlying notice requirement.
HB 1521 clarifies that students using education freedom accounts (voucher programs) are not considered "home educated" under New Hampshire law. It amends the definition in RSA 193-A:4 to explicitly exclude children receiving funding from such accounts from the home education category. This change directly affects families utilizing education freedom accounts, separating their status from traditional home education. The bill makes a specific statutory adjustment to prevent overlap in how these educational options are classified. It does not alter home education requirements for other families.
HB 1699 allows individuals to carry certain firearms (like loaded rifles, shotguns, or crossbows) on boats operating at "no-wake speed" or "not exceeding 1.5 times headway speed," which are defined as slow-moving vessels. This change directly affects boat operators and passengers using mechanically propelled boats or towed boats at low speeds. The bill modifies existing law (RSA 207:7) by creating an exception to the general prohibition on carrying firearms on such boats when moving slowly. It does not change the definition of "loaded" or apply to law enforcement officers. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated fiscal impact on state or local governments.
New Hampshire's CACR 15 proposes adding a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest game to the state constitution. It states that all citizens have this right, including using traditional methods, but only under existing laws and regulations. The amendment specifies that these rules must promote wildlife conservation, maintain resources for public use, and preserve hunting/fishing for future generations. It does not change current laws on property rights, trespass, or eminent domain. The proposal requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election to take effect.
HB 1330 would change New Hampshire's primary voting rules to allow any registered voter to participate in the primary election of any political party, regardless of their own party affiliation or if they have no declared party. This affects all registered voters in the state who wish to vote in either state or presidential primaries. The key provision removes the current requirement that voters must declare a party to vote in that party's primary, instead permitting voters to choose any party's primary ballot. Voters would still be restricted to casting only one primary ballot per election. The bill would take effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1015 requires sellers to disclose whether Japanese knotweed is present on a property during real estate transactions. This affects sellers of residential and commercial properties in New Hampshire by adding a specific disclosure requirement to existing property transfer forms. The bill mandates sellers complete a written statement confirming the presence or absence of Japanese knotweed at the time of sale, alongside current disclosures about water systems and septic systems. The policy change aims to provide buyers with clear information about this invasive plant, which can cause structural damage and reduce property value.
HB 1663 protects employment for New Hampshire state legislators who work for private employers. It requires employers with 25+ employees to allow legislators to leave work for voting sessions without penalty, provided they give advance notice of session attendance. Employers may require use of accrued paid leave for these absences, but must grant unpaid leave if no leave is available. The law prohibits firing legislators for attending sessions and imposes civil penalties for violations, enforced by the labor commissioner.
HB 1311 establishes a permanent "regulatory analysis fund" in the state treasurer's office to help the joint legislative committee evaluate the economic impact of proposed administrative rules. The fund allows the committee to hire external economic analysts for these reviews, with an initial $1 appropriation for fiscal year 2026. This bill directly affects the legislative committee and state agencies developing new rules by creating a formal process for economic impact assessments. It does not change existing rules or impose new requirements on businesses or residents; it simply sets up a mechanism for future analysis. The $1 appropriation is minimal and symbolic, as the fund is designed to be self-sustaining through future funding.
HB 1056 establishes a commission to study how reinsurance (insurance that insurers buy to cover large losses) affects property insurance costs and availability in New Hampshire. The commission, composed of 4 House members, 2 Senate members, the Insurance Commissioner, and two industry representatives (one from large insurers, one from small local carriers), will examine how extreme weather events influence reinsurance rates and translate to higher premiums for homeowners and businesses. It will also assess risks to small insurers and the state if reinsurers become insolvent or stop providing coverage. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the legislature within a set timeframe.
HB 1045 clarifies rules for using artificial lights during nighttime hunting and outdoor activities in New Hampshire. It prohibits using lights (other than normal vehicle headlights and incidental lights like reversing lights during typical driving) to locate or take wildlife between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. Exceptions include agricultural work (e.g., protecting livestock), utility operations, and using lights solely for navigation or property inspection without targeting wildlife. The bill does not change existing nighttime hunting bans but provides clearer guidelines to prevent accidental violations. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1669 establishes a "Teacher Bill of Rights" for educators in New Hampshire public schools and public charter schools. It guarantees teachers specific rights, including a safe and healthy school environment free from violence, respectful treatment, the ability to share student information with parents (per FERPA), and protection from retaliation when exercising professional judgment. The bill requires all public school districts and charter school boards to post this bill of rights on their websites. It directly affects teachers by defining their workplace protections and communication rights within school policies. The law takes effect upon passage.
HB 1471 updates the retirement benefit calculation for New Hampshire police and fire personnel (Group II members) who began service before July 1, 2011, and were not vested by January 1, 2012. It aligns their "average final compensation" formula with the method established in HB 2 (2025), limiting how extra pay (like overtime) is included in retirement calculations. Specifically, it caps the inclusion of special duty pay in the highest 5 years of service to match the average over the member’s last 5 years of service after January 1, 2012. This change has no new fiscal impact, as it implements an existing calculation method already approved in 2025.
