CACR 24 proposes adding a constitutional right for parents and legal guardians to direct their children's education in New Hampshire. If approved by voters in 2026, it would insert a new Article 2-c into the state constitution stating this right cannot be violated. The amendment requires a 2/3 vote in favor at the 2026 general election to take effect. It directly affects parents/guardians by establishing a constitutional basis for their authority over educational decisions, without specifying curriculum or school policies. This is a procedural constitutional amendment requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.
HB 1687 removes the authority of New Hampshire's family division courts to issue criminal penalties, judgments, or determinations in cases they handle. The bill specifically prohibits these courts from imposing criminal sanctions (like fines or jail time) for matters within their jurisdiction, such as family-related cases. Instead, criminal matters must now be handled exclusively by superior courts, as outlined in RSA 592-A:1. This change ensures family courts remain focused on civil matters like custody disputes, while criminal penalties are reserved for appropriate judicial bodies. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1532 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules defining the maximum temperature for vape heating coils and mandating safety features to prevent overheating ("dry hits"). This bill directly affects vape product manufacturers, who must comply with these future safety standards. The key mechanism is the creation of regulatory rules by the Department, not the immediate imposition of specific temperature limits. The bill focuses on preventing overheating incidents through mandatory safety features in vape devices. (3 sentences)
HB 1339 prohibits retail businesses from refusing to sell goods or services solely because a customer wants to pay with cash. It requires all retail establishments to accept legal tender (cash) when offered, eliminating policies that force customers to use credit cards. The law directly affects retailers selling physical goods or services to consumers, ensuring cash buyers cannot be denied transactions. This is a concrete policy change that mandates equal treatment of cash payments alongside other payment methods.
HB 1591 requires the New Hampshire Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to release court-ordered funds held in escrow within 30 days of a final, non-appealable court order. This directly affects individuals or entities entitled to such funds, such as plaintiffs in lawsuits or settlement recipients. Key provisions include imposing interest on delayed disbursements, allowing recovery of attorney fees for noncompliance, and mandating annual public reports listing funds held beyond the 30-day deadline. The bill also applies retroactively to delays occurring in the past five years, with claimants having 18 months from the bill’s effective date to seek remedies.
HB 1439 modifies penalties for New Hampshire retirement system retirees who exceed part-time work hour limits. It replaces full annuity suspensions with proportional reductions based on excess earnings, spread over 12 months. Retirees may avoid penalties by demonstrating good faith (e.g., relying on employer reporting errors), and full suspension is limited to willful, repeated violations or failure to cooperate with system inquiries. The bill directly affects retirees working part-time while receiving state retirement benefits.
HB 1265 prohibits the construction of new data centers in New Hampshire for one year from its effective date, affecting developers and businesses planning such facilities. It establishes a four-member committee (three House members appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the President) to study the environmental impact of data centers. The committee must submit interim findings by November 1, 2025, and a final report by November 1, 2026, to legislative leaders and the governor. The bill does not ban existing data centers or address operational impacts, only pausing new construction while studying environmental effects.
HB 1248 modifies New Hampshire's penalties for driving under the influence (DWI) offenses by expanding the definition of qualifying prior convictions. It adds that a prior conviction for a DWI-related offense - where the defendant was sentenced to an alcohol or substance treatment program within 10 years before a subsequent offense - counts as a prior conviction for enhanced penalties. This change directly affects individuals with prior DWI convictions who completed mandated treatment programs, as these will now trigger stricter penalties for repeat offenses. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and has no estimated state or local fiscal impact.
HB 1284 requires New Hampshire election officials to include a voter's year of birth on official voter checklists, alongside existing information like full name, address, and party affiliation. This applies to all checklists used in elections, including those maintained by local election supervisors. The bill amends state law to explicitly mandate this detail as a standard field, without altering how voters interact with the checklist or changing requirements for voter privacy requests. It takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1770 establishes a legal presumption of equal parenting time (50% of overnights annually) for New Hampshire family courts, replacing the current "best interest" standard. It defines equal parenting as a 50/50 overnight split with no more than a three-night difference in any year, requiring courts to correct imbalances the following year. The presumption can only be overridden by clear and convincing evidence of specific harm - such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or a parent's incapacity - and courts must provide written findings for any deviation. This applies to all custody cases, including initial rulings, temporary orders, and modifications, and takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1281 establishes certification standards for "facility comfort dogs" used by public agencies like hospitals, schools, and emergency services to provide emotional support. It requires these dogs to earn an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate by 18 months and complete quarterly training, while banning prong/electronic collars during deployment. Handlers must obtain specific certifications including Mental Health First Aid and Emergency First Aid for Dogs, and agencies must maintain detailed training records. The bill also sets care standards, such as prohibiting raw diets, requiring spaying/neutering, and mandating retirement policies for the dogs. These requirements directly affect public safety agencies, their handlers, and the comfort dogs they deploy.
HB 1149 would require New Hampshire to stop observing daylight saving time once four neighboring states - Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine - have each passed laws to adopt permanent year-round Eastern Standard Time. The bill amends state law by removing current provisions that adjust clocks forward in March and back in November, meaning New Hampshire would remain on Eastern Standard Time year-round if the condition is met. This change would take effect on January 1 of the first year after New Hampshire's secretary of state certifies that all four states have enacted similar legislation. The bill does not set a specific date for implementation but depends entirely on other states' actions.
