HB 1209 requires school districts, bus operators, and drivers to place bus stops so students never need to cross traffic lanes when boarding or exiting. It specifically prohibits drivers from allowing children to cross any lane of traffic for these activities. The bill amends state law to mandate this safety measure, directly affecting school transportation operations statewide. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1147 reinstates requirements for local governments (counties, towns, districts, and water departments) using capital reserve funds to make multiple payments under lease/purchase agreements. It requires such agreements to contain no "escape clause" or "non-appropriation clause" and mandates approval by a 2/3 vote of the legislative body at a public meeting. The bill directly affects how these entities finance capital projects through lease/purchase arrangements. This amendment restores prior rules governing the use of capital reserve funds for these specific financing agreements.
This bill (CACR 30) proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Hampshire's public utilities commissioners are selected. Currently appointed by the governor and executive council for staggered six-year terms, commissioners would instead be elected by qualified voters starting in the 2028 general election for six-year terms. The elected commissioners would continue to enforce insurance laws and administer public utilities regulations as defined by state law. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect.
HB 1754 repeals the statewide requirement for New Hampshire schools to use the multi-tiered system of supports for behavioral health and wellness (MTSS-B), a tiered approach to student mental health support. The bill directly affects public schools across New Hampshire by removing this mandated framework from state law. It eliminates the legal obligation under RSA 135-F:3, III(l) for schools to implement MTSS-B as part of their mental health care systems for students. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment, shifting oversight of student mental health support to local school districts.
HB 1512 allows New Hampshire towns, cities, or municipalities to hold a local vote (referendum) to block residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers. If voters approve the "no" option in the referendum, eligible residents in that municipality would lose access to these state-funded education vouchers. The bill creates a formal process requiring municipalities to follow procedures similar to those for town meetings (RSA 40) when conducting such votes. This policy change directly affects residents in municipalities that choose to hold the referendum, with the vote outcome determining voucher eligibility starting July 1, 2026.
HB 1385 prohibits municipalities with minimal or no public education costs from using negative property tax rates, which would otherwise require the state to pay the municipality for taxable property. The bill specifically targets towns or cities that have taxable property but allocate little or nothing to public education in their budgets. It requires the Department of Revenue Administration to reject any negative tax rate proposals from these localities. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage and applies statewide to all qualifying municipalities.
HB 1085 limits the duties of New Hampshire police commissions to four specific areas: appointing police personnel and setting pay scales, establishing operational rules for the police force, removing officers (with due process for most, but allowing special officers to be removed without cause), and managing police department budgets. The bill prohibits salary increases beyond those based on years of service and position rank, requires funds for vacant positions to be held until filled, and mandates that unused budget funds lapse to the general fund at year-end. These changes directly affect police commissions and their management of local police departments. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1465 requires certain state employees, including court staff, judges, attorneys, and bar association members, to report suspected civil rights violations or breaches of judicial conduct rules committed by judicial branch members. If they have reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred (e.g., in person or reported to them), they must immediately notify the Attorney General’s office. Failure to report is punishable as a misdemeanor, with a $1,500 fine and up to one week in jail. The Attorney General forwards reports to the court administrative office, county sheriffs, and the chief justice, while protecting good-faith reporters from retaliation. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1220 allows New Hampshire school districts to vote on whether their local city council or municipal government can review and approve school budgets instead of direct voter approval. If approved by a majority of voters at an annual school meeting, the local governing body gains authority to approve budgets, replacing the standard process where school budgets are directly voted on by residents. School districts can also later vote to rescind this change and return to the traditional voter approval process. This bill directly affects school districts and their local municipal governments by altering the budget approval mechanism through a voter referendum.
HB 1255 repeals a law requiring more evidence than a campaign contribution to prove that a vote, appointment, or nomination involved a corrupt practice. This change directly affects elected officials, appointees, and candidates whose actions might be linked to campaign contributions. The bill removes the specific evidentiary standard that previously demanded proof beyond just the contribution itself. It simplifies the legal standard for investigating potential corruption in political decisions. This is a procedural change to corruption statutes with no direct fiscal impact.
This constitutional amendment (CACR 27) would remove an exception in New Hampshire's constitution that currently allows Article 72a to limit the General Court's authority to establish courts. The change would make the General Court the sole authority for creating courts, eliminating the existing exception. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect, as specified in the resolution. It directly affects the state's constitutional process for court establishment but does not change court operations or create new legal obligations.
HR 19 is a non-binding House resolution encouraging New Hampshire's public colleges and universities to invite more conservative speakers to campus to increase viewpoint diversity. It urges institutions to host conservative speakers alongside others across the political spectrum for discussions on topics like public policy and science, while emphasizing respectful debate. The resolution explicitly states it does not direct curricula or compel any invitations, affirming that more speech - not less - best serves students. It also condemns political violence and supports free expression in academic settings, as outlined in its text.
