HB 1399 appropriates $5 million from New Hampshire's Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account (the "Rainy Day Fund") to reimburse the Claremont School District for part of the costs of renovating Stevens High School in 2015. The bill specifically addresses a project completed during a building aid moratorium, which the district needed to restore accreditation and maintain eligibility for future aid. This funding directly benefits the Claremont School District and Stevens High School, covering costs the district incurred but could not recover during the moratorium. The appropriation is a one-time payment from the state's rainy day fund, effective 60 days after passage.
HB 1075 would amend New Hampshire law to include recreational vehicles (RVs) under the definition of "motor vehicle" specifically for new vehicle arbitration proceedings. This change allows consumers who purchase new RVs to use the same dispute resolution process - available for cars and trucks - to address defects or issues with dealers or manufacturers. The bill updates the statute governing these arbitration cases by adding RVs to the list of covered vehicles, without altering how RVs are classified for other purposes like registration or traffic laws. It directly affects RV buyers and dealers by expanding access to a standardized arbitration system for new vehicle disputes.
HB 1389 establishes strict liability for owners or operators of facilities that release PFAS chemicals into groundwater, triggering cleanup requirements when contamination reaches 500 parts per trillion or higher. It directly affects businesses handling PFAS (like manufacturers or waste facilities) that caused such contamination. The bill mandates compliance with federal cleanup regulations (40 CFR 265.111 and 265.114) for equipment, piping, and building surfaces used with PFAS. This requires facilities to address contamination through closure, decommissioning, or remediation of affected infrastructure.
HB 1593 codifies Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into New Hampshire law, prohibiting disability discrimination in programs receiving state or federal funding. It applies directly to state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, housing services, and other entities that receive public funds, requiring them to ensure accessibility without mandating major structural changes for small providers if alternatives exist. The bill establishes legal remedies including lawsuits, injunctions, and reasonable attorney's fees for successful claims, but excludes compensatory damages. It references the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for employment discrimination and takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 518 requires the commissioner of New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to submit a detailed annual report by September 1 on all costs incurred by the Division for Children, Youth and Families, including personnel expenses. The report must specify details about each position within the division, such as whether it is legally authorized, its employment type (full-time/part-time), funding sources, and whether it is shared with other departments. This report is to be provided to the joint legislative fiscal committee, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, and relevant legislative committees. Additionally, the commissioner must issue quarterly updates for any changes to personnel assignments or funding. The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill will have no fiscal impact.
HB 1302 prohibits law enforcement from publicly releasing mugshots of individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses before they are convicted. This applies to all such photographs taken during arrest, with exceptions only for immediate public safety threats (e.g., locating a dangerous suspect) or when a defendant fails to appear in court after bail. The bill also specifies that these restrictions do not apply to individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., who may have mugshots released regardless of conviction status. Law enforcement must document any permitted release, including the reason and recipient. The policy aims to reduce reputational harm for unconvicted individuals while maintaining public safety exceptions.
HB 1750 provides a $4.4 million supplemental appropriation from the General Fund to New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This funding addresses a budget shortfall caused by federal legislation reducing the federal cost-share for SNAP administrative costs from 50% to 25%, which the state did not have time to budget for before the change. The appropriation specifically covers increased state administrative expenses for SNAP operations during the 2026-2027 fiscal year, ensuring continued program functionality without altering SNAP eligibility or benefits. It does not create new positions or change program rules, as noted in the fiscal impact statement.
HB 1456 repeals a specific legal statement (RSA 2025, 141:389) in New Hampshire law that declared the legislature's authority over public education. This bill removes the legislative declaration itself but does not change how public education is governed, funded, or managed. It directly affects the statutory text of the law by eliminating this declaration, with no new policies or requirements added. The repeal takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage, as specified in the text. This is a procedural change to the law, not a substantive shift in education policy.
HB 1359 requires cities, towns, village districts, and school districts in New Hampshire to obtain a recorded vote (roll call or ballot) from their governing body before using public funds for membership in municipal associations like the New Hampshire Municipal Association. It mandates that associations provide members with an itemized breakdown of lobbying expenses and separate dues for lobbying versus non-lobbying services, 60 days before dues payment. Municipalities must secure a separate two-thirds vote approval for any funding allocated specifically to lobbying activities. The bill also prohibits associations from withholding non-lobbying services from members who decline to fund lobbying. This applies to all public funds spent on association memberships, with the law taking effect 60 days after enactment.
This bill harmonizes New Hampshire's criminal code and the Fetal Life Protection Act by setting the gestational age limit for abortion restrictions at 20 weeks instead of 24 weeks. It amends the homicide statute to exempt pregnancy terminations performed before 20 weeks and updates the Fetal Life Protection Act to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks (except in medical emergencies or for fatal fetal abnormalities). Health care providers performing abortions after 20 weeks without meeting these conditions would face class B felony charges. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, correcting an inconsistency between existing statutes.
HB 1360 establishes a 7-member legislative commission to oversee the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA), a nonprofit funded by municipal dues. The commission requires NHMA to submit annual financial reports detailing lobbying expenses, salaries, legal costs, and other expenditures, and hold public hearings on its activities. If NHMA fails to file reports within 90 days of its fiscal year-end, it loses the ability to lobby or engage in legislative advocacy until compliance is achieved. This bill directly affects NHMA and its member municipalities by imposing transparency and accountability requirements on how public funds are used for lobbying and advocacy.
HB 1180 updates New Hampshire's state building code definition to adopt the International Energy Conservation Code 2024 (IECC 2024) instead of the previous 2018 version. This change directly affects builders, architects, and developers who must comply with state building codes for new construction and major renovations. The bill requires all new projects to meet the stricter energy efficiency standards in the IECC 2024, which aims to reduce energy use in buildings. The update takes effect July 1, 2026, with minimal fiscal impact (under $10,000 annually through 2029).
