This constitutional amendment (CACR 29) would remove language from New Hampshire's constitution stating that rules created by the Supreme Court "have the force and effect of law." Currently, such rules are treated as legally binding, but the amendment would prevent the Supreme Court from issuing rules with that legal authority. The change would affect how court procedures and administrative rules are enforced, shifting authority away from judicial rulemaking. If approved, it would require voters to decide on this constitutional change in the 2026 election.
HB 1201 requires political committees exempt from federal taxation under IRS sections 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) to disclose their donors' identities in financial reports. This directly affects these tax-exempt political committees, which previously could avoid disclosing donors. The bill amends state law to eliminate their current exemption from donor disclosure, replacing it with a mandatory requirement. It removes the prior option for such committees to avoid disclosure by using a voter notice disclaimer.
HB 1297 prevents individuals from acquiring ownership of property held under the public trust doctrine (such as beaches, waterways, or public lands) through long-term occupation without permission. It amends New Hampshire law to explicitly include such public trust property in the prohibition against adverse possession, alongside existing protections for town houses, schoolhouses, and church lots. This clarifies that the public cannot lose access to these shared resources due to prolonged, unauthorized use by private individuals. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1258 requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services to publish PFAS testing results on its public website. The bill mandates the department to include data from public water systems, private wells tested through state programs, and environmental samples like soil, water, and fish tissue. Published data must be searchable by location, date, and contaminant type, with updates every six months while protecting private well owners' personal information. This law directly affects public access to PFAS contamination data and the department's reporting obligations.
This House Resolution urges the New Hampshire legislature to fully fund K-12 public education at the level determined by the state Supreme Court in the Claremont series of rulings. It specifically references the court's 1993 and 1997 decisions, which established that the legislature must define, cost, fund, and ensure accountability for an adequate education. The resolution calls on the legislature to comply with the court's most recent findings regarding education funding requirements. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests legislative action.
HB 1034 prohibits individuals from knowingly possessing firearms on public school property, including buildings, grounds, and school buses, with violations classified as class A misdemeanors. Exceptions include parents transporting firearms in vehicles while dropping off/delivering students, law enforcement officers, and personnel specifically authorized by a school board after a public hearing and background check. The bill also bans public schools from hiring "armed guards" whose sole role is security, requiring any armed personnel to meet standard employment background checks. This affects all public schools and charter schools in New Hampshire, directly impacting school staff, parents, and security personnel.
HB 1273 creates "Flood Resilience Incentive Zones" (FRIZ) to help homeowners in flood-prone areas make resilience improvements. It allows municipalities to offer tax credits (minimum $100 annually), property tax relief, and low-cost loans for qualifying projects like elevating homes, installing flood barriers, using natural water management systems (e.g., bioswales), or upgrading electrical systems to reduce flood damage. Municipalities can also collect a fee of up to $0.50 per $1,000 property value to fund these initiatives through revolving funds. The bill directly affects residential property owners in designated FRIZ areas and gives local governments new tools to support flood mitigation.
HB 1702 requires pharmacies and medical facilities in New Hampshire to post a standardized notice about mifepristone (a drug used for chemical abortions) when dispensing it. The notice, displayed prominently in specific areas like waiting rooms or pharmacy counters, states that mifepristone may sometimes be reversible if the second pill hasn’t been taken, and provides a contact for resources. Noncompliance could result in a class B felony charge for providers or civil lawsuits seeking damages for patients harmed by the lack of notice. The bill directly affects pharmacies and clinics dispensing mifepristone, with no estimated state or local costs.
HB 1032 modifies New Hampshire's right-to-know law to allow individuals with disabilities or those caring for a disabled household member to participate in public meetings remotely without affecting quorum requirements. The bill adds a specific exception stating that such individuals, when unable to attend in person due to disability (as defined by the ADA) or caregiving responsibilities, may join meetings virtually and still count as "in person" for establishing a quorum. This change ensures their participation does not disrupt meeting legality or decision-making processes. The policy directly affects disabled residents and their caregivers who face barriers to physical attendance at public meetings. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1434 allows New Hampshire towns and cities to hold votes on whether to permit keno gambling within their borders. It replaces a prior law that only let municipalities vote to *ban* keno with a system where they can vote to *allow* it. The bill requires a public hearing and a ballot vote (via town meeting or municipal election) with a majority "yes" vote needed to authorize keno operations. It also repeals outdated keno administration laws from 2025.
SB 609 requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency medical care centers to develop evidence-based screening and treatment plans for venous thromboembolism (VTE), including annual training for nonphysician staff. It mandates these facilities to report specific patient data - such as age, race, zip code, diagnosis method, and treatment - to a statewide VTE registry starting July 2027. The Department of Health must contract with a qualified nonprofit entity to maintain the registry, using nationally recognized data collection standards. The registry will track VTE incidence, outcomes, and treatment patterns to improve care systems and ensure compliance with national guidelines. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities and patients treated for blood clots, focusing on standardized screening and data-driven care improvements.
HB 1179 sets minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes in New Hampshire, directly affecting licensed facilities and their residents. The bill mandates 24-hour registered nurse (RN) coverage, a minimum of 0.75 RN hours per resident daily, 0.55 licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident daily, and a total of 4.1 nursing hours per resident daily. These standards apply to all nursing homes licensed under RSA 151:9 and take effect 60 days after enactment. The law establishes concrete, measurable staffing targets without specifying enforcement mechanisms or penalties.
