HB 1049 requires all firearm owners in New Hampshire to securely store firearms when not in use to prevent unauthorized access by minors or prohibited individuals. The bill mandates that firearms be kept in locked containers, equipped with approved safety devices (like trigger locks or lockboxes), or stored via personalized firearm safety features. It also expands criminal penalties for negligent storage and requires safety devices to accompany all private and commercial firearm transactions. This applies to all firearm owners, including private sellers and licensed dealers, but excludes antique firearms. The law aims to reduce incidents of firearms falling into unauthorized hands, particularly minors.
HB 1188 prohibits employers from requiring low-wage employees - defined as those earning an hourly rate of 500% or less of the federal minimum wage - to sign noncompete agreements. It voids any existing noncompete agreements for these workers and limits the duration of any such agreement to a maximum of 12 months. The bill directly affects low-wage workers in New Hampshire, removing legal barriers that previously restricted their ability to change employers. This policy change increases job mobility for workers in low-paying positions by preventing employers from using noncompete clauses to limit their employment options.
SB 581 modifies New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program by removing two key restrictions: (1) priority guidelines that previously favored certain student groups, and (2) an enrollment cap limiting EFA participation to 10,000 students. This change means all eligible parents can apply for EFAs without being subject to priority rankings or enrollment limits. The bill repeals related legal definitions and provisions that enforced these restrictions, effective July 2026. It directly affects families seeking EFA funding for K-12 education options by expanding access to the program.
HB 1413 would reinstate the death penalty as a sentencing option for individuals convicted of capital murder in New Hampshire, replacing the current requirement of life imprisonment without parole. The bill amends RSA 630:1, III to allow courts to impose the death penalty in such cases, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects defendants found guilty of capital murder, who would now face the possibility of execution instead of mandatory life without parole. The bill does not alter the definition of capital murder but modifies sentencing authority for these specific offenses.
SB 587, the "Fair Maps Act," establishes new requirements for public input during New Hampshire's redistricting process for congressional, state senate, state house, and executive council districts. The bill mandates at least 10 public hearings before a redistricting plan is proposed and at least 3 additional hearings after a plan is proposed but before voting, with specific rules for scheduling, location, and remote participation. Hearings must occur in convenient times and locations, include at least one per county, prioritize areas with significant population shifts, and allow remote public testimony. All public comments on proposed plans must be made available online for transparency, with duplicative or inappropriate content excluded.
HB 1427 restricts municipalities, counties, and school districts in New Hampshire from issuing bonds except for declared emergencies, repairs to critical infrastructure (like water systems or public safety facilities), securing matching federal funds, or voter approval through a majority vote. The bill prohibits most bond issuance after January 1, 2027, with a temporary 4-year transition period (until 2031) allowing limited bonds under strict budget caps. Violations would make bonds voidable by taxpayers, with courts able to award legal fees to successful plaintiffs. This directly affects local governments’ ability to finance projects without meeting these specific criteria.
HB 1553 limits landlords to charging no more than 1% of a unit’s monthly rent for pet-related fees, regardless of how many pets a tenant keeps. It bans nonrefundable pet fees entirely, affecting tenants with companion animals and landlords who previously charged such fees. Exceptions include service animals under disability law and charges for actual damage caused by a pet. Tenants can sue landlords who violate these rules and recover damages plus legal costs.
HB 1838 creates a "voter-owned elections fund" and commission to provide public funding for qualifying candidates, while raising vehicle registration fees to fund it. The bill increases vanity plate fees from $60 to $65 and adds a $1 annual fee for all private passenger vehicles. The new commission will manage the fund and provide financial support to candidates who file a registration affidavit and meet specific spending thresholds during election cycles. This directly affects vehicle owners through higher registration costs and candidates who qualify under the new public financing rules.
HB 1482 would replace the Old Man of the Mountain graphic on standard passenger license plates in New Hampshire with four seasonal scenic designs (fall foliage, winter skiing, spring trout fishing, and summer boating) starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to work with the Division of Travel and Tourism Development to create these designs, maintain the "Live Free or Die" motto, and distribute each design equally each year. It does not create new fees or revenue, as the seasonal plates would replace an existing plate series with no additional ongoing costs beyond a one-time $180,000 system update. This change affects all standard passenger vehicle owners in New Hampshire who receive new plates after 2026.
HB 1743 requires New Hampshire electric utilities to annually provide customers with written information about radiation levels emitted by smart meters installed at their homes. Utilities must deliver this disclosure in paper or electronic format - either as a separate notice or included with a regular bill - and the Public Utilities Commission will oversee compliance and may establish implementing rules. The bill directly affects all residential and business customers with smart meters and the state's electricity providers. This policy mandates transparency about smart meter radiation without altering current funding mechanisms or requiring new state spending.
SB 419 expands the "housing champion" designation to include local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing child care centers near jobs (like on commercially zoned land without special permits, meeting health department standards). It allocates $5 million to the housing champion program fund and $10 million to the affordable housing fund for the 2026-2027 biennium, both non-lapsing. These funds will support affordable housing projects and local efforts to improve housing access. The bill directly affects towns and cities that change zoning to integrate childcare with commercial development.
HB 1649 prohibits towns, cities, and villages from using any taxpayer funds - such as general, reserve, or public funds - to donate money to non-profit organizations. It allows exceptions only for competitive grant programs that serve a clear public purpose and follow state/federal laws. The bill explicitly states that non-profits may still contract for goods/services through standard bidding processes, as long as these are quantifiable and verifiable. This amendment to RSA 31 applies directly to municipal governments and takes effect 60 days after passage.
