HB 1703 requires annual $50 registration for all bicycles and electric bicycles used on public bike paths, trails, or roadways funded by the state or municipalities. It directs the Division of Motor Vehicles to collect fees and penalties (up to $100 for unregistered use), with all funds going to the Department of Transportation for building and maintaining bike infrastructure. The bill exempts peace officers on duty, pocket bikes, mopeds, and motorcycles. Registration applications must include owner details and proof of ownership, with minors requiring parental/guardian signatures. This applies to any public way where bicycles are legally permitted.
HB 1686 creates a program requiring drivers convicted of speeding over 100 mph (RSA 265:79) or habitual offenders with conditional driving privileges (RSA 259:39) to install speed-limiting devices on their vehicles instead of facing license suspension. The program, administered by the Department of Safety, mandates these "intelligent speed assistance" devices for 6 months to 2 years, with offenders covering all costs for purchase, installation, and maintenance. Drivers must keep the devices active; tampering or disabling them constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by additional penalties. This policy aims to address repeat speeding violations through technology-based monitoring rather than license revocation.
HB 1397 requires municipalities to send written notice by verified mail to adjacent property owners (called "abutters") when a cutting operation (such as tree removal) may impact their property. It gives these owners a 30-day period to comment before the project can be approved. The applicant requesting the cutting must cover the cost of sending these notices. This bill applies to any municipal cutting project affecting neighboring properties and adds a definition for "abutter" to property tax law.
HB 1683 requires New Hampshire state agencies to explicitly identify the specific law authorizing each administrative rule they create or update. It mandates a biennial review by the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) to verify all existing rules comply with current state laws and constitutional standards. If a rule lacks legal authority or is unconstitutional, the agency must repeal or amend it within 90 days or provide written justification; failure to comply may trigger funding suspension recommendations. This bill directly affects all state agencies that issue administrative rules, ensuring they operate within the bounds of enacted statutes.
HB 1606 prohibits Chinese nationals (non-U.S. citizens with ties to the People's Republic of China government, such as PRC state-owned enterprise employees or CCP members) from owning or controlling real property in New Hampshire. It provides a 90-day grace period for current owners to sell properties, after which undivested properties face state seizure. Violations trigger civil penalties of 25% of the property’s value, criminal misdemeanor charges for facilitators, and automatic forfeiture of the property to the state. The bill directly affects PRC nationals and entities facilitating their property acquisitions, with enforcement handled by state courts and the Department of Justice.
This bill requires all New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to use a standardized lethality assessment tool (LAP) during responses to suspected domestic violence incidents, violations of protective orders, and stalking cases involving domestic violence. It mandates that officers administer the LAP screening with victims and submit the results to the court at the defendant's arraignment. Currently, participation in the LAP program is voluntary, with only about 45% of departments reporting data; this bill makes statewide use mandatory. The policy directly affects police departments, victims in these cases, and court proceedings by ensuring consistent assessment of risk during critical early stages of investigations.
HB 1475 requires New Hampshire's Department of Energy to study how electricity distribution costs are split between fixed fees (charged to all customers regardless of usage) and usage-based fees (based on kilowatt-hour consumption). The study must examine specific cost categories like storm recovery, infrastructure replacement (e.g., poles), and capacity upgrades tied to demand. The Department must report findings and recommendations to the legislature and governor by November 2026, with costs recovered through existing utility assessments that would have minimal impact on individual customer bills.
HB 1568 requires all vehicle owners in New Hampshire to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage for registered vehicles, directly affecting every motorist who registers a car in the state. The bill sets specific coverage limits: $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Owners must provide proof of insurance at registration and when requested by law enforcement, with penalties including $250 for a first offense and $500 for repeat violations, plus potential registration suspension. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not change existing insurance premium tax revenue.
HB 1481 allows restaurants with on-premises alcohol licenses to obtain a special "Restaurant Delivery License" ($250 annual fee) to deliver alcoholic drinks made with distilled alcohol for take-out. To qualify, deliveries must include food prepared by the restaurant, occur during business hours in permitted areas, and use sealed containers labeled with the restaurant’s name, drink description, and alcohol content (ABV). Deliveries must be made by employees aged 21+ who get a signed receipt from customers (excluding visibly intoxicated or underage individuals), and the bill prohibits deliveries to schools, libraries, parks, or public venues. This creates a new framework for alcohol delivery while maintaining existing rules about consumption and resale.
HB 1749 reinstates the death penalty as a sentencing option for capital murder, first-degree murder, and second-degree murder in New Hampshire, replacing mandatory life imprisonment without parole. The bill amends statutes (RSA 630:1, 630:1-a, and 630:1-b) to allow courts to impose death instead of life sentences for these offenses. It also establishes a formal process requiring prosecutors to file notice of intent to seek the death penalty, specify aggravating factors, and hold a separate sentencing hearing where juries weigh aggravating and mitigating evidence. This bill directly affects defendants convicted of the specified murder charges in New Hampshire courts.
HB 1536 prohibits non-electric vehicles and non-motorcycles from parking in spaces specifically marked for electric vehicles (for charging), mopeds, or motorcycles. It requires clear, visible signage meeting standard traffic sign requirements and imposes a $62 minimum fine for violations, with 20% of the fine going to the local town or city where the parking occurred. The law applies to all designated spaces on both public and private property, directly affecting drivers who park in these spots without authorization. This creates a consistent penalty structure to prioritize access for EVs and motorcycles in designated parking areas.
HB 1371 prohibits landlords from charging application fees to individuals applying for residential rental agreements. It requires landlords to accept standard identification (like government-issued ID, taxpayer ID, or social security number) for background checks instead of requiring a social security number or refusing applications without one. The bill applies only to residential rentals, excluding commercial properties. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.
