HB 1585 requires New Hampshire's state and local public retirement systems to prioritize only financial factors when making investment decisions, excluding environmental, social, or political considerations. The bill directly affects retirement systems managing state pension funds, mandating that fiduciaries (like investment managers) act solely in the financial interest of participants and beneficiaries. Key provisions prohibit considering factors such as climate policies (e.g., restricting fossil fuel investments), diversity criteria, abortion access, or firearm industry engagement when managing assets. The law explicitly states that investment decisions must not be influenced by "environmental, social, political, or ideological interests," even if tied to corporate practices. This shifts focus entirely to financial returns and risk, eliminating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria from retirement fund strategies.
HB 1567 changes how telecommunications companies pay taxes for using public roads. It requires the tax value of telecom poles and conduits in public rights-of-way to include the average land value per acre adjacent to roads multiplied by the total length of specific road classes (I, II, IV, and V). This new calculation replaces the previous method and must be applied to all affected telecom infrastructure. The bill directly affects telecom providers (including VoIP and mobile services) that install equipment on public roads.
HB 1498 requires all agendas, minutes, and reports from state government study committees and statutory commissions to be posted online within 5 days of their meetings. The documents must be available on both the general court website and the relevant state agency websites. This bill directly affects the public by improving access to government meeting materials, making it easier for citizens to review committee work. It creates a clear, time-bound requirement for transparency without changing existing rules about other public records.
HB 1673 allows small liquor manufacturers (those producing under 1,000 cases annually) to sell directly to bars and restaurants (on-premises licensees), bypassing the state liquor commission. Currently, these manufacturers could only sell to off-premises customers or through the commission, but this bill repeals that restriction. The law sets clear limits: manufacturers may sell no more than 12 cases per customer per year, with each sale capped at one 9-liter case. This change directly affects small producers and venues serving alcohol on-site, enabling more direct business relationships while maintaining sales volume controls.
This New Hampshire House resolution urges Congress to rescind President Trump's tariffs by terminating the national emergency declared on April 2, 2025, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). It argues these tariffs have raised costs for essential goods like food, fuel, and housing in New Hampshire while threatening 182,000 jobs tied to international trade. The resolution specifically targets the emergency declaration enabling the tariffs, which the state claims disproportionately impact residents and businesses relying on imports from Canada (e.g., $2 billion annually in goods). It does not create new law but formally requests federal action.
This New Hampshire House Resolution (HR 21) urges the state's congressional delegation - Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and Representatives Pappas and Goodlander - to support federal legislation repealing two military authorization acts: the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) and the 2002 AUMF. The resolution does not change law but formally asks these representatives to co-sponsor and advocate for repeal in Congress. It cites that both authorizations have been used for decades beyond their original purposes (targeting al-Qaeda after 9/11 and Saddam Hussein in Iraq), enabling military actions in multiple countries without current congressional review. The resolution emphasizes restoring Congress's constitutional role in declaring war, as these outdated authorizations remain in effect despite their original targets being eliminated.
HB 1203 requires courts to immediately order the return of firearms or ammunition seized during a criminal case when the case ends in a not guilty verdict or is dismissed by the state. It mandates that law enforcement agencies must return the property within 24 hours of the court order, eliminating the need for background checks in these specific situations. The bill directly affects individuals whose firearms were temporarily seized as part of a criminal proceeding that did not result in a conviction. This policy change ensures a streamlined process for returning property without additional screening once a case concludes without a guilty finding.
HB 1740 updates New Hampshire's domestic violence protection laws to strengthen victim safety and law enforcement response. It requires police to immediately investigate all abuse reports, create written reports within 24 hours, and mandate arrests when probable cause exists - regardless of whether the abuse was witnessed. The bill also establishes a new domestic violence law enforcement training fund and clarifies that civil protective orders must follow criminal proceedings, not replace them. These changes directly affect victims of domestic violence, law enforcement agencies, and courts handling such cases.
HB 1679 establishes a refundable $0.10 deposit on most beverage containers sold in New Hampshire, requiring distributors to collect the deposit and consumers to return empty containers to redemption centers or retailers for a refund. It exempts containers larger than 3 liters, milk, plant-based milk, infant formula, and beverages sold on airlines or trains. Distributors reimburse redemption centers $0.035 per container for processing, and unclaimed deposits after one year fund recycling infrastructure and litter prevention programs. The program, effective January 2027, directly affects distributors, retailers, redemption centers, and consumers purchasing eligible beverages.
HB 1725 establishes New Hampshire’s first comprehensive AI regulation, applying to businesses, government entities, and developers operating in the state or serving residents with AI systems. It requires clear consumer disclosure when interacting with AI (except emergencies), prohibits discriminatory AI development or use for social scoring/manipulation, and bans government use of biometrics without consent. Key mechanisms include creating a 7-member AI Council for oversight, a 36-month regulatory sandbox for testing innovations, and granting the Attorney General enforcement authority with fines up to $200,000 per violation. The law preempts local AI regulations and takes effect January 1, 2027, with no new state funding required.
HB 1120 requires local planning boards to adopt subdivision regulations for developments with 4 or more units, mandating water supply studies to confirm adequate water quantity for current, proposed, and future uses. It also establishes minimum on-lot private well testing requirements and ensures protection of water-dependent natural resources. The bill clarifies that developers must cover associated costs for these studies and testing, while excluding community water systems and large groundwater withdrawals regulated under existing laws. This directly affects subdivision developers, local planning boards, and property owners with private wells in affected areas.
HB 1410 creates a new "out-of-class electric vehicle" (OCEV) classification for small electric vehicles (fewer than 4 wheels) that don't fit existing categories like mopeds or bicycles. It requires sellers to clearly disclose at point of sale and in advertising that these vehicles aren't standard electric bikes and are instead subject to motor vehicle laws. The bill restricts public road operation unless reclassified, mandates safety equipment (headlights, brakes, mirrors), sets age limits (no operators under 16, helmets for under 18), and imposes a $250 penalty for violations. This directly affects sellers of such vehicles, operators, and local authorities responsible for designating permitted areas.
