HB 1417 allows New Hampshire towns, cities, and villages to implement a land value tax (LVT) system, where land is taxed at a higher rate than buildings or improvements. Municipalities must hold a public hearing and adopt the system via local vote, setting separate tax rates for land value (higher) and improvement value (lower or zero), with a transition plan. The bill requires transparent public reporting of parcel-level land and improvement values and appropriates funds to the Department of Revenue Administration for implementation support. It ensures existing education and county taxes remain unchanged, and all state tax exemptions still apply first to building improvements before land. This policy shifts the tax burden from buildings to land ownership, aiming to encourage efficient land use and housing development.
HB 1677 requires towns and cities with a local tax cap to get a recommendation from their budget committee or governing body before including any budget items that raise taxes in their annual tax estimate. This applies specifically to "warrant articles" (budget items) with a tax impact, ensuring they are formally endorsed before being counted toward the tax cap limit. The bill amends RSA 32:5-b to mandate this recommendation step, certification, and posting on the warrant, without changing the tax cap amount itself.
HB 1791 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a competitive grant program for public colleges and universities. The program provides funding to institutions that develop comprehensive support services for students with developmental disabilities, ensuring equal access to academic courses, campus life, and employment opportunities. To qualify, institutions must offer peer mentoring, remove unnecessary admission barriers (like requiring high school diplomas or specific college entrance exams), and provide monthly progress coaching. The bill appropriates state funds to support this initiative, aiming to expand inclusive higher education options for this population.
HB 1525 requires New Hampshire municipalities to permit at least two unrelated people per bedroom in single-family homes located within areas zoned for multi-family residential use. This change applies specifically to single-family dwellings on individual lots in multi-family zones, without altering state building or fire safety codes. The bill defines a "bedroom" as any room primarily intended for sleeping, even if used for other purposes, and clarifies that local regulations cannot override this occupancy standard. It directly affects homeowners, renters, and local governments by expanding housing flexibility in designated multi-family zones.
HB 1520 redefines "citizen of New Hampshire" for voting purposes as either a native-born resident or someone who has taken an oath of allegiance to the state. It requires voters to provide proof of New Hampshire citizenship (such as a birth certificate, New Hampshire citizenship card, or sworn oath) and U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) when registering to vote. The bill also mandates that the secretary of state issue New Hampshire citizenship cards to eligible residents who qualify as native-born or through oath of allegiance. This legislation establishes new verification steps for voter registration in New Hampshire, clarifying state citizenship requirements.
HB 1533 regulates electric bicycles and alternative electric micromobility devices (like e-scooters) by prohibiting their operation on sidewalks and restricting class 3 devices from bicycle paths. It requires annual registration, speedometers, headlights, and learner's permits for riders aged 16-18 operating class 3 devices. The bill also establishes penalties including device impoundment for violations and clarifies that non-compliant devices will be treated as off-highway recreational vehicles. These rules directly affect e-bike and micromobility users, particularly those operating higher-speed class 3 devices in public spaces.
HB 1531 requires applicants for new or renewed licenses to operate gaming facilities (including "games of chance" facilities and game operator employer licenses) to negotiate and sign agreements with the local municipality where the facility will operate. These "host community agreements" must address specific impacts like infrastructure, emergency response, security, public inquiries, and local hiring, negotiated in good faith. Before finalizing, the municipality must provide public notice and allow a 14-day comment period, with the agreement submitted to the licensing commission as a prerequisite for approval. Existing license holders are exempt until their licenses expire and they renew.
HB 1589, the Digital Choice Act, requires social media companies operating in New Hampshire to let users access and share their personal data across platforms. It directly affects New Hampshire residents who use social media services and the companies that provide them. The bill mandates that companies implement open technical standards allowing users to download their social interactions (like posts, connections, and public engagement) in a portable format and share this data with other platforms, while excluding private messages. Users gain the right to delete their data or obtain a copy they can easily transfer, with companies required to secure data and maintain interoperability through non-discriminatory terms. The law does not apply to email, cloud storage, or document services.
This bill creates a committee called the "better education on life-saving action committee" to study how to improve public awareness of New Hampshire's good Samaritan law. The law protects people from legal liability when they call for medical help during a drug overdose. The committee will examine current outreach methods, identify effective ways to reach high-risk communities, and assess whether state funding could help spread the information. It must report its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026.
HB 1627 creates a single primary ballot for all state and congressional candidates in New Hampshire, replacing the previous system where voters could only choose from candidates of their registered party. This change allows any registered voter to vote for any candidate in the primary, regardless of their own party affiliation or lack of registration. The bill clarifies that candidates may indicate a party preference on the ballot, but this does not imply party endorsement or make them the official candidate of that party. It also modifies sample ballot distribution and vote-counting rules for primaries, requiring votes for the same candidate across different party ballots to be counted separately. This directly affects all registered voters participating in New Hampshire's state and congressional primaries.
SB 604 appropriates $14 million to New Hampshire's University System for fiscal year 2027 to restore funding reduced in 2025, and $3.5 million to the Community College System to maintain a freeze on credit-hour tuition rates. The bill directly affects public universities and community colleges in the state, providing concrete funding for operations and tuition stability. It authorizes the governor to draw these funds from the General Fund, effective July 1, 2026, with no additional revenue impact.
HB 1558 requires drivers in New Hampshire to provide proof of insurance meeting minimum coverage limits (as defined in RSA 264:20) or a financial responsibility certificate (like a surety bond) at the time of vehicle registration. It directly affects all vehicle owners registering or renewing registration in the state. The key provision mandates immediate suspension of a driver’s license and registration if they cannot show proof during a lawful traffic stop. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and modifies existing law to enforce financial responsibility before accidents occur, rather than solely after.
