This bill establishes a statewide domestic violence program within the judicial branch to improve handling of civil domestic violence cases. It requires judges and court staff to complete specialized training on domestic violence dynamics, lethality assessment, and victim safety, and mandates law enforcement to use a standardized lethality assessment form in suspected cases. The bill also allows victims to submit safety affidavits when filing family court petitions, updates stalking laws to include installing electronic devices on a person as a stalking offense, and expands annulment eligibility for violent crimes while requiring courts to notify and seek input from victims before granting annulment. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims, law enforcement, courts, and individuals seeking annulment of criminal records.
HB 1429 allows election moderators at polling places to pause ballot counting if it may extend past midnight (after 11:00 p.m.), requiring it to resume the next morning. This directly affects local election officials managing polling places, who must securely store ballots overnight with at least two election officials or one official plus a police officer present, complete chain-of-custody forms, and preserve all materials. The bill also permits up to five public observers during overnight storage, mandates time-stamped audio/video recording of the storage area, and requires live broadcasting if feasible. These provisions aim to address potential delays in vote counting while maintaining security and transparency.
HB 1380, the "Replacement Value Property Assessment Act," changes how property taxes are calculated in New Hampshire by requiring assessments to be based on replacement or cost-based value (not current market value) for both buildings and land. It affects all property owners and municipalities, implementing a phased transition: 2026 assessments use a 50/50 blend of old and new methods, shifting to 25% market value/75% cost-based value in 2027, and fully adopting cost-based assessments starting in 2028. The bill includes revenue neutrality rules (municipalities cannot raise total tax revenue solely from this change) and establishes appeal processes for property owners. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with annual reporting on assessment impacts required starting in 2028.
HB 1024 prohibits the New Hampshire retirement system from investing in businesses owned by the current U.S. president or their immediate family. This directly affects the state's retirement funds, which manage pension investments for public employees. The bill amends investment rules to explicitly ban such investments, adding a new restriction to the retirement system's investment guidelines. The policy change takes effect 60 days after the bill's passage.
HB 1150 requires public employers in New Hampshire to provide written notice to employees within 5 business days of receiving a complaint against them, including the complaint text and complainant identity unless specific exceptions apply. It directly affects public employees who face formal complaints and their employers. Key exceptions include situations where disclosure would violate whistleblower protections, endanger safety, interfere with investigations, involve sensitive matters like sexual harassment, or relate to anonymous complaints. Employers who fail to comply face civil fines enforced by the Department of Labor. The bill aims to increase transparency while balancing legal and safety constraints.
HB 1662 requires New Hampshire's Housing Finance Authority (HFA) to offer loan guarantees for accessory dwelling unit (ADU) development. The bill directs the HFA to provide guarantees covering 80-100% of a loan amount based on the completed ADU's appraised value, with an annual cap of $100 million in total guarantees. It directly affects ADU developers and homeowners seeking financing, as well as approved lenders participating in the program. The bill appropriates $25,000 for administrative costs in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, funded from the General Fund.
SB 556 amends New Hampshire's solid waste management laws to include used syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of "special waste." It makes improper disposal of this waste a felony, with individuals facing a class B felony charge and organizations facing a standard felony charge. The law directly affects healthcare facilities, clinics, and any entity handling medical waste, requiring proper disposal through designated channels. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not impose direct state or local costs but may impact judicial and correctional systems.
HB 1570 requires New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to obtain written approval from their local budget authority before entering federal immigration enforcement agreements (Section 287(g) agreements with ICE). The budget authority must review the agreement, consider the estimated yearly cost to the agency (including employee hours), and notify residents before authorizing participation. Agencies must submit quarterly reports detailing costs, officer activities, and federal reimbursements, and the budget authority can terminate the agreement at any time due to cost concerns. Failure to comply results in the state withholding all state funding from the agency.
HB 1271 clarifies definitions and expands the use of third-party inspectors for building permits in New Hampshire, primarily affecting property owners and contractors installing solar energy systems. The bill defines "approved agencies" (including engineers, architects, and licensed electricians) to review construction documents and inspect buildings, including solar photovoltaic arrays and battery storage. It requires municipalities to grant approved agencies equal access to permit documents and mandates acceptance of solar applications submitted through an online "instant permitting platform," which automatically approves applications unless deficiencies are noted within 5 business days. This streamlines solar project approvals while maintaining state code compliance oversight.
SB 452 creates a new legal framework allowing unlicensed practitioners to offer certain complementary and alternative health care services (like acupuncture or nutritional counseling not covered by standard medical practice) without needing state licensing. It directly affects unlicensed providers and their patients, requiring providers to disclose their unlicensed status, share qualifications, and obtain written consent before offering services. The bill prohibits providers from performing surgery, prescribing drugs, manipulating spines, or advising patients to stop licensed medical treatments. It also mandates clear client disclosures about the provider's lack of licensure and maintains existing licensing requirements for standard medical practitioners.
HB 1530 requires landowners to notify neighbors and hold a public meeting before removing beaver dams or significantly lowering water levels in "shared" beaver impoundments (ponds or wetlands affecting multiple properties) outside emergency situations. It applies directly to landowners, municipalities, and property managers who want to disturb such dams for non-urgent reasons, like protecting property or infrastructure. The bill mandates 30 days' written notice to affected neighbors and a public informational meeting 15 days before action, published in local media or online. Exceptions include immediate threats to life/property, or installing flow devices (which require no notice). This aims to balance property protection with community input on shared water resources.
HB 1830 requires all New Hampshire public schools to provide annual firearm safety education to students in grades K-12 as part of health, physical education, or civics classes. The training must be age-appropriate - focusing on avoidance and reporting for grades K-5, and expanding to safe handling, storage, and legal responsibilities for grades 6-12 - using dummy firearms or multimedia resources (no live weapons). Parents may opt their children out under existing procedures, and school districts must report compliance annually to the state. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop the curriculum by 2027 but provides no state funding, relying instead on grants and external resources.
