HB 1717 reorganizes New Hampshire's family court system by establishing the "judicial branch family division" as a statutory court (not constitutional), replacing "marital masters" with administrative law judges. It requires all family matters for a single family to be handled by one administrative law judge in a geographically accessible court, mandates full judicial review of all recommendations, and ensures constitutional protections for children's rights in all proceedings. The bill directly affects families involved in divorce, custody, child support, and other family law cases handled in the state's family courts. Key mechanisms include standardized training for administrative law judges, mandatory consent acknowledgments before hearings, and explicit requirements for judicial review to prevent infringement of fundamental rights.
HB 1139 clarifies the legal definition of "secured premises" for criminal trespass laws in New Hampshire. It requires property owners to post clear, durable signs (with owner name/address, 2-inch block letters) every 100 yards and at entrances to establish a "secured premises," making unauthorized entry a trespass offense. The bill also mandates signs be visible from public roads and clearly state "private property" restrictions, while requiring landowners to provide reasonable alternative access for public recreational areas like trails. This directly affects property owners (especially rural landowners and those with hunting/trail access) and law enforcement handling trespass cases.
SB 437 requires election officials to add a new line to their voter registration reports that tracks how many people were denied registration due to missing required documents, such as proof of age, citizenship, or residency. Officials would also note whether the denial specifically related to inability to prove age, citizenship, domicile, or identity. This bill does not change voter registration rules but mandates this standardized reporting for transparency. The requirement applies to all election officials submitting these reports under New Hampshire law.
SB 602, titled the "Protect Our Money Act," requires New Hampshire to withhold state payments owed to the federal government if federal aid to the state is suspended by a presidential executive order or court order violation. The state commissioner must calculate the lost federal aid amount, report it to the legislature within 60 days, and withhold an equivalent sum from upcoming state payments to the federal government. Once the suspended federal aid is restored, the withheld funds must be paid to the federal government. This bill directly affects New Hampshire's state budget and payment obligations to the federal government.
HB 1707 imposes an additional tax on properties left unoccupied for six or more months annually or used as short-term rentals for that period, requiring owners to pay the full local property taxes owed. It also creates a one-time exemption from the real estate transfer tax for first-time homebuyers with household incomes at or below 100% of the HUD-defined median for their area, who do not own other property. The tax applies to property owners, while the exemption directly benefits qualifying low- and moderate-income homebuyers. The bill takes effect April 1, 2027, with a $300,000 estimated one-time implementation cost.
HB 1605 establishes a new State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office within New Hampshire's Department of Safety. The office, staffed by 3-5 analysts and 2-5 investigators (requiring military or equivalent intelligence training), will identify and counter threats from foreign adversaries like China and Russia, cartels, and terrorist groups targeting critical infrastructure, elite capture, or societal disruption. It requires quarterly briefings to the legislature, mandates independent verification of intelligence (not sharing personal data without corroboration), and appropriates $6 million for salaries, secure equipment, and operations through 2027. This office directly affects state government operations and focuses on enhancing New Hampshire's ability to assess and respond to specific external threats.
HB 1055 requires school boards and charter school boards to create annual policies prohibiting student cell phone and personal communication device use during instructional time (from the first bell to dismissal), with exceptions for medical devices, disabilities (as defined in IEPs or 504 plans), or language support needs. The bill grants the state board of education authority to establish rules governing these school policies under RSA 541-A. It directly affects all public and charter schools, students, and school administrators by mandating specific device-use restrictions and requiring collaboration with parents and teachers in policy development. The law aims to standardize device policies while ensuring accommodations for students with documented medical, disability, or language learning needs.
HB 1074 extends the deadline for agents to submit OHRV and snowmobile registration fees from the 14th to the last business day of each month. This affects agents (such as dealers or offices) who collect these fees on behalf of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The bill modifies state law to provide additional time for processing and remitting collected fees without penalty. It does not change fee amounts or requirements for vehicle owners.
HB 1304 requires that all written or oral examinations for individuals seeking guide licenses must be administered exclusively by conservation officers from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. This change directly affects people applying for guide licenses in hunting and fishing, as it replaces current exam administration procedures. The bill amends RSA 215:5 to specify that only conservation officers may conduct these examinations, removing previous options for other administrators. The provision takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.
HB 1480 increases New Hampshire's meals and rooms tax rate from 8.5% to 9% for businesses selling meals and lodging (like restaurants and hotels). This change directly affects those businesses, requiring them to collect the higher tax from customers and remit it to the state. The bill amends tax code sections to reflect the new rate, impacting revenue collected on taxable meals and room rentals. The fiscal note estimates this will generate approximately $20-28 million annually in additional state revenue for the General Fund and Education Trust Fund starting in 2027.
HB 1626 requires the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs to measure and report the return on investment (ROI) for tourism promotional programs exceeding $10,000. The bill mandates that the department calculate ROI for these programs and explain the methodology used. This data must be included in the department’s annual report to the governor, legislature, and state officials, detailing program effectiveness. The bill does not provide new funding, with the department estimating annual costs of $350,000-$500,000 for the required research and analysis.
HB 1580 imposes a 0.75% annual surcharge on the assessed value of residential properties not used as the owner’s primary residence (defined as living there 183+ days yearly and listing it for voter/driver’s license/tax purposes). It directly affects owners of second homes, vacation properties, or vacant residential properties (including single-family homes, condos, and mobile homes). Key exemptions include primary residences, long-term rentals (6+ months), properties under $500,000, and those qualifying for existing tax exemptions. Revenue collected must be used by municipalities to reduce property taxes or fund local services like schools and infrastructure. The bill takes effect April 1, 2027.
