HB 1596 raises New Hampshire's cigarette and little cigar tax from $1.78 to $2.80 per pack of 20, increasing revenue for state funds. It appropriates $18 million annually to New Hampshire's university system to restore higher education funding to 2024 levels. The bill also stops collecting premiums for two health programs: the Children's Health Insurance Program and the NH Granite Advantage health care program. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, with tobacco tax revenue funding the university appropriation and education trust fund.
SB 407 appropriates $300 per full-time, in-state eligible student enrolled in New Hampshire's university system starting in fiscal year 2027, to reduce in-state tuition costs. It applies to students who qualify for in-state tuition rates and requires annual calculation of eligible students on October 1. The total annual appropriation is capped at $5.4 million, with funds drawn from the General Fund and non-lapsing (carrying over if unused). This bill directly affects in-state undergraduate students at the University System of New Hampshire by providing state funding to lower their tuition expenses.
HB 1493 requires all New Hampshire public school districts to incorporate a specific, scientifically accurate video into health education curricula. The video must demonstrate the gestational development of the heart, brain, and other vital organs during embryonic and fetal stages. This applies to all students in the health curriculum, with the requirement effective September 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the video be age-appropriate and medically verified, but does not specify which video or impose direct costs on schools.
HB 1810 imposes a $4 fee per ton (or equivalent) on bulk road salt, road salt mix, and brine sold in New Hampshire to fund certified winter road maintenance practices. The fee is collected annually by bulk sellers (e.g., suppliers to municipalities, businesses, or state agencies) and deposited into a dedicated road salt mitigation fund. Sellers must file annual returns with the Department of Revenue Administration, maintain sales records for three years, and provide receipts showing the fee paid. This policy directly affects road salt bulk sellers and ensures funds support certified winter road maintenance programs across the state.
HB 1145 allows New Hampshire municipalities to impose fees on new developments (like housing projects or subdivisions) that don’t meet local affordable housing requirements. These fees must be kept separate from general city funds and spent *only* on affordable housing - through state housing authorities, community development programs, or local housing agencies. Fees are collected at key development stages (e.g., when a building permit is issued) and must be reported annually on how they’re used. The bill gives municipalities flexibility to set fee amounts based on local needs but requires strict transparency in spending.
HB 1232 requires New Hampshire health insurers to reimburse telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services when the telemedicine code is substantially equivalent to an in-person code. Insurers that fail to comply face administrative fines of up to $2,500 per violation, and repeated violations (three or more in five years) could trigger license suspension. Affected individuals may also sue for court costs and attorney fees if an insurer violates the law repeatedly. The bill applies to all health insurers offering plans in New Hampshire and takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 480 is a procedural bill directing the Judiciary Committee to complete its study on restoring competency to stand trial for criminal defendants. It requires the committee to submit any additional recommendations by July 1, 2025, following their November 2024 report. The bill does not change existing laws or directly affect defendants, courts, or legal procedures. It solely sets a deadline for the committee’s final recommendations to legislative leaders. This is a study-related measure, not a substantive policy change.
SB 189 updates New Hampshire's requirements for documenting and reporting fetal deaths. The bill mandates that hospitals and medical providers file electronic fetal death reports for deaths occurring in facilities, or paper worksheets for non-facility deaths, with specific details including fetal information, maternal health history, and disposition methods. It revises procedures for completing paternity affidavits to add fathers' names to records and updates burial permit requirements for fetal remains. These changes affect hospitals, healthcare providers, and the Division of Vital Records, streamlining documentation while adding standardized data collection. The bill was requested by the secretary of state to modernize existing procedures.
This resolution affirms that improving digital access and skills is critical for older Americans (ages 65+), who face significant barriers: about 25% didn’t use the internet in 2021, and 42% lacked home broadband access in 2020. It recommends that New Hampshire support state-led efforts to expand affordable internet, fund community-based digital literacy programs (like library workshops and intergenerational mentoring), and partner with senior centers and health services to provide training. The resolution also urges continued funding for existing broadband programs and encourages private-sector partnerships to provide devices and tech support. As a non-binding resolution, it aims to guide state actions and encourage collaboration with federal agencies and organizations like AARP.
HB 1017 allows New Hampshire towns to count accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) toward their local workforce housing goals. It requires that ADUs meet specific affordability standards and lets municipalities enforce these standards through legal agreements recorded with property deeds. The bill directly affects local governments and property owners who develop or manage ADUs. This change modifies how towns calculate existing housing obligations without creating new state-level requirements.
HB 1008 clarifies the definition of "inclusionary zoning" to include voluntary incentives like density bonuses or streamlined applications that encourage affordable housing development. It expands local government options for promoting affordable housing and creates a new process allowing developers to propose alternative compliance methods for inclusionary zoning requirements. If a planning board disagrees with an applicant's alternative solution, the bill permits third-party review under existing law. This directly affects municipalities establishing housing policies and developers seeking to build affordable units under local ordinances. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
CACR 16 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new right to the New Hampshire Constitution, protecting individuals who own property or have a legal right to occupy it from being prohibited from sleeping there. The amendment states that no law or ordinance may restrict this activity solely because it involves sleeping, as long as the person's presence on the property is otherwise lawful. It directly affects property owners and tenants with legal occupancy rights by preventing local governments from criminalizing sleeping on their own property or property they lawfully occupy. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 general election to take effect.
