Budget & Taxes

passed both · New Hampshire · Senate May 14, 2026

CACR 12: the adoption of tax laws.

This constitutional amendment (CACR 12) would require a two-thirds vote in both the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives to pass new broad-based taxes, such as income, sales, or capital gains taxes. It directly affects the legislative process for enacting new taxes that broadly impact many residents or businesses, not existing tax laws. The key mechanism is changing the constitutional requirement for such taxes from a simple majority to a supermajority vote. If approved by voters in 2026, this would apply to all new broad-based tax legislation moving forward.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires supermajority vote to enact new broad-based taxes, restricting legislative ability to pass such taxes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 603: relative to the funding of the SNAP program by the department of health and human services.

SB 603 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to internally transfer existing state funds to cover any shortfall in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding caused by reduced federal support. It applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period and mandates that transfers exceeding $100,000 require approval from the Fiscal Committee, governor, and council. The bill does not provide new funding or create new costs; it simply directs the department to reallocate current resources to maintain SNAP operations. This addresses an expected $4.6 million state cost increase starting October 2026 due to federal funding changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no net fiscal impact as it only shifts existing funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing funds to maintain SNAP coverage during federal shortfalls, protecting essential nutrition program funding without new costs or defunding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 1609: limiting the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for construction and operation of certain immigrant detention facilities.

HB 1609 prohibits New Hampshire state, county, and municipal governments from using public funds or property to build, operate, or pay for immigrant detention facilities, particularly those managed by private companies. It bans spending on construction, renovation, repurposing public property for detention, selling public property for such use, and making payments to private detention operators. The bill does not affect existing 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities or the provision of health and safety services to detained individuals. Counties may face potential revenue losses if they stop cooperating with federal immigration programs, but municipalities are not expected to have financial impacts.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts public funds for detention facilities, defunding a specific government spending area per its prohibition on using state/municipal funds for such operations.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDefunds immigrant detention facilities, restricting public funding for correctional facilities under criminal justice system.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits state funds for immigrant detention facilities, restricting state-level immigration enforcement. Explicitly limits public funding for detention operations, aligning with 'defund' indicator.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1427: limiting the authority of a municipality, county, or school district to issue bonds.

HB 1427 restricts municipalities, counties, and school districts in New Hampshire from issuing bonds except for declared emergencies, repairs to critical infrastructure (like water systems or public safety facilities), securing matching federal funds, or voter approval through a majority vote. The bill prohibits most bond issuance after January 1, 2027, with a temporary 4-year transition period (until 2031) allowing limited bonds under strict budget caps. Violations would make bonds voidable by taxpayers, with courts able to award legal fees to successful plaintiffs. This directly affects local governments’ ability to finance projects without meeting these specific criteria.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts local bond issuance authority for most projects, limiting fiscal flexibility and spending options under budget management.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school districts' bond authority for infrastructure projects (a key funding mechanism), limiting their ability to finance school improvements and capital investments per bill's explicit provisions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1803: rendering a recipient of an education tax credit scholarship ineligible to receive education freedom account funds in the same program year.

HB 1803 prohibits students from receiving both education tax credit scholarships (under RSA 77-G:2) and education freedom account funds (under RSA 194-F:2) in the same program year. This directly affects students currently using or eligible for both programs, requiring them to choose one funding source per year. The bill also removes an additional $2,036 grant for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) when students in either program enroll part-time, shifting tuition responsibility to families. These changes aim to prevent duplicate funding and adjust state payments for specific school enrollments.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts dual funding for education programs, removing $2,036 grant for VLACS during part-time enrollment, limiting fiscal options and defunding overlapping programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts dual funding access by prohibiting combined use of tax credit scholarships and freedom accounts, limiting educational financial options for students.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1580: relative to the taxation of non-primary residences.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new 0.75% annual tax surcharge on non-primary residences to generate state revenue, directly advancing taxation policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 675: limiting total central office administrative expenses by school districts and requiring reporting of central office administrative expenses to the department of education.

HB 675 increases the statewide education property tax revenue cap to $773 million for 2025 and requires municipalities to remit excess tax collections to the state education trust fund. It limits school district spending growth on non-facilities expenses by tying annual appropriations to the 3-year average Consumer Price Index (CPI), with stricter rules after 2027. The bill also raises the base per-pupil adequacy cost from $4,100 to $7,356 and mandates annual reporting of district spending to the Department of Education. These changes directly affect school districts and municipalities managing education funding, effective July 1, 2025. (Note: The bill’s title mentioning "central office expenses" does not align with the actual provisions; this summary reflects the actual tax and spending mechanisms described in the bill text.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises per-pupil adequacy cost from $4,100 to $7,356 and mandates remittance of excess tax collections to state education trust fund, directly increasing education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises base per-pupil adequacy cost from $4,100 to $7,356 and increases education property tax revenue cap to $773M, directly increasing school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 572: establishing the "partners in housing" program, an initiative under the housing champions fund to assist municipalities, counties, and developers in building workforce housing, and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 572 establishes the "Partners in Housing" program, a low-interest loan and grant program under the Housing Champions Fund to help municipalities, counties, and developers build workforce housing. The program prioritizes single-family starter homes, duplexes, small apartment buildings, and "missing middle housing" on municipally-owned land suitable for residential development, with $2 million of the $10 million total funding specifically allocated for this initiative. Municipalities can identify suitable public land for housing development, which would be added to a statewide list prioritized for program funding, and projects must include at least 20% affordable units for 20 years. The program also includes expedited review processes for qualifying projects to speed up development. The bill appropriates $10 million for the Housing Champions Fund, with $500,000 designated for program administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10M in state funds (including $2M specifically) for workforce housing program under Housing Champions Fund, directly advancing state budget spending on public housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes low-interest loans/grants for workforce housing development, prioritizes affordable housing types with $2M allocated from $10M fund.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 204: relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 204 requires New Hampshire school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students from households earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level during school hours. It reimburses schools at 50% of the difference between federal free meal rates and paid/reduced rates, with local districts covering the remaining 50%. The bill appropriates $500,000 to help districts implement online applications for meal eligibility and covers administrative costs for the Department of Education. This directly affects public school districts and low-income students, expanding meal access while establishing a new online application process for qualifying families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $500,000 to fund school meal program, directly supporting state budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free school meals for low-income students, reimburses districts, and appropriates $500k to expand access, directly strengthening educational equity and student well-being.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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