HB 1760 repeals a requirement that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services seek a waiver to impose pharmacy copayments and premiums on Medicaid beneficiaries, including those in the New Hampshire Advantage Health Care Program and the Children's Health Insurance Program. It removes specific law sections (2025, 141:65; RSA 126-AA:2-a; and RSA 126-A:3, IX) that would have mandated these cost-sharing measures. The bill appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to cover the resulting revenue shortfall for the 2026-2027 biennium. This change directly eliminates new costs for Medicaid participants while maintaining program funding stability.
HB 1227 modifies how local tax caps are calculated for towns and school districts in New Hampshire. It requires that new annual debt payments from bond votes (approved at meetings) be added to the tax base once repayment begins. This change affects the calculation of the base amount used to determine the annual tax cap limit, which is adjusted for inflation and population changes. The bill applies to existing tax caps without needing towns to re-adopt them, effective 60 days after passage.
HB 366 increases the annual funding floor for New Hampshire school building aid grants from $50 million to $60 million, starting July 2025. It requires at least $5 million of this total to fund projects that began construction between 2009 and 2019 but were delayed due to prior funding limitations, prioritizing these under existing application rules. This change directly affects school districts seeking construction or renovation funding, with local districts expected to receive an estimated $45-50 million more annually starting in 2026. The bill does not create new state spending but adjusts existing appropriations from the Education Trust Fund.
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.
HB 1826 increases New Hampshire's per-pupil funding rate for public schools starting in 2027, raising the base cost from $4,100 to $4,438 per student. It also adjusts differentiated aid for specific student groups: increasing free/reduced lunch support from $2,300 to $2,441 per qualifying student, English language learners from $800 to $866, and special education services from $2,100 to $3,203 per student. This bill directly affects all public school districts in New Hampshire, particularly those serving students who qualify for these targeted supports. The fiscal note estimates it will increase state education spending by approximately $27 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028, primarily through the Education Trust Fund.
HB 1799 defines what constitutes a "constitutionally adequate education" in New Hampshire, requiring the state to fund specific resources to ensure all students have access to quality education regardless of location. The bill mandates funding for key staff (teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses), instructional materials, technology, facilities maintenance, and transportation starting in 2026. It directs school districts and the state to develop plans addressing educational outcome disparities between districts. This directly affects public school districts and the state's education budget, shifting responsibility to cover these defined costs rather than relying solely on local property taxes.
HB 1661 expands New Hampshire's Housing Finance Authority's "Community Heroes" program to provide homeownership assistance to essential workers. It appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $1.5 million annually thereafter from the General Fund to fund the program, with no more than 10% allowed for administrative costs. The program specifically targets eligible workers in healthcare, childcare, elder care, law enforcement, firefighting, education, and active military service, allowing them to use funds for down payments, closing costs, or interest rate reductions. The bill requires the Housing Finance Authority to establish rules defining eligibility and takes effect July 1, 2028, for the annual appropriation.
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.
HB 97 appropriates $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Services. This funding supports approved wastewater infrastructure projects under state law, directly benefiting local wastewater systems and communities requiring upgrades. The money is nonlapsing, meaning unused funds carry over to future years, and must be used for projects approved by June 30, 2026. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with no new state positions created.
HB 295 makes funds allocated for New Hampshire's school building aid program nonlapsing, meaning unused money won't expire or return to the state treasury at year-end. This directly affects school districts and chartered public schools that receive these funds for building projects. The key provision changes the funding status under RSA 198:15-a, ensuring aid can carry over to future years if not spent in the current fiscal period. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, providing more stable long-term funding for school construction needs.
