Budget & Taxes

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 605: relative to special assessment requests from pooled risk management programs.

SB 605 extends the payment timeline for special assessments issued by pooled risk management programs to local governments. It requires political subdivisions (such as towns, cities, and counties) to pay these assessments over 36 months from the invoice date, in equal installments, instead of immediately. The bill does not create new assessment requirements but changes the payment schedule for existing ones. This provides local governments with more time to manage cash flow for these costs, without altering the total amount owed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends payment timeline for local government assessments, promoting fiscal responsibility by easing cash flow management without changing total costs.95% confidence

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1359: relative to municipal association lobbying dues.

HB 1359 requires cities, towns, village districts, and school districts in New Hampshire to obtain a recorded vote (roll call or ballot) from their governing body before using public funds for membership in municipal associations like the New Hampshire Municipal Association. It mandates that associations provide members with an itemized breakdown of lobbying expenses and separate dues for lobbying versus non-lobbying services, 60 days before dues payment. Municipalities must secure a separate two-thirds vote approval for any funding allocated specifically to lobbying activities. The bill also prohibits associations from withholding non-lobbying services from members who decline to fund lobbying. This applies to all public funds spent on association memberships, with the law taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized lobbying expense breakdowns and recorded votes for municipal association dues, promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in public spending.95% confidence

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1293: taxing certain properties owned by charitable or non-profit organizations.

HB 1293 would require certain charitable or non-profit organizations to pay property taxes on the value of their properties exceeding $1 million within any municipality. This applies to properties owned, used, and occupied directly for the organization's charitable purposes, but only on the portion above the $1 million threshold. Municipalities can choose to raise the exemption amount through a town meeting or city vote, and voluntary tax payment agreements (under RSA 72:23-n) would override this rule during their term. The law takes effect April 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands municipal tax base by requiring non-profits to pay property taxes on properties exceeding $1M, closing an exemption loophole to increase revenue.90% confidence

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 1800: relative to statewide education property taxes.

HB 1800 increases the statewide education property tax rate to $5 per $1,000 of property valuation starting in 2027, affecting all property taxpayers. It creates tax credits for primary homeowners (20%), residents without school-age children (10%), and seniors over 65 (10%), while revising how school funding is calculated to require $10,000 per student and $4,000 per qualifying student annually (with 2% yearly increases). The bill also changes how education tax revenue is distributed to municipalities and repeals statutes related to "extraordinary need grants." These changes aim to fund school districts through revised tax collection and distribution mechanisms, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases education property tax rate to fund $10k/student school funding with annual 2% increases, directly advancing public education budget priorities.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases education property tax to fund $10,000/student base with 2% annual increases, directly strengthening school funding requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1660: relative to municipal credit enhancement agreements and tax increment financing for priority housing development.

HB 1660 allows New Hampshire municipalities to use project-based credit enhancement agreements (CEAs) to incentivize specific housing developments without requiring a full tax increment financing (TIF) district. It directly affects municipalities and developers building qualifying housing projects, such as senior housing, skilled care facilities, workforce housing, or other community-identified housing needs. The bill clarifies that housing-related captured tax revenue will be excluded from equalized property valuation calculations, preventing towns from facing artificially inflated state tax bases. This change streamlines support for housing projects while excluding conversions of existing homes, luxury developments, or individually owned units like single-family homes. The law aims to address housing shortages by making municipal financial tools more accessible for housing-focused initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables municipalities to use tax increment financing for housing development, advancing fiscal tools for budget management and housing funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables municipalities to incentivize affordable housing projects (workforce, senior) via CEAs without full TIF, advancing development through financial mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Revenue Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1714: authorizing the state to issue bonds to fund public school expenses.

HB 1714 authorizes New Hampshire to issue up to $1.08 billion in bonds to support public school funding, with proceeds deposited into the state’s Education Trust Fund. The bill requires school districts to submit detailed financial data (including student enrollment and budgets) for public audit to establish statewide funding formulas, while ensuring bond amounts are limited to necessary school funding needs. It does not alter existing education funding formulas but creates a new mechanism for bond financing, with debt service payments projected at approximately $119 million annually starting in 2029 over a 20-year repayment period. The bill directly affects state financial operations and school districts through reporting obligations, but the fiscal note states it will not change current state expenditures to school districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $1.08B in bonds for public school funding, increasing state education spending via new fiscal mechanism with transparency requirements.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $1.08B in bonds for public school funding via Education Trust Fund, strengthening school finances without altering existing formulas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Debt & Bonds School Funding

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passed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1224: relative to the default budget for official ballot town meetings.

HB 1224 modifies how towns calculate their default budget when no new budget is approved by the deadline. It specifically allows funding for vacant public safety positions (like police, fire, or emergency medical roles) that were listed in last year's approved budget, provided they remain vacant before the previous budget was approved. Unspent funds for these positions must reduce local taxes instead of being reallocated to other budget areas. This change directly affects New Hampshire towns using the default budget process for official ballot town meetings. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates unspent funds for vacant public safety roles reduce local taxes, providing direct tax relief per bill language.95% confidence

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 637: relative to certain tax credits for purchase from New Hampshire farms.

SB 637 creates a tax credit for New Hampshire grocery stores that purchase at least 10% of their products from registered local farms, requiring them to reduce prices on those items by 10%. The credit equals 10% of qualifying purchases and can offset the store’s business profits tax liability, with unused portions carryable for up to five years. Grocery stores must verify purchases from farms in a voluntary state registry and provide proof of price discounts. This policy directly affects grocery stores and supports New Hampshire farms by incentivizing local sourcing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates business tax credit reducing tax liability for grocery stores sourcing local farms, providing direct tax relief through a structured credit mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1243: relative to contracting and investment decisions by executive branch agencies.

HB 1243 requires all New Hampshire executive branch agencies (like departments and commissions) to base every contracting and investment decision solely on directly benefiting state citizens. The bill mandates that agencies certify contracts meet this standard and prohibits considering any purpose unrelated to providing citizens with goods, services, or benefits - except for federal law compliance or multistate programs that directly help residents. It has minimal fiscal impact, costing less than $10,000 annually through 2029, and applies to all state agencies making purchasing or investment choices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates agencies to base spending solely on citizen benefits, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management with no tax or funding changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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passed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 483: making a contingent appropriation to the department of health and human services for recruitment and benefit grants for child care employers.

SB 483 provides $15 million in state General Fund money to the Department of Health and Human Services if federal TANF funds cannot be used for child care employer grants. This backup funding would directly support New Hampshire child care employers through recruitment and benefit grants, helping them attract and retain staff. The bill triggers this state appropriation only if the federal government fails to approve or denies the use of TANF funds for this purpose by July 1, 2026. The $15 million is nonlapsing, meaning it remains available for use in fiscal year 2027 without needing annual reapproval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M from state General Fund to fund child care employer grants, strengthening public service funding if federal TANF fails to approve.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides $15M state funding for child care employer recruitment/benefit grants, directly supporting staff retention and workplace stability for workers in child care sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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