Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 417: relative to repealing the communications services tax.

HB 417 would reduce the communications services tax rate from 7% to 4% for the 2026 tax year and completely repeal the tax effective July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects businesses providing communications services in New Hampshire, including phone, internet, and cable services. The legislation removes the tax from state law by repealing RSA 82-A and amending other sections to eliminate references to the communications services tax. Based on 2024 revenue data of $30.6 million, the repeal is expected to reduce annual state revenue by approximately $30.6 million starting in fiscal year 2027. The Department of Revenue Administration will need to update tax forms and systems but anticipates no additional administrative costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals communications tax, providing tax relief for businesses providing services, directly reducing tax burden per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue

Track

passed both · New Hampshire · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 246: directing the state conservation committee to implement the conservation district climate resilience grant program and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 246 directs New Hampshire's state conservation committee to implement a climate resilience grant program for the state's 10 county conservation districts. It appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the General Fund to fund this program. The grants will support local conservation groups in developing projects to adapt to climate impacts, such as extreme weather or changing ecosystems. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funds distributed by the state conservation committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $50k/year from General Fund for climate resilience grants, directly funding a new state program through budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $50k annually to fund climate resilience grants for conservation districts, directly supporting adaptation to climate impacts and environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation

Track

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 660: requiring historic horse racing facilities to compensate their host communities with a percentage of the revenue generated from their historic horse racing machines.

HB 660 requires historic horse racing facilities in New Hampshire to pay 10% of their revenue (after breakage and paying winnings to patrons) directly to the municipalities where they operate. This affects all HHR facilities, with host communities like Manchester, Dover, and Seabrook receiving annual payments totaling approximately $14.3 million based on 2024 revenue data. The bill mandates this payment be deposited into the municipality's general fund starting July 1, 2025. This changes how HHR revenue is distributed, shifting funds from state Lottery revenue streams to local governments. The fiscal note confirms this would increase local revenue by $14.3 million annually while decreasing state Lottery revenue by $2.3 million per year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 10% of HHR revenue to municipal general funds, increasing local government revenue without new taxes, supporting municipal budgeting and fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 136: establishing an uncompensated care assessment, fund, and committee within the department of insurance.

SB 136 creates a state fund to cover medically necessary care for uninsured patients by imposing a surcharge on commercial health insurers, reinsurers, and certain self-insured plans (including state/municipal plans). The fund, managed by the Department of Insurance, will support non-profit safety-net health providers who treat uninsured individuals who don’t qualify for government programs. Insurers must pay the assessment directly without passing costs to consumers via higher premiums, and an advisory committee will determine annual assessment levels and fund distribution. The program will begin in January 2026, with assessments collected quarterly starting in 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund via insurer surcharge to cover uncompensated care for uninsured, funding essential safety-net healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state fund via insurer assessments to cover uninsured patients' care, supporting safety-net providers without cost-shifting to consumers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 716: making an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program.

HB 716 appropriates $3 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and $3 million for 2026-2027 from the General Fund to New Hampshire's community college system. The funds specifically support scholarships and program operations for the state's dual and concurrent enrollment program, which allows high school students to earn college credits. This appropriation is non-lapsing, meaning unspent funds carry forward to subsequent years. The bill directly affects community colleges and eligible high school students participating in this dual-enrollment program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $6M total from General Fund for dual enrollment program scholarships and operations, directly increasing public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $6M total for dual enrollment scholarships and operations, directly expanding K-12 college credit access and funding higher education pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 197: relative to payment by the state of a portion of retirement system contributions of political subdivision employers.

HB 197 requires the state to pay 7.5% of retirement contributions for group I teachers and group II members (including local police and firefighters) employed by cities, towns, and other local governments. This shifts the payment responsibility from local employers to the state, beginning in fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects local governments that fund these retirement contributions, reducing their costs by approximately $28 million annually starting in 2026. The state will cover this 7.5% share using General Fund resources, while local governments will see a corresponding decrease in their retirement-related expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShifts state funding responsibility to cover 7.5% of local retirement contributions, reducing local government costs by $28M annually and easing fiscal burden on municipalities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

Track

passed both · New Hampshire · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 704: making an appropriation to the retired senior volunteer program.

HB 704 appropriates $862,508 annually (for fiscal years 2026 and 2027) from the state General Fund to support four senior volunteer and caregiver programs. The funding covers the Alzheimer’s caregiver respite program ($552,508), foster grandparent program ($100,000), retired senior volunteer program (RSVP, $180,000), and senior companions program ($30,000). These funds will be allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services to existing programs serving New Hampshire seniors and their caregivers. The bill provides concrete financial support without altering program rules or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $862,508 annually from General Fund to fund senior volunteer programs, advancing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House May 19, 2026

HB 649: relative to the maintenance obligations of motor vehicle operators.

HB 649 eliminates the requirement for physical safety inspections and on-board diagnostic tests for all private passenger vehicles in New Hampshire, effective January 1, 2026. The bill also repeals the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Abatement Fund, which previously received $0.25 from each vehicle inspection fee. This change will reduce state revenue by approximately $1.7 million in fiscal year 2026, with annual decreases of $3.4 million thereafter, and will impact municipal highway fund block grants that receive 12% of vehicle inspection revenue. The bill affects all passenger vehicle owners who would have been required to undergo inspections and alters the funding structure for vehicle safety and environmental programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates inspection fees and repeals fund, reducing state revenue by $1.7M in 2026 and $3.4M annually, defunding state budget.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Abatement Fund, eliminating $0.25/inspection revenue for pollution control, reducing environmental protection funding.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates vehicle safety inspections and repeals pollution fund, reducing highway infrastructure revenue by $3.4M annually.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Air Quality Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 63: relative to funding for the division of travel and tourism.

SB 63 changes how the Division of Travel and Tourism in New Hampshire is funded by adjusting the calculation of meals and rooms tax revenue. Currently, the division receives 3.15% of the "net income" from this tax, which excludes transfers to the Municipal Revenue Fund. The bill adds back that transfer amount to the calculation, increasing the funding base. Based on 2024 data, this would raise annual funding from $10.2 million to $14.3 million (a $4.1 million increase). The change applies to future budgets starting with the 2028-2029 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tourism division funding by $4.1M annually through adjusted tax revenue calculation, directly advancing public service funding within budget/tax framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 595: relative to coastal resilience zones.

HB 595 adds flood resiliency improvements to the definition of qualifying improvements for C-PACE and R-PACE funding, helping property owners finance flood mitigation measures. It enables municipalities to offer property tax abatements or freezes for flood resilience projects and to assess fees on properties in flood resilience zones to fund a non-lapsing flood resilience investment fund. The bill also appropriates $500,000 for a statewide analysis of flood risk mitigation costs and benefits. These provisions directly affect property owners in flood-prone areas and municipalities seeking to implement flood resilience programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables property tax abatements, funds flood resilience via municipal fees, and appropriates $500k - provides tax relief and new funding mechanisms for resilience projects.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds flood mitigation via tax incentives and $500k analysis, directly enhancing coastal resilience against climate impacts95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Coastal & Flood Protection

Track