Budget & Taxes

passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 1566: directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.

HB 1566 creates a backup state funding source to support child care employers in New Hampshire if federal funds cannot be used for recruitment and benefit grants. Specifically, it appropriates $15 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 (starting July 1, 2026) if the federal government denies permission to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reserve funds for this purpose. The bill directly affects New Hampshire child care employers, providing them with grants to improve staff recruitment and benefits. This funding is contingent on the federal government's decision, which the Department of Health and Human Services anticipates will be denied, making the $15 million general fund appropriation likely to be used. The policy change ensures continued support for child care staffing without relying on federal approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M from general fund to fund child care employer grants, directly supporting state budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 1827: requiring the department of education to conduct a confidential criminal history record check on all prospective educational personnel.

HB 1827 establishes a grant program to address funding gaps in New Hampshire school districts that lack sufficient fiscal capacity to provide an adequate education. The bill requires eligible districts to submit annual accountability plans detailing how grant funds will support academic growth in K-12, with progress reports due by January 15 each even year. It applies to all public school districts, including cooperative districts and those with tuition agreements, mandating that districts demonstrate how funds improve student achievement through standardized assessments. Crucially, the bill does not provide new state funding or authorize new positions - only creating a framework for existing Education Trust Fund resources to be allocated based on need. The program will take effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state grant program to address school funding gaps, increasing public education appropriations and fiscal capacity for districts.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program to address school funding gaps for adequate education, requiring accountability plans for K-12 academic growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1480: raising the meals and rooms tax rate.

HB 1480 increases New Hampshire's meals and rooms tax rate from 8.5% to 9% for businesses selling meals and lodging (like restaurants and hotels). This change directly affects those businesses, requiring them to collect the higher tax from customers and remit it to the state. The bill amends tax code sections to reflect the new rate, impacting revenue collected on taxable meals and room rentals. The fiscal note estimates this will generate approximately $20-28 million annually in additional state revenue for the General Fund and Education Trust Fund starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases meals/rooms tax rate to generate $20-28M annually in new state revenue, directly strengthening budget funding through higher tax collection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

Track

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 614: establishing multiple-caregiver self-insured risk coverage arrangements for nonprofit and for-profit providers and servicers.

SB 614 establishes shared insurance programs (pooled risk management) for child care centers and foster family homes to reduce their insurance costs. It requires at least 10 facilities to form a pool, allowing them to collectively manage risks like liability, property damage, and workers' compensation. The program must operate as a legal entity under New Hampshire law, undergo annual financial audits, and be exempt from standard state insurance regulation and taxation. This directly affects child care centers and foster family homes by providing a lower-cost alternative to traditional insurance through collective risk-sharing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts pooled insurance programs from state taxation, providing tax relief for child care centers and foster homes per bill's tax exemption provision.92% confidence

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1654: requiring a property owner to pay all taxes or charges on their property prior to being issued certain building or occupancy permits.

HB 1654 requires property owners to pay all back taxes and other charges on their property before being issued certain building or occupancy permits. The bill amends state law to allow building inspectors, with local legislative authorization, to withhold these permits until all outstanding financial obligations are settled. This directly affects property owners with unpaid taxes who seek to build or occupy a property. The key mechanism is that permit issuance is contingent on full payment of all taxes and charges due on the property.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires full tax payment before permits, promoting fiscal responsibility by ensuring collection of outstanding obligations and preventing revenue loss for state budgets.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRequires tax payment before permits, creating financial barrier to housing development and limiting new construction, aligning with 'limits housing development' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Building Codes Landlords Property Taxes

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1786: relative to creating a state assessment on non-homestead luxury second homes to fund statewide housing development programs and address housing shortages and making appropriations therefor.

HB 1786 imposes a semi-annual state assessment on residential properties valued over $1 million that are not used as a primary residence (luxury second homes), directly affecting owners of such properties. The revenue generated funds statewide housing development programs, including $15 million for workforce training in building trades and municipal grants for housing production. Key provisions include creating a dedicated fund for demolishing vacant buildings, expanding tax credits for housing infrastructure, and establishing a commission to study state financing for housing. The bill aims to address New Hampshire's housing shortage by leveraging new revenue to support affordable housing construction and workforce development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on luxury second homes to fund housing programs, directly advancing fiscal allocation for essential services under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing development via luxury home tax, allocates $15M for workforce training and municipal grants, and creates dedicated fund for vacant building demolition.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $15M for workforce training in building trades, directly advancing labor and employment through skills development for construction jobs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes Workforce Development

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1835: relative to the formula for distribution of aid to school districts.

HB 1835 updates New Hampshire's funding formula for special education by requiring the state to reimburse school districts 80% of the actual costs for services provided to students with disabilities, as defined by federal law (IDEA). This reimbursement must be paid within 90 days of the district submitting billing information, addressing delays in current funding cycles. School districts can now borrow funds in advance of receiving state payments and count those borrowed amounts as revenue when setting property tax rates. The bill directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities and aims to align state payments more closely with documented special education expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 80% state reimbursement for special education costs, increasing state budget allocation for public education funding within 90 days of billing.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires 80% state reimbursement for special education costs within 90 days, directly increasing funding for school districts serving students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding Special Education

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1296: relative to the conditions for, and procedures for the adoption of, the elderly tax exemption.

HB 1296 raises the income and asset thresholds for New Hampshire's elderly property tax exemption, directly affecting residents aged 65+ who own their homes. It increases the maximum allowable annual income for single seniors from $13,400 to $23,300 (and for married couples from $20,400 to $35,500), while raising the asset limit from $35,000 to $60,900. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these thresholds based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, starting in 2026. Municipalities must apply these updated minimums automatically, though they may set higher limits if desired.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemption thresholds for seniors, providing tax relief to lower-income elderly residents by raising income/asset limits and adding inflation adjustments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Seniors

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1823: requiring every school, school district, and school administrative unit to produce independent audits and financial reports to be posted publicly and sent to the department of education and the department of revenue administration.

HB 1823 requires all schools, school districts, and school administrative units receiving state funding to conduct annual independent audits and publicly post the reports on their websites. The audits must be submitted to the Department of Education and Department of Revenue Administration within 180 days after the fiscal year ends. If audits reveal significant financial issues, schools must submit quarterly financial reports to the Department of Education until resolved, and non-compliance may result in withheld state funding. This bill directly affects all 179 school districts and 35 charter schools in New Hampshire, mandating greater financial transparency and accountability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires school financial audits for transparency, promoting fiscal responsibility in public fund management per bill's audit mandates and submission requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1207: relative to certain laws applicable to state chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, and other consumer credit entities subject to the authority of the banking department.

HB 1207 raises annual fees for New Hampshire state-chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, and family trust companies. It establishes a $28,000 annual fixed base fee for most institutions (excluding family trust companies, which pay $11,000) and creates an asset-based assessment system for funding the Banking Department. The bill also eases restrictions for individuals with felony convictions to obtain mortgage loan originator licenses. These changes directly affect financial institutions operating under the Banking Department’s authority and mortgage professionals seeking licensure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises annual fees for financial institutions to fund Banking Department, increasing state revenue through mandatory assessments.95% confidence