Rep. John Janigian

Maddy summarySB 571 updates New Hampshire's requirements for issuing CPA certificates. It replaces the term "substantial equivalency" with "comparable" when evaluating foreign accountancy credentials, making the standard clearer for applicants with international qualifications. The bill also modifies educational rules by requiring a bachelor's degree plus 30 additional credit hours in accounting (including specific subjects like auditing and taxation), and allows candidates to take the CPA exam up to 120 days before graduating. These changes directly affect individuals seeking CPA licensure in New Hampshire, particularly those with foreign credentials or nearing degree completion.

Maddy summaryHB 1682 establishes registration fees for small battery-operated vehicles used on public roads in New Hampshire. It charges $20 annually for municipal on-road use (vehicles under 400 lbs) and $30 for public road use (401-1,000 lbs), with fees paid to the owner's municipality or deposited in the highway fund. The bill exempts motorized electric vehicles used exclusively off-road from registration requirements. It also requires the Department of Safety to report annual fee revenue to transportation committees. This affects owners of small electric scooters, bikes, or similar devices operating on public roads.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the state constitution to require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers before passing laws that create new taxes, increase existing taxes, or issue state bonds. It also mandates that the legislature must set aside funds from the general budget to pay interest and principal on any state debt. If approved by voters, these changes would make it more difficult to raise revenue through taxation and would ensure that debt payments are prioritized in the state budget. The bill is currently procedural, as it was submitted for a vote but did not pass before the legislative session ended.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how property taxes are calculated for telecommunications poles and conduits owned by phone utilities, VoIP providers, and commercial mobile radio service companies. It establishes a new formula that values these structures based on their replacement cost minus depreciation over 40 years, while explicitly excluding them from the annual property tax equalization ratio. As a result, these specific assets will be assessed at a fixed market value rather than being adjusted annually based on overall property market fluctuations. The changes will take effect on April 1, 2025, impacting the tax bills for the entities that own these infrastructure items.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the safe harbor compensation limit for the New Hampshire Business Profits Tax from $75,000 to $100,000. It allows business owners to automatically deduct up to this amount for their own compensation without needing to prove the value of their services, simplifying tax filing for many small businesses. Starting in 2025, the threshold will be automatically adjusted every two years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. The law applies to tax years ending on or after December 31, 2024, and takes effect 60 days after passing.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum expense deduction allowed against New Hampshire's business profits tax from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for qualifying property placed in service on or after January 1, 2025. The change applies to all businesses filing for taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2024, allowing them to deduct a larger portion of their capital investments immediately rather than spreading the cost over several years. While the Department of Revenue Administration estimates this could reduce state revenue by up to $4.7 million, it notes that the actual financial impact is indeterminable because the bill may simply shift when businesses claim deductions rather than eliminate them entirely. The legislation requires the state to update its tax forms and electronic systems to reflect the new deduction limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to study ways to replace the current road toll and vehicle registration fees as sources of funding for highway and bridge improvements. The commission will be composed of legislators, state agency representatives, and members from the automotive and non-profit sectors, with the specific goal of examining how electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles should contribute to infrastructure costs. The group is tasked with analyzing the environmental impact of these technologies, reviewing past studies, and recommending new revenue methods by December 2026. Once the commission completes its work, it will submit a final report to state officials with any proposed legislation to replace the existing toll system.