HB 1205 prohibits all state and county-owned lands in New Hampshire from enrolling in carbon sequestration projects, which are programs that capture and store carbon dioxide to reduce atmospheric emissions. This bill directly affects state and county governments, preventing them from participating in such initiatives on public lands they manage. The key provision adds a new section to state law (RSA 79:38) explicitly banning enrollment in carbon sequestration programs for public lands. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1044 requires that vacancies in county commissioner offices be filled by the members of the county convention (or, for Hillsborough County, convention members representing the commissioner's district) through a majority vote. This replaces the previous method described in brackets within the existing law (RSA 661:9, II(a)). The appointed commissioner serves until the next biennial election, and if the vacancy is filled for less than the remaining term, that district is added to the next election ballot. The bill applies to all counties and takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1030 updates New Hampshire law to clarify the scope of practice for licensed practical nurses (LPNs). It removes the word "focused" from the description of assessments LPNs can conduct and revises the language about their role in care planning from "development" to "evolution and modification" of the registered nurse-initiated comprehensive plan. The bill does not change LPNs' actual duties or responsibilities but modernizes the legal wording. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill's passage.
SB 428 increases the maximum number of terms a member can serve on New Hampshire's Electricians' Board from two to three terms. This change also extends the total service limit from 12 years to 16 years, allowing members to serve up to three 5-year terms (including time served during term overlaps or unexpired terms). The bill directly affects the 5 appointed board members (2 master electricians, 1 journeyman electrician, and 2 public members) and the ex officio fire marshal who serves without voting. The amendment modifies RSA 319-C:4, sections I and I-a, effective 60 days after enactment.
SB 526 creates a New Hampshire-Greece trade council to strengthen economic ties between the state and Greece. The council, composed of state officials, business representatives, and academic leaders, will promote trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. It can raise funds through donations and grants, with a dedicated non-lapsing fund in the state treasury to cover administrative costs. The council aims to build on New Hampshire's historic Greek-American connections and its status as a top U.S. trade partner for Greece.
SB 527 requires state agencies to provide written notice to town or city clerks about pending applications that could affect land use, business operations, or municipal finances. It changes the current requirement from "first class mail" to simply "written notice," meaning agencies can use any written method (like email or electronic portals) instead of only physical mail. This directly affects state agencies issuing permits or licenses and municipalities that may need to respond to these applications. The change aims to modernize communication while maintaining the requirement for agencies to notify affected towns or cities.
SB 413 changes where New Hampshire minors aged 18 or older are held during ongoing delinquency cases. It amends RSA 169-B:14 to allow minors who turn 18 while their case is pending to be detained in county corrections facilities instead of juvenile detention facilities. This policy shift directly affects minors transitioning to adulthood during delinquency proceedings. The bill specifies the detention location change without altering eligibility for detention or case procedures.
HB 244 updates and reorganizes New Hampshire's municipal enforcement of building and fire codes by consolidating related provisions, making grammar and spelling corrections, and clarifying enforcement procedures. The bill establishes clearer definitions for terms like "local enforcement agency" and "building inspector," and specifies that building inspectors must review plans, issue permits, and conduct inspections. It also prohibits municipalities from requiring automatic fire sprinklers in most residential buildings and prevents restrictions on residents' choices for heating or energy systems. This bill affects local municipalities, building inspectors, property owners, and developers by standardizing enforcement processes and clarifying local authority regarding building and fire codes. The reorganization aims to make the code easier to understand and apply consistently across the state.
HB 1376 prevents courts and child welfare agencies from considering a parent's decision to raise a child consistent with their biological sex as child abuse, endangerment, or a basis for negative legal actions. The bill specifically removes such parenting practices - like using a child's biological sex for pronouns or medical decisions - from definitions of "abused child," "endangering child welfare," and "best interests of the child" determinations. It also prohibits adoption agencies and courts from treating a parent's refusal to support gender transition or their choice to raise a child according to biological sex as grounds for denying adoption, removing a child, or terminating parental rights. The law applies directly to parents, guardians, child-placing agencies, and courts handling family law matters.
HB 1042 raises the state's unified contingent credit limit for New Hampshire's Business Finance Authority from $200 million to $450 million, effective June 1, 2026. This change directly affects the authority's ability to provide state-backed loans and guarantees for eligible business projects and programs. The bill modifies RSA 162-A:22 to increase the aggregate limit on these state guarantees, allowing the authority to support more financing for businesses without requiring new legislative approval for each project.
HB 1279 modifies New Hampshire's self-defense law to clarify when physical force can be used against someone committing a felony. It specifies that force is justified if a person reasonably believes another is "likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony" against them or a third person within their vehicle, dwelling, or immediate property (curtilage). The bill expands the legal standard by focusing on the likelihood of a felony occurring, not just an immediate threat. This change directly affects individuals defending themselves or others in their home, car, or nearby property during potential felony crimes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1775 allows New Hampshire electric utilities to own or invest in natural gas and nuclear power generation facilities, up to 10% of their total peak electricity demand. Utilities must seek approval from the Public Utilities Commission for these investments and can recover costs through customer rates. The bill repeals prior restrictions on utility-funded generation equipment and expands the definition of eligible investments to include natural gas and nuclear resources. This directly affects NH utilities by changing their investment rules, with no new state funding required.
