HB 1265 prohibits the construction of new data centers in New Hampshire for one year from its effective date, affecting developers and businesses planning such facilities. It establishes a four-member committee (three House members appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the President) to study the environmental impact of data centers. The committee must submit interim findings by November 1, 2025, and a final report by November 1, 2026, to legislative leaders and the governor. The bill does not ban existing data centers or address operational impacts, only pausing new construction while studying environmental effects.
HB 1248 modifies New Hampshire's penalties for driving under the influence (DWI) offenses by expanding the definition of qualifying prior convictions. It adds that a prior conviction for a DWI-related offense - where the defendant was sentenced to an alcohol or substance treatment program within 10 years before a subsequent offense - counts as a prior conviction for enhanced penalties. This change directly affects individuals with prior DWI convictions who completed mandated treatment programs, as these will now trigger stricter penalties for repeat offenses. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and has no estimated state or local fiscal impact.
HB 1284 requires New Hampshire election officials to include a voter's year of birth on official voter checklists, alongside existing information like full name, address, and party affiliation. This applies to all checklists used in elections, including those maintained by local election supervisors. The bill amends state law to explicitly mandate this detail as a standard field, without altering how voters interact with the checklist or changing requirements for voter privacy requests. It takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1770 establishes a legal presumption of equal parenting time (50% of overnights annually) for New Hampshire family courts, replacing the current "best interest" standard. It defines equal parenting as a 50/50 overnight split with no more than a three-night difference in any year, requiring courts to correct imbalances the following year. The presumption can only be overridden by clear and convincing evidence of specific harm - such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or a parent's incapacity - and courts must provide written findings for any deviation. This applies to all custody cases, including initial rulings, temporary orders, and modifications, and takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1149 would require New Hampshire to stop observing daylight saving time once four neighboring states - Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine - have each passed laws to adopt permanent year-round Eastern Standard Time. The bill amends state law by removing current provisions that adjust clocks forward in March and back in November, meaning New Hampshire would remain on Eastern Standard Time year-round if the condition is met. This change would take effect on January 1 of the first year after New Hampshire's secretary of state certifies that all four states have enacted similar legislation. The bill does not set a specific date for implementation but depends entirely on other states' actions.
HB 1208 requires telemarketers calling New Hampshire residents to display a valid, returnable phone number that connects directly to the business or its agent. It prohibits businesses from showing caller ID numbers that are disconnected or listed in the federal Reassigned Numbers Database. The bill directly affects telemarketing companies operating in New Hampshire, ensuring recipients can verify and contact the caller. This aims to reduce scams involving fake or outdated phone numbers. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1342 requires New Hampshire election officials to publicly share basic voter information for absentee and UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) voters, including names, addresses, and ballot status. However, it prohibits releasing overseas mailing addresses and electronic contact details (like email or phone numbers) for UOCAVA voters who are members of the uniformed services. The bill also bans disclosure of how ballots were voted and mandates that records be made available within one business day of a request. Officials who fail to comply face civil fines up to $1,000 for the first offense or misdemeanor charges for repeated violations.
HB 1617 requires New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs to include domestic and international corporate relocation logistics and investment tracking in its annual reports and strategic planning. The bill amends existing statutes to mandate that the department report on business relocation opportunities, investment pledges, and the effectiveness of recruitment programs as part of its annual strategy. This directly affects the department's reporting obligations and aims to help the state better track and pursue economic investment opportunities, particularly following national business investment pledges exceeding $7.4 trillion. The key change is making relocation logistics and investment data a formal requirement in the department's annual reports and economic development plans.
HB 1023 authorizes small, neighborhood-scale businesses like coffee shops, bakeries, home-based daycares, and craft studios to operate as accessory commercial units on residential or commercial properties without requiring special local permits. The bill sets clear limits: units must be under 1,000 square feet (or 25% of the main building's size), operate between 6 AM and 10 PM (unless a municipality allows extended hours), and not require extra parking or large signage. It applies statewide, prohibiting municipalities from banning these units or imposing stricter rules than the state law. This law standardizes access for small businesses to operate from existing properties while maintaining neighborhood compatibility.
HB 1712 establishes a clear statutory process for New Hampshire public schools to convert into charter schools. It requires a school board vote and a 2/3 majority vote by the school district at a meeting with a specific warrant article to initiate conversion, ensuring all students from the converting school can attend the new charter school. The bill sets governance rules, including capping overlapping board members at 25% (or one member), requiring at least 25% parent representation on charter school boards, and maintaining school districts' special education obligations. It also mandates voter ratification of charter contracts with a defined ballot question, specifies funding follows existing state law (80% of per-pupil funding), and requires an initial audit by the Department of Education followed by audits every three years after the third year of operation.
HB 1060 simplifies engineering licensure requirements by removing two specific barriers. It eliminates the requirement that applicants must have 10+ years of engineering experience supervised by a licensed engineer, and removes the condition that their education or experience must be deemed "satisfactory to the board." This change directly affects engineers with extensive experience who are seeking licensure through the exam process, particularly those whose work history doesn’t meet the previous supervision standard. The bill allows these applicants to apply directly for the professional engineering exam without needing prior board approval of their experience. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1390 designates the apple cider doughnut as New Hampshire's official state doughnut. This ceremonial bill adds a new section to state law (RSA 3:33) recognizing the apple cider doughnut as a symbol of the state's culinary identity. It directly affects New Hampshire's official state symbols but has no regulatory, financial, or practical impact on residents or businesses. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not alter any existing laws or create new requirements.
