HB 1512 allows New Hampshire towns, cities, or municipalities to hold a local vote (referendum) to block residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers. If voters approve the "no" option in the referendum, eligible residents in that municipality would lose access to these state-funded education vouchers. The bill creates a formal process requiring municipalities to follow procedures similar to those for town meetings (RSA 40) when conducting such votes. This policy change directly affects residents in municipalities that choose to hold the referendum, with the vote outcome determining voucher eligibility starting July 1, 2026.
HB 1385 prohibits municipalities with minimal or no public education costs from using negative property tax rates, which would otherwise require the state to pay the municipality for taxable property. The bill specifically targets towns or cities that have taxable property but allocate little or nothing to public education in their budgets. It requires the Department of Revenue Administration to reject any negative tax rate proposals from these localities. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage and applies statewide to all qualifying municipalities.
HB 1085 limits the duties of New Hampshire police commissions to four specific areas: appointing police personnel and setting pay scales, establishing operational rules for the police force, removing officers (with due process for most, but allowing special officers to be removed without cause), and managing police department budgets. The bill prohibits salary increases beyond those based on years of service and position rank, requires funds for vacant positions to be held until filled, and mandates that unused budget funds lapse to the general fund at year-end. These changes directly affect police commissions and their management of local police departments. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1465 requires certain state employees, including court staff, judges, attorneys, and bar association members, to report suspected civil rights violations or breaches of judicial conduct rules committed by judicial branch members. If they have reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred (e.g., in person or reported to them), they must immediately notify the Attorney General’s office. Failure to report is punishable as a misdemeanor, with a $1,500 fine and up to one week in jail. The Attorney General forwards reports to the court administrative office, county sheriffs, and the chief justice, while protecting good-faith reporters from retaliation. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1220 allows New Hampshire school districts to vote on whether their local city council or municipal government can review and approve school budgets instead of direct voter approval. If approved by a majority of voters at an annual school meeting, the local governing body gains authority to approve budgets, replacing the standard process where school budgets are directly voted on by residents. School districts can also later vote to rescind this change and return to the traditional voter approval process. This bill directly affects school districts and their local municipal governments by altering the budget approval mechanism through a voter referendum.
HB 1255 repeals a law requiring more evidence than a campaign contribution to prove that a vote, appointment, or nomination involved a corrupt practice. This change directly affects elected officials, appointees, and candidates whose actions might be linked to campaign contributions. The bill removes the specific evidentiary standard that previously demanded proof beyond just the contribution itself. It simplifies the legal standard for investigating potential corruption in political decisions. This is a procedural change to corruption statutes with no direct fiscal impact.
This constitutional amendment (CACR 27) would remove an exception in New Hampshire's constitution that currently allows Article 72a to limit the General Court's authority to establish courts. The change would make the General Court the sole authority for creating courts, eliminating the existing exception. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect, as specified in the resolution. It directly affects the state's constitutional process for court establishment but does not change court operations or create new legal obligations.
HR 19 is a non-binding House resolution encouraging New Hampshire's public colleges and universities to invite more conservative speakers to campus to increase viewpoint diversity. It urges institutions to host conservative speakers alongside others across the political spectrum for discussions on topics like public policy and science, while emphasizing respectful debate. The resolution explicitly states it does not direct curricula or compel any invitations, affirming that more speech - not less - best serves students. It also condemns political violence and supports free expression in academic settings, as outlined in its text.
HB 1244 adds a new exception to New Hampshire's criminal threatening law, protecting individuals who display a firearm or other self-defense means to warn away someone committing criminal trespass (violating RSA 635:2) if the trespasser's actions reasonably threaten property damage, serious bodily injury, or death. It directly affects property owners or occupants responding to trespassers who pose an immediate threat. The key provision clarifies that such defensive actions - intended to deter the trespasser - will not constitute criminal threatening under RSA 631:4. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.
HB 1069 allows towns and school districts in New Hampshire to hold their local elections for officers on the same day as the state primary election, starting with the 2028 primary. Local governments must first approve this option by majority vote at a meeting and notify the secretary of state by December 31 of the prior year. The state will reimburse municipalities and school districts for direct election costs like ballot printing, staffing, and polling place expenses. This applies to all local elections for town or school district officers, while other required meetings continue on their usual dates. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage, with the first aligned elections occurring in September 2028.
HB 1453 allows high school students to directly elect one or more student members to serve on their local school board. It requires schools to hold direct student elections (using paper ballots during second class) 30 days after the school year starts, with eligible students in good academic/behavioral standing who won't graduate during the term. Student members serve one academic year (non-voting but can speak, propose agenda items, and report student concerns), while school staff face penalties for interfering with elections or suppressing student rights. The bill directly affects public high school students and ensures their voices are formally included in school board discussions.
HB 1782 establishes a rural maternal health care delivery pilot program to provide prenatal and postnatal care in New Hampshire areas with limited access to specialized pregnancy services. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop this program, which would use mid-level practitioners (like certified nurse midwives) and collaborate with nearby hospitals, while also creating a Maternity Care Improvement Commission to study statewide maternal health strategies. It includes a Medicaid provider audit to ensure proper reimbursement for midwives and a loan reimbursement program for certified midwives who commit to working 32+ hours weekly in rural areas for at least two years. The pilot program and commission must report findings to state leaders by July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects rural pregnant people, midwives, and healthcare providers in underserved communities.
