Ways and Means

HB 1800 increases the statewide education property tax rate to $5 per $1,000 of property valuation starting in 2027, affecting all property taxpayers. It creates tax credits for primary homeowners (20%), residents without school-age children (10%), and seniors over 65 (10%), while revising how school funding is calculated to require $10,000 per student and $4,000 per qualifying student annually (with 2% yearly increases). The bill also changes how education tax revenue is distributed to municipalities and repeals statutes related to "extraordinary need grants." These changes aim to fund school districts through revised tax collection and distribution mechanisms, effective July 1, 2027.

HB 1648 creates a property tax exemption for owner-occupied primary residences in New Hampshire, directly affecting homeowners who live in their homes year-round. It allows eligible properties to deduct up to $300,000 from their taxable assessed value (capped at the property’s actual value), reducing annual property taxes. To qualify, applicants must own and occupy the home as their primary residence for over six months, file an annual application by April 15 with their local assessor, and be New Hampshire residents. The exemption excludes rental properties, commercial uses, corporate-owned homes, and non-residents.

SB 542 reduces the maximum number of game dates charities can use at gaming facilities from ten to seven per year. It requires each gaming facility to contract with two charitable organizations for every game date and mandates that game operators hold exactly seven annual game dates for the host community. Charities will now be limited to seven game dates per calendar year under the revised licensing rules, with 35% of daily gross revenues distributed equally to partnering charities or the host community.

HB 1787 modifies New Hampshire's statewide education property tax system by requiring all tax revenues to be collected by local officials and deposited directly into the state education trust fund, rather than being handled by municipalities. It updates the low- and moderate-income homeowners property tax relief program and establishes a committee to study this program's effectiveness. The bill also mandates that tax bills include clear information about available relief programs, including the low-income homeowner program. These changes affect homeowners (particularly those eligible for tax relief) and ensure education funding flows through a centralized state trust fund for grants and tax relief payments. The tax rate is set to generate $378 million annually, increasing by 2% each year.

HB 1409 changes how video lottery terminal (VLT) revenue is distributed after covering administrative costs. It shifts the allocation from the current 75% to the General Fund and 25% to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to 100% to the ETF. This directly affects public schools by increasing funding through the Education Trust Fund, which supports public school aid. The bill modifies RSA 287-J:6 to require all remaining VLT revenue (after costs) to flow entirely to the ETF, eliminating General Fund deposits. The fiscal note confirms this would decrease General Fund revenue (e.g., ~$45M in FY2026) while increasing ETF revenue.