Budget & Taxes

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1227: relative to the calculation of the local tax cap.

HB 1227 modifies how local tax caps are calculated for towns and school districts in New Hampshire. It requires that new annual debt payments from bond votes (approved at meetings) be added to the tax base once repayment begins. This change affects the calculation of the base amount used to determine the annual tax cap limit, which is adjusted for inflation and population changes. The bill applies to existing tax caps without needing towns to re-adopt them, effective 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax cap calculation to include new debt payments, strengthening fiscal responsibility by preventing circumvention of caps.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 366: modifying the priority of applications for school building aid grants.

HB 366 increases the annual funding floor for New Hampshire school building aid grants from $50 million to $60 million, starting July 2025. It requires at least $5 million of this total to fund projects that began construction between 2009 and 2019 but were delayed due to prior funding limitations, prioritizing these under existing application rules. This change directly affects school districts seeking construction or renovation funding, with local districts expected to receive an estimated $45-50 million more annually starting in 2026. The bill does not create new state spending but adjusts existing appropriations from the Education Trust Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual school building aid funding floor from $50M to $60M, directly boosting public education budget allocation with mandatory $5M for delayed projects.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases school building aid funding floor from $50M to $60M annually, prioritizing delayed K-12 infrastructure projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1427: limiting the authority of a municipality, county, or school district to issue bonds.

HB 1427 restricts municipalities, counties, and school districts in New Hampshire from issuing bonds except for declared emergencies, repairs to critical infrastructure (like water systems or public safety facilities), securing matching federal funds, or voter approval through a majority vote. The bill prohibits most bond issuance after January 1, 2027, with a temporary 4-year transition period (until 2031) allowing limited bonds under strict budget caps. Violations would make bonds voidable by taxpayers, with courts able to award legal fees to successful plaintiffs. This directly affects local governments’ ability to finance projects without meeting these specific criteria.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts local bond issuance authority for most projects, limiting fiscal flexibility and spending options under budget management.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school districts' bond authority for infrastructure projects (a key funding mechanism), limiting their ability to finance school improvements and capital investments per bill's explicit provisions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1557: modifying the state average expenditure per pupil relative to students in special education.

HB 1557 modifies how New Hampshire allocates state aid for special education costs. It lowers the threshold requiring state aid from 3.5 times the state average per-pupil expenditure to 1.5 times, making it easier for school districts to qualify for assistance. The bill removes the requirement to proportionally reduce funding if state funds are insufficient, ensuring districts receive at least 80% of their entitled aid. This change affects school districts serving students with special needs, redistributing existing funding without new state expenditures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ensures 80% minimum state aid for special education, increasing funding access for school districts serving students with disabilities through revised budget allocation rules.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers special education aid threshold from 3.5x to 1.5x state average, guarantees 80% funding access, directly strengthening support for students with special needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1826: relative to the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education.

HB 1826 increases New Hampshire's per-pupil funding rate for public schools starting in 2027, raising the base cost from $4,100 to $4,438 per student. It also adjusts differentiated aid for specific student groups: increasing free/reduced lunch support from $2,300 to $2,441 per qualifying student, English language learners from $800 to $866, and special education services from $2,100 to $3,203 per student. This bill directly affects all public school districts in New Hampshire, particularly those serving students who qualify for these targeted supports. The fiscal note estimates it will increase state education spending by approximately $27 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028, primarily through the Education Trust Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases per-pupil funding ($4,100→$4,438) and differentiated aid for schools, directly raising state education budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases per-pupil funding ($4,100→$4,438) and differentiated aid for all specified student groups, directly advancing school funding priorities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1799: relative to required state funding for providing an opportunity for an adequate education.

HB 1799 defines what constitutes a "constitutionally adequate education" in New Hampshire, requiring the state to fund specific resources to ensure all students have access to quality education regardless of location. The bill mandates funding for key staff (teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses), instructional materials, technology, facilities maintenance, and transportation starting in 2026. It directs school districts and the state to develop plans addressing educational outcome disparities between districts. This directly affects public school districts and the state's education budget, shifting responsibility to cover these defined costs rather than relying solely on local property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for education resources (staff, materials, facilities) starting 2026, directly increasing public service appropriations per budget & taxes topic definition.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding for staff, materials, technology, and infrastructure to ensure constitutionally adequate education access and address disparities.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates state funding for technology resources in schools to ensure educational access, directly advancing technology access for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1791: directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1791 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a competitive grant program for public colleges and universities. The program provides funding to institutions that develop comprehensive support services for students with developmental disabilities, ensuring equal access to academic courses, campus life, and employment opportunities. To qualify, institutions must offer peer mentoring, remove unnecessary admission barriers (like requiring high school diplomas or specific college entrance exams), and provide monthly progress coaching. The bill appropriates state funds to support this initiative, aiming to expand inclusive higher education options for this population.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund a grant program for post-secondary disability support services, directly advancing state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects grant program for post-secondary support services for students with developmental disabilities, expanding educational access and equal opportunity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1596: relative to the collection of certain health care program premiums; funding for the university system of New Hampshire; and raising the tobacco tax.

HB 1596 raises New Hampshire's cigarette and little cigar tax from $1.78 to $2.80 per pack of 20, increasing revenue for state funds. It appropriates $18 million annually to New Hampshire's university system to restore higher education funding to 2024 levels. The bill also stops collecting premiums for two health programs: the Children's Health Insurance Program and the NH Granite Advantage health care program. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, with tobacco tax revenue funding the university appropriation and education trust fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises tobacco tax to fund university system ($18M/year), increasing state revenue while restoring education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $18M annually to restore university system funding, directly advancing higher education support per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds two health programs (CHIP and Granite Advantage) while redirecting tobacco tax revenue to universities, directly reducing healthcare coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1661: relative to expanding the housing finance authority's community heroes program and makes an appropriation therefor.

HB 1661 expands New Hampshire's Housing Finance Authority's "Community Heroes" program to provide homeownership assistance to essential workers. It appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $1.5 million annually thereafter from the General Fund to fund the program, with no more than 10% allowed for administrative costs. The program specifically targets eligible workers in healthcare, childcare, elder care, law enforcement, firefighting, education, and active military service, allowing them to use funds for down payments, closing costs, or interest rate reductions. The bill requires the Housing Finance Authority to establish rules defining eligibility and takes effect July 1, 2028, for the annual appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1.5M annually from General Fund to fund homeownership assistance for essential workers, directly increasing public program funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands homeownership assistance for essential workers via $1.5M annual funding, directly advancing affordable housing access through targeted financial support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTargets essential workers (healthcare, education, etc.) with homeownership assistance funding, expanding financial support for labor force stability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 675: limiting total central office administrative expenses by school districts and requiring reporting of central office administrative expenses to the department of education.

HB 675 increases the statewide education property tax revenue cap to $773 million for 2025 and requires municipalities to remit excess tax collections to the state education trust fund. It limits school district spending growth on non-facilities expenses by tying annual appropriations to the 3-year average Consumer Price Index (CPI), with stricter rules after 2027. The bill also raises the base per-pupil adequacy cost from $4,100 to $7,356 and mandates annual reporting of district spending to the Department of Education. These changes directly affect school districts and municipalities managing education funding, effective July 1, 2025. (Note: The bill’s title mentioning "central office expenses" does not align with the actual provisions; this summary reflects the actual tax and spending mechanisms described in the bill text.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises per-pupil adequacy cost from $4,100 to $7,356 and mandates remittance of excess tax collections to state education trust fund, directly increasing education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises base per-pupil adequacy cost from $4,100 to $7,356 and increases education property tax revenue cap to $773M, directly increasing school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track