This bill repeals a $3,750 per pupil cap on targeted education aid for municipalities with 5,000 or more average daily student enrollment (ADMR). It directly affects only the City of Manchester, which has exceeded this threshold. The change removes a longstanding restriction that limited how much additional aid cities could receive for student needs. The state estimates this will cost approximately $9 million annually starting in 2028, funded from the Education Trust Fund.
HB 1002 repeals the property tax exemption for solar energy systems, meaning homeowners and businesses with solar installations will no longer be excluded from taxable property assessments. The bill removes specific tax code provisions (RSA 72:62 and related sections) that previously allowed solar systems to be valued separately for tax purposes. Starting April 1, 2027, solar energy systems will be included in standard property tax valuations, requiring owners to pay taxes on these systems as part of their property assessment. This change directly affects property owners who currently benefit from the exemption, shifting their tax obligation to align with standard property valuation practices.
HB 1469 requires massage therapy businesses employing more than one therapist to obtain a state license and undergo regular inspections by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The bill establishes new health and safety standards for these businesses, including requirements for direct supervision by licensed therapists and procedures for license renewal and disciplinary actions. It also adds compensation for members of the massage therapists' advisory board and creates a new investigative paralegal position within the OPLC, with funding provided for this role. This legislation directly affects massage therapy businesses, the OPLC, and the advisory board by expanding regulatory oversight and operational requirements.
HB 1495 allows New Hampshire school districts to borrow against expected state reimbursements (like education funds) and count those borrowed funds as revenue when setting property tax rates. The bill requires that borrowed funds be used only for the same purpose as the anticipated reimbursement. School districts must notify the state revenue department in writing about the amount to be counted as revenue, and this borrowing is exempt from standard debt limit restrictions under RSA 33. The bill directly affects school districts receiving state education reimbursements by changing how they can manage and report anticipated funds.
SB 625 allows immediate family members (parents, spouses, or children) of homicide victims to request an evidentiary hearing when the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not file criminal charges or seek a retrial after a hung jury in a homicide case. Families must first request a written explanation from the DOJ for not filing charges, and if they believe probable cause exists, they can petition a superior court to review the DOJ’s decision. The court will assess whether the evidence supports charging a suspect, potentially requiring the DOJ to provide investigative reports for private review and holding a hearing to evaluate witness credibility. If the court finds probable cause, it will recommend prosecution to the DOJ but only inform the family that probable cause exists - not the detailed recommendation.
SB 643 requires cities and towns to hold a public hearing with at least 30 days' notice and a 60-minute public comment period before voting to override a local tax or spending cap. It mandates a roll call vote for the override, recording each council member's vote, and requires publishing the results (including each member's name and vote) on the next property tax bill. This bill does not change existing requirements for supermajority votes or voter approval to override caps but adds transparency measures to inform taxpayers about how officials vote on tax increases. The law directly affects municipalities seeking to raise taxes or spending above locally adopted limits.
SB 603 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to internally transfer existing state funds to cover any shortfall in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding caused by reduced federal support. It applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period and mandates that transfers exceeding $100,000 require approval from the Fiscal Committee, governor, and council. The bill does not provide new funding or create new costs; it simply directs the department to reallocate current resources to maintain SNAP operations. This addresses an expected $4.6 million state cost increase starting October 2026 due to federal funding changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no net fiscal impact as it only shifts existing funds.
HB 1832 adds students with at least one parent on active military duty (with a permanent change of station in New Hampshire) to the priority eligibility list for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). This means military-connected students who relocate to New Hampshire due to their parent's active duty orders will now qualify for priority enrollment in the EFA program, alongside existing priority groups like low-income students. The bill amends eligibility criteria in RSA 194-F:1, adding a new category (d) specifically for these military families. It takes effect 60 days after passage and has an estimated fiscal impact of $150,300 in FY 2027 for approximately 30 additional eligible students.
HB 1121 defines the specific resources required to calculate the cost of an adequate education in New Hampshire. It mandates that the state include certain personnel and materials - such as teachers, counselors, nurses, instructional supplies, technology, facility maintenance, and transportation - in its funding calculations. This bill directly affects how the state determines the necessary resources for public schools to meet educational standards. The definition applies to all public school funding decisions under RSA 193-E:2-a, requiring the state to formally account for these elements when assessing educational costs. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1706 repeals New Hampshire's state-administered refugee resettlement program and prohibits state agencies from using state funds for refugee resettlement activities. The bill specifically requires the Department of Health and Human Services to terminate existing contracts related to refugee resettlement (such as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program) and bans all state spending - directly or indirectly - on resettlement efforts. It does not affect federal refugee programs or funds, as the state's involvement was limited to administering approximately $4.5 million annually in federal funds. The bill applies solely to state government actions and has no impact on existing refugee services or federal programs.
