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

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1659: relative to local property tax exemptions for veterans with a 100 percent disability rating.

HB 1659 creates a new optional property tax credit for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Cities or towns can choose to adopt this credit, which would provide a tax credit ranging from $701 to $5,000 annually for qualifying veterans' primary homes (up to 10 acres). The credit replaces existing veteran tax exemptions and continues to a surviving spouse (if unmarried) or dependent children after the veteran's death. This applies only to veterans who own their homestead, excluding other property tax exemptions for military service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit ($701-$5,000) for disabled veterans, providing direct tax relief. Aligns with tax relief indicators for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates optional property tax credit ($701-$5,000) for veterans with 100% disability rating, expanding financial benefits and extending coverage to survivors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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passed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 645: relative to income eligibility for the New Hampshire child care scholarship program and reallocating certain revenue to fund the program.

SB 645 expands New Hampshire's child care scholarship program to include families with gross monthly income at or below 95% of the state median income for their family size, increasing access for low-income households. The bill funds this expansion by redirecting 2% of tobacco tax revenue, liquor sales revenue, and video lottery revenue to the program, avoiding new state appropriations. This change, effective July 1, 2026, will require approximately $10.5 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027. The policy directly affects families seeking child care assistance, expanding eligibility without new taxes or general fund spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing tobacco, liquor, and lottery tax revenues to fund child care scholarships without new appropriations, promoting fiscal responsibility and funding essential public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1649: prohibiting certain tax dollars from being donated to non-profit organizations.

HB 1649 prohibits towns, cities, and villages from using any taxpayer funds - such as general, reserve, or public funds - to donate money to non-profit organizations. It allows exceptions only for competitive grant programs that serve a clear public purpose and follow state/federal laws. The bill explicitly states that non-profits may still contract for goods/services through standard bidding processes, as long as these are quantifiable and verifiable. This amendment to RSA 31 applies directly to municipal governments and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts government spending by prohibiting taxpayer fund donations to non-profits (except competitive grants), limiting public expenditure.95% confidence

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 586: requiring chartered public schools, school administrative units, and cities or school districts not audited under RSA 671:5 to be audited by an independent public accountant after the end of the fiscal year and requiring the results of such audits to be made available to the public.

SB 586 requires New Hampshire school districts and charter public schools to publish a detailed annual financial audit report by September 1 each year. The report must include receipts, expenditures, assets, liabilities, payroll details, and capital projects. Schools failing to submit the report by the deadline will have state funding withheld until compliance is achieved. This bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends existing law to standardize the submission deadline for all school entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual financial audits for school districts, requiring transparency in budget management and withholding state funding for non-compliance to enforce fiscal accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1810: relative to a road salt fee to support certified winter road maintenance practices.

HB 1810 imposes a $4 fee per ton (or equivalent) on bulk road salt, road salt mix, and brine sold in New Hampshire to fund certified winter road maintenance practices. The fee is collected annually by bulk sellers (e.g., suppliers to municipalities, businesses, or state agencies) and deposited into a dedicated road salt mitigation fund. Sellers must file annual returns with the Department of Revenue Administration, maintain sales records for three years, and provide receipts showing the fee paid. This policy directly affects road salt bulk sellers and ensures funds support certified winter road maintenance programs across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new $4/ton fee to fund certified winter road maintenance, creating dedicated revenue stream for public infrastructure service.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationImposes fee to fund certified winter road maintenance practices, directly supporting road infrastructure funding through dedicated mitigation fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 541: relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure.

SB 541 appropriates $16.5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Services for Phase 2 of the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project. It directly funds infrastructure (including pumps, storage tanks, and pipelines) to increase water supply by over 2 million gallons daily for towns affected by PFAS contamination and rising demand. The bill requires that no public utility ratepayer face adverse costs from this project. Funds are nonlapsing, meaning they remain available for use beyond the fiscal year without needing annual renewal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $16.5M from General Fund for essential water infrastructure, directly funding public service without increasing ratepayer costs. Aligns with funding public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds infrastructure to address PFAS contamination (environmental pollutant), directly protecting water resources and aligning with pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Drinking Water

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1798: relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.

HB 1798 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by November 1, 2026, to add diaper coverage under Medicaid for infants' first year of life. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible infants (approximately 4,000 annually) and their families, providing coverage for 100 diapers per month during the child's first 12 months. It appropriates $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the program, with federal matching funds expected to cover most costs. Implementation depends on federal CMS approval, with a target start date of May 1, 2027, if approved.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 for Medicaid diaper coverage, funding an essential public service for vulnerable families.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include diapers for infants, increasing access to essential health-related supplies under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1399: making an appropriation to the Claremont school district for costs associated with a building renovation project from the revenue stabilization reserve account.

HB 1399 appropriates $5 million from New Hampshire's Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account (the "Rainy Day Fund") to reimburse the Claremont School District for part of the costs of renovating Stevens High School in 2015. The bill specifically addresses a project completed during a building aid moratorium, which the district needed to restore accreditation and maintain eligibility for future aid. This funding directly benefits the Claremont School District and Stevens High School, covering costs the district incurred but could not recover during the moratorium. The appropriation is a one-time payment from the state's rainy day fund, effective 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from rainy day fund for school renovation, funding essential public infrastructure during aid moratorium.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5M from Rainy Day Fund for school building renovation to restore accreditation and maintain future aid, directly supporting K-12 infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations K-12 Education

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