Budget & Taxes

passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 1505: requiring municipalities, towns, and cities to submit documentation to the department of revenue administration proving they are in compliance with local budget and tax caps.

HB 1505 requires towns, cities, and municipalities that have adopted local tax caps or budget caps to submit detailed documentation to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration annually. This documentation must include calculations of the tax or budget cap for the year, proposed and voted appropriations, estimated revenues, and counts of any ballot votes taken to override the cap. The bill amends existing laws to clarify how these caps are calculated (e.g., adjusting for estimated revenues reported to the Department) and ensures transparency by mandating formal submission of compliance evidence. It directly affects all local governments with adopted caps, requiring them to verify adherence to these financial limits through standardized reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires municipalities to submit compliance documentation for tax/budget caps, enforcing fiscal responsibility and transparency per bill language.95% confidence

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

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1002: repealing the solar energy systems tax exemption.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepealing solar tax exemption increases state revenue by closing a tax loophole, supporting fiscal management.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill repeals solar tax exemption, increasing costs for solar adopters and removing financial incentive for renewable energy adoption.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepealing solar tax exemption increases costs for clean energy adoption, hindering environmental progress by removing financial incentives for renewable energy systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Solar

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1409: modifying the deposit of revenues collected from video lottery terminals.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 100% of VLT revenue to Education Trust Fund, increasing public school funding by eliminating General Fund allocation per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects 100% of VLT revenue to Education Trust Fund (up from 25%), directly increasing public school funding allocation per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 582: modifying the base cost of an adequate education.

SB 582 increases New Hampshire's base cost for an adequate education from $4,100 to $7,356.01 per student for the 2027-2028 school year, directly affecting public schools receiving state funding. It expands the definition of "adequate education" to include specific resources like teachers, counselors, technology, and facilities maintenance. The bill requires the state to update this cost every two years using actual school data and adjusts funding formulas accordingly. The fiscal note estimates this change will cost approximately $500 million annually starting in 2028, funded through the Education Trust Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state education funding by raising base cost per student and mandating updated funding formulas, directly advancing public school budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases base education funding by 79% ($4,100 → $7,356) and expands 'adequate education' to include teachers, counselors, tech, and facilities, directly strengthening school funding mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes technology as a required component of 'adequate education,' mandating state funding for tech resources in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health

Track

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 419: relative to the housing champion designation and program and the affordable housing fund, and making appropriations therefor.

SB 419 expands the "housing champion" designation to include local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing child care centers near jobs (like on commercially zoned land without special permits, meeting health department standards). It allocates $5 million to the housing champion program fund and $10 million to the affordable housing fund for the 2026-2027 biennium, both non-lapsing. These funds will support affordable housing projects and local efforts to improve housing access. The bill directly affects towns and cities that change zoning to integrate childcare with commercial development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M to housing champion fund and $10M to affordable housing fund, increasing state funding for housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $5M to housing champion program and $10M to affordable housing fund, expanding designations to support housing access through zoning reforms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 1273: enabling municipal support and incentives for residential flood resilience improvements.

HB 1273 creates "Flood Resilience Incentive Zones" (FRIZ) to help homeowners in flood-prone areas make resilience improvements. It allows municipalities to offer tax credits (minimum $100 annually), property tax relief, and low-cost loans for qualifying projects like elevating homes, installing flood barriers, using natural water management systems (e.g., bioswales), or upgrading electrical systems to reduce flood damage. Municipalities can also collect a fee of up to $0.50 per $1,000 property value to fund these initiatives through revolving funds. The bill directly affects residential property owners in designated FRIZ areas and gives local governments new tools to support flood mitigation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly creates tax credits ($100+ annually) and property tax relief for homeowners, directly providing tax relief as a support indicator.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes natural water management systems (bioswales) and flood resilience, aligning with environmental conservation and pollution control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

signed · New Hampshire · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 549: requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

SB 549 prohibits state and local governments from using public funds to support organizations that distribute drug paraphernalia, including needles and syringes through syringe service programs (SSPs). It specifically blocks state funds - such as those from opioid settlement money - from being used for SSPs that provide such paraphernalia, except during disease outbreak responses under existing law. The bill affects funding for public health programs by restricting how state and local resources can be allocated to organizations distributing drug-related items. The fiscal note indicates this would reduce annual funding for SSPs by approximately $1.7 million, though it clarifies this does not represent net savings but potential cost shifts to other healthcare services.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds syringe service programs by blocking state funds (including opioid settlement money) from supporting needle/syringe distribution, restricting public health program funding.92% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDefunds syringe service programs (SSPs) that provide drug paraphernalia, restricting harm reduction initiatives tied to criminal justice reform and public health programs.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly restricts public funding for syringe service programs (SSPs), a public health initiative aimed at reducing disease transmission, by defunding these programs except during disease outbreaks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health Substance Abuse

failed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1295: relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects.

HB 1295 requires nonprofit housing projects seeking property tax exemptions in New Hampshire to meet stricter eligibility criteria. Key provisions include mandating that at least 20% of residents receive services free or at reduced cost based on income, requiring transparent fee policies published online, and prohibiting the use of excess funds for personal benefit. The bill directly affects charitable housing facilities serving elderly (62+) and disabled residents that rely on tax exemptions. These requirements take effect April 1, 2027, and apply to projects operated under state law or federal housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill tightens tax exemption eligibility for nonprofit housing to prevent misuse, promoting fiscal responsibility by requiring transparency and income-based services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20% income-based affordability for tax-exempt housing, ensuring low-income resident focus and transparent fees to advance affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1194: relative to credits for assessments paid by insurers and relative to the application of criminal gambling statutes.

HB 1194 allows New Hampshire insurance companies to use credits for assessments paid to the Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association (NHLHIGA) to reduce their state tax liability. Specifically, insurers can offset up to 20% of eligible assessments annually for five years, but this rate drops to 10% if total credits exceed $10 million in a single year. The bill prohibits carrying forward unused credits and requires insurers to repay any refunds received from the NHLHIGA to the state. This policy directly affects insurers participating in the NHLHIGA, which protects policyholders if an insurer becomes insolvent. The change limits potential state revenue loss during years with large NHLHIGA assessments.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits for insurers to reduce state tax liability, directly decreasing government revenue. This weakens the tax base per 'oppose' indicators of tax reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue