Budget & Taxes

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1170: relative to stipends for retired group II members of the state retirement system.

HB 1170 provides a permanent supplemental retirement stipend for certain retired New Hampshire state employees (Group II, primarily police and fire) and their beneficiaries. Retirees who were retired for 10-19 years (120-239 months) as of July 1, 2025, receive $500 per year of retirement added to their monthly pension, while those retired 20+ years (240+ months) receive a one-time $5,000 addition. The stipend becomes part of the retiree’s permanent base annuity, paid monthly from the state general fund, with an estimated FY 2027 cost of $269.6 million. This policy directly affects current retirees and beneficiaries who meet the retirement duration criteria, with no impact on employer contributions or the retirement system’s unfunded liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state budget expenditure by allocating permanent stipends from state general fund for retired police/fire retirees, directly funding a government pension program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1682: relative to registration and road access for low-capacity and low-weight battery-operated vehicles.

HB 1682 establishes registration fees for small battery-operated vehicles used on public roads in New Hampshire. It charges $20 annually for municipal on-road use (vehicles under 400 lbs) and $30 for public road use (401-1,000 lbs), with fees paid to the owner's municipality or deposited in the highway fund. The bill exempts motorized electric vehicles used exclusively off-road from registration requirements. It also requires the Department of Safety to report annual fee revenue to transportation committees. This affects owners of small electric scooters, bikes, or similar devices operating on public roads.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $20-$30 annual registration fees for vehicles, revenue deposited into highway fund/municipalities, directly funding infrastructure maintenance.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes registration fees for on-road battery vehicles, deposits revenue into highway fund, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance and operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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passed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1832: adding students with a parent or guardian on active military duty to the education freedom accounts priority guidelines.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands EFA eligibility, requiring state funding increase for military-connected students' education access. Supports public service funding under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands EFA access to military-connected students, increasing educational opportunity for a new priority group per bill's explicit eligibility amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1834: relative to the education freedom account enrollment cap.

HB 1834 sets a fixed enrollment cap of 10,000 students for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, instead of allowing the cap to increase to 12,500 under current law. This directly affects families applying for EFA funds to cover private school costs and participating private schools. The bill freezes the cap until 2028, requiring any future increase only if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior year's cap. The fiscal note estimates this change would save approximately $6.3 million in state spending for fiscal year 2027 by limiting enrollment to 11,250 students instead of 12,500. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or funding per student.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesFreezes EFA enrollment cap at 10,000, restricting future state spending instead of allowing 12,500 cap increase per current law.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationFreezes EFA enrollment cap at 10,000 instead of allowing 12,500 increase, restricting program expansion and limiting educational access options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1831: repealing the education trust fund targeted aid cap.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals $3,750 per pupil cap on education aid, increasing annual state spending by $9M from Education Trust Fund to fund public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals $3,750 per pupil aid cap, enabling increased funding for Manchester schools via Education Trust Fund, directly advancing school funding access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1415: establishing a special veterans license plate and creating a fund and administrative programs from the proceeds of the sale of such plates and establishing the New Hampshire first for veterans program and authority.

HB 1415 creates a special veterans license plate for New Hampshire residents, requiring a $60 initial fee (in addition to standard registration costs) and $30 annual renewal fees. Revenue from these plates funds a dedicated veterans' support program, with up to $50,000 annually allocated to promote the plate program through the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services. The remaining funds are distributed to initiatives prioritized by the governor and state veterans council to support veterans, service members, and their families. The fund is nonlapsing, meaning it carries over year to year without needing annual reauthorization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new fees ($60 initial, $30 annual) funding a dedicated veterans' program, explicitly allocating tax revenue to support a specific public service.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds veterans' support programs through plate fees, allocating revenue to initiatives prioritized by governor and veterans council95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1574: relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

HB 1574 allows New Hampshire school districts to extend free and reduced-price lunch benefits to special education students who are 21 years old but continue their education through age 22, as required by their individualized education plan (IEP). The bill authorizes school boards to maintain eligibility for these students until their IEP is completed or they turn 22, whichever comes first. The state will reimburse school districts for these meals through the general fund at the same rate as federal USDA meal programs. This change directly affects students with IEPs who remain in school beyond age 21, removing a barrier to nutritional support during their extended education. The policy takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes state reimbursement via general fund for extended meal benefits, increasing public service funding for special education students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends free/reduced lunch benefits to special education students (up to age 22) under IEP requirements, expanding educational access and nutrition support for vulnerable students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Special Education Student Health

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1512: allowing municipalities to hold a vote to prevent their residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers.

HB 1512 allows New Hampshire towns, cities, or municipalities to hold a local vote (referendum) to block residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers. If voters approve the "no" option in the referendum, eligible residents in that municipality would lose access to these state-funded education vouchers. The bill creates a formal process requiring municipalities to follow procedures similar to those for town meetings (RSA 40) when conducting such votes. This policy change directly affects residents in municipalities that choose to hold the referendum, with the vote outcome determining voucher eligibility starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts state-funded education vouchers by enabling municipalities to block access, effectively defunding the program in those areas and limiting government spending on education accounts.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill enables municipalities to restrict access to state-funded education vouchers via referendum, directly limiting educational access for residents in those areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1230: relative to increases in state tax rates and debts.

HB 1230 caps annual spending increases for New Hampshire's state government and local political subdivisions at a rate tied to the 4-year average inflation rate (capped at 2.5%) plus the previous year's population growth. It requires excess revenues over this limit to be deposited into a rainy day fund (up to 10% of revenue) or refunded, and prohibits spending above the cap without voter approval. Citizens can sue state/local governments for violations and, if successful, recover attorney fees and court costs. The bill directly affects state/local budgets and creates a legal pathway for public oversight of spending and debt decisions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps state/local spending growth at inflation/population rate, prohibits spending above cap without voter approval, limiting government expenditure growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Government Spending State Budget

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passed · New Hampshire · House Mar 12, 2026

CACR 18: relating to tax rates. Providing that the rate of taxes in the state shall not exceed certain annual percentages.

This constitutional amendment (CACR 18) would cap annual increases in New Hampshire state and local government spending and tax rates based on inflation and population growth. Specifically, it limits annual spending increases to a four-year average inflation rate (capped at 2.5%) plus the prior year's population change, with excess revenues up to 10% directed to a rainy day fund. It also grants citizens the right to sue the state or local governments for violations, including recovery of attorney fees and up to 20x those costs if successful. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill caps annual tax rates and spending increases at inflation/population growth, directly limiting government expenditure and tax hikes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending

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