Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1088: transferring funding for the water well board from the general fund to a special nonlapsing fund.

HB 1088 transfers funding for New Hampshire's Water Well Board from the general fund to a new special nonlapsing fund. All fees, fines, and civil penalties collected under water well regulations (including a new $100 fee per well report) will now be deposited directly into this dedicated fund instead of the general fund. The fund will cover the board's operational costs, consolidating current revenue streams to provide steady, self-sustaining funding starting July 2026. This change, requested by the Department of Environmental Services, is expected to generate approximately $242,600 annually for board operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers water well fees to dedicated nonlapsing fund, creating self-sustaining revenue stream for Water Well Board operations, promoting fiscal responsibility through stable funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

died · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1708: relative to statewide education property taxes and other tax revenues.

HB 1708 reduces the statewide education property tax (SWEPT) rate for homeowners and property owners while increasing the business profits tax rate from 7.5% to 8.5% (with 40-44.2% of this revenue directed to the education trust fund). It sets specific annual revenue targets for the SWEPT - $346 million for 2026-2027, $284 million for 2027-2028, and $273 million annually thereafter - to maintain current education funding levels. Affected parties include residential property owners (who see lower taxes) and businesses (which pay higher profits taxes), with municipalities impacted by the tax shift receiving capped compensation up to $90 million. The bill ensures no net reduction in education funding by offsetting the SWEPT cut through increased business tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces SWEPT for homeowners while increasing business tax to fund education, maintaining current education spending levels with specific revenue targets.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill maintains education funding levels by redirecting business tax revenue (40-44.2%) to education trust fund while reducing SWEPT rates, explicitly preserving current funding through adjusted tax structure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1386: enabling citizens in a municipality to vote to require that a financial audit of the local school district take place.

HB 1386 allows residents of a school district to petition for a financial audit if the district has a budget deficit. Specifically, citizens domiciled in the district can submit a petition with signatures from 1% of registered voters to their school board. If the petition qualifies, the school board must hold a vote on conducting a forensic audit within 90 days to identify the cause of the deficit. The audit results must then be shared at the next school board meeting. This bill directly affects school district residents and school boards in New Hampshire municipalities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates financial audits for school districts with budget deficits, promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in public spending management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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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

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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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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 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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died · New Hampshire · House Feb 27, 2026

HR 40: urging the legislature to adequately fund public education.

This House Resolution urges the New Hampshire legislature to fully fund K-12 public education at the level determined by the state Supreme Court in the Claremont series of rulings. It specifically references the court's 1993 and 1997 decisions, which established that the legislature must define, cost, fund, and ensure accountability for an adequate education. The resolution calls on the legislature to comply with the court's most recent findings regarding education funding requirements. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly urges full funding for K-12 education per court mandates, directly advancing public service funding within state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges full funding of K-12 education per court rulings, directly advancing funding requirements established by Claremont decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education School Funding

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 634: enabling municipalities to adopt a municipal occupancy fee.

This bill allows New Hampshire towns and cities to collect a fee of up to $2 per day on hotel and room rentals priced above $40 per night, for up to 184 consecutive days per stay. Municipalities must hold a public hearing and obtain voter approval through a town meeting or city council vote before implementing the fee. Revenues must be deposited into a dedicated tourism or capital improvement fund to support services related to increased tourism and transient traffic, and cannot be used as general fund surplus. The fee applies only to rentals exceeding $40 daily, with no fee collected on lower-priced stays.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new municipal tax (occupancy fee) to fund tourism/capital improvements, directly advancing dedicated budget allocation for tourism services per the topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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