Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 662: making an appropriation to the department of natural and cultural resources for renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam.

SB 662 appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for repairs and renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam. The funds are non-lapsing, meaning they can be used until June 30, 2029, and become available July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the state agency responsible for managing the dam and its infrastructure. It makes no changes to laws or regulations but allocates specific funding for maintenance work.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M from General Fund for dam maintenance, directly funding infrastructure via state budget appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 186: relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.

HB 186 legalizes and regulates cannabis for adults 21 and older in New Hampshire, establishing a comprehensive framework for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales. The bill creates a Cannabis Commission to license and regulate businesses, sets strict limits on personal possession (2 ounces of flower or equivalent), and prohibits smoking in public places with escalating fines for violations. Revenue from cannabis taxes will fund the general fund (55%), substance misuse prevention programs (15%), municipalities based on sales (25%), and public safety agencies (5%). The bill also includes provisions to vacate past cannabis possession convictions for adults 21+ and creates a dual-use system allowing therapeutic cannabis centers to operate retail stores under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund general fund (55%) and substance misuse programs, directly advancing state budget priorities through new tax revenue streams.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes cannabis, reducing criminalization of personal use and funding substance misuse prevention - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Drug Policy

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 97: making an appropriation to the department of environmental services for wastewater infrastructure projects.

HB 97 appropriates $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Services. This funding supports approved wastewater infrastructure projects under state law, directly benefiting local wastewater systems and communities requiring upgrades. The money is nonlapsing, meaning unused funds carry over to future years, and must be used for projects approved by June 30, 2026. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with no new state positions created.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15M annually for wastewater infrastructure, funding essential public services through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $15M annually for wastewater infrastructure projects under environmental services, directly funding pollution control and environmental protection initiatives per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 519: making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund and support the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter.

HB 519 appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter's operations, programs, and projects. This funding directly supports the shelter’s services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to use these funds starting July 1, 2025, with no additional policy changes beyond the financial allocation. It is a straightforward funding measure with no legislative policy shifts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500k annually from General Fund to fund youth shelter operations, directly supporting essential public service through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds Waypoint shelter for homeless youth, directly supporting housing stability through $500k annual allocation for services addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Homelessness

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passed both · New Hampshire · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 246: directing the state conservation committee to implement the conservation district climate resilience grant program and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 246 directs New Hampshire's state conservation committee to implement a climate resilience grant program for the state's 10 county conservation districts. It appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the General Fund to fund this program. The grants will support local conservation groups in developing projects to adapt to climate impacts, such as extreme weather or changing ecosystems. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funds distributed by the state conservation committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $50k/year from General Fund for climate resilience grants, directly funding a new state program through budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $50k annually to fund climate resilience grants for conservation districts, directly supporting adaptation to climate impacts and environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 660: requiring historic horse racing facilities to compensate their host communities with a percentage of the revenue generated from their historic horse racing machines.

HB 660 requires historic horse racing facilities in New Hampshire to pay 10% of their revenue (after breakage and paying winnings to patrons) directly to the municipalities where they operate. This affects all HHR facilities, with host communities like Manchester, Dover, and Seabrook receiving annual payments totaling approximately $14.3 million based on 2024 revenue data. The bill mandates this payment be deposited into the municipality's general fund starting July 1, 2025. This changes how HHR revenue is distributed, shifting funds from state Lottery revenue streams to local governments. The fiscal note confirms this would increase local revenue by $14.3 million annually while decreasing state Lottery revenue by $2.3 million per year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 10% of HHR revenue to municipal general funds, increasing local government revenue without new taxes, supporting municipal budgeting and fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 716: making an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program.

HB 716 appropriates $3 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and $3 million for 2026-2027 from the General Fund to New Hampshire's community college system. The funds specifically support scholarships and program operations for the state's dual and concurrent enrollment program, which allows high school students to earn college credits. This appropriation is non-lapsing, meaning unspent funds carry forward to subsequent years. The bill directly affects community colleges and eligible high school students participating in this dual-enrollment program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $6M total from General Fund for dual enrollment program scholarships and operations, directly increasing public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $6M total for dual enrollment scholarships and operations, directly expanding K-12 college credit access and funding higher education pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 197: relative to payment by the state of a portion of retirement system contributions of political subdivision employers.

HB 197 requires the state to pay 7.5% of retirement contributions for group I teachers and group II members (including local police and firefighters) employed by cities, towns, and other local governments. This shifts the payment responsibility from local employers to the state, beginning in fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects local governments that fund these retirement contributions, reducing their costs by approximately $28 million annually starting in 2026. The state will cover this 7.5% share using General Fund resources, while local governments will see a corresponding decrease in their retirement-related expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShifts state funding responsibility to cover 7.5% of local retirement contributions, reducing local government costs by $28M annually and easing fiscal burden on municipalities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

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passed both · New Hampshire · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 704: making an appropriation to the retired senior volunteer program.

HB 704 appropriates $862,508 annually (for fiscal years 2026 and 2027) from the state General Fund to support four senior volunteer and caregiver programs. The funding covers the Alzheimer’s caregiver respite program ($552,508), foster grandparent program ($100,000), retired senior volunteer program (RSVP, $180,000), and senior companions program ($30,000). These funds will be allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services to existing programs serving New Hampshire seniors and their caregivers. The bill provides concrete financial support without altering program rules or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $862,508 annually from General Fund to fund senior volunteer programs, advancing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 607: relative to funding the Hampton Beach area commission and making appropriations therefor.

HB 607 establishes a dedicated "Hampton Beach master plan fund" within the state treasurer's office to support the Hampton Beach area commission's operations and initiatives. The bill appropriates $5,000 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and another $5,000 for 2026-2027, both drawn from the state General Fund, to cover commission expenses like staff costs and project implementation. The fund is designed to be non-lapsing, meaning unspent money remains available for future use rather than returning to the general state budget. This directly affects the commission's ability to manage and fund activities in Hampton Beach, including community projects and planning efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10k total from General Fund for Hampton Beach commission operations, directly funding government spending per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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