Labor & Employment

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 727: relative to the New Hampshire retirement system.

HB 727 modifies New Hampshire's retirement system for public employees, primarily affecting Group II members who are part of the state retirement system. It changes the vesting date from January 1, 2012 to September 1, 2013, and adjusts retirement benefit calculations. For members vested before September 1, 2013, it allows retirement at age 45 with 20 years of service (instead of age 50) and increases the benefit multiplier from 2.1%-2.4% to 2.5%. The bill also updates maximum retirement benefits: for members hired before July 1, 2011, the maximum is 100% of average final compensation or $125,000, and for those hired on or after July 1, 2011, it's 85% of average final compensation or $125,000.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases retirement benefits for public employees by lowering age requirement and raising multiplier, expanding worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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signed · New Hampshire · House May 28, 2026

HB 59: relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer.

HB 59 creates felony-level assault charges for intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury to firefighters (including volunteer and on-call staff), emergency medical care providers, or law enforcement officers while they are performing their duties. It also establishes felony charges for assaults on law enforcement officers due to their employment, even when off-duty. The bill amends criminal code provisions to require warrantless arrests for these offenses and treats such violations as evidence of dangerousness. The law will take effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting these public safety professionals and their legal protections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felony assault charges for attacking first responders and officers, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects first responders by imposing felony penalties for assaults during work duties, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for covered workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 303: relative to requiring the department of labor review and adopt workers' occupational safety requirements that are similar to OSHA standards.

HB 303 requires New Hampshire's Department of Labor to adopt occupational safety standards for state employers that are at least as protective as federal OSHA standards (excluding specific subparts). It mandates the commissioner to implement these rules within three years, review them annually, and update them as needed, while maintaining public records of these reviews. The bill authorizes the hiring of up to six new labor inspectors and one support staff position to enforce these standards, with costs covered by existing department funds. This applies directly to public employers, including state agencies, counties, and municipalities, ensuring their workplace safety protections meet or exceed federal baseline requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires adoption of workplace safety standards at least as protective as OSHA, mandates annual reviews, and authorizes additional inspectors for enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 216: relative to workers' compensation and creditable service towards retirement.

HB 216 removes a one-year limit on counting workers' compensation time toward retirement benefits for New Hampshire state employees. Previously, only up to one year of workers' comp payments counted toward retirement; this bill allows full credit for the entire period of disability benefits received. To qualify, employees must submit a department of labor verification form showing their disability payment dates. This change directly affects state workers injured on the job who receive ongoing workers' compensation payments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves one-year limit on workers' comp credit for retirement, expanding benefits for injured state employees by allowing full disability period credit.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 638: relative to establishing a small business tariff stabilization fund.

SB 638 establishes a small business tariff stabilization fund to provide financial assistance to New Hampshire small businesses affected by reduced revenue from tariffs and trade disruptions. The fund, initially funded with $2.5 million from the General Fund, will distribute grants to support businesses facing supply chain issues or increased costs due to tariffs, specifically targeting those committed to avoiding layoffs. It directly benefits small businesses (defined per U.S. Small Business Administration standards) operating primarily in New Hampshire that have experienced revenue declines linked to lower exports to Canada and tourism impacts. The fund is separate from other state funds, non-lapsing, and will be managed by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs starting January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.5M from General Fund to establish a small business stabilization fund, directly funding a program through state budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires grant recipients to avoid layoffs, directly preventing job losses and supporting employment outcomes for workers.80% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tags Small Business

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1564: removing all references of gender identity in New Hampshire statutes.

HB 1564 removes the phrase "gender identity" from multiple New Hampshire statutes that currently include it as a protected characteristic in discrimination laws. This affects provisions related to equal employment (RSA 21-I:42), classified employment protections (RSA 21-I:52), cable TV service access (RSA 53-C:3-g), hate crime reporting (RSA 106-B:14-c), police training (RSA 106-L:2), racial profiling definitions (RSA 106-O:1), and mental health services (RSA 135-C:13). The bill deletes all instances of "gender identity" except in RSA 332-M:2, III-a. It does not create new policies but eliminates existing language from these statutes. The direct effect is removing gender identity as a specified protected category in these legal provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves gender identity as protected characteristic from hate crime reporting (RSA 106-B:14-c) and police training (RSA 106-L:2), weakening criminal justice protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves gender identity protections from mental health services statute (RSA 135-C:13), limiting access for transgender patients.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves 'gender identity' as a protected characteristic in employment discrimination laws (RSA 21-I:42), weakening workplace protections for LGBTQ+ workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Mental Health

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 523: establishing a committee to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system.

SB 523 establishes a registration and oversight system for residential builders in New Hampshire who are not already licensed professionals. It requires these builders (defined as individuals, partnerships, or LLCs working on residential properties with $5,000+ annual revenue) to register, complete 8 hours of approved safety and code training, and renew registration biennially. The bill creates a Board of Builder Registration within the Department of Labor, which will set rules, handle complaints, and oversee a nonprofit administrator (RPA) managing applications and education. This directly affects unlicensed residential construction businesses, adding registration requirements and oversight while excluding those already licensed under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires builders to complete safety training, directly improving workplace safety standards under Labor & Employment topic.85% confidence

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 500: relative to restroom access for certain commercial motor vehicle operators.

SB 500 requires certain businesses to provide restroom access to commercial drivers and drayage truck operators under specific conditions. It mandates that covered establishments (like warehouses or larger retail businesses) allow drivers access to existing restrooms when delivering goods or waiting to load cargo, without requiring businesses to build new facilities. For port and rail yard operations, terminal operators must provide sufficient restrooms with parking access for drayage truck drivers moving cargo. The bill excludes small restaurants (800 sq ft or less) with employee-only restrooms from these requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates restroom access for truck drivers during deliveries, improving workplace safety and access to essential facilities per bill's requirements.90% confidence

in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1767: relative to unemployment compensation eligibility and weekly benefit amounts.

HB 1767 changes New Hampshire's unemployment compensation rules by setting a default maximum benefit duration of 20 weeks per benefit year. If statewide weekly claims exceed 4,000 for three consecutive weeks, the maximum automatically increases to 26 weeks, reverting to 20 weeks when claims fall to 4,000 or below. The Department of Employment Security must monitor weekly claims and publicly update eligibility information through notices and online systems. This bill directly affects unemployed workers in New Hampshire who qualify for unemployment benefits under state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends unemployment benefits during high claim periods (26 weeks vs. 20), strengthening worker support during economic hardship per eligibility triggers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1014: exempting certain retirees from the 28-day waiting period for part-time employment.

HB 1014 exempts certain retired members of New Hampshire's retirement system from a 28-day waiting period before taking part-time jobs. It specifically applies to retirees working in emergency services (like during declared emergencies or woodland fire control) and those who were already employed part-time with a different employer at the time of retirement. The bill modifies retirement law (RSA 100-A:7-b) to remove the waiting period for these scenarios while maintaining annual hour limits for part-time work. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves 28-day waiting period for retirees in emergency services/part-time roles, enabling immediate employment access. Aligns with supporting employment standards for workers.90% confidence

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