Labor & Employment

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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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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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1739: relative to energy infrastructure, economic development, and workforce training for large-scale data facilities.

HB 1739 creates incentives to attract large data-center campuses to New Hampshire while modernizing the electric grid. It offers developers phased property tax breaks over 12 years and transferable tax credits covering up to 20% of construction costs, contingent on signing binding Grid Modernization Agreements. These agreements require developers to source non-gas electricity (like solar or wind) matching their energy use, fund grid-stabilizing programs, and partner with community colleges for workforce training in data-center operations. The bill also establishes fast-track permitting for eligible sites and mandates community benefits like noise limits, environmental screening, and resident bill credits from exported power.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesOffers property tax breaks and transferable tax credits (up to 20% of costs) to attract data centers, directly using tax policy for economic development.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates non-gas electricity (solar/wind) matching data center energy use, funds grid modernization, and requires renewable energy sourcing via Grid Modernization Agreements.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates non-gas electricity (solar/wind) for data centers, requiring renewable energy matching and grid modernization programs to reduce fossil fuel reliance.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates partnerships with community colleges for workforce training, directly advancing employment standards and job readiness for data center roles.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides tax incentives for data centers, mandates renewable energy use, and requires grid modernization, directly advancing tech infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Electric Grid Solar Workforce Development

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1109: relative to notice requirements regarding public employee suspensions and investigations and recognizing certain positions in the department of corrections as group II positions.

HB 1109 requires state agencies to provide suspended state employees with written notice of the suspension reasons within 7 days and periodic updates on investigation status every 90 days until a final decision is made. It directly affects state employees suspended with pay, excluding those covered by collective bargaining agreements. The bill establishes clear timelines for communication during investigations to ensure transparency. This policy change applies to all state employee investigations handled under the Department of Administrative Services, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires timely notice and updates for suspended state employees, enhancing due process transparency and protecting workers' rights during investigations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 483: making a contingent appropriation to the department of health and human services for recruitment and benefit grants for child care employers.

SB 483 provides $15 million in state General Fund money to the Department of Health and Human Services if federal TANF funds cannot be used for child care employer grants. This backup funding would directly support New Hampshire child care employers through recruitment and benefit grants, helping them attract and retain staff. The bill triggers this state appropriation only if the federal government fails to approve or denies the use of TANF funds for this purpose by July 1, 2026. The $15 million is nonlapsing, meaning it remains available for use in fiscal year 2027 without needing annual reapproval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M from state General Fund to fund child care employer grants, strengthening public service funding if federal TANF fails to approve.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides $15M state funding for child care employer recruitment/benefit grants, directly supporting staff retention and workplace stability for workers in child care sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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