2017-2018 BILL REPORTS

Did you know New Hampshire legislators have considered over 1,800 bills in 2017 and 2018? Below, you can find clear, easy-to-read summaries of each of those bills, broken out by category. Our issue pages also show summaries of all bills related to each issue, along with their current status in the Legislature.
Browse our issue list.

SELECT BILLS BY CATEGORY

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Gun laws, marijuana decriminalization, and the death penalty are some of the many issues included in this category.

CACR 16 (2018)

Constitutional amendment stating, "An individual's right to live free from governmental intrusion in private or personal information is natural, essential, and inherent."

CACR 22 (2018)

Constitutional amendment establishing various rights for crime victims.

HB 100 (2017)

Exempts toy smoke devices from the prohibition on the sale or use of smoke bombs.

HB 106 (2017)

Requires corroboration for a victim's testimony in a sexual assault case if the defendant has no prior convictions for sexual assault.

HB 1103 (2018)

Removes the state's right to bill parents in child abuse/neglect cases that are deemed "unfounded but with reasonable concern" for the costs of voluntary services provided. Any services will be paid for using available Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) reserve funds.

HB 112 (2017)

Requires child resistant packaging for e-cigarette cartridges.

HB 1213 (2018)

Removes the exception for legally married spouses from certain sexual assault offenses.

HB 1218 (2018)

Increases the penalty for a person who pays to engage in sexual contact with another person under the age of 18 who is a victim of human trafficking.

HB 1238 (2018)

Allows a law enforcement officer to take an animal which is the subject of animal cruelty when he or she makes an arrest for animal cruelty. The House amended the bill to instead move an anti-cruelty law related to colts to the modern animal cruelty statute.

HB 1245 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study alternatives to bail for indigent persons.

HB 1265 (2018)

Permits the release of criminal conviction records to a defendant a criminal proceeding.

HB 1273 (2018)

Requires the National Guard to permit members of the guard to carry concealed weapons at national guard facilities. The House amended the bill completely to instead suspend state licensing laws for physicians and physician assistants employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Manchester VA Medical Center.

HB 1283 (2018)

Prohibits sobriety checkpoints.

HB 1284 (2018)

Changes the reporting requirement of the Incapacitated and Vulnerable Adult Fatality Review Committee from annual to biennial.

HB 1288 (2018)

Allows a person to more quickly petition a court for a criminal annulment after the annulment was denied.

HB 1291 (2018)

Decreases the maximum damages to qualify as criminal mischief from $1,500 to $1,000, and requires restitution for certain criminal mischief offenses.

HB 1300 (2018)

If an arrest is supported by a sealed affidavit, this bill allows the state to provide the defendant with a copy of the affidavit for a probable cause hearing.

HB 1306 (2018)

Increases a criminal charge from sexual assault to aggravated sexual assault if the assault takes place in a public bathroom, locker room, or similar location.

HB 1313 (2018)

Repeals the prohibition on carrying a loaded handgun on an OHRV or a snowmobile.

HB 1316 (2018)

Requires the first $400,000 collected by the state from concealed carry permits to be credited to the permits and licensing unit of the state police each year. The state collects a $100 license fee from out-of-state residents.

HB 1318 (2018)

Provides that a fire greater than 24 inches in height - not just any fire - shall require a permit.

HB 1329 (2018)

Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy regarding eyewitness identification procedures.

HB 133 (2017)

Upon a defendant's request, this bill requires judges to instruct jurors, "Even if you find that the state has proved all of the elements of the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt, you may still find that based upon the facts of this case a guilty verdict will yield an unjust result, and you may find the defendant not guilty." This is known as jury nullification.

HB 1335 (2018)

Prohibits state agencies from using software developed by Kaspersky Labs (a Russian cybersecurity company).

HB 1357 (2018)

Permits the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and the superintendent of a county correctional facility to appoint a designee to manage issues relating to the delivery of prohibited articles to prisoners.

HB 1370 (2018)

Requires the Department of Education to provide a copy of each school's emergency management plan, as updated, to the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The legislature amended the bill to also require schools to coordinate emergency management planning with local emergency authorities.

HB 1372 (2018)

Prohibits the implanting of subcutaneous identification devices in individuals, with an exception for inmates in government-run jails and prisons.

HB 1373 (2018)

As introduced, states that "An individual's genetic information and DNA sample are the property of the individual, and, except as expressly otherwise provided in statute, shall not be acquired, retained, or disclosed without the written consent of the individual or his or her legal representative or, after the individual’s death, his or her executor or other legal representative. This section shall not apply to the identification of individuals in criminal investigations."

HB 1375 (2018)

Repeals the statute relative to inhaling toxic vapors for effect.

HB 138 (2017)

Forbids incarcerating someone for civil contempt without a finding that the person is able to pay the contempt penalty. This bill also states that the courts cannot require a person to sell their home or only vehicle to satisfy a civil contempt penalty.

HB 1380 (2018)

Allows for discharge of a firearm within the compact part of a city or town with the written permission of all abutting property owners. At the time of this bill's submission, permission must come from the chief of police or governing body.

HB 1395 (2018)

Requires a court to consider the financial resources of a person when setting cash bail, and forbids the court from setting bail in an amount a low income person cannot pay. Under this bill, a court could only require a person to stay in jail before trial if the court finds - by a preponderance of the evidence - that the person will likely not appear in court or will endanger the community.

HB 1400 (2018)

Authorizes red emergency lights on vehicles owned or leased by police dispatchers.

HB 1404 (2018)

Amends the statute regarding the defense of competing harms.

HB 1406 (2018)

Adds a concealed carry license to the list of acceptable forms of proof of domicile for voting purposes, makes a concealed carry license valid for 3 years, and renders a resident's concealed carry license invalid 30 days after he or she relocates to a new city or town.

HB 1413 (2018)

Makes it a class A misdemeanor to falsely report a violation of a protective order.

HB 1416 (2018)

Repeals the prohibition on the retail sales of bottle rockets, which has been in place since 2004.

HB 1420 (2018)

Reinstates a minimum misdemeanor charge for driving after being certified as an habitual offender, in certain circumstances.

HB 1421 (2018)

Provides that event tents must comply with the state building code and state fire code. The bill exempts tents on private property from regulation under the state building code and state fire code. The House amended the bill to limit the private property exemption to owner-occupied, one or two family dwellings.

HB 1425 (2018)

Provides that, for the purpose of the simple assault law, unprivileged physical contact which does not result in harm or injury shall be charged as a violation and not a misdemeanor.

HB 1426 (2018)

Requires a person convicted of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images (sometimes called "revenge porn") to register as a sexual offender.

HB 143 (2017)

Allows the parole board greater discretion in choosing to recommit someone for less than 90 days for a parole violation. The Senate amended the bill to specifically allow recommittal less than 90 days if the person enters a residential substance abuse treatment program.

HB 1430 (2018)

Provides that certain fees and fines collected by the Division of Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Services - such as the fee for an EMS vehicle - shall be deposited in the Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Services fund rather than the general fund.

HB 1431 (2018)

Prohibits the state and municipalities from acquiring military equipment that is not available in an open commercial market.

HB 1437 (2018)

Allows state law enforcement officers to have arm tattoos, provided the tattoos are not indecent, sexist, gang affiliated, or extremist.

HB 1438 (2018)

Allows rental and lease agreements for residential property to include a clause prohibiting tenants from possessing firearms, explosives, or ammunition within the premises.

HB 1443 (2018)

Upon a defendant's request, this bill requires judges to instruct jurors, "[if] your right of conscience dictates that the facts of the case reveal that a guilty verdict will yield an unjust sentence; accordingly you shall find the defendant not guilty." This is known as jury nullification.

HB 1447 (2018)

Establishes procedures for using video conferencing for arraignments in criminal cases, which would be conducted with the defendant remaining at the correctional facility.

HB 1457 (2018)

Adds illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia to the drug take-back programs.

HB 1467 (2018)

Modifies the penalty for driving after revocation or suspension to account for various prior offenses. The House amended the bill to allow judges to let certain offenders serve their seven-day jail sentence on weekends for driving while their driver’s license is suspended or revoked.

ECONOMY, BUDGET & TAXES
From this year's property taxes to next year's budget, this category includes issues related to taxpayer issues.

CACR 16 (2018)

Constitutional amendment stating, "An individual's right to live free from governmental intrusion in private or personal information is natural, essential, and inherent."

CACR 22 (2018)

Constitutional amendment establishing various rights for crime victims.

HB 100 (2017)

Exempts toy smoke devices from the prohibition on the sale or use of smoke bombs.

HB 106 (2017)

Requires corroboration for a victim's testimony in a sexual assault case if the defendant has no prior convictions for sexual assault.

HB 1103 (2018)

HB 112 (2017)

Requires child resistant packaging for e-cigarette cartridges.

HB 1213 (2018)

Removes the exception for legally married spouses from certain sexual assault offenses.

HB 1218 (2018)

Increases the penalty for a person who pays to engage in sexual contact with another person under the age of 18 who is a victim of human trafficking.

HB 1238 (2018)

HB 1245 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study alternatives to bail for indigent persons.

HB 1265 (2018)

Permits the release of criminal conviction records to a defendant a criminal proceeding.

HB 1273 (2018)

HB 1283 (2018)

Prohibits sobriety checkpoints.

HB 1284 (2018)

Changes the reporting requirement of the Incapacitated and Vulnerable Adult Fatality Review Committee from annual to biennial.

HB 1288 (2018)

Allows a person to more quickly petition a court for a criminal annulment after the annulment was denied.

HB 1291 (2018)

Decreases the maximum damages to qualify as criminal mischief from $1,500 to $1,000, and requires restitution for certain criminal mischief offenses.

HB 1300 (2018)

If an arrest is supported by a sealed affidavit, this bill allows the state to provide the defendant with a copy of the affidavit for a probable cause hearing.

HB 1306 (2018)

Increases a criminal charge from sexual assault to aggravated sexual assault if the assault takes place in a public bathroom, locker room, or similar location.

HB 1313 (2018)

Repeals the prohibition on carrying a loaded handgun on an OHRV or a snowmobile.

HB 1316 (2018)

HB 1318 (2018)

Provides that a fire greater than 24 inches in height - not just any fire - shall require a permit.

HB 1329 (2018)

Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy regarding eyewitness identification procedures.

HB 133 (2017)

HB 1335 (2018)

Prohibits state agencies from using software developed by Kaspersky Labs (a Russian cybersecurity company).

HB 1357 (2018)

HB 1370 (2018)

HB 1372 (2018)

Prohibits the implanting of subcutaneous identification devices in individuals, with an exception for inmates in government-run jails and prisons.

HB 1373 (2018)

HB 1375 (2018)

Repeals the statute relative to inhaling toxic vapors for effect.

HB 138 (2017)

HB 1380 (2018)

HB 1395 (2018)

HB 1400 (2018)

Authorizes red emergency lights on vehicles owned or leased by police dispatchers.

HB 1404 (2018)

Amends the statute regarding the defense of competing harms.

HB 1406 (2018)

HB 1413 (2018)

Makes it a class A misdemeanor to falsely report a violation of a protective order.

HB 1416 (2018)

Repeals the prohibition on the retail sales of bottle rockets, which has been in place since 2004.

HB 1420 (2018)

Reinstates a minimum misdemeanor charge for driving after being certified as an habitual offender, in certain circumstances.

HB 1421 (2018)

HB 1425 (2018)

Provides that, for the purpose of the simple assault law, unprivileged physical contact which does not result in harm or injury shall be charged as a violation and not a misdemeanor.

HB 1426 (2018)

Requires a person convicted of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images (sometimes called "revenge porn") to register as a sexual offender.

HB 143 (2017)

HB 1430 (2018)

HB 1431 (2018)

Prohibits the state and municipalities from acquiring military equipment that is not available in an open commercial market.

HB 1437 (2018)

Allows state law enforcement officers to have arm tattoos, provided the tattoos are not indecent, sexist, gang affiliated, or extremist.

HB 1438 (2018)

Allows rental and lease agreements for residential property to include a clause prohibiting tenants from possessing firearms, explosives, or ammunition within the premises.

HB 1443 (2018)

HB 1447 (2018)

Establishes procedures for using video conferencing for arraignments in criminal cases, which would be conducted with the defendant remaining at the correctional facility.

HB 1457 (2018)

Adds illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia to the drug take-back programs.

HB 1467 (2018)

EDUCATION
Curious about Common Core or school funding? Browse these issues related to education in the Granite State.

CACR 7 (2017)

Constitutional amendment that gives the Legislature more control over school funding and education standards. The amendment states, "the General Court shall have the authority and full discretion to define reasonable standards for elementary and secondary public education, to establish reasonable standards of accountability therefor, and to mitigate local disparities in educational opportunity and fiscal capacity. Further, in the exercise thereof, the General Court shall have full discretion to determine the amount of, and methods of raising and distributing, State funding for education."

HB 103 (2017)

Requires school districts to provide advance notice to parents and legal guardians of course material involving discussion of human sexuality or human sexual education.

HB 107 (2017)

Adds a member to the advanced manufacturing education advisory council.

HB 113 (2017)

Allows the state Board of Education to deny a chartered public school application based on lack of state funding.

HB 1217 (2018)

Removes many of the education and certification requirements for school nurses.

HB 122 (2017)

Amends the procedure for withdrawal from a cooperative school district, so that the preexisting school district rather than the entire cooperative school district votes on withdrawal. The House amended the bill to instead create a committee review process if one district wants to withdraw from a cooperative school district.

HB 1228 (2018)

Allows a charter school to incur long term debt, without first operating for five years.

HB 1229 (2018)

Allows a public school to become a charter school if a majority of the school board votes in favor. At the time of this bill's submission, current law also requires a majority of teachers, the school superintendent, and the principal to also approve of becoming a charter school.

HB 125 (2017)

Provides that members of a chartered public school board of trustees shall be appointed by the governor and Executive Council.

HB 1253 (2018)

Makes the school board member of a cooperative school district budget committee a non-voting member.

HB 1263 (2018)

Requires homeschooling parents to submit annual evaluations of student progress to a local school district or the state. This bill also establishes a process for the Department of Education to terminate a homeschool program.

HB 1272 (2018)

Modifies the responsibilities of school boards, for example to include approval of contracts for digital learning programs.

HB 1277 (2018)

Reduces the number of consecutive years of teaching required for a teacher to be entitled to notification and a hearing when the teacher is not reappointed, from five years to three years.

HB 1282 (2018)

Repeals the option to reduce local property taxes for a property rented or leased by a charter school.

HB 129 (2017)

Repeals the Education Tax Credit Program, which gives businesses a tax credit for donating to a scholarship fund for private, parochial, and homeschooled students.

HB 1315 (2018)

Prohibiting the university system from acting against employees for membership in a group or organization, including a labor union.

HB 1321 (2018)

Exempts homeschooled students from certain laws against youth employment.

HB 1333 (2018)

Requires at least 80% of the teachers at a charter school to be licensed by the state.

HB 1348 (2018)

Requires chartered public schools to include in their annual financial audit report a list of all donors who have given $10,000 or more.

HB 1351 (2018)

Requires charter schools to notify parents if a student's teacher is not certified in New Hampshire, if a child is receiving services from a paraprofessional and the qualifications of that paraprofessional, and of the child's level of achievement on state assessments.

HB 1353 (2018)

Establishes a commission to study equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletics.

HB 1354 (2018)

Makes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President permanent voting members of the university system board of trustees. A conference committee of legislators amended the bill to extend their membership to just June 30, 2019.

HB 1369 (2018)

States that academic assessments and work-study practices "shall not include student dispositions, empathy, values, attitude, sensitivity, or behavioral qualities such as habits of the mind."

HB 1370 (2018)

HB 1403 (2018)

Prohibits a member of a local school board from being a member of the state board of education.

HB 1405 (2018)

Provides family and medical leave to school district employees who have been employed by the school district for at least 12 months and who have worked at least 900 hours in the previous 12-month period. These employees are not otherwise eligible for leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

HB 1409 (2018)

Permits the parent of a child subject to restraint or seclusion in violation of state law to request an administrative hearing with the Department of Education or Department of Health and Human Services.

HB 1415 (2018)

Establishes a death benefit for a school employee killed in the line of duty. The House and Senate amended the bill to also appropriate $10 million for the School Emergency Readiness Program.

HB 1432 (2018)

States that "A receiving nonpublic school or educational service that accepts students benefiting from public funds through scholarships, tax credits, freedom savings accounts, or vouchers shall be required to perform background checks on all employees and volunteers and follow all federal and state nondiscrimination laws."

HB 1439 (2018)

Provides that any private school that contracts with a school district to provide for the education of a child who resides in the school district shall comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and New Hampshire standards for the education of children with disabilities.

HB 1452 (2018)

Requires an annual apportionment of public taxes according to the equalized valuation of cooperative school districts. This bill repeals various laws related to apportionment of public taxes and costs in cooperative school districts.

HB 1469 (2018)

Modifies the requirements for the termination of a cooperative school district, particularly if more than two pre-existing school districts are withdrawing.

HB 147 (2017)

Requires chartered public schools to comply with all the laws applicable to public schools.

HB 148 (2017)

Requires all charter school teachers to possess a "valid New Hampshire teaching credential." At the time of this bill's submission, half of a charter school's teachers must be certified or have at least 3 years teaching experience.

HB 1480 (2018)

Modifies the membership requirements of the board of trustees of a public chartered school, for example stating that no paid employees may serve as a voting member of the board.

HB 1492 (2018)

Allows a change of school or other action if a child experiences "manifest educational hardship."

HB 1493 (2018)

Forbids the statewide education assessment program from measuring "non-objective data such as work-study practices or student behaviors." The House amended the bill to instead require that the assessment "be designed to be a measure of student academic achievement and growth of knowledge and skills." The amended version also requires the high school assessment data "to serve as one indicator of a student's postsecondary education readiness."

HB 1494 (2018)

Makes a small change to the definition of academic standards.

HB 1495 (2018)

Adds to the indicators that school districts must report annually to the Department of Education. For example, this bill requires colleges to report "the number and percentage of students requiring remedial education in English/language arts, reading, and mathematics." The bill also establishes a rating scale for school districts regarding performance standards.

HB 1496 (2018)

Makes various changes to the requirements for performance-based accountability for an adequate education in public schools. For example, this bill requires the state to conduct site visits at all schools at least once every five years, instead of once every ten years. The House and Senate amended the bill to also add reporting requirements for the civics competency assessment administered to high school students.

HB 1497 (2018)

Modifies certain definitions relating to school performance and accountability. The bill is intended to better align state laws with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

HB 1498 (2018)

Permits local school boards to offer a certificate of eligibility to a person interested in becoming a career and technical educator who is not a certified or licensed teacher.

HB 1499 (2018)

States that "Standards for kindergarten shall be play based and have the following components: movement, expression, exploration, socialization, and music. Literacy shall be developed through guided reading and there shall be unstructured time for the discovery of each child's individual talents, abilities, and needs." The House expanded the bill to also include early childhood best teaching practices.

HB 1528 (2018)

Expands the categories that the university and community college systems cannot use to discriminate or give preferential treatment, to include "age, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, familial status, or actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault."

HB 155 (2017)

Increases state funding for full-day kindergarten programs.

HB 1551 (2018)

Establishes a time period to keep a student's individualized education programs after the student graduates from high school. All such records must be destroyed by the student's 30th birthday.

HB 1552 (2018)

Requires all public schools to submit annual reports to the Department of Education detailing the policies and procedures that are in place to identify and accommodate the needs of gifted students.

HB 1559 (2018)

Requires the state board of education, when adopting rules relative to certification of elementary school assistant principals, to include K-12 and college administrative experience in any administrative experience requirement.

HB 1572 (2018)

Authorizes the use of private vehicles to transport students to and from school activities, under certain circumstances.

HB 1593 (2018)

Permits a school district meeting to authorize the trustees of the trust fund to charge expenses incurred in employing trust departments of certain financial institutions against capital reserve funds.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
This issue category starts with eminent domain and ends with wind farms. Click here to see issues related to your next electricity bill.

HB 1101 (2018)

Allows the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to make rules regarding air pollution and the deposit of such pollutants on soils and water. This bill also sets a timeline for DES to evaluate certain water contaminants, such as PFCs, and establish ambient groundwater and drinking water standards for those contaminants. The House amended the bill to also establish a toxicologist position and a human health risk assessor position in DES. The Senate then amended the bill to also require DES to develop a plan to establish surface water quality standards for PFC contamination.

HB 111 (2017)

Provides that costs of purchased power agreements prior to July 9, 2015 shall only be collected through the default service charge, rather than through other charges to ratepayers.

HB 114 (2017)

Reduces the percentage of electricity that must come from class I sources by 2025, under the renewable portfolio standards. Class I sources include wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, methane, and solar energy.

HB 119 (2017)

Appropriates $2,228,692 to the Department of Environmental Services to fund twelve eligible and completed drinking water and wastewater projects under the state aid grant program.

HB 1202 (2018)

Permits a town to establish a revolving fund for the purpose of facilitating transactions relative to municipal group net metering.

HB 1214 (2018)

Prohibits the sale and distribution of new upholstered furniture for residential purposes if it contains certain flame retardant chemicals.

HB 1226 (2018)

Removes the power of towns to restrict the use of water from private wells to water residential property.

HB 1230 (2018)

Establishes a commission to study the economic impact of a national carbon pricing program on New Hampshire.

HB 1233 (2018)

Preempts the local regulation of seeds and fertilizer, so that state law takes precedence.

HB 1338 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study the changes in law necessary to allow for microgrids in electricity supply.

HB 1343 (2018)

Adds protections for beavers and beaver dams and requires the executive director of the Fish and Game Department to include advice on beaver control on its public website.

HB 1349 (2018)

Requires a letter from the United States Department of Agriculture to accompany any biologic or diagnostic reagent that does not require licensure.

HB 1356 (2018)

Requires the Department of Environmental Services and the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a data sharing protocol regarding certain health and environmental information, particularly environmentally-triggered chronic illness. A conference committee amended the bill to clarify that campground owners are not responsible for collecting property taxes on recreational vehicles.

HB 1358 (2018)

Requires the Site Evaluation Committee to issue a certificate for an energy facility if the committee fails to act within 365 days of acceptance of an application.

HB 1371 (2018)

Repeals the lot size and setback requirements for temporary docks to be exempt from permitting requirements.

HB 1376 (2018)

Repeals the law forbidding collecting seaweed at night.

HB 1381 (2018)

Caps the taxable value of utility property for local property taxation based on the book value of the property in the utility's financial records.

HB 1402 (2018)

Requires municipalities to minimize any adverse effects to forestry activities when adopting ordinances. This bill also prohibits municipalities from adopting ordinances that deal solely with forestry which adversely affect forestry activities.

HB 141 (2017)

Allows hydropower to fulfill up to 5% of class I renewable energy required under the renewable portfolio standards. Class I sources include wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, methane, and solar energy. The House amended the bill to instead allow the Public Utilities Commission to modify renewable energy portfolio standards according to expected annual output of various energy sources.

HB 1411 (2018)

Increases the state match for public donations in the non-game program from $50,000 to $100,000 per year. The non-game program is used to protect species that are not hunted, fished, or trapped, including endangered species.

HB 1436 (2018)

Requires all septic systems within protected shoreland to meet all rules of the Department of Environmental Services for sewage system design. Under this bill, if a development has more than 10 units or a development will process hazardous materials, and that development is within protected shoreland, all towns which share the shoreland of the water body shall be given the status of abutters. This status gives them the power to appeal decisions by the Department of Environmental Services.

HB 145 (2017)

Requires local approval to site high voltage transmission lines in a town or city.

HB 1458 (2018)

Exempts rules governing marine species managed under the Magnusson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act from the regular rulemaking process. The Senate amended the bill to add immunity for campground owners.

HB 146 (2017)

Expands "energy cost saving measure" and "energy performance contracts" to include utility cost savings.

HB 1472 (2018)

Requires the state building code review board to make available a form for showing compliance with energy provisions under the state building code. The bill also repeals the state code for energy conservation in new building construction.

HB 1473 (2018)

Permits a municipality to reduce the timber yield tax from 10% to 5% for timber harvesting conducted in consultation with or supervised by a licensed forester. A municipality may also waive the timber yield tax for timber harvesting on land owned by the municipality. The House and Senate amended the bill to permit a municipality to waive the yield tax on land owned by the municipality, limit the circumstances requiring a supplemental notice to cut, and require a municipality to provide public notice of an intent to cut before it is signed by assessing officials.

HB 1481 (2018)

Allows legislators to intervene in contested cases before the Public Utilities Commission and other agencies on matters that affect the interests of the residents, businesses, or communities they represent.

HB 1488 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study the Public Utilities Commission's role and scope of duties in a deregulated environment.

HB 1502 (2018)

Adds the property tax exemption for water and air pollution control facilities to the list of tax expenditures subject to the joint committee on tax expenditure review.

HB 1515 (2018)

Exempts bio-oil and biosynthetic gas from the ban on combustion of the wood component of construction and demolition debris.

HB 1544 (2018)

Establishes a committee to analyze the requirements needed if New Hampshire were to commit to the goal of providing 100% renewable energy for electricity by the year 2040.

HB 1550 (2018)

Requires providers of electricity to include on customer bills, once a year, the annual cost to each customer of compliance with the electric renewable portfolio standard.

HB 1553 (2018)

Requires the state to get permission from abutters before removing trees from certain parts of state-owned land.

HB 1555 (2018)

Requires the Public Utilities Commission and the Office of the Consumer Advocate to advocate against regional or federal policies which are not the policies in this state and which would result in any "unjust or unreasonable" impact on electricity rates.

HB 1561 (2018)

Prohibits the use of recycled tire rubber at village, town, municipal, and public school playgrounds.

HB 1563 (2018)

Permits the owner of property equipped with a solar energy system to either pay the property tax on the assessed value of the property equipped with the solar array system or make a payment in lieu of taxes of a specified amount for that portion equipped with the solar energy system.

HB 1569 (2018)

Requires a certificate issued by the Site Evaluation Committee to include a provision that the applicant guarantees funding for restoration efforts in the event of environmental damage caused by the facility.

HB 1585 (2018)

Requires conservation commissions to keep a natural resources inventory—rather than just an "index"—of open space and natural, aesthetic, or ecological areas.

HB 1590 (2018)

Requires the Department of Environmental Services to make rules relative to the presence of PFCs in surface water.

HB 1591 (2018)

Allows a resident to sue if they are exposed to hazardous toxins, provided that the state or the company/individual responsible is not taking remedial action.

HB 1592 (2018)

Requires the Department of Environmental Services to revise the maximum contaminant limit for arsenic to 0.004 parts per billion in groundwater and public water systems. The House amended the bill to instead only require the Department of Environmental Services to review the arsenic limits.

HB 1610 (2018)

Requires sellers of property to provide notice to buyers of environmentally hazardous sites within one mile of the property, and to disclose water test results if a source of MTBE or perfluorinated chemicals is identified within one mile of the property.

HB 1611 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study off-shore wind energy development.

HB 1618 (2018)

Requires the Department of Environmental Services to make rules relative to preflourinated chemicals (PFCs) in public water systems, ambient groundwater, and surface water.

HB 162 (2017)

Establishes criteria for high pressure gas pipeline applications, including compensation to property owners in eminent domain proceedings. This bill also requires 75% or more of the gas transmitted into New Hampshire to be distributed within New Hampshire.

HB 1632 (2018)

Requires bottled water to be tested for the presence of PFCs and MTBE and labeled with certain results of such tests.

HB 1644 (2018)

Prohibits the combination of a regulated water utility with an electric or gas utility.

HB 1647 (2018)

Includes energy systems in distributed energy resources and provides for the recovery of investment costs for energy storage.

HB 1659 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study the possible health and safety effects of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) on the Seacoast. ASR was found in the concrete at the nuclear power plant in Seabrook.

HB 1662 (2018)

Requires radon testing for new residential construction.

HEALTH CARE
Do you support the Affordable Care Act in NH? What about the medical marijuana or physician-assisted suicide? This category covers all of those issues and more.

CACR 21 (2018)

Constitutional amendment requiring 5% of liquor profits to be spent on alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

HB 1102 (2018)

Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with a physician to provide guidance related to medication assisted treatment and non-medication related treatment for substance use disorders.

HB 1217 (2018)

Removes many of the education and certification requirements for school nurses.

HB 1241 (2018)

Establishes a commission to study the benefits and cost of establishing a publicly funded health insurance program to cover all residents of New Hampshire.

HB 1275 (2018)

Directs the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery to develop a procedure to refer minors to the John H. Sununu Youth Services Center for drug treatment after being revived with Narcan.

HB 1322 (2018)

Clarifies the formula for calculating risk-based capital for health maintenance organizations, as requested by the Insurance Department.

HB 1356 (2018)

HB 1362 (2018)

Allows businesses with under 100 employees to purchase health insurance from out-of-state. If the federal Affordable Care Act is repealed, this bill also requires any out-of-state insurance company to offer 2 plans, one of which matches all of New Hampshire's requirements for in-state insurance policies.

HB 1367 (2018)

Removes tetanus from the list of legally required child vaccinations.

HB 1374 (2018)

Makes certain technical changes in the insurance laws relating to the corporate governance annual disclosure act, health maintenance organizations, and Delta Dental plan of New Hampshire, as requested by the Insurance Department.

HB 1379 (2018)

Clarifies when forms and rates filed with the insurance department are open to the public.

HB 1388 (2018)

Requires health care providers to provide certain information to persons being tested for Lyme disease.

HB 1418 (2018)

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services and Insurance Department to annually report on the pricing of prescription drugs "for which there is a substantial public interest in understanding the development of its pricing." The House and Senate amended the bill to instead establish a commission to study greater transparency in pharmaceutical costs and drug rebate programs.

HB 1446 (2018)

Designates September as childhood cancer awareness month.

HB 1462 (2018)

Requires employers who offer health or dental benefits to their employees to maintain that coverage for an employee who has filed a compensable claim under the workers' compensation law for two years or until the employee has returned to work, whichever is shorter.

HB 1465 (2018)

Requires Medicare supplemental insurance policies to provide coverage for hearing aids.

HB 1471 (2018)

Adds definitions of "distant site" and "originating site" to the law governing telemedicine. The House and Senate amended the bill to also establish a committee to study health care reimbursement for telemedicine and telehealth.

HB 1476 (2018)

Permits qualifying patients and registered caregivers to grow medicinal marijuana at home.

HB 1503 (2018)

Requires health care providers to obtain the independent consent of a minor 16 years of age or older before the minor undergoes any medical procedure.

HB 1506 (2018)

Establishes licensing and regulation of assistant physicians by the Board of Medicine. The bill also establishes a grant program in the Department of Health and Human Services to provide matching funds for primary care clinics that utilize assistant physicians and are located in medically underserved areas. The House and Senate amended the bill to instead add members and extend the Commission on Primary Care Workforce Issues.

HB 1508 (2018)

Increases the workers’ compensation wage replacement rates for injured employees, and establishes a workers’ compensation medical fee schedule based on 150% of the Medicare reimbursement rate.

HB 1516 (2018)

Establishes a commission to examine the feasibility of the New England states entering into a compact for a single-payer health care program.

HB 1529 (2018)

Requires the insurance commissioner to select 25 prescription drugs, based on high cost and utilization, and requires insurance carriers and pharmacy benefit managers to annually disclose the amount rebated from drug manufacturers for those drugs during the prior year.

HB 1530 (2018)

Requires a criminal history record check for allied health professional licensure or certification.

HB 1531 (2018)

Establishes a commission to study the performance of the Medicaid managed care program, and appropriates $150,000 for the study.

HB 1532 (2018)

Prohibits gender reassignment surgery on persons under age eighteen.

HB 1537 (2018)

Permits state and county prisoners to have a second medical opinion from a licensed health care provider not employed or contracted by the government.

HB 1560 (2018)

Prohibits Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment drug or hormone therapy or surgery.

HB 1565 (2018)

Requires the Department of Corrections to pursue accreditation of the secure psychiatric unit of the state prison as a psychiatric hospital. The Senate amended the bill to instead require accreditation as a behavioral health facility by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. This bill also requires the department to submit a biennial report on provisions, standards, or practices that should be revised to improve treatment.

HB 157 (2017)

Adds chronic pain to the qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana.

HB 1571 (2018)

Authorizes the board of nursing to operate an alternative recovery monitoring program for nurses impaired by substance use disorders or mental or physical illness.

HB 1574 (2018)

Requires both a health care provider and a patient to sign a form explaining the addictive nature of controlled opioid drugs before a prescription for those drugs is issued.

HB 1577 (2018)

Regulates the use of general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate anesthesia by dentists and requires the reporting of adverse events. The House and Senate amended the bill to also provide dental insurance coverage for children under 13 years of age for dental procedures requiring anesthesia, not just children under age 6.

HB 158 (2017)

Adds opioid addiction to the qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana.

HB 1589 (2018)

Excludes a live-in caregiver for a person with disabilities from the legal definition of "tenant." This bill allows a person with disabilities to order the live-in caregiver to vacate the premises without going through the legal process of evicting a tenant.

HB 159 (2017)

Adds fibromyalgia to the qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana.

HB 160 (2017)

Adds post-traumatic stress disorder to the qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana. The Senate amended the bill to also include every other change to the state's medical marijuana law that passed this year. This bill was also amended to include language from SB 144, allowing marijuana for injuries or conditions that result in qualifying symptoms, not just injuries that significantly interfere with daily activities.

HB 1605 (2018)

Gives the Insurance Department rulemaking power regarding reinsurance, according to changes in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model law.

HB 1606 (2018)

Makes various changes to the regulation of doctors of naturopathic medicine.

HB 1617 (2018)

Adds a defintion of "vaccination" and "vaccine" to the law relating to communicable disease.

HB 1625 (2018)

Requires health care providers to give patients and parents the option to opt-out of digital foot scanning.

HB 1626 (2018)

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in conjuction with the governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, to make an annual report on the cost effectiveness and outcomes of programs funded by the commission.

HB 1643 (2018)

Prohibits balance billing in health insurance for anesthesiology, radiology, emergency medicine, or pathology services provided by out-of-network providers at an in-network facility.

HB 1664 (2018)

Clarifies the eligibility to reappoint a member of a governing board of an allied health profession to an additional full term.

HB 1665 (2018)

Clarifies the authority of the governing boards of allied health professionals over individuals who are certified by such boards.

HB 1668 (2018)

Limits the type of beverages offered with a children's meal to milk, water, sparkling or flavored water, and juice.

HB 1672 (2018)

Requires federal authorities to get a search warrant based on probable cause to access information about residents registered to use medical marijuana.

HB 1680 (2018)

Prohibits abortion after viability, unless the mother's life is in danger, "in cases of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, or to remove a fetus with severe anomalies incompatible with life."

HB 1703 (2018)

Forbids the Board of Nursing from requiring that a director of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) education program possess a master's degree in nursing.

HB 1707 (2018)

Requires doctors to provide women with certain information 24 hours before providing an abortion, such as a description of the abortion method, abortion alternatives, and a description of the "probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child."

POLITICS/POLITICAL PROCESS
Learn about campaigns and voting rights, from SB2 elections at the town level all the way up to the Electoral College in Presidential elections.

CACR 1 (2017)

Constitutional amendment changing the state Legislature to biennial sessions.

CACR 10 (2018)

Constitutional amendment removing the power of the Legislature to meet in private "when the welfare of the state, in the opinion of either branch, shall require secrecy."

CACR 11 (2018)

Constitutional amendment requiring a majority of selectmen to be present at the polls during biennial elections.

CACR 12 (2018)

Constitutional amendment requiring judges to be elected rather than appointed.

CACR 13 (2018)

Constitutional amendment deleting the wording that gives rules made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court the power of law.

CACR 15 (2018)

Constitutional amendment giving taxpayers broad power to sue the government.

CACR 17 (2018)

Constitutional amendment allowing voters to pass or veto state laws by referendum.

CACR 18 (2018)

Constitutional amendment allowing the Legislature to call a recall election for an elected official.

CACR 19 (2018)

Constitutional amendment creating a right to "local, community self-government."

CACR 20 (2018)

Constitutional amendment raising the retirement age for judges to 75.

CACR 3 (2017)

Constitutional amendment ending the age limit for judges and sheriffs.

CACR 4 (2017)

Constitutional amendment for the legislature to elect the Attorney General every two years. At the time of this bill's submission, the Attorney General is appointed by the governor and Executive Council.

CACR 5 (2017)

Constitutional amendment requiring the Legislature to confirm judicial appointments.

CACR 6 (2017)

Constitutional amendment forbidding legislators from introducing legislation that creates a financial conflict of interest.

CACR 8 (2017)

Constitutional amendment eliminating the position of Register of Probate. The Legislature stripped most of the duties of that office in 2011 while restructuring the court system.

CACR 9 (2017)

Constitutional amendment changing the term of office for state representatives, state senators, executive councilors, and the governor to four years.

HA 1 (2018)

Requesting the governor to remove super court judge James D. O'Neill, III.

HB 108 (2017)

Permits a municipality to scan records that are to be retained less than 10 years into PDF format and dispose of paper copies.

HB 110 (2017)

Requires members of the press to wear a name tag when working in the Statehouse.

HB 116 (2017)

Requires legislative hearings on the consequences of the Citizens United decision and calls upon New Hampshire's congressional delegation to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the decision.

HB 118 (2017)

Eliminates the requirement that a governing body note whether or not they recommend an appropriation in a warrant article submitted by petition.

HB 120 (2017)

Allows counties to establish a rainy day fund.

HB 1203 (2018)

Requires the Judicial Council to file an annual, rather than biennial report, and requires the report to contain certain data about the number of days court was in session and the types of cases it heard.

HB 1204 (2018)

Requires the Judicial Council to use scientific methods "to improve outcomes and avoid harm" in the courts.

HB 1205 (2018)

Requires the Judicial Council to "encourage citizen and litigant participation" in conversations about their experiences with the judicial system.

HB 1206 (2018)

Replaces references to "employee" with "civil officer" in the statute governing bonds for public officials.

HB 1207 (2018)

Requires all bonds for public officials to be filed with the Department of Administrative services and at the state library.

HB 1208 (2018)

Amends the law governing the oath of office so that public officials must say and write the oath.

HB 1209 (2018)

Requires clerks of court to be individually bonded for at least $500,000.

HB 1215 (2018)

Changes the voting procedure for zoning boards of adjustment when they vote on variances.

HB 122 (2017)

HB 1220 (2018)

If a voter is less than seventy years-old, requires the voter to use a driver's license that is current or expired less than five years (for voter ID purposes).

HB 1221 (2018)

Allows amendments to a petitioned warrant article in town voting provided that the amendment retains the intent of the original warrant article.

HB 1223 (2018)

Establishes a commission to study mileage reimbursements and compensation of legislators.

HB 1224 (2018)

Authorizes the moderator to postpone and reschedule a town election because of a weather emergency.

HB 1225 (2018)

Permits any member of the Legislature to petition the governor and council for removal of a public official.

HB 123 (2017)

If a zoning board of adjustment finds that it cannot conclude a public hearing within the time available, this bill allows the board to vote to continue the hearing to a specified time and place with no additional notice required.

HB 1237 (2018)

Adds a legal definition of "public at large," which would exclude elected officials.

HB 1239 (2018)

Allows a voter to sign more than one nomination paper to allow political organizations access to the ballot.

HB 1240 (2018)

Allows voters to vote for multiple candidates for the same office.

HB 1247 (2018)

Adds notaries public to the list of individuals authorized to administer oaths to certain state officers.

HB 1264 (2018)

Redefines "resident" and "inhabitant" to remove the phrase "for the indefinite future." This bill would potentially require all voters domiciled in New Hampshire to follow residency laws, such as the requirement to register any car in New Hampshire.

HB 1268 (2018)

Establishes a procedure for the selection of delegates to a national constitutional convention.

HB 127 (2017)

Requires that the filling of a vacancy in a county office by the county convention be by "a majority of the ballots cast" rather than "majority vote."

HB 1281 (2018)

Establishes a registry of executive orders issued by the governor, available on the state website.

HB 1296 (2018)

Requires the Judicial Council to make rules under RSA 541-A, which includes oversight from the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.

HB 1298 (2018)

Requires a county attorney to prosecute a public servant for trespass if he or she "[diminishes] any inhabitant’s unalienable rights or privileges"

HB 1299 (2018)

Provides a procedure for the direct recall of selectmen, and requires the secretary of state to pay for the costs of conducting recall elections for selectmen.

HB 1302 (2018)

Prohibits the Carroll county attorney from engaging in the private practice of law, with an exception for providing legal services to the members of the county attorney's family without charge.

HB 1310 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study all non-regulatory boards, commissions, councils, advisory committees, and task forces, and to determine which are still needed and which may be repealed or amended.

TRANSPORTATION/RECREATION
NH doesn't require seat belts or motorcycle helmets, but there are boat speed limits on Lake Winnipesaukee. Click here to learn about laws affecting travel, infrastructure, and recreation.

HB 100 (2017)

Exempts toy smoke devices from the prohibition on the sale or use of smoke bombs.

HB 102 (2017)

Requires drivers to turn on their headlights in fog, regardless of how thick the fog is.

HB 121 (2017)

Increases the maximum optional fee municipalities may charge for transportation improvements when collecting motor vehicle registration fees, from $5 to $10.

HB 1219 (2018)

Limits the holder of a driver's license or nondriver's picture identification card to one online renewal.

HB 1227 (2018)

Removes the prohibition on leaving a car to idle unattended if the vehicle is on the owner's property.

HB 124 (2017)

Repeals all aircraft registration fees collected by the Department of Transportation. The House and Senate amended the bill to instead modify the aircraft operating fee structure, increase airway toll ("fuel tax") rates, and change the annual distribution to airports from ¼ of operating fee revenue to $250,000.

HB 1248 (2018)

Establishes a committee to study the construction of a parking facility at Hampton Beach.

HB 1256 (2018)

Clarifies the $10 decal fee for multi-use veterans' decal plates.

HB 1259 (2018)

Requires seat belt usage.

HB 126 (2017)

Prohibits hunting on Willand Pond in the cities of Dover and Somersworth.

HB 1262 (2018)

Allows the classroom instruction portion of driver education to be completed online.

HB 1270 (2018)

Permits using a mobile electronic device while stopped by a traffic control device, such as a red light.

HB 128 (2017)

Clarifies that pedestrians must obey signals at railroad grade crossings.

HB 1280 (2018)

Allows an honorably discharged veteran who is completely disabled to purchase a lifetime bow and arrow license for $10. At the time of this bill's submission, a completely disabled veteran is eligible for a lifetime fishing, hunting, or trapping license.

HB 1286 (2018)

Allows an honorably discharged veteran who is at least 80% disabled to purchase a lifetime hunting, fishing, or trapping license at a discount. At the time of this bill's submission, a veteran must be completely disabled to qualify.

HB 1290 (2018)

Allows new residents to obtain a vehicle registration certificate and permanent number plates during the process of obtaining a certificate of title.

HB 1313 (2018)

Repeals the prohibition on carrying a loaded handgun on an OHRV or a snowmobile.

HB 132 (2017)

Allows Hunt Of A Lifetime, Inc. to designate a hunting adventure permit to a nonresident if the permit has not been designated for use by a New Hampshire resident by August 15. Hunt of a Lifetime, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that organizes hunting adventures for children age 21 and under who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. The Executive Director of Fish and Game may issue, at no cost, up to 2 licenses or permits to Hunt Of A Lifetime, Inc. each year.

HB 1324 (2018)

Requires driver education to include the dangers of leaving animals, babies, and elderly persons in vehicles in extreme temperatures.

HB 1328 (2018)

Changes the required motor vehicle inspection frequency from every year to every second year. This bill also doubles inspection fees to reflect the reduced frequency of inspection.

HB 1331 (2018)

Allows the use of an agricultural vehicle for "incidental" purposes, such as stops at a school.

HB 1334 (2018)

Establishes a commission to review the structure of motor vehicle laws.

HB 1339 (2018)

Clarifies the speed reduction requirement when approaching highway emergencies, establishing it at 20 miles per hour below the usual posted limit.

HB 1350 (2018)

Requires headlight use when windshield wipers are on because of inclement weather.

HB 1363 (2018)

Authorizes the waiver of vehicle registration suspension fees for good cause.

HB 1364 (2018)

Eliminates the authorization to use amber emergency lights while towing or transporting a vehicle.

HB 1365 (2018)

Increases requirements for youth operators of OHRVs on public ways. For example, this bill requires the operator to carry proof of parental consent.

HB 1371 (2018)

Repeals the lot size and setback requirements for temporary docks to be exempt from permitting requirements.

HB 1400 (2018)

Authorizes red emergency lights on vehicles owned or leased by police dispatchers.

HB 1419 (2018)

Allows biennial rather than annual motorcycle inspections.

HB 1428 (2018)

Requires the Department of Transportation to remove roadside memorials after a period of 90 days. The Senate amended the bill to instead ban any lighting or reflective tape on roadside memorials. The House and Senate failed to agree on a final version of the bill.

HB 1442 (2018)

Authorizes a waiver of the driver education requirement if a father, mother, guardian, or other responsible adult provides equivalent classroom instruction and behind the wheel training.

HB 1453 (2018)

Eliminates the traffic safety commission. The House and Senate revised the bill to instead modify the membership and duties of the commission.

HB 1454 (2018)

Eliminates the commission to study recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board.

HB 1455 (2018)

Clarifies rules of the road at intersections where a traffic control device is not operational, for example requiring drivers to yield the right of way to a vehicle on the right.

HB 1459 (2018)

Prohibits operating autonomous vehicles on New Hampshire roads.

HB 1467 (2018)

HB 1507 (2018)

Provides that a new motor vehicle shall not be required to be reinspected during the three years following the manufacturer's model year.

HB 1509 (2018)

Authorizes Granite Pathways to issue decals for multi-use decal license plates.

HB 1513 (2018)

Authorizes the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Association to issue decals for multi-use decal license plates.

HB 1517 (2018)

Requires rust examination during vehicle inspections.

HB 1518 (2018)

Repeals the requirement that motor vehicle lighting and safety equipment be approved by the director of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

HB 1523 (2018)

Establishes weight limits for heavy-duty recovery vehicles, as requested by the Department of Safety.

HB 1525 (2018)

Provides that the identity of a person reporting that a driver is no longer fit to drive shall be confidential.

HB 1526 (2018)

Requires that Fish and Game Department fees be established by law, through the Legislature, and not by administrative rulemaking within the department.

HB 1536 (2018)

Requires the Department of Transportation to put up signs on divided highways directing motorists to keep right except to pass.

HB 1538 (2018)

Authorizes Friends of the Hampton Falls Bandstand, Inc. to issue decals for multi-use decal license plates. The Senate amended the bill to add back the text of SB 427, which limits a company's liability for asbestos-related claims if that company takes over or merges with another company responsible for the asbestos.

HB 1539 (2018)

Allows for official cover plates for both current and former elected officials.

HB 154 (2017)

Allows public transit buses to use traffic light prioritization technology.

HB 1541 (2018)

Establishes a special annual registration fee for hybrid and electric vehicles of $100 and $200, respectively.