By Granite State Report
New Hampshire’s 2025 session reshaped core parts of daily life: where and how we can build housing; how courts handle bail; how elections are run; how the state funds public schools; and how the state approaches addiction, fentanyl, and harm reduction. This report tracks the marquee bills, shows you how to follow any bill yourself on the General Court’s site, and flags emerging fights already teeing up for 2026.
Housing: the most sweeping zoning changes in years
Lawmakers sent a dense package of housing bills to the Governor’s desk, with a clear theme: curbing local rules that constrain supply and speeding up approvals.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), expanded.
House Bill 577, signed in July, makes one ADU (attached or detached) a by-right use on any single-family lot in municipalities with zoning. The law bars towns from imposing special exceptions or conditional use permits, sets a minimum ADU size of 750 sq. ft., and caps by-right size at 950 sq. ft. unless a municipality allows more. It also prevents ADU-only limits harsher than what’s required of single-family homes (parking, aesthetics, lot coverage) and allows separate electric service. The law took effect July 1, 2025.
Multifamily on commercially zoned land.
House Bill 631 requires municipalities to permit multifamily residential development in commercial zones where adequate infrastructure exists (roads, water, sewer), with narrow exceptions for sites demonstrably unsuitable due to air, odor, noise, or transportation conditions. It’s intended to unlock strip malls, underused office parks, and downtowns for mixed-use housing. Gov. Ayotte signed HB 631 in July as part of a broader housing slate.
Parking reform.
Senate Bill 284 caps local minimum parking at no more than one space per dwelling unit statewide. The House removed earlier exceptions; the final bill limits municipalities from mandating higher minimums that can kill otherwise viable projects. SB 284 passed the Senate and House and was included among the housing bills the Governor signed.
Faster state permitting.
In the budget trailer bill (HB 2), the state imposed 60-day review clocks on DOT and DES for certain permits tied to housing projects, addressing chronic delay risk for developers and municipalities alike.
“Hot housing summer,” with caveats.
NHPR’s session wrap underscored the scope of the package (10 signed bills), while noting a lack of new state funding for affordable housing programs after lawmakers rejected proposals to boost the Affordable Housing Fund and Housing Champions. The regulatory reforms are significant, but the financing side remains contested.
How it affects you:
– Homeowners can plan a detached ADU with a standard building permit, subject to ordinary single-family rules.
– In commercial zones with infrastructure, developers (and towns) can pursue mixed-use and multifamily where it wasn’t allowed.
– Projects can assume lower parking mandates and faster state reviews.
For municipal staff, the New Hampshire Municipal Association published a short, plain-English explainer on the new ADU rules—helpful for zoning rewrites this fall.
Justice & public safety: bail overhaul enacted; fentanyl minimums stall; harm reduction advances
Bail reform rollback enacted (HB 592).
The most high-profile criminal justice bill of the year, HB 592, rewrote bail procedures and eliminated the magistrate system created in the prior reform era. It passed both chambers and was signed March 25, 2025 (Chapter 3), taking effect Sept. 21, 2025. Supporters touted closing a “revolving door”; critics warned of higher pretrial detention. Official bill records and the Governor’s release confirm the timeline.
Mandatory minimums for fentanyl (SB 14) falter; psilocybin penalty reforms tangled.
A Senate plan to impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl offenses (SB 14) cleared the House with amendments that also reduced penalties for low-level psilocybin possession. The Senate later tabled the compromise, effectively scuttling the package for 2025.
Harm reduction and services (HB 73).
The Legislature enacted an expansion of harm reduction in statute (HB 73), revising the Governor’s Commission and directing DHHS to establish access points that deliver services like naloxone distribution, syringe access, and drug-checking—evidence-based tools that reduce mortality and disease.
Firearms: background checks/waiting period defeated; “in-state” NFA exemption stalled.
The House rejected proposals to expand background checks and impose a 72-hour waiting period; HB 56 was voted Inexpedient to Legislate. A separate push (HB 381) to exempt in-state-only firearms from the federal National Firearms Act advanced but ultimately stalled.
Elections & redistricting: new absentee and registration rules; mid-cycle map redraw stalls
New absentee and registration documentation (SB 287, SB 218).
In August, the Governor signed SB 287 and SB 218, adding documentation requirements when requesting absentee ballots and when using the state’s absentee registration affidavit. SB 287 lets voters include a photocopy of a valid photo ID (or a notarized signature) with an absentee application or present ID at the town clerk’s office; SB 218 requires proof of citizenship and residence when registering absentee. Supporters call this parity with in-person requirements; disability and voting-rights advocates warn of access barriers and litigation has followed.
A joint memo from the Attorney General and Secretary of State (Sept. 15) summarizes all 2025 election-law changes for local officials. If you need the canonical reference list of what changed and how to implement it, that’s it.
Voter ID context.
Separate from 2025’s bills, remember that HB 1569 (2024) eliminated the affidavit exception and required ID without exception by town meeting season 2025; more than 100 voters were reportedly turned away in spring town meetings as the new rule took effect.
Mid-decade redistricting push, frozen.
A bid to re-open congressional maps mid-cycle drew national attention—then fizzled. Sen. Dan Innis, under pressure from national Republicans, floated a redraw, but Gov. Ayotte said the “timing is off.” As of today, the GOP initiative is on ice.
287(g) oversight bills on deck.
Democrats filed new proposals to increase transparency around the federal 287(g) program; one bill would bar masked police during ICE operations. Expect that debate to heat up in committee.
Related video embed (quick briefing):
Education funding: Supreme Court decisions force the issue back to the State House
Two rulings set the table for 2026 policy fights:
- Rand (June 10, 2025): A Rockingham Superior Court decision striking the state’s reliance on the Statewide Education Property Tax as unconstitutional in its current form. The state Supreme Court upheld the core of that decision.
- ConVal (July 1, 2025): The New Hampshire Supreme Court held that the state’s base “adequacy” amount is insufficient under the Constitution and told lawmakers to fix the shortfall, commonly cited as $500M+ annually. It did not mandate a precise dollar figure but squarely returned the problem to the Legislature and Governor.
Expect multiple 2026 bills to re-work the funding formula, redefine “adequacy,” expand targeted aid, and address SWEPT’s structure. WMUR’s coverage captures how quickly the rulings ricocheted through caucuses; forums hosted by school-funding advocates are already gaming out options.
Budget and taxes: $15.9B biennium, with policy riders
The Governor signed HB 1 and HB 2 on June 27, 2025, enacting a $15.9 billion two-year budget through mid-2027. The budget passed after weeks of friction and an additional HB 282 compromise aimed at education-funding concerns and retirement system changes.
What’s in the budget (high level):
– Overall appropriations of ~$15.89B.
– Increases for special education and some lower-property-value districts; boosts for certain public safety retirement benefits.
– Expanded funding for nursing facilities and regional drinking water projects.
– Cuts or eliminations affecting several smaller agencies and programs (e.g., Office of the Child Advocate, Human Rights Commission, Housing Appeals Board), and reductions to the University System relative to earlier proposals.
– Medicaid policy changes (premiums/work requirements) pending federal sign-off that could affect access.
– Numerous fee increases and revenue changes; legalization of more gambling to bolster revenue.
– Maternal health supports (see Momnibus 2.0 below).
For the official action and chaptering details, see the HB 1 docket/text; the Legislative Budget Assistant also posted committee-of-conference materials.
Maternal health: “Momnibus 2.0”
SB 246 (Momnibus 2.0)—some portions ultimately folded into the budget—expands maternal depression screening, supports a perinatal psychiatric provider consult line, rural maternal health EMS, explores barriers facing maternity wards, and improves leave protections for postpartum and infant medical appointments. The Senate advanced the package early with bipartisan support; advocates report the final components were signed into law via the budget.
Primary documents (bill text and Senate release) and coverage by the New Hampshire Bulletin/NHPR provide detail on the policy mix and the state’s maternal health gaps (e.g., closures of 11 maternity wards since 2000; behavioral health as a leading factor in maternal mortality).
Environment & energy: forest carbon sequestration moratorium and study
HB 123 emerged as a consequential environmental finance bill. After extensive amendments, lawmakers established a moratorium on forest carbon sequestration contracts and a commission to study fiscal, forest-management, and industry impacts, including treatment of pre-sequestration timber tax revenue. The final version was signed July 15, 2025 (Chapter 164). Coverage chronicles the path from a tax-extension idea to a study-first moratorium.
Official versions and docket confirm title changes and amendments along the way. Municipal and liberty-group trackers also archived key amendments.
Cannabis: House-passed possession bill dies in Senate
The House again passed simple possession legalization (HB 75)—no retail market, no tax regime—but the Senate tabled the bill and declined to advance it. Legalization remains stalled heading into 2026.
How to follow any bill yourself (fast)
1) Find the bill page.
Go to the General Court’s Bill Status system and search by bill number or keyword. Each bill page shows sponsors, hearing dates, amendments, and final status. Example: the HB 592 page shows its chapter number, committee history, and a subscribe link.
2) Read the text versions.
The bill page links every version (as introduced; amended; enrolled; chaptered). For HB 123, you can see how the title morphed and why it matters.
3) Track calendars and journals.
House and Senate calendars/journals list votes, “ought to pass” recommendations, and floor amendments. For HB 75, the journal shows the “Laid on Table” action.
4) Use nonpartisan bill summaries—sparingly.
Tools like Citizens Count, FastDemocracy, BillTrack50, and LegiScan summarize and time-stamp actions, helpful when the General Court’s site is busy. Always verify with the official docket.
What’s already brewing for 2026
Education funding fix.
Expect multiple formulas and revenue proposals to answer ConVal and Rand. Leaders from both parties acknowledge the court mandate; the how remains politically fraught.
Election policy and implementation.
With SB 287/SB 218 now law, watch for lawsuits, clarifying bills, and administrative guidance updates—particularly around documentation flexibility and accessibility for voters with disabilities.
Redistricting chatter vs. practical politics.
National pressure for mid-cycle maps collided with gubernatorial resistance; absent a major shock, don’t expect movement before the regular 2030 cycle.
Housing, round two.
Regulatory reform passed, but funding gaps persist (Affordable Housing Fund, Housing Champions). Look for new fiscal proposals and local implementation clean-ups to the 2025 laws (ADU size limits, parking transitions, commercial-to-residential standards).
Public safety and substance use.
After SB 14’s demise, parts may re-surface—potentially de-linked from psilocybin policy—to negotiate more targeted fentanyl penalties. Meanwhile, HB 73’s harm-reduction directives will move into implementation at DHHS.
Quick reference: bill outcomes highlighted in this report
- HB 577 (ADUs) — Signed; allows for the construction of either attached or detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right, with a default size envelope ranging from 750 to 950 square feet. It places limits on potential extra local hurdles that may have previously restricted such developments. This legislation aims to facilitate housing options while ensuring community standards are maintained. Effective July 1, 2025.
- HB 631 (Multifamily in commercial zones) — Signed; requires allowing multifamily housing in designated commercial zones, ensuring adequate infrastructure is in place; targeted exceptions may apply to specific areas or circumstances to accommodate varying community needs and development goals.
- SB 284 (Parking minimums) — Signed; this legislation caps local minimum parking requirements at one space per housing unit, aiming to reduce unnecessary parking space mandates that often hinder housing development and affordability in urban settings.
- HB 2 (Budget trailer) — Signed; implementing a series of provisions to streamline processes, this legislation introduces 60-day state permit clocks for certain housing-related reviews, aimed at improving the efficiency and speed of housing project approvals across the state.
- HB 592 (Bail) — Signed on the 25th of March, 2025; in effect starting from the 21st of September, 2025.
- SB 14 (Fentanyl minimums) — Failed for 2025; tabled after the House amended the proposal to include significant psilocybin reforms that sparked extensive discussions among lawmakers and stakeholders.
- HB 73 (Harm reduction expansion) — Signed; directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to stand up access points and updates the Commission to enhance the availability of critical harm reduction services throughout the community, ensuring that individuals have better access to resources and support.
- HB 56 (Background checks/waiting period) — Failed (ITL) after undergoing extensive debate and analysis, highlighting the complexities and varied opinions surrounding gun control measures. The proposed legislation aimed to implement stricter checks and enforce a mandatory waiting period, but ultimately did not receive enough support to pass.
- HB 381 (In-state NFA exemption) — Advanced through the initial committee review process, then ultimately stalled during subsequent discussions due to various legislative hurdles and differing opinions among stakeholders.
- SB 287 & SB 218 (Absentee/registration documentation) — Signed. Litigation and implementation ongoing, with various stakeholders actively involved in discussions to ensure compliance and address any potential challenges that may arise during the enforcement of these new regulations.
- HB 1 & HB 2 (Budget) — Signed; total ~$15.9B allocated for various sectors including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, aimed at fostering sustainable growth and improving public services across the state.
- SB 246 (Momnibus 2.0) — Major components enacted via budget to support diverse family needs, improve access to resources, and enhance maternal health outcomes across the community.
- HB 123 (Forest carbon sequestration moratorium & study) — Signed; establishes a commission to evaluate and oversee the management of forest lands; implements a temporary moratorium on new carbon sequestration projects to allow for comprehensive research and assessment of environmental impacts; aims to balance ecological preservation with economic interests in the forestry sector.
- HB 75 (Cannabis possession) — Died in Senate (tabled) due to lack of support and opposition from various political groups, highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding cannabis legislation in our state.
“Under the Dome” watch-list videos (embed)
- ADUs & zoning changes explained:
- Bail law signing & debate:
- ConVal education funding ruling reaction:
- New absentee/ID requirements recap:
How we sourced this report
Primary sources include the New Hampshire General Court bill pages/dockets and official chaptering notices; contemporaneous reporting and nonpartisan policy briefs are used for context and impacts. Key citations:
- Housing: NHPR’s signed-bills roundup; NHMA’s ADU 2025 guide; citizens’ bill trackers.
- Justice: HB 592 chapter/date (LegiScan; Governor’s office); fentanyl bill trajectory; harm-reduction enactment.
- Elections: AG/SOS joint memo; Ballotpedia/NHPR coverage of SB 287/218; background on 2024 voter ID shift.
- Redistricting: Politico (status frozen); Bulletin analysis of appetite.
- Education: NHPR and WMUR on ConVal; docket summaries on Rand/ConVal.
- Budget: New Hampshire Bulletin on $15.9B budget; LBA/LegiScan documents; NHFPI analysis.
- Environment: HB 123 final; hearing coverage.
- Cannabis: HB 75 status (Senate tabled).
Keep following along
We’ll keep this page updated as 2026 LSRs become full bill texts, especially on education funding, election administration, and the next phase of housing reform. In the meantime, consider subscribing on any bill’s page via the “Subscribe to Docket” link (example shown on HB 592’s page). It’s the simplest way to get notice when a hearing is scheduled or an amendment appears.
Have a bill you want us to add to the tracker or a local angle we should report first-hand? Send tips to our desk granitestatereport@gmail.com and we’ll dig in for the next “Under the Dome: Follow the Bills” update.
