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HB 374 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Local tax cap and budget procedures

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to local tax cap and budget laws.

Clarifies procedures for adopting a local tax and budget cap and clarifies required warrant language for adopting such a cap and budget.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill clarifies references to the procedure for adopting a local tax and budget cap and clarifies warrant language for adopting such a cap and budget.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Diane PauerRPrimeChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Scott BryerR, Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Richard LascellesR, Rep. Tim MannionR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

117 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

16% support84% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Linking tax increases to inflation is key to preventing runaway spending.”
— Russell Hodgkins, Amherstsupports
“In coordination with HB200, it is important to clarify needed statutory language local municipalities must use to establish a tax cap.…”
— Nancy Louth, Hamptonsupports
“Granite State Taxpayers supports efforts and legislation to promote awareness of the financial impact on taxpayers of spending and taxing options, to institute and defend tax cap legislation, and promote better public awareness of the impacts of proposed projects and ballot choices.…”
— Ray Chadwick, BEDFORDsupports
“I oppose this bill because I oppose the local tax cap to begin with.”
— Julie Laracy, Conwayopposes
“This will only make NH even more unaffordable to live in. This is just a stealth move to push through in a law that would be WILDLY UNPOPULAR with your constituents. No super majorities! And stop trying to take all our money!”
— Debra Green, Greenvilleopposes
“This would negatively impact consumers and small businesses. I strongly oppose this bill.”
— Patricia Martin, Rindgeopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-279:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-109:30 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-04-229:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsLOB 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 2 P. 17
  2. Feb 27, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/27/2025 09:40 am LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 10, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0572h 03/10/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 64
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0572h (NT): AA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 85
  7. Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0572h: MA RC 195-159 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 87
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 10
  9. Apr 22, 2025SenHearing: 04/22/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:30 am; SC 18
  10. May 8, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1835s, 05/08/2025; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 20
  11. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1835s, AA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  12. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1835s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  13. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1835s (Rep. Pauer): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 14
  14. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  15. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  16. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 183; eff.09/13/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.