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CACR 18 · 2026 · House · Ways and Means Committee

Constitutional cap on tax rates

AI-generated

relating to tax rates. Providing that the rate of taxes in the state shall not exceed certain annual percentages.

Amends the New Hampshire constitution to cap annual increases in state, county, and local spending, tax rates, and debt at a rate tied to inflation and population change, and creates a right of action against officials who violate the cap.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution would amend the New Hampshire constitution to require that the state, political subdivisions of the state, or local districts cap total annual spending, changes to tax rates, or increases in debt at a rate tied to increases in inflation and population change, and create a right of action against the state, political subdivisions of the state, or local districts for persons whom reveal a state or local official to be in violation of this proposed constitutional article.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The state's total fiscal year maximum annual percentage change in New Hampshire's fiscal year total spending shall be determined by the four-year moving average rate of inflation, up to two and one-half percent, and the annual percentage change in New Hampshire's population during the prior calendar year.”
From the bill
“Every local taxing district's maximum annual percentage change in fiscal year total spending shall be changed annually by the four-year moving average rate of inflation, up to two and one-half percent, plus the percentage change in the political subdivision's population during the prior calendar year.”
From the bill
“Excess revenues over the annual revenue limit, up to ten percent, shall be deposited in an interest-bearing rainy day fund, and shall only be used to pay for expenses up to the spending limit.”
From the bill
“Excess revenues above the rainy day fund cap shall be refunded or, upon voter approval, used to repay debts.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jordan UleryRPrimeVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Jose CambrilsR, Rep. Scott BryerR, Rep. Steven KesselringR

Public testimony

108 signed in online · 14 wrote testimony

9% support91% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“No taxation without representation from all areas of the state equally and citizens need to have a say”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchestersupports
“The state must raise sufficient revenue to provide necessary services. Arbitrary caps are counter productive.”
— Mary Lincoln, Londonderryopposes
“This is an outrageous and unacceptable attack on the principles of local control.”
— Christine Bachrach, Granthamopposes
“This is an attack on local control by a state that routinely downshifts burdens and expenses onto localities.”
— Joanne Davis, Concordopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass11–8
    Overall
    58% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassFailed170–163
    Overall
    51% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means34:09–38:494m 40slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means3:46:00–3:47:071m 7slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:32:45–5:36:183m 33slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — failed, division 170-163

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Ways and Means HJ 1 P. 40
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  3. Feb 2, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/02/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/02/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/02/2026 (Vote 11-8; RC) HC 10 P. 74
  6. Feb 6, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF DV 170-163 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 78

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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