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HB 1420 · 2026 · House · Ways and Means Committee

Local newspaper ad tax credit

AI-generated

creating a temporary local newspaper advertisement tax credit.

Creates a temporary tax credit program for local newspaper advertisements.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 4, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill creates a temporary local newspaper advertisement tax credit program.

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 local advertisement tax credit, as computed in RSA 77-H, shall be allowed against the tax due under this chapter.”
RSA 77-E:15
“"Advertising" means providing consideration for the publication, broadcast, dissemination, solicitation, or circulation of visual, aural, spoken, or written communication to directly or indirectly:”
RSA 77-H:1
“An eligible business shall submit a complete application as prescribed by the commissioner of the department.”
RSA 77-H:2
“An eligible business that meets the eligibility requirements of this chapter, and meets any additional eligibility criteria as prescribed by regulations established pursuant to this section, may be eligible to claim a credit equaling 80 percent of such eligible business's expenditures towards qualified local media advertising expenses, up to $3,000.”
RSA 77-H:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kristine PerezRPrime
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Louise AndrusR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Sandra PanekR, Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR

Public testimony

36 signed in online · 29 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Ladies and Gentlemen: On behalf of New Hampshire Public Radio, which I serve as president and chief executive officer, I write to offer qualified support for HB1420. Providing a tax credit to small businesses that advertise in local media is a creative mechanism for supporting New Hampshire journalism, which is in critical decline.…”
— Jim Schachter, Concord · New Hampshire Public Radiosupports
“My name is Adam Hirshan. I am the founder and publisher of The Laconia Daily Sun, an independently owned local newspaper that has served the Lakes Region of New Hampshire for more than 25 years.…”
— Adam Hirshan, Gilfordsupports
“I support this bill on behalf of the many small businesses in New Hampshire who have had a very difficult 2025 season and are struggling to stay open. They need to advertise, but don't feel like the can use their limited funds to do so.…”
— Karin Nelson, Meredithsupports
“What is a newspaper? Would you care to subsidize stone wheels or Whale Oil for lighting? Be serious. NO.”
— tom luther, claremontopposes

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
  • Mar 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study15–3
    Overall
    83% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Perez)Failed141–203
    Overall
    41% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means5:03:49–5:04:581m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means3:24:53–3:30:145m 21slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session; ==CANCELLED== Executive Session
  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means3:05:38–3:06:471m 9slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means3:51:01–3:52:121m 11slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means36:10–52:0015m 50slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:06:26–5:10:223m 56slocated in the stream transcriptSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Perez) — failed, division 141-203

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. 19
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 02:30 pm GP 154
  3. Feb 2, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/02/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 2, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/02/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  5. Feb 9, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/09/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  6. Feb 18, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/18/2026 01:00 pm GP 154
  7. Mar 2, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/02/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  8. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  9. Mar 2, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 03/02/2026 (Vote 15-3; RC) HC 10 P. 110
  10. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0889h (NT)
  11. Mar 12, 2026HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Perez): MF DV 141-203 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 71

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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