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HB 1708 · 2026 · House · Ways and Means Committee

Shifting education tax to businesses

AI-generated

relative to statewide education property taxes and other tax revenues.

Lowers the statewide education property tax rate over several years, raises the business profits tax rate to offset the reduction, and directs the added revenue and offset payments to the education trust fund and affected municipalities.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 6, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Directs the department of revenue administration to reduce the statewide education property tax rate at a level that would be offset by increases in business-related taxes. II. Increases the rate of the business profits tax. III. Deposits the additional revenues in the education trust fund.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mark ValloneDPrime
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways

Public testimony

212 signed in online · 51 wrote testimony

96% support4% oppose0% neutral

ForReduce SWEPT, offset with a BPT increase

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support shifting some of the financial burden of educating NH’s students onto the business community, and away from already-strapped taxpayers. This is win-win, as a strong school system attracts workers and is a boon to business.”
— Jennifer Highland, Bridgewatersupports
“I support increasing the business profits tax putting the monies in the education trust fund”
— Andrea Costello, Sanbornvillesupports
“This bill helps to relieve the pressure on property tax payers while reversing the unconscionable cuts to business taxes. It is time to ask rich corporations to take on their fair share in supporting the needs of Granite Staters.”
— Christine Bachrach, Granthamsupports
“I oppose HB1293. and below are my reasons: 1-Non-profit exemptions exit to encourage public benefit. Taxing property changes that foundational social compact. Think about the impact on budgets and operations.…”
— Rose Hache, Conwayopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2610:00 amHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearingcancelled
  • 2026-01-2910:00 amHouse Ways and MeansGP 154Public hearing
  • 2026-02-021:00 pmHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-02-022:00 pmHouse Ways and MeansGP 159Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Ways and Means HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/26/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  3. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 11:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 2, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/02/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/02/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  6. Feb 2, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/02/2026 (Vote 12-7; RC) HC 10 P. 111
  7. Feb 6, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Malone): MF RC 156-195 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 58

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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