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HB 1480 · 2026 · House · Ways and Means Committee

Raising the meals and rooms tax

AI-generated

raising the meals and rooms tax rate.

Increases the tax rate imposed on the sale of meals, occupancy of hotel rooms, and other transactions subject to the state's meals and rooms tax.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill increases the meals and rooms tax rate.

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

“Nine percent of the charge for taxable meals over $1.00, provided that fractions of cents shall be rounded up to the next whole cent.”
RSA 78-A:6
“The operator shall collect the taxes imposed by this section and shall pay them over to the state as provided in this chapter.”
RSA 78-A:6

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael CahillDPrime

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

20% support80% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Meals and Room tax is a good tax as it is consumption based and tourists are the primary target, but as a NH resident who spends a bit too much time at local restaurants and one who tips decently I oppose it.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes
“I oppose this bill for various reasons. First, STR are already clearly defined under NH Law and subject to Rooms and Meals Tax. Expanding the definition of hotels to include STR creates confusion and is unnecessary.…”
— Natalie Medved, Thorntonopposes
“Members of the committee. Enough already!! They inflated their pensions as it is with their greed and thievery!! No Bo No. thank you”
— Pierre DuPont, Manchesteropposes

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
  • Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–2
    Overall
    89% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means2:47:48–2:48:581m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means5:10:51–5:15:404m 49slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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. 22
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 12:00 pm GP 154
  3. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Full Committee Work Session: 01/26/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 01/26/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  5. Jan 28, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  6. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:00 pm GP 154
  7. Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 17-2; CC) HC 6 P. 8
  8. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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