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HB 1596 · 2026 · House · Ways and Means Committee

Tobacco tax hike funds university

AI-generated

relative to the collection of certain health care program premiums; funding for the university system of New Hampshire; and raising the tobacco tax.

Raises the tobacco tax, appropriates funds to the university system of New Hampshire, and repeals the collection of certain health care program premiums.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: I. Raises the tobacco tax. II. Appropriates moneys to the university system of New Hampshire. III. Repeals the collection of certain healthcare premiums.

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

“There is hereby appropriated annually the sum of $18,000,000 to the university system of New Hampshire, in addition to any other sums appropriated, for deposit in account number 06-50-50-506010-1855, for the purpose of restoring higher education funding to 2024 budget levels.”
RSA 187-A:2-d
“The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.”
RSA 187-A:2-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jerry StringhamDPrime

Rep. Terry SpahrD, Rep. Wayne BurtonD

Public testimony

82 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

82% support16% oppose2% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Karen Bemis and I live and vote in Bristol. I SUPPORT this bill which would remove the Medicaid Tax and restore funding to UNH. f we want our children and young people to remain in NH we must support an excellent university.…”
— Karen Bemis, Bristolsupports
“Getting rid of the Governor’s Medicaid Premium Tax and restoring funding cuts should be a no brainer. Paying for it by increasing the cigarette tax makes sense especially since it hasn’t been adjusted since 2008. Please support this bill.”
— Rosemary D'Arcy, Bristolsupports
“I hope this passes. We must do everything we can to lessen the burden on these insurance customers and then work towards an equitable and true health care system.”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoversupports
“I respectfully oppose HB1580, HB1707, HB1068, and SB634. Together, these bills increase taxes, expand regulation, and undermine New Hampshire’s long-standing treatment of short-term rentals as residential property.…”
— LAUREN A MAILLOUX, Gilfordopposes
“The last statutory change to the official tax rate of alcohol in NH was in 1991. We give free Narcan and clean need exchange to heroine addicts, yet when the state needs money the gold standard solution for legislators is to go after smokers.…”
— Shanun Carey, Goffstownopposes
“As a smoker, I feel targeted by this bill, and you can say it’s my choice to smoke cigarettes, cigarettes are just as addictive as drugs and alcohol.…”
— Israel Carey, Goffstownopposes

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· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–8
    Overall
    58% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteSpecial Order to second order of business after lunch (Rep. Janigian)adopted
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted200–157How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    196–299% yea
    Democrats
    4–1553% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 12, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means45:25–50:164m 51slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means4:32:12–4:37:135m 1slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:35:17–3:41:005m 43slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 200-157; Special Order to second order of business after lunch (Rep. Janigian) — 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. 27
  2. Jan 12, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/12/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  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, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 11-8; RC) HC 6 P. 21
  8. Feb 4, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  9. Feb 12, 2026HouseSpecial Order to second order of business after lunch (Rep. Janigian): MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 9
  10. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 200-157 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 33

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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