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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.

In the bill's words

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

“The following procedures shall apply in determining the equalization of property within the cities, towns, and unincorporated places required by RSA 21-J:3, XIII or RSA 76, but shall not affect a municipality's requirements for inventory of property and assessment of taxes as of April 1:”
Section 2
“The commissioner shall determine 40 percent of the revenue produced by the tax imposed by RSA 77-A:2 for each fiscal year and shall certify such amounts to the state treasurer by October 1 of that year for deposit in the education trust fund established by RSA 198:39.”
Section 4
“The commissioner shall determine 42 percent of the revenue produced by the tax imposed by RSA 77-A:2 for each fiscal year and shall certify such amounts to the state treasurer by October 1 of that year for deposit in the education trust fund established by RSA 198:39.”
Section 5
“The commissioner shall determine 44.2 percent of the revenue produced by the tax imposed by RSA 77-A:2 for each fiscal year and shall certify such amounts to the state treasurer by October 1 of that year for deposit in the education trust fund established by RSA 198:39.”
Section 6

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–7
    Overall
    63% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Malone)Failed156–195How they voted
    Overall
    44% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    1–1901% yea
    Democrats
    155–597% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means1:34:59–1:42:417m 42slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means5:20:16–5:21:371m 21slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:38:11–4:42:204m 9slocated in the stream transcriptSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Malone) — failed, roll call 156-195

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. 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.