HB 1505-FN (2026): requiring municipalities, towns, and cities to submit documentation to the department of revenue administration proving they are in compliance with local budget and tax caps.

HB 1505-FN (2026)

requiring municipalities, towns, and cities to submit documentation to the department of revenue administration proving they are in compliance with local budget and tax caps.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Taxes - Local

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 23, 2026, with 18 people signed in online: 2 in support and 16 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0233h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0233h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 180–171. On February 12, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 16, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Keith Ammon (R - Hills 42)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. Dale Girard (R - Sull 6)
• Rep. Michael Granger (R - Straf 2)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Richard Lascelles (R - Hills 14)
• Rep. Donald McFarlane (R - Graf 18)
• Rep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 14)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Michael Vose (R - Rock 5)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 23, 2026, 1:15 PM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 3, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 24, 2026, 9:25 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• February 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0233h — yeas 180, nays 171, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 21-J:34
• RSA 32:5-b
• RSA 32:5-e
• RSA 32:5-g
• RSA 32
• RSA 32:2
• RSA 32:5-f
• RSA 32:5-h

Related Bills

• SB 643-FN (2026): requiring municipalities, towns, and cities to submit documentation to the department of revenue administration proving they are in compliance with local budget and tax caps and requiring municipalities to hold a public hearing and conduct a roll call vote when seeking to override a tax or spending cap.
• SB 643-FN (2026): requiring municipalities, towns, and cities to submit documentation to the department of revenue administration proving they are in compliance with local budget and tax caps and requiring municipalities to hold a public hearing and conduct a roll call vote when seeking to override a tax or spending cap.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 23
• HC 6, page 16
• SJ 4
• HJ 4, pages 42, 43 and 62
• SC 11
• SC 14
• SJ 9