HB 1581-FN (2026): allowing municipalities to adopt a requirement that property owners be given notice when the assessed value of their property changes by certain amounts.

HB 1581-FN (2026)

allowing municipalities to adopt a requirement that property owners be given notice when the assessed value of their property changes by certain amounts.

• 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 30, 2026, with 6 people signed in online: 5 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0597h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0597h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 179–164. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 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. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Mary Ford (R - Rock 3)
• Rep. Donald McFarlane (R - Graf 18)
• Rep. Linda McGrath (R - Rock 40)
• Rep. Mary Murphy (R - Hills 27)
• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 30, 2026, 9:40 AM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 17, 2026, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 7, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0597h — yeas 179, nays 164, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 75

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 26
• HC 10, page 70
• HJ 8, page 49
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 14
• SJ 9