Capitol Insight: Weekly Legislative Update 1/16/26
T
he House and Senate jumped straight into the 2026 legislative session, with many committees holding full-day public hearings and some even issuing recommendations on bills. From housing and childcare to tax rates and labor laws, there was no shortage of topics considered in the first week. With the Legislative Office Building being closed for renovations this year and a new legislative parking garage being constructed next door, the House moved their committee rooms down the street to One Granite Place, sharing office space with other state agencies. Long days are all but certain to continue as every filed bill must be vetted and voted on to meet deadlines. It’s go time!
$20 Million for Nashua / Daniel Webster College Site
The purchase of New Hampshire land by Chinese businesses near critical infrastructure has been a hot topic for several years. In their biennial budget package passed in Spring 2025, a provision was included to prohibit these particular purchases within a 10-mile radius of protected facilities such as military installations and other sensitive infrastructures. However, that law applies prospectively, and does not affect the 2018 purchase of the former Daniel Webster College property, located near a Nashua airport, a local defense contractor and the U.S. Space Force station in Mont Vernon.
Nashua is seeking to acquire the property to convert the site into much needed housing. A bill to appropriate $20 million for that purchase faced strong committee opposition, with critics calling it a taxpayer bailout for poor city land management. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess disputed that characterization, but not enough to persuade the committee to support the legislation. Following the hearing, the committee voted 4–2 along party lines to recommend the Senate kill the bill. It still must go to the full Senate for consideration, but prospects for passage look slim.
Childcare Costs for Families
Childcare affordability remains a persistent concern among families in New Hampshire and has been named as one of the biggest priorities for Governor Kelly Ayotte and the business community. The Senate Finance Committee heard a bill that would continue a $15 million recruitment and retention bonus for childcare providers that was adopted in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 biennial budget. The added benefit could not only lower the cost of childcare for families, but also increase the wages of employees who have a median wage significantly below the state average. While the legislation had considerable support from childcare providers and families, questions continue to exist whether federal TANF monies would be a better source of funding rather than General Fund dollars.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee also heard a bill to raise income eligibility for the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program from families making 85% of the state median income to 95%, which would expand access. The sponsor proposes funding the difference with a mixture of revenue that includes funds from taxes on tobacco, alcohol and gaming. With a smaller fiscal impact and non-General Fund allocation, the legislation drew less pushback from committee members in a non-budget year, although its prospects are still uncertain.
Remote Workers
The House considered a bill to define “remote worker” and extend workplace protections to employees working from home. Members asked whether the proposal would impose undue hardship or liability on employers to ensure safe home environments, deter national employers from hiring New Hampshire workers, or fail to account for workers who are frequently remote but not home-based. Some argued existing law already provides the protections the bill seeks without adding employer liabilities. The bill is scheduled for a vote next week; the likely recommendation is to revise it substantially.
Rules and Late Bills
With nearly 1,400 bills already filed, the Senate Rules Committee reviewed a surge of late-bill requests, more than double that of past sessions. Proposals cover a wide range, including funding for the Northwood Meadowbrook State Park dam reconstruction, free photo IDs for voting, tax credits for childcare, and changes to education funding. These additions will increase pressure on the Senate to act quickly to meet March deadlines.
Week Ahead
Next week may be a four-day week, but that won’t stop an onslaught of hearings and work sessions with 285 bills currently scheduled. Neither chamber will meet in session, giving busy policy committees an extra day for hearings. There will be an endless number of subjects covered in hearings, from multiple housing proposals to education funding and everything in between.
About Rath, Young and Pignatelli
Capitol Insight is produced with the support of the Chamber’s government relations consultant: Rath, Young and Pignatelli (RYP). RYP merges traditional legal practice areas with legislative and public policy expertise. They have earned a reputation for achieving client success through skillful and creative advocacy in private party negotiations, before courts, regulatory agencies, and legislatures.
Their professionals are leaders in key sectors of the economy where business and government intersect including business and finance, energy, tax, health care, environmental, and insurance.
About The Greater Manchester Chamber
Incorporated in 1911, the Greater Manchester Chamber (GMC) is the largest business organization in New Hampshire, focusing its efforts primarily on Manchester and the surrounding communities of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack. It is the Chamber’s mission to bring together business and community to enhance economic success and quality of life in our region. For more information visit www.manchester-chamber.org.
