Capitol Insight: Weekly Legislative Update 3/13/26
T
he House of Representatives held two long session days this week to meet the deadline for action on all House Bills not in a second committee. Debate was limited to expedite consideration of all 344 bills on the calendar, but the days remained long and included many procedural votes. The Senate also met on Thursday, completing their work quickly with minimal contentious debate. Both chambers continued to diligently move bills out of committee to meet their March 26th crossover deadline.
House Session
Following a lengthy and occasionally contentious day, the House session concluded their Wednesday work with consideration of a bill that would provide most public employees with the opportunity to negotiate wages and benefits independently of collective bargaining agreements. The bill was recommended for adoption by the committee along party lines. Republicans argued the measure would be mutually beneficial to employees and employers by improving the state’s ability to compete with private industry by enabling individual contract negotiations. Democrats countered that the bill would weaken public sector unions and create an unworkable and confusing system harmful to state employees. Shortly after 8:00 pm, the bill was moved to next order of business and an indefinite postponement motion passed 171-165, effectively killing the bill, as well as prohibiting the topic from being considered, for the remainder of the Session. Following the vote, the House quickly adjourned for the night and resumed taking up their long list of bills Thursday morning. Coming off a long day, the body adjourned at 4:30 pm without acting on countless bills, killing them for the time being.
It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again
Wolfeboro has historically not been known as a Democratic stronghold. In fact, prior to 2017, the town had not voted for a Democratic State Representative in 100 years. On Tuesday, New Hampshire Democrats pulled off an upset victory in a special election held on town election day. Democrat Bobbi Boudman defeated Republican Dale Fincher for the seat vacated by longtime Representative Glenn Cordelli, who moved out of the district. Boudman had lost to Cordelli by 13 points in the 2024 general election but secured a decisive victory in Tuesday’s contest. Once sworn in by the Governor, Republicans will retain a 214–178 majority in the House. Democrats, however, highlighted the result as a potential harbinger for a blue wave coming in 2026.
February Revenues
The State’s February revenue collections, released late last week, present a mixed picture. Combined General and Education Trust Fund receipts totaled $90.5 million above fiscal year plan; however, regular revenues are short $8.3 million. Business taxes are the largest shortfall, trailing by $39.4 million. Since December, revenues have been temporarily buoyed by a tax amnesty program established in the biennial budget that generated a windfall of $98.8 million in one-time receipts and expired on February 15th. Legislative budget writers and the Governor will now need to keep a close eye on regular tax collections moving forward, particularly business taxes, which have historically been the largest funder of state coffers.
Week Ahead
With one week remaining before crossover, attention will shift from floor sessions to committee work. Committees must vote remaining bills in their originating bodies out so the full chambers can consider them before March 26. Committees that are current with their workload will hold public hearings on bills that have already crossed from one body to the other. Neither chamber will hold a session next week.
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.
