Local and County Government

New Hampshire is not a "home rule" state, which means that local and county governments only posses the authority granted to them by the state government. Still, the decisions made by municipalities often have the greatest impact on Granite State citizens. Read up on current debates surrounding local and county governments in the articles and bills below.

Critical bills

HB 50 (2023)
Pay down unfunded liability in retirement system

HB 90 (2023)
Allow local planning master plans to consider transition to renewable energy, other topics

HB 293 (2023)
Let towns establish scholarship funds

HB 312 (2023)
Require 10% of residents to petition for warrant articles

HB 295 (2023)
Require livestream for school boards, select boards

HB 489 (2023)
Grants for county tourism development

HB 636 (2023)
Require training, test for zoning officials

HB 1099 (2024)
Enable partisan elections for school districts

HB 1466 (2024)
Authorizes disaster relief aid for cities and towns after natural disasters

HB 1544 (2024)
Allow public property to be used for temporary homeless shelter

SB 92 (2023)
Give duties to Registers of Probate

SB 114 (2023)
Require state to cover 7.5% of retirement costs for teachers, police, and firefighters

SB 132 (2023)
Prohibit "sanctuary policies"

SB 493 (2024)
Establish Municipal Emergency Disaster Relief Loan Fund

SB 563 (2024)
Prohibit local sanctuary policies

Read our articles

broadband construction

Should NH allow towns to borrow money to build broadband infrastructure anywhere, not just in "unserved" areas?

No OHRVs sign

Who should have the power to open roads to OHRVs: local officials or full town meetings?

No “local control” during disease outbreaks

Does NH have a view tax?

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