Bill > HB157

This bill establishes a study committee to examine and improve the usefulness of fiscal notes (detailed financial impact statements for proposed legislation) in New Hampshire. The committee will consist of eight members - five from the House of Representatives and three from the Senate, representing different committees and political parties. The committee's duties include reviewing and recommending changes to current statutes regarding when and how fiscal notes are prepared, exploring the feasibility of including economic benefits alongside costs, determining whether the current $10,000 fiscal impact threshold should be adjusted, and evaluating the staffing and resources of the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant and state agencies involved in preparing fiscal notes. The committee will face significant challenges, as nearly 2,000 bills are introduced during a two-year legislative session, with over half potentially requiring fiscal notes, and the current office has only seven full-time staff. The committee is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations by September 1, 2026, to various state officials, aiming to help legislators better understand the potential financial implications of proposed laws and fulfill their constitutional duty to act for the state's welfare.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0674&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB157