Alright, before we get into the big headline of this month (👀 policy report drop), let’s set the scene.

Because… a lot has happened.

We’re now in year two of the 169th New Hampshire Legislature, which means the vibe has officially shifted. Last year was all about passing the state budget.

This year? It’s about pushing priorities, making statements, and (let’s be real) setting the stage ahead of elections this fall for all 424 legislative seats.

So yes, energy is high. Stakes are higher. And we’ve officially hit one of the biggest milestones of the session: crossover.

Crossover is the deadline where bills have to pass their original chamber (House or Senate) to keep moving.

No crossover = no chance this year.

It’s also a bit of a morale boost. We’re officially past the halfway point, and while the second half is shorter (about seven weeks 👀), it’s where things get very real.

The session started with a casual 1,387 bills.

Yes. One thousand three hundred eighty-seven.

At this point:

• Over 800 bills are effectively done for the year
  (either passed, killed, tabled, or sent to “interim study” — aka we’ll circle back… maybe)

A quick translation guide:

• Tabled = we don’t have time, funding, or alignment right now

• Interim Study = we don’t hate it, but it’s not happening this year

Clearing that many bills out of the mix helps narrow the focus for what’s left…which is where we come in.

If you’re into legislative process (or just love a little chaos), this session has delivered.

We’ve seen everything from:

• Members being ruled dilatory (yes, that’s a real term)

• Bills dying as “miscellaneous” because the clock literally ran out

It’s procedural, it’s weirdly dramatic, and it matters more than people think.

Now comes the strategic part.

The House and Senate start watching each other very closely. You’ll see:

• Amendments flying onto each other’s bills

• Priorities getting reshaped in real time

• A little classic “you support mine, I’ll support yours” energy

Welcome to late-session politics.

And then, there’s money.

Everything we’ve talked about? It all ties back to revenue.

Lawmakers are watching monthly numbers closely to see what kind of investments are possible. April is a big month for that…but the state got an unexpected boost early on thanks to a Tax Amnesty program.

Projected revenue: $5 million
Actual revenue: just over $100 million

Yeah. Huge.

For us, that matters. Because it strengthens the case for continued investment in the things we know young people care about — housing, childcare, workforce pathways, and community infrastructure.

And you already know…we’ll be watching and advocating accordingly.

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, let’s get into what we’ve been working on and where we’re focused next.

We just released our 2026 Policy Report. And this one (really) matters.

Because it’s not just a recap of what happened at the State House. It’s a reflection of what you told us, backed by data, and translated into real policy action.

This report is grounded in:

• Our Quality of Life Index

• Policy & Pints / Policy & Pizza conversations across the state

• Thousands of real interactions with young people navigating life in NH right now

And the message is consistent (you’ve heard me say it before, but it’s worth repeating):

Young people want to be here.
They want to build careers here.
They want to raise families here.

But the systems don’t always make that easy.

Housing is out of reach.
Childcare is a barrier.
And whether people feel like they belong here is still an open question for many.

That’s where policy comes in.

Everything we worked on in this session ladders up to three core questions:

1. Can you afford to live here? (Cost of Living)

2. Do you feel connected and supported here? (Thriving Communities)

3. Does this place align with the life you want to build? (Environment & Quality of Place)

Simple questions with big implications.

If there’s one headline from this session, it’s this:

We’re not just trying to build more housing. We’re fighting to protect the ability to build it at all.

We spent this session:

• Defending progress (👀 HB 1196 — Housing Champions repeal)

• Advancing supply-side solutions

• Pushing for more housing types in more places

Including:

• ADUs (smaller, flexible housing options)

• Infrastructure investments (because housing doesn’t happen without pipes and roads)

• Manufactured housing (HB 1357) — one of the most realistic entry points into ownership right now

Why it matters: Housing is the decision-maker.

Whether someone stays, leaves, comes back, or never comes at all often comes down to one question: Can I actually afford to build a life here?

This session made one thing very clear:

If childcare doesn’t work, the workforce doesn’t work.

And finally, we’re seeing alignment around that.

We pushed forward policies that:

• Expand childcare supply (HB 1195)

• Reduce cost burden (HB 1433)

• Support the childcare workforce (SB 483)

• Keep providers sustainable (SB 614)

Because (again) this isn’t just about families…it’s about whether people can:

• Return to work

• Stay in their jobs

• Say yes to opportunities

Right now, too many people are making decisions about their careers (and whether they stay in NH) based on whether they can find care. That’s not sustainable. And it’s not competitive.

Here’s the reality:

We are really good at educating young people in New Hampshire.

And then… we watch them leave.

This session, we supported HB 1701 (NH GRIP) — a program designed to create real incentives for graduates to stay, work, and build their careers here.

Because retention isn’t random. It happens when young people see:

• Clear career pathways

• Financial and professional opportunity

• A state that is actually investing in their future

If we want to grow our workforce, we don’t need to look far.

We need to invest in the talent already here.

Where people choose to live isn’t just about cost, it’s about how a place feels.

We supported policies that strengthen:

• Arts and culture

• Community vibrancy

• Local identity

Because third spaces, creative economies, and a sense of belonging are a strong part of what makes people stay, not just ‘extras.’

And we also kept an eye on policies that shape whether people feel welcome here. Because if people don’t feel like they belong, they won’t stay. Full stop.

This session, we:

• ✔️ Supported 32 bills

• ❌ Opposed 15 bills

• 👀 Tracked over 110 bills

Some real wins:

• Momentum on childcare as workforce infrastructure

• Key housing progress protected

• Continued movement on zoning and supply

And some real challenges:

• Housing solutions still not at the scale we need

• Mixed signals around belonging

• Ongoing investment gaps across the board

The Bottom Line

This report is just as much about direction as it is about policy.

Every bill, every vote, every decision is shaping whether New Hampshire evolves with the people who live here, or if it falls behind. And right now, we’re *in* that tension.

But! Here’s the good news:

Young voices are not on the sidelines. They’re shaping the conversation.

And we’re going to keep showing up, translating those experiences into action, and pushing for a future that actually works.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re officially not just informed… you’re dangerously close to being engaged. And this is where it counts!

👶 HB 1433 Hearing This Week…Let’s Show Up!

We’ve been talking a lot about childcare as workforce infrastructure — now here’s a chance to actually move the needle.

HB 1433 (the child care business tax credit) has a hearing *tomorrow* (April 1).

This bill incentivizes businesses to invest in creating and expanding childcare, which means:

• More seats ✅

• More options ✅

• More flexibility for families ✅

• And a stronger workforce overall ✅

It’s one of the most practical, solutions-based approaches we’ve seen this session.
And it needs visible support.

👉 What you can do (takes 2 minutes):

• Sign in by midnight on 4/1/26 IN SUPPORT of HB 1433

• No testimony required (unless you’re feeling bold 💅)

• Just your name + your support helps signal momentum

• CLICK HERE to learn more about the sign in process, HB 1433, and how to be an effective advocate through New Futures NH!

Because here’s the truth: lawmakers track this stuff. Numbers matter. And when young people show up (even digitally) it adds weight to the conversation.

We’re leaning into Earth Month with a really good one.

We’re joined by Sam Evans-Brown, President of Clean Energy NH, for a conversation on how energy policy connects to affordability, workforce competitiveness, and the future of our communities.

We’ll get into:

• How energy policy impacts cost of living in NH

• What clean energy innovations are actually gaining traction

• The Balcony Solar bill (huge for renters)

• Where young people can plug into shaping NH’s sustainability future

Whether you’re deep in policy or just energy-curious, this is a super accessible way to connect the dots between legislation and real life.

Register below to get the Zoom link for Monday, April 13th at noon.

April 10, 2026 | BIA’s Coffee & Crossover
⏱️ 7:30 - 9:30 am
📍 McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord
BIA's annual Legislative Half-Time Show will feature an engaging panel discussion with NH policy makers. Attendees will gain valuable insights into legislative leadership's perspective on key initiatives addressing business concerns.

May 8, 2026 | NHPR’s By Degrees Climate Summit: Community Resilience
⏱️ Noon
📍 Manchester Community College
This year’s theme is community resilience, centered on a key question: How do communities come together to face shared environmental challenges?

Various, Upcoming Dates | NHFPI’s Tour, The State Budget: What You Need to Know
⏱️ 6 - 8 pm
📍 Various (see site for calendar, locations, and details)
Join NHFPI for a data-informed discussion examining:

• What the state budget is, how it is structured, and what it funds

• How state revenue and spending decisions interact with local property taxes

• The role of education, health care, and other major services in the budget

• What the budget means for affordability and household costs across NH