[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6377062,"mediaKeyId","2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf","parentId",2139553,"title","Rep. Schamberg proposes redirecting larger share of business tax revenue to education trust fund to cut property tax burden","audioSeconds",12788,"startMs",12804000,"endMs",15658,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf&start=12804&end=15","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf/thumbnail_12804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377062/New-Hampshire/Rep-Schamberg-proposes-redirecting-larger-share-of-business-tax-revenue-to-education-trust-fund-to-cut-property-tax-burden","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377062-99599e1ac7035d5f0c31025c685c49bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201299&Signature=Jx5qVzfuaBEqQRjK8K7pxIPAS09bgCbs82jzYrScMkF4zUmxNwxW553AWLONKYGg5gWxgRRaEm9mhtORQD6MD2BAbgeD8YtqXBBNpyuR93m1eySA7r-WlkBl3gIpRhIoS4bOXM-TjnhKdT~u3wPzKBObQzkxfu1-odkhq0PPeDbb9AbseKYXcRHazfCYaDklQa7fbXmuT1uxrLEqptsWqV94r~obiWQrsyXi8LRl~ND2MrPiF6H-Z4gjdpaIgfNm5Hv8gpgWWTxZmaq4NPCK5S5CfFRh6FNYPRRzaZw3Mp4Gt5~TmpsWhwlKSFzI-dnHvEeBODgwJhHEU8w2oMMGSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NH House of Representatives Committee","date","2025-01-22T00:00:00Z","article","Concord ' Rep. Tom Schamberg told the House Ways and Means Committee on Oct. 12 that two related bills he filed, HB 255 and HB 318, are part of a package meant to shift a larger share of business‑tax revenue into the Education Trust Fund and reduce the local property‑tax burden.

Schamberg framed the bills as a path toward local property‑tax relief. \"The legislative intent of this bill ... is of local education property tax relief for all real estate taxpayers,\" he said, and presented DRA figures that the two bills together would raise an estimated $226 million for the Education Trust Fund using FY24 data: roughly $158 million from HB 255 and about $68 million from HB 318.

How the bills would work and fiscal context

Both bills would change the percentage of revenue from the business enterprise tax (BET) or related business tax buckets that are deposited into the Education Trust Fund. Schamberg said the package is one part of a four‑bill approach he will present to address the so‑called \"swept tax\" and the state's adequacy funding obligations outlined in recent legal decisions.

Committee questions and concerns

Members pressed Schamberg on where the remainder of the State's operating revenue would come from if a larger share were directed to education. Schamberg said the bills do not raise new statewide taxes directly and that additional proposals in the package would identify other sources or policy changes; he argued the package should be considered together.

Several members cautioned that directing more revenue into the Education Trust Fund would require trade‑offs for other state programs or additional revenue sources. Committee members also raised the legislative and historical context for adequacy formulas and for the Education Trust Fund's statutory minimum (discussed in committee dialogue as set in 2011), and suggested any changes require broader fiscal planning.

DRA presentation and limits

The Department of Revenue Administration provided a fiscal note and quick guide that showed revenue impacts based on FY24 collections. DRA staff told the committee they could provide historical revenue series and other breakouts if the committee sought more context for modeling the policy's impacts across state and local budgets.

Ending

The committee took testimony, asked DRA for follow‑up items and did not take a committee vote. Lawmakers signaled they expect more detailed package proposals and fiscal analysis before deciding whether to pursue legislative changes to the allocation of business‑tax revenue.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Ways and Means (01/22/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Concord ' Rep. Tom Schamberg told the House Ways and Means Committee on Oct. 12 that two related bills he filed, HB 255 and HB 318, are part of a package meant to shift a larger share of business‑tax revenue into the Education Trust Fund and reduce the local property‑tax burden.","taxTitle","Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17769,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6377068,"Bill to create 10‑year charitable gaming oversight commission draws support and calls for guardrails",2640,6330000,8970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf&start=6330&end=8970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf/thumbnail_6330000.jpg","/articles/6377068/New-Hampshire/Bill-to-create-10year-charitable-gaming-oversight-commission-draws-support-and-calls-for-guardrails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377068-6da746b50d4329ac642fc1334a1a96d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201299&Signature=BiQfbaNcH0sKM5JcDNrV1jAedtSz9TwbdeUXc0cZTVa4H9kgWQMRLxrEyCXG1kF6PP6uH74ok84rBeArXNQjMG8K6hB3DOKmp3FQdIdhtzUxf7BzDHT8zxRNrooe8ii7ZyQpHc59IzgHbM0f6FBiKK6coaJNw0G43usro0Mk310pFvtgF8vTHrP1G8c4CCTIz~AsWvtHjEFpW46NdA3A3P1aUc-P8uefuIcvnCHSxZB1uHhOAN4WJK-hO5OFhaem5ChRWROZUTW4KobUs~6RqEOmRbB4bCWXX4OVjXWztdjOh-hTxsSN9fRb-eW1T9j3ltSwu2lmB1JDih1u9NTz5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord ' Lawmakers heard testimony on HB 328, a bill to establish a 10‑year Charitable Gaming Oversight Commission to monitor the rapid expansion of machine‑based charitable gaming in New Hampshire and to recommend administrative and legislative changes.

Rep. Alvin Ames, the bill sponsor, told the House Ways and Means Committee the commission would review social‑impact findings, problem‑gambling safeguards, how charitable proceeds are distributed and whether gaming concentration or facility proliferation requires new limits or municipal opt‑in/opt‑out options. \"This commission is directed to submit a report ... annually,\" Ames said, describing the commission's charge to make recommendations for administrative and legislative changes.

Why sponsors and supporters say it is needed

The bill follows the November 2024 report of the Interim Gaming Commission and two contractor reports by Spectrum Gaming Group that analyzed market structure and social impacts. Supporters said recent growth in historic horse racing machines and machine‑style charitable gaming has produced substantial new revenue streams for operators and for charities that participate, and that the state lacks consistent rules for selecting charities, monitoring concentration of ownership and addressing problem gambling.

Alicia Preston of the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association told the committee the industry supports reauthorization of a study body and offered to continue as a resource during rulemaking. \"We are here in support of this legislation,\" Preston said.

Public‑interest testimony and problem gambling

Dr. Deborah Warner, a psychologist who attended the commission meetings, urged stronger problem‑gambling resources and recommended that public (citizen) members have voting standing on the commission. \"I would like that the public members ... be voting members,\" Warner said, arguing that public participation strengthens the commission's recommendations. She also urged training for mental‑health professionals who will be called upon to treat problem gambling.

Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and the Lottery's chief compliance officer emphasized the need to fund the commission's work. McIntyre noted the prior study commission had carried a budget and asked the committee to consider funding for administrative costs.

Key policy areas the commission would examine

- Problem gambling prevention and treatment, and whether current funding and referral systems are adequate.
- Standards and transparency for how charities are selected to receive proceeds from charitable gaming, and whether distribution processes are equitable.
- Potential concentration of gaming facilities and ownership and whether municipal opt‑in/opt‑out rules or placement limits are necessary.
- Whether historic horse racing should be regulated differently or reclassified to capture additional fees and reduce operator software costs.

Concerns and potential amendments

Several committee members suggested limiting voting by executive branch staff with regulatory relationships to gaming operators (for example, lottery staff or the attorney general's office) or allowing them to serve as non‑voting participants, an issue sponsor Ames said he would accept for further drafting. The lottery urged dedicated funding for commission operations; the prior commission had non‑lapsing funds in its enabling language that the Lottery administered.

Ending

Committee members generally expressed interest in creating a structured, bipartisan oversight body. The committee took testimony but did not vote; members asked the sponsor and agency staff to return with clarifying language on membership and funding. No formal action was taken at the hearing.

","Concord ' Lawmakers heard testimony on HB 328, a bill to establish a 10‑year Charitable Gaming Oversight Commission to monitor the rapid expansion of machine‑based charitable gaming in New Hampshire and to recommend administrative and legislative changes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6377073,"Ways and Means hears HB 290 to raise cigarette and e‑cigarette taxes and study nicotine levies",6027,373000,6400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf&start=373&end=6400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139553-c635da0d9c6acd4c858cc9beccb186cf/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6377073/New-Hampshire/Ways-and-Means-hears-HB-290-to-raise-cigarette-and-ecigarette-taxes-and-study-nicotine-levies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377073-4afa456efd6060b9a3341573d97adbfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201299&Signature=K2btnY5RGHbXGKoR3Gp3C2KvVYcjyLjQ7rvHZr70uOwUMeVv~Ba3htBqe~7xf~F8XIieqeJOTzQWlIM7IW3YXK0Eg8nos9QNNTR2T4NzISvBso3TFmAwc9qjvMyNRmBA423ruFQ5TXGxV48aKWhMJIVvh3N16ilHnYcskvIdPU9q6tXoySzw4PEDZ22jsAtIaw3ZB8Bb0QmXbEeo3JY28FG2NW1py~j6Nj6i6HBK9qqQ3ULVf6LzjNVNFYHgTIA9eFxy8Ub1qJza08CSrCAbtriUslyt9WdZaPF793MsYPlkSvrwwoHrlw15IP4k08rnomWLjUkbzIlsE02PuSoWwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord ' The House Ways and Means Committee opened public testimony on HB 290 on Oct. 12, 2025, a bill introduced by Rep. Jerry Stringham that would raise New Hampshire's cigarette excise tax by $1 per pack and revise e‑cigarette taxation while directing the Legislature to study taxes and regulation of other nicotine products.

Rep. Jerry Stringham, state representative for Grafton District 3, said he considers the measure “first as a public health bill” and described the proposal as raising the cigarette tax from the current $1.78 per pack to $2.78 and moving New Hampshire toward parity on vaping taxes. \"Nicotine use and addictions robs our citizens of actual years and quality years of life,\" Stringham said when introducing HB 290.

The bill draws sharply different responses from public‑health groups, retailers and the vaping industry. Nancy Vaughn, government relations director for the American Heart Association, told the committee the AHA supports “a minimum of $1 per pack for tax on cigarettes” and urged raising e‑cigarette taxes to parity with other tobacco products so price signals reduce youth use. Michael Rollo, director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the society's revenue modeling and public‑health analysis support a substantial tax increase: \"If you do a dollar increase, $49,700,000, almost $50,000,000 in additional revenue through this, this tax increase,\" Rollo told lawmakers, and he noted about 30.6% of cancer deaths in New Hampshire are attributable to tobacco.

DRA fiscal estimates and limits of the analysis

Lauren O'Sullivan, senior financial analyst at the Department of Revenue Administration, described the agency's modeling approach. Using fiscal‑year 2024 sales, DRA estimated a $1 per pack increase to the cigarette stamp would generate roughly $87.5 million in additional revenue if sales volumes remained steady; DRA separately estimated about $3 million from the proposed wholesale e‑cigarette change. O'Sullivan emphasized the agency did not model changes in consumption or cross‑border purchasing in its baseline calculation.

How the bill would change taxes and the debate around methods

Stringham and several public‑health witnesses framed taxation as one of three tools (regulation, taxation and cessation) to reduce nicotine harm. The bill would:
- Raise the cigarette excise tax by $1 per pack (from $1.78 to $2.78).
- Replace the state's bifurcated vaping tax (currently 30'cents per milliliter for closed systems and 8% of wholesale for open containers) with a rate tied to wholesale price (a figure advocates suggested equivalent to roughly 65% of wholesale price for parity with other tobacco products).
- Create a legislative committee to review all tobacco and nicotine taxes and regulatory alignment.

Public‑health groups said a sizeable, visible price increase provides stronger incentives to quit than small, incremental changes. \"If you raise it a little bit every year the system will kind of filter it in and they really won't even notice the change,\" Stringham said, arguing for larger, less frequent increases to prompt cessation attempts. Nancy Vaughn of the American Heart Association cited evidence that price increases reduce youth initiation and support cessation, and she told the committee that states that enacted meaningful increases generally saw net revenue gains even as pack sales fell.

Industry, retailers and enforcement concerns

Retailers, wholesalers and some small‑business operators warned higher taxes would drive out‑of‑state shoppers to other jurisdictions and to untaxed or illegal sources. Harry Shaw, operations manager for East West Distributors, said New Hampshire stores draw customers from Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and New York and warned, \"If we do raise this, we're gonna lose out on this revenue that we're getting.\" David Slifka of National Convenience Distributors testified that past large increases in New England led to volume declines exceeding 21% and that related local retail traffic (food, gas, beer, lottery) also falls when shoppers cross the border less often.

Representatives of the vape retail industry urged care in folding e‑cigarettes into cigarette‑style taxation. Max Hager, owner of the Root Vapors stores, testified that \"I do not believe vapor products are tobacco products. It's a nicotine product,\" and argued a steep tax could push users toward an illicit market and discourage smokers from switching to lower‑risk alternatives. Several vape‑industry witnesses, including Brett Scott of the New Hampshire Vapors Association, told the committee that noncompliance and untaxed imports are already large problems and urged stronger collection and audit mechanisms before any rate increases are enacted.

Questions and next steps

Committee members asked whether the proposed $2.78 would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states and raised cross‑border impact questions. Stringham and several witnesses noted Maine currently taxes cigarettes at $2.00 a pack (with proposals to raise it further) and that even with a $1 increase New Hampshire would remain lower than most New England states.

DRA said it can provide additional data on retail and wholesale collections, and multiple witnesses urged the committee to consider enforcement and audit reforms for e‑cigarette taxes as part of any tax‑rate change. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing; lawmakers said they would consider the fiscal notes, enforcement options and public‑health evidence as they weigh possible amendments.

Ending

The Ways and Means Committee kept the record open for further analysis and asked DRA and other parties to provide supplemental data on retailer collections, closed versus open vaping volumes and cross‑border flows. No action was taken at the hearing; the committee will consider the testimony and fiscal analyses as it develops any amendment or recommendation.

","Concord ' The House Ways and Means Committee opened public testimony on HB 290 on Oct. 12, 2025, a bill introduced by Rep. Jerry Stringham that would raise New Hampshire's cigarette excise tax by $1 per pack and revise e‑cigarette taxation while directing the Legislature to study taxes and regulation of other nicotine products.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rep. Schamberg proposes redirecting larger share of business tax revenue to education trust fund to cut property tax burden

Bill to create 10‑year charitable gaming oversight commission draws support and calls for guardrails

Ways and Means hears HB 290 to raise cigarette and e‑cigarette taxes and study nicotine levies