1 Minimum Hourly Rate. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 279:21 to read as follows:

279:21 Minimum Hourly Rate. Unless otherwise provided by statute, no person, firm, or corporation shall employ any employee at an hourly rate lower than that set forth in the federal minimum wage law, as amended

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Tipped employees of a restaurant, hotel, motel, inn or cabin, or ballroom who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips directly from the customers will receive a base rate from the employer of not less than 45 percent of the applicable minimum wage . If an employee shows to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the actual amount of wages received at the end of each pay period did not equal the minimum wage for all hours worked, the employer shall pay the employee the difference to guarantee the applicable minimum wage . The limitations imposed hereby shall be subject to the following exceptions:

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

1 Minimum Hourly Rate. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 279:21 to read as follows:

279:21 Minimum Hourly Rate. Unless otherwise provided by statute, no person, firm, or corporation shall employ any employee at an hourly rate lower than that set forth in the federal minimum wage law, as amended , or the following minimum hourly rate, whichever is higher:

$9.50 per hour effective September 1, 2024.

$11.00 per hour effective January 1, 2025.

$12.50 per hour effective January 1, 2026.

$14.00 per hour effective January 1, 2027.

$15.50 per hour effective January 1, 2028.

$17.00 per hour effective January 1, 2029.

Beginning January 1, 2030, and each January 1 thereafter, the minimum hourly rate for employees and the base rate for tipped employees shall be adjusted according to the increase in the cost of living according to the Northeast Consumer Price Index for the most recent 12-month period as determined by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The adjustment to the minimum hourly rate for employees and the base rate for tipped employees shall not result in a decrease to either rate .

Tipped employees of a restaurant, hotel, motel, inn or cabin, or ballroom who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips directly from the customers will receive a base rate from the employer of not less than 50 percent of the applicable minimum hourly rate . If an employee shows to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the actual amount of wages received at the end of each pay period did not equal the minimum hourly rate for all hours worked, the employer shall pay the employee the difference to guarantee the applicable minimum hourly rate . The limitations imposed hereby shall be subject to the following exceptions:

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.