HB 1616-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2648
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1616-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. D. Kelley, Hills. 32; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Polozov, Merr. 10; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2648
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Expenditure of Funds to Advertise Vaccines Prohibited. Amend RSA 9-G by inserting after section 1 the following new section:
9-G:2 Advertisement of Vaccines Prohibited. No state agency or political subdivision shall advertise, or expend funds to advertise, vaccines in the state of New Hampshire. Furthermore, no state agency or political subdivision shall issue payment to any person, contractor, or other entity to advertise vaccines on its behalf.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2648
12/8/25
HB 1616-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $61,000 reduction in federal spending; other impacts indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
Funding Source(s) | Federal Funds, General Funds | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates an initial reduction in spending out of the federal immunization grant of $61,000, which is allocated to states to provide provider education and contracted services throughout the state. This fiscal impact is expected to be in the first year only, as the Department plans to undergo a budget revision to direct funding resources to other areas of the Immunization Program pending federal approval.
With respect to less immediate fiscal impacts, the Department states that as vaccination rates decrease over time, there is an increased potential for disease outbreaks. Associated costs for the Department to manage an outbreak range from an estimated $100,000 to $350,000 per outbreak. In addition, the Department states that redirection of federal immunization grant funds may put it at risk of losing $3.5 million of federal funding if the Department is unable to fulfill grant requirements related to education and communication on vaccines. It is unknown to what extent, if any, these less immediate impacts will occur, and so aside from the initial reduction of $61,000 in federal spending, the bill's fiscal impact is indeterminable.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states that to the extent that any budgeted funds for vaccine advertisement are no longer spent, there may be a minimal savings to municipalities. The Association further states that it is unable to assess any long-term impacts resulting from the bill.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-0903h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1138h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1142h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1143h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1139h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1137h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1141h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1150h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1145h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1152h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1140h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1146h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1157h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1147h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1136h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1148h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1153h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1149h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1155h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1144h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1154h |
| March 10, 2026 | 2026-1156h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
March 11, 2026: Lay HB1616 on Table (Rep. Layon): MA DV 293-18 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 4, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 4, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0903h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 45
Feb. 27, 2026: Executive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration