Kelly Ayotte

In an interview for "CloseUp" earlier in May 2026, Ayotte stated she is not in favor of building large data centers in New Hampshire. Ayotte cited concerns that such facilities consume significant amounts of energy, which could increase costs for ratepayers. The statement came in response to a proposed data center project in Nottingham that was under consideration by the local planning board.

Governor Ayotte participated in a press conference on May 21, 2026 at Richardson Farm in Boscawen to highlight New Hampshire's Ice Cream Trail, an expanded tourism initiative that grew from 50 participating shops in the previous year to nearly 70 locations. The event showcased the state's "Live Free" marketing campaign, which advertises New Hampshire's natural attractions and outdoor recreation through billboards in major northeastern cities and target markets. State officials projected that tourism initiatives like the ice cream trail would help attract visitors and generate approximately $2.6 billion in tourism spending for the state during the summer season.

The New Hampshire state Senate voted to kill HB 1793 on Thursday, legislation that would have allowed faculty members at public colleges to carry firearms on campus. The bill had previously passed the Senate in amended form after the House adopted a broader version permitting students, faculty, and visitors to carry guns at all public and private colleges accepting government funds. Senate Republican leaders declined to negotiate with House counterparts and instead voted to kill the measure outright on a voice vote.

Ayotte was involved in brokering a compromise bill on landfill and solid waste policy between the New Hampshire House and Senate after years of disagreement between the two legislative bodies. The bill creates a solid waste site evaluation committee for proposed landfills and incorporates public health considerations into the evaluation process, including assessment of impacts such as traffic, noise, odor, and property values. Ayotte announced her intention to sign the bill upon its arrival at the governor's desk.

Ayotte joined other New England governors in urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject a proposal filed by New England Transmission Owners on April 30 to increase the return on equity for transmission system owners from 9.57 percent to 11.39 percent. The proposal would have raised the guaranteed profit margin for utilities including Eversource. Ayotte stated that she joined fellow governors in urging federal regulators to reject the transmission utilities' effort to inflate their guaranteed profit margin.

Governor Ayotte vetoed a school library bill in the previous year after a coalition of educators, parents, students and advocacy groups urged her rejection. The House and Senate finalized work on a revised version of the bill in 2026 that would require school boards to establish a standard policy for how parents can object to material in public school libraries. The bill's authors stated they made changes to the legislation in hopes of securing Ayotte's support.

Governor Ayotte stated that the state was closely monitoring expenses related to rising fuel costs across government operations, including those of the Department of Transportation. The NHDOT had requested an additional $1.2 million from the highway surplus fund to cover increased fuel delivery costs for the 96 fuel stations it operates statewide. Ayotte indicated the state would track fuel and asphalt cost increases in road construction contracts and noted that additional funding requests might be necessary if costs continued to rise.

Governor Ayotte announced the resignation of Joshua Nye, Bureau Chief of the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, following a legislative committee investigation into allegations of improper restraint and seclusion practices at the facility. The investigation, which began after the Office of the Child Advocate reported concerns about physical restraints on children and restricted movement in late March, had been expected to recommend new leadership when releasing its report. Nye had served as bureau chief since late January and had been absent from work since at least May 7.

Joshua Nye, the bureau chief in charge of treatment services at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, resigned from his position effective immediately Wednesday following a legislative subcommittee's call for new leadership. The four-person subcommittee, led by state Sen. Victoria Sullivan and state Rep. Kim Rice, concluded that Nye had poorly responded to violent incidents at the facility over the preceding four months and determined that blame for inappropriate use of seclusion and restraint on juveniles fell squarely on his management. Governor Ayotte announced Nye's resignation at an Executive Council meeting after being notified by Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver.

Ayotte's office was heavily involved in negotiating the final terms of HB 707, legislation that creates a Site Evaluation Committee to oversee new or expanded landfill applications, effectively delaying new landfill capacity until at least July 1, 2027. The House of Representatives gave final approval to the bill on a voice vote after a seven-year legislative effort. Ayotte stated she looked forward to signing the legislation into law.

Governor Ayotte expressed support for pending legislation to expand the state's Right to Try Act through HB 1735 and to legalize experimental treatment centers through HB 1734. Ayotte stated that safeguards should be in place when addressing Right to Try legislation, noting that patients with life-threatening conditions could benefit from access to new treatments prior to federal Food and Drug Administration approval. The governor indicated that expanding these provisions could position New Hampshire as a destination for medical innovation and economic development.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a housing and permitting reform package in 2025 that included fifteen housing bills, legalization of accessory dwelling units, authorization of multi-family housing in commercial zones, caps on parking mandates, and establishment of 60-day review timelines for state agencies. The reforms modified zoning, permitting, and regulatory codes to address housing affordability and development timelines. Subsequent legislative attempts to repeal provisions of the 2025 package, including efforts to eliminate accessory dwelling units and restore local authority to block multi-family housing, did not succeed.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 1078, legislation that extended Gold Star license plates to fathers and immediate family members of service members killed in action, in addition to the existing plates reserved for mothers. The bill, which took two decades to enact following the original Gold Star plate law signed in 2006, was signed during a ceremony in the Executive Council chambers attended by more than two dozen relatives of fallen service members. Ayotte stated that the signing served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Gold Star families ahead of Memorial Day.

Governor Ayotte announced on May 20, 2026, that Joshua Nye, director of the Sununu Youth Services Center, had submitted his resignation effective immediately. The resignation followed a legislative committee review conducted one day prior that examined allegations of abuse and neglect at the facility, including improper use of restraints and lockdowns. The Attorney General's Office was conducting a concurrent investigation into the reported incidents at the youth detention facility.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation on May 19, 2026, establishing special license plates for Gold Star families in New Hampshire. The plates bear the designations "Gold Star Mother," "Gold Star Father," or "Gold Star Family" and are available to any immediate family member of a service member killed in military service. Previously, access to Gold Star designation plates had been limited to mothers only.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation into law expanding eligibility for Gold Star license plates to include fathers, siblings, and other family members of U.S. military personnel who died in the line of duty. Previously, the state had restricted the special plates to Gold Star mothers only. The expanded access to the plates will begin in January 2027.

Following a scathing legislative performance audit in February 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte appointed Ray Pinard as Chairman of the state Human Rights Commission and changed the agency's leadership and membership. Under Pinard's direction, the commission reduced the average time to complete staff review of new complaints from 840 days to 330 days, cutting the review period by more than half while processing 275 cases in fiscal year 2025. The commission closed a chronic backlog that had persisted for decades, with some cases dating back 40 years, despite the agency's staff declining from 12 to 8 employees during the same period.

House Republican negotiators on a conference committee proposed a 500-student statewide cap on open enrollment legislation following concerns expressed by Governor Kelly Ayotte regarding an earlier version of Senate Bill 101. Under the revised proposal, school districts receiving students from other public schools would receive just over twice the base per-pupil grant, the same method used to fund public charter schools. The Legislative Budget Assistant's Office estimated the state cost of the capped program at $2.5 million in 2028 and $3.5 million in 2029.

Governor Ayotte signed a two-year state budget trailer bill in 2025 that restored pension benefits for first responders whose retirement benefits had been cut as part of a 2011 retirement reform law. The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire, a 2,000-member union, announced its unanimous endorsement of Ayotte's reelection in May 2026, citing the pension restoration and her initiation of a cancer screening initiative for active and retired first responders. The pension restoration addressed a priority the firefighters union had pursued since 2011, though the 2025 bill restored benefits for most but not all affected employees.

Governor Ayotte received legislation that would prohibit the sale of all enhanced kratom products statewide, following Franklin's 2019 city ordinance banning the use, possession and sale of kratom and similar substances within city limits. The Franklin City Council enacted its local ordinance after kratom, a federally legal substance derived from a tropical plant and sometimes called "gas station heroin," became increasingly available in smokeshops and gas stations without state-mandated age restrictions. Franklin Police Chief Daniel Poirier reported that kratom-related problems decreased following the city's ban, contributing to the state-level legislative effort to extend similar restrictions across New Hampshire.

Governor Ayotte stated her position regarding legislation that would have made data centers a permitted use by right on land zoned for commercial or industrial development in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire House of Representatives tabled the amended bill during the week of May 15, 2026. Ayotte cited concerns about energy capacity and costs, noting that according to ISO New England leadership, the region could accommodate only about 300 to 400 megawatts of data center capacity without increasing electricity costs, and expressed concern that siting data centers in the state could cause energy costs to rise.

Animal welfare groups requested that Governor Ayotte veto House Bill 1766, legislation that would require law enforcement to obtain probable cause before animal welfare agencies could seize livestock suspected of being subject to cruelty. The bill received bipartisan support in the legislature and backing from the farm lobby, with supporters arguing it would provide due process protections to livestock owners. Animal welfare organizations contended that the legislation would eliminate necessary partnerships between police and animal sheltering professionals, potentially leaving animals in harmful conditions longer.

The New Hampshire Senate advanced House Bill 1793 on May 14, 2026, by adopting an amendment that permits faculty members at public institutions including the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and community colleges to carry firearms on campus while prohibiting students from doing so. The amendment, proposed by Senator Bill Gannon, represented a compromise after Senate Republicans initially considered referring the bill to a study committee but faced pressure from the bill's sponsor and gun rights advocacy groups. The bill passed 14-8 on party lines and establishes that these public colleges cannot restrict the lawful possession or carry of firearms by faculty, while maintaining a study committee to review student firearm use.

Governor Ayotte met with law enforcement leaders in Manchester to discuss the state's new bail law, which took effect in September 2025 and replaced the 2018 bail reform law that had provided nearly automatic release for offenders. According to Manchester Police statistics from the first six months of implementation, personal recognizance bail releases decreased 69 percent, cash bail releases decreased 81 percent, and no-bail decisions increased 33 percent. Ayotte highlighted these enforcement outcomes during her gubernatorial campaign while addressing criticism from her Democratic opponent regarding the higher incarceration rates resulting from the new bail law.

Governor Ayotte supported Senate Bill 498, which would have required private insurers to help fund the state's Families and Systems Together (FAST) Forward program, a wraparound mental health care program for children aged 5 to 21. The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 188-164 on May 14, 2026 to send the bill to interim study rather than pass it, effectively delaying action on the legislation. Ayotte stated in response that she was disappointed by the decision and indicated she would continue working to address children's mental health care coverage.

Governor Ayotte publicly advocated for the passage of Senate Bill 498, which would require insurance companies to expand mental health coverage for children in New Hampshire. Ayotte met with advocates at the State House before a House vote on the bill and made multiple public statements expressing support for the legislation. The House voted to send the bill to the House Commerce Committee for further study rather than pass it, and Ayotte subsequently released a statement criticizing lawmakers who voted against immediate passage.

Starting in the 2026 school year, Ayotte introduced a cell phone ban in New Hampshire schools in response to concerns about disrupted learning and declining student test scores. The policy was implemented following research indicating that social media and cellphone use have contributed to a decade-long decline in academic performance nationwide and in New Hampshire specifically. Officials stated that additional time would be needed to evaluate the impact of the cell phone ban on student achievement.

Governor Ayotte advocated for passage of SB 498, legislation designed to provide comprehensive mental health services for children through the creation of a New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association to address gaps in insurance coverage. The House of Representatives voted 188-164 to send the bill to study rather than enact it, effectively requiring the legislation to begin the legislative process anew in 2027. Ayotte stated she would continue pursuing the policy goal of ensuring children receive mental health care coverage.

Ayotte endorsed Senate Bill 498, a comprehensive children's mental health services bill that would establish the New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association to collect assessments from insurers to fund care not covered by existing plans. Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist sent an email to state representatives urging rejection of the bill, arguing it would increase insurance premiums and grant a new nonprofit entity broad authority to levy taxes and fees. Ayotte responded by stating that the failure of commercial insurers to provide adequate coverage results in higher costs to taxpayers when children require more expensive treatments such as psychiatric hospitalization.

State Sen. Howard Pearl authored legislation to create a new site evaluation committee process for approving new or expanded landfills in New Hampshire, which was unanimously approved by a Senate panel in May 2026. The proposed amendment to HB 707 would establish a procedure similar to the existing power facility approval process, with the Department of Environmental Services determining capacity needs rather than the site panel deciding outcomes. Pearl stated he had worked with the office of Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who had called for a moratorium on new landfills during her 2024 campaign.

Following conversations between U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Governor Kelly Ayotte, and Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Forest Service reversed its decision to close the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire's White Mountains, which had been included in a proposal to shutter over 50 of the agency's 77 research stations. Ayotte confirmed the reversal in a statement on May 11, 2026, noting that the USDA committed to keeping the research forest operating. The USDA also committed to reevaluating closure plans for the Bartlett Experimental Forest, a second Forest Service research station in the White Mountains.

Ayotte vetoed bathroom bills in July 2025 and February 2026 that would have required government and private entities to separate bathrooms, locker rooms, athletics, and prisons by biological sex rather than gender identity. Ayotte characterized the legislation as "overly broad and impractical to enforce." Republicans introduced amendments in subsequent legislative sessions seeking to address Ayotte's stated concerns, including provisions for single-occupancy gender-neutral bathrooms in buildings where biological sex separation was implemented, though identical versions of previously vetoed bills remained active as the legislative session progressed.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 481, legislation that moves New Hampshire's state primary elections from September to the second Tuesday in June, effective in 2028. The law applies to primaries for statewide offices including governor, executive councilors, state senators, and state representatives. The change extends the general election campaign period from approximately 58 days to a longer timeline, allowing additional time between the primary and general elections.

Governor Ayotte rallied health care advocates to lobby the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 498, legislation that would require commercial insurers to provide mental health coverage for children. The bill had passed the state Senate by voice vote in March but faced opposition in the House Commerce and Small Business Committee, which sought to send it to study instead. Representatives Julie Miles and Jared Sullivan led efforts to amend the bill to address concerns raised by the committee chairman regarding assessment mechanisms and legal considerations.

Ayotte secured a commitment from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to reexamine the U.S. Forest Service's plans to close the Bartlett Experimental Forest in the White Mountains as part of a broader agency reorganization. Ayotte stated that the USDA committed to keeping important research forests operating following her conversation with Rollins and Senator Jeanne Shaheen. The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which has operated as a major hub for hydrologic research in New England since 1955, will remain open with no current proposals threatening its operations.

Governor Ayotte called on state lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 498, legislation that would expand insurance coverage for children's mental health services. Ayotte criticized the House Commerce Committee's decision to retain the bill for further study rather than advance it, and publicly stated that insurance companies including Anthem should be covering mental health support for children immediately. Ayotte made these remarks while joining mental health advocates to observe Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2026.

Governor Ayotte called on the New Hampshire House Commerce Committee to advance a Senate-passed bill expanding insurance coverage of children's mental health services to the House floor for a vote. The committee voted instead to retain the legislation for further study rather than send it forward. Ayotte criticized the committee's decision, stating that insurance companies should be covering mental health support and treatment for children.

Governor Ayotte announced that New Hampshire would not implement a suspension of the state gas tax, which currently stands at approximately 24 cents per gallon, despite rising fuel prices that prompted other states including Georgia, Indiana, and Utah to implement temporary gas tax holidays. Ayotte's decision maintained the existing tax structure that funds critical infrastructure at the state level. The announcement came as the national average gas price exceeded $4.50 per gallon in May 2026, following an increase of more than 30 cents in the preceding week.

Governor Ayotte made a personal appeal to the House Commerce and Small Business Committee regarding SB 498, legislation designed to require insurance companies to offer comprehensive mental health services for children through the creation of a New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association. The committee voted 14-4 to delay the bill for study until 2027 rather than advance it during the 2026 legislative session. Ayotte stated she would continue to pursue passage of the bill in the remaining weeks of the 2026 session.

Governor Ayotte announced that New Hampshire will receive nearly $30 million over ten years as part of a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family regarding their role in the opioid epidemic. The settlement, signed by 55 state and territorial attorneys general, requires the drugmaker to admit it paid doctors to prescribe OxyContin and permanently bars the Sackler family from selling opioids in the United States. Ayotte stated that the funds will be directed toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs in New Hampshire, with oversight provided by the opioid abatement commission.

Governor Ayotte called on lawmakers to advance Senate Bill 498, which would require private insurers to cover mental health services for children ages 5 to 21 currently served by the state's Families and Systems Together Forward program. Ayotte specifically criticized Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which insures the largest share of children in the program, stating that denying coverage for mental health services to children in crisis was "appalling" and calling for the committee to hold insurance companies accountable. Hours after Ayotte's statement, a House committee voted to shelve the legislation, which advocates said would address a coverage gap costing the state approximately $2 million annually.

Governor Ayotte issued a statement acknowledging New Hampshire's receipt of nearly $30 million over the next decade from a $7.4 billion national settlement between Purdue Pharma and a coalition of state attorneys general regarding allegations that the opioid manufacturer aggressively marketed pain medications and fueled the opioid epidemic. The settlement, which took effect in 2026, permanently bars the Sackler family from selling opioids in the United States and distributes funds for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs across participating states and territories. Under New Hampshire law, 85 percent of the state's settlement funds are allocated to the Opioid Settlement Trust Fund established by the Legislature to support anti-substance abuse programs, while the remaining 15 percent is distributed to counties and municipalities that participated in the litigation.

Governor Ayotte announced that Vail Resorts discontinued its practice of charging a 3.2% sales tax to New Hampshire residents purchasing the company's Epic Pass following an investigation by state prosecutors. Vail Resorts stated it would offer a New Hampshire resorts-only pass without sales tax applied to purchases by residents skiing exclusively at the company's four New Hampshire mountain properties. The decision concluded a brief period in which the company had begun charging blended sales taxes across its multi-resort pass offerings to align with varying state tax requirements.

Governor Ayotte announced an investigation into whether Vail Resorts was collecting sales tax on multi-resort ski passes sold to New Hampshire residents. Following this announcement, Vail Resorts began offering a New Hampshire-only epic pass option without sales tax added, alongside a process for customers to request refunds for any tax previously paid. Ayotte stated that the Attorney General's Office would continue investigating whether sales tax was actually collected on these passes in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire received $29.5 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as part of a nationwide opioid settlement that went into effect, with state officials expecting $16.2 million to be disbursed over the next three years for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. Ayotte released a statement acknowledging the settlement and thanking the Attorney General's Office and attorneys general across the country for holding Purdue Pharma accountable. Under state law, 15 percent of the settlement funds, approximately $4.5 million, will be divided among New Hampshire cities and counties based on population, while the remainder will be directed to the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund for allocation by an advisory commission.

Governor Ayotte issued a statement attacking Vail Resorts' plan to blend sales tax into the price of its Epic Pass, stating that New Hampshire would not allow an out-of-state company to implement such a tax. In response to legal pressure from Ayotte and the state attorney general's office, Vail Resorts announced it would offer a New Hampshire-only version of its Northeast Value Pass without the $21 sales tax that had been included in the $683 price, though this truncated pass could only be used at Vail's four New Hampshire resorts. Ayotte stated that the attorney general would continue to investigate the matter.

Governor Ayotte engaged directly with the White House regarding ICE's proposed detention facility in Merrimack after a communication breakdown within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources prevented leadership from learning of the initial inquiry. The New Hampshire Department of Justice investigation into the handling of the ICE request found systemic issues including lack of strong leadership, no clear policy for responding to records requests, and weak formalized reporting requirements within DNCR. The investigation recommended training for DNCR staff and stronger reporting requirements to address the identified gaps.

Ayotte signed a bail reform law that repealed the 2018 bail reform law, making bail conditions more restrictive for individuals charged with crimes. The law passed with bipartisan support in the state Senate, and Ayotte highlighted six months of implementation results. Critics have begun to re-emerge in recent legislative discussions, characterizing the law as harsh and noting increased costs to county jail systems and taxpayers.

The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously endorsed House Bill 1422, which would extend the time period for introducing newly discovered evidence in criminal cases beyond the current three-year limitation. The bipartisan legislation would allow those convicted to seek new trials based on newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding demonstrating innocence. The bill advanced to the Senate consent calendar for a vote scheduled for May 7, though Governor Kelly Ayotte, a former attorney general, has not yet indicated her position on the measure.

New Hampshire House and Senate negotiators reached a compromise on House Bill 221 Thursday morning that establishes a regulatory framework for small modular reactors while expanding solar net metering provisions. The agreement increases net metering for solar power to a peak generating capacity of 250 kilowatts, allowing solar installations up to 5 megawatts in size. The deal requires approval by votes in both the full House and Senate before being sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte for consideration.

Ayotte signed a state budget that reduced staffing at the Office of Child Advocate. New allegations of abuse emerged at the Sununu Youth Services Center following the budget cuts. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington stated the budget reductions contributed to the abuse cases at the facility.

Governor Ayotte signed the Blue Envelope Program into law on May 14, 2025, legislation that provides drivers with communication-related disabilities a blue envelope containing identification documents and information about their communication needs to present to law enforcement during traffic stops. The program was designed to reduce confusion and de-escalate encounters between police officers and individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other conditions affecting communication. As of the article's publication date in April 2026, the program had not been fully implemented, with drivers reporting difficulty obtaining envelopes and police departments remaining uninformed about the initiative.

Governor Ayotte signed two sections of a state budget trailer bill in 2025 that modified the administration of a settlement fund for victims of abuse at the Youth Development Center. The changes made the fund administrator a political appointee of the governor and granted the attorney general veto power over awards issued by the administrator. Lawyers representing three former residents have filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court seeking to overturn these provisions and restore the original structure of the settlement fund.

Governor Kelly Ayotte implemented budget cuts to the Office of the Child Advocate, resulting in the elimination of the sole employee responsible for monitoring restraints and seclusions at state youth facilities. These reductions occurred amid ongoing allegations of abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Warmington publicly criticized Ayotte's budget decisions, stating that the cuts weakened oversight mechanisms designed to protect children in state custody.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 467 during the summer, legislation that permits cities and towns in New Hampshire to establish social districts where patrons may purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed establishments and consume them in designated outdoor areas. The law allows municipalities that adopt social district ordinances to set their own operating hours, boundaries, and rules, with final approval of boundary maps required from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. Laconia became the first city in the state to implement a social district under this authorization, with its downtown district beginning operations on May 21, 2026.

Governor Ayotte directed Attorney General John Formella to investigate Vail Resorts' practice of charging a blended 3.2% sales tax on its Epic Pass to New Hampshire residents. Vail Resorts owns and operates three ski mountains in New Hampshire and operates Mount Sunapee under a long-term lease with the state. The company began separately itemizing sales tax on multi-resort passes sold across its 42 resort areas nationwide in response to varying state tax requirements.

In May 2025, Ayotte halted a proposed deal to sell state-owned properties on I-95 on the seacoast to private developers, directing instead that the land be leased. The New Hampshire Liquor Commission subsequently scrapped plans to build two new service areas on those properties after the state Attorney General's Office identified procedural issues with the proposals. Officials announced they would request new proposals for the properties.

Governor Ayotte signed the Blue Envelope Program into law on May 14, 2025, which provides drivers with communication-related disabilities a distinct blue envelope to hold essential documents and signal specific communication needs to police officers during traffic stops. The program was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, with the expectation that envelopes would be distributed and both drivers and police departments would receive notification and preparation materials. As of April 2026, the program had not been implemented, with drivers reporting difficulty obtaining envelopes and police departments reporting lack of notification about the initiative.

Governor Ayotte announced that the state's Attorney General would investigate Vail Resorts for charging a 3.2 percent surcharge to New Hampshire residents purchasing the company's multi-resort "Epic Pass" seasonal ski pass. The Colorado-based company disclosed in March 2026 that it would add the surcharge to all Epic Pass sales, including those sold to and used exclusively in New Hampshire. Ayotte stated the investigation would examine whether Vail Resorts was improperly attempting to charge a sales tax in a state without such a tax.

Governor Ayotte visited the North Country to reinforce her opposition to a proposed landfill near Forest Lake State Park in Dalton. State Senator Howard Pearl reported engaging in direct negotiations with the governor's office to develop a comprehensive landfill policy amendment addressing solid waste management, local control over landfill siting, and public health considerations in state law. Several landfill-related bills passed by the New Hampshire House of Representatives were placed on hold by a Senate committee pending the outcome of these negotiations.

Governor Ayotte announced that the attorney general's office would investigate Vail Resorts' implementation of a 3.2% blended sales tax on Epic Pass purchases, including those sold in New Hampshire. Vail Resorts operates multiple ski resorts in the state including Wildcat Mountain, Attitash, Crotched Mountain, and Mount Sunapee under a lease agreement with the state. The company stated that the blended tax applies to multi-resort passes that provide access to resorts outside New Hampshire, where such taxes are legally required.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte has repeatedly opposed recreational cannabis legalization at the state level, and her stated intention to veto any legalization measure has limited legislative activity on the issue during the current session. The Trump administration's reclassification of medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III in April 2026 has prompted some state lawmakers to express hope that federal policy shifts may eventually influence state-level cannabis policy, though they acknowledge Ayotte's opposition creates an immediate barrier to passage of legalization bills.

Governor Ayotte signed restrictive voting law changes into law in 2025 that were passed by Republican state legislators. Following the implementation of these laws, hundreds of voters were turned away from polling places in subsequent elections, including eligible voters who lacked required identification. The letter references HB 1601, a bipartisan bill requiring the Secretary of State to create a voter education program about the recent changes to voting laws.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to initially approve Senate Bill 627, which would double turnpike tolls for motorists without a New Hampshire E-ZPass transponder. Governor Ayotte stated opposition to the measure, citing concerns about affordability challenges facing families. The proposal was expected to generate approximately fifty million dollars annually for turnpike projects and was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further review.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 214-140 to approve Senate Bill 482, legislation that would impose regulations on cryptocurrency ATM machines, including a requirement that fraud victims receive refunds within 14 days and a $2,000 cap on cash deposits. The bill, which had been opposed by some House members who favored fewer restrictions, was supported by law enforcement and advocacy groups citing losses to senior citizens from cryptocurrency ATM scams. The legislation was sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte's desk for consideration.

Attorneys with the Disability Rights Center-NH notified Governor Ayotte, DHHS Director Marie Noonan, and DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver in a letter dated Friday of continuing concerns involving alleged practices at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, including a reported new policy authorizing illegal restraint practices. The notification marked the second communication from the organization to Ayotte within two weeks regarding alleged improper uses of prone restraint, seclusion, and medical neglect of children by SYSC staff. The Disability Rights Center-NH opened a formal investigation on April 3 and stated the investigation would continue until the alleged illegal behavior was stopped.

Governor Ayotte terminated Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on January 1, 2026, making New Hampshire one of four states to drop such coverage during that period. The State Senate subsequently approved Senate Bill 455, sponsored by Senator Suzanne Prentiss, to restore Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 drugs to adults with a Body Mass Index of at least 30 or a BMI of 27 with specified comorbid conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services estimated the cost of restoring coverage at 8.5 million dollars for the next fiscal year and 30.2 million dollars total.

Ayotte signed Senate Bill 620 into law on Monday, April 20, 2026, increasing administrative penalties for drivers who refuse intoxication tests during traffic stops. The law increases the license suspension period for DWI test refusal from six months to nine months, effective at the beginning of 2027. Ayotte stated the state would monitor test refusal rates following implementation to determine whether additional measures would be necessary to address public safety concerns.

The House Public Works and Highways Committee unanimously recommended Senate Bill 627, which would double turnpike toll rates for drivers without state-issued E-ZPass transponders, generating an estimated $50 million annually for turnpike construction projects. Governor Ayotte expressed opposition to the toll increase. The committee added a provision requiring the Department of Transportation to issue new E-ZPass transponders at no cost from January 1 through July 30, 2027, and removed a Senate mandate for biennial reports on construction industry inflation.

Governor Ayotte signed SB 620 on April 20, 2026, legislation that increases the administrative license suspension period from six to nine months for drivers accused of impaired driving who refuse to submit to an alcohol test, effective January 1, 2027. The bill was sponsored by State Senator Bill Gannon and had been rejected by the House for three consecutive years before passing with a significant margin the week prior to the signing. Ayotte stated the measure addresses what she characterized as a loophole in existing law and indicated the administration would continue examining additional approaches to reduce impaired driving on state highways.

Governor Ayotte vetoed prior versions of House Bill 1442 over a two-year period. The legislation would permit classification of individuals based on biological sex or sex listed on birth certificates in certain limited circumstances, designating facilities such as prisons and public bathrooms as places where such separation is appropriate. The New Hampshire state Senate passed the bill along party lines in April 2026.

The Executive Council voted 3-2 to reject a $36 million contract with DLR Group Inc. to complete final design work on a new 1,500-bed state prison in Concord. Executive Councilor Janet Stevens cited concerns about accountability and oversight, noting the state had spent millions of dollars without confirmation of completed work on a preliminary engineering report. Councilor John Stephen called for a new request for proposal, stating the project's potential $1 billion cost was excessive and that competitive bidding could provide better value to the state.

Governor Ayotte directed Attorney General John Formella to conduct an independent investigation into abuse and neglect allegations at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester that were reported by the state Child Advocate's Office. The investigation was initiated following a report documenting incidents including staff use of physical restraint without apparent risk of harm and a child held in a prone position. Ayotte stated that the independent review would determine the facts and identify any necessary policy changes at the detention facility.

The New Hampshire Executive Council voted to reject a $36 million design contract for the replacement of the state's men's prison on April 15, 2026. Councilors cited concerns about the cost of the overall project, estimated at approximately $700 million, and stated that a more competitive bidding process could reduce expenses. The council voted to wait for the design firm DLR Group's final site study report, expected in May, before proceeding further with the project.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office opened an independent investigation into allegations of abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, following concerns raised by the Office of the Child Advocate regarding prolonged lockdowns, lack of outdoor access, and reported use of improper restraints. Governor Ayotte stated that safety of both residents and staff at the facility is the top priority. The investigation was announced during a meeting with the governor and Executive Council, with Associate Attorney General Christopher Bond confirming the office had opened the independent inquiry.

Ayotte received legislation from the New Hampshire House and Senate that increases the administrative license suspension penalty for refusing a DWI test from six months to nine months. The bill was expected to be signed by Ayotte, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2027. New Hampshire had one of the highest DWI test refusal rates in the nation prior to this legislative change.

Governor Ayotte announced her support for Senate Bill 620, which the New Hampshire Senate unanimously approved on April 16, 2026, increasing the license suspension period from six months to nine months for motorists arrested for impaired driving who refuse to take a breath or blood alcohol test. The measure, which takes effect January 1, 2027, was recommended by a safe driving task force that Ayotte established the previous summer. Ayotte stated the current six-month suspension constitutes a "loophole" and cited New Hampshire's notably high refusal rate of approximately 70 percent compared to the national average of 25 percent.

Governor Ayotte requested that the Attorney General's Office conduct an independent investigation into new allegations of abuse at the John H. Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester following concerns raised by the state's child advocate about lockdowns, insufficient educational access, and a staff member breaking a child's arm using an illegal restraint. Senior Assistant Attorney General Christopher Bond reported to the Executive Council that the Department of Justice was investigating the allegations independently of other state agencies and that initial findings indicated no active, ongoing abuse situation. Ayotte stated that an independent review was critical to evaluate the facts and determine what changes, if any, needed to be implemented.

The New Hampshire House Education Policy Committee approved Senate Bill 101 on a party-line vote, which would allow families to enroll their children in public schools anywhere in the state while granting individual districts authority to set enrollment capacity limits. The legislation is expected to be sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte's desk if approved by the full House. Democrats raised concerns that the bill lacks sufficient detail regarding capacity planning, special education services, transportation, economic equity, and funding mechanisms.

Governor Ayotte signed a two-year state budget in June that included $20 million for a settlement fund compensating victims of sexual and physical abuse while in state custody, with no funding allocated for the second year. Senate Deputy Democratic Leader Cindy Rosenwald subsequently requested that House budget writers modify Senate Bill 481 to direct all proceeds from the future sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester to the settlement fund regardless of when the sale occurs. The original version of SB 481, which passed the Senate in January, would have directed sale proceeds to the state treasury if the sale closed before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund only if it closed after that date.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation last year that compels educators to respond completely and honestly within ten business days to all parental questions about their children. Senate Bill 430 built upon this earlier law by adding an "escape clause" allowing educators to withhold information if they have reason to believe a student would face imminent risk of physical abuse or neglect, with educators required to report such concerns to state child welfare authorities within 48 hours. The bill received emotional testimony from individuals describing negative consequences of parental disclosure of student information.

Governor Ayotte made a public push to secure House passage of Senate Bill 620, which increases the penalty for refusing a DWI test from a six-month license suspension to a nine-month suspension. The New Hampshire House passed the legislation on April 9, 2026, with more than two-thirds support after the chamber had rejected similar measures in the previous two years. Ayotte stated upon the bill's passage that it represented a critical step toward keeping New Hampshire the safest state in the nation.

Governor Ayotte named a bipartisan task force to identify ways to make state highways safer, which issued top recommendations including legislation to increase penalties for suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath or blood alcohol tests. The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 620, which raises the administrative license suspension period for such refusals from six months to nine months, effective January 1. Ayotte stated she expected to sign the compromise bill, which also was accompanied by passage of Senate Bill 649 to increase fines for handheld cellphone use while driving.

Governor Ayotte vetoed Senate Bill 343, also known as the Right to Challenge Act, in July 2025. The bill would have established a procedure for parents to challenge school materials deemed harmful to children in New Hampshire public schools, including books, videos, and sound recordings. This represented the third legislative attempt in recent years to enact such a mechanism for material removal from school libraries.

Gov. Ayotte vetoed HB 451, legislation that would have established a paint recycling program funded through a wholesale price adjustment on paint products, bringing New Hampshire into alignment with thirteen other states including Maine and Vermont that had adopted similar laws. The House of Representatives voted 186-169 to uphold Ayotte's veto on April 10, 2026, falling short of the two-thirds majority required to override. Ayotte also successfully upheld her veto of separate legislation that would have permitted optometrists to perform laser eye surgery, a procedure then restricted to ophthalmologists with medical degrees.

Governor Ayotte provided the primary push to overhaul New Hampshire's bail reform law in 2025, seven years after the 2018 bail reform law was enacted. The revised law changed the standard for bail decisions from clear and convincing evidence to probable cause, making it easier to hold offenders who have committed crimes and those with repeated offenses. According to law enforcement officials, pretrial detention increased 50% in Coos County and 30% in Merrimack County within six months of the law's implementation.

Governor Ayotte signed a bail reform law that took effect six months prior to April 2026, which modified the state's pretrial detention procedures by shifting from an automatic presumption of release to allowing judges to consider the severity of charges and risk of non-compliance. Law enforcement officials including the Nashua Police Chief and Portsmouth Police Department's victim witness advocate stated at an April 2026 news conference that the law had resulted in detention of individuals accused of serious crimes, including a domestic violence case. Civil liberties advocates contested the law's effects, arguing that research demonstrated pretrial incarceration causes job loss and family separation among defendants presumed innocent.

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced a new state-funded comprehensive cancer screening program for New Hampshire firefighters that launched in April 2026. The program, funded by a $5 million appropriation passed by lawmakers in 2024, provides firefighters with CT scans, full-body ultrasounds, and extensive blood work to detect cancer before it becomes life-threatening. Approximately 4,000 active duty and retired firefighters are eligible to participate, with testing expected to continue through the end of 2027.

Gov. Ayotte signed a bail reform law that took effect approximately one year before this article's publication in April 2026. The law shifted bail determinations from an automatic presumption of release to a standard allowing judges to consider the severity of alleged offenses and risks of non-compliance. Law enforcement officials stated that six months after implementation, the law had resulted in more serious offenders being detained pending trial.

Ayotte signed legislation that responded to a state Supreme Court ruling determining the state was failing to adequately support public education. The bill was signed approximately one week before Ayotte participated in a literacy promotion event at Auburn Village School alongside Megan Tuttle, president of the National Education Association-New Hampshire. At the event, Ayotte read "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss to first and second grade students.

Governor Ayotte proposed Senate Bill 620 to double the administrative license suspension period from six months to one year for drivers who refuse to submit to blood alcohol testing during suspected impaired driving stops. The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee unanimously approved an amendment to the legislation that would set the suspension period at nine months instead of the governor's requested twelve months. The committee action represented a compromise between Ayotte's proposal and the existing six-month penalty that applies equally to drivers who take and fail the test.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 323, legislation that restricts acceptable forms of identification for voter registration in New Hampshire to government-issued documents. The law eliminates student identification cards as valid voting credentials, though college students may still vote using a U.S. passport or state-issued driver's license. Out-of-state students attending college in New Hampshire who lack official government identification are no longer able to vote in state elections under the new requirements.

Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed legislation in the previous year that would have limited access to private spaces based on biological sex. Ayotte stated the vetoed bill was overly broad and contained multiple issues, emphasizing the need for careful and narrow legislation in such areas. The governor noted the importance of conveying to New Hampshire residents that the state is welcoming while addressing concerns about access to restrooms and locker rooms.

Governor Ayotte stated opposition to a bill passed by the New Hampshire Senate that would increase tolls by $1 for out-of-state vehicles without New Hampshire E-ZPass at three locations: the Hooksett toll plaza on I-93, the main Hampton plaza on I-95, and the Everett Turnpike in Bedford. The bill's sponsors projected the toll increase would generate $53 million in 2027 and $72 million in 2028 for transportation infrastructure projects including repairs to I-293 exits 6 and 7 and the 93/89 junction in Bow. Ayotte maintained her position as a steadfast opponent of any toll increase regardless of whether it applied to in-state or out-of-state drivers.

Ayotte joined five other New England governors in issuing a joint statement committing the region to explore advanced nuclear energy technologies and continue supporting existing nuclear facilities. The statement outlined a two-step approach in which state energy offices would collaborate to ensure the continued operation of existing nuclear facilities while exploring deployment of advanced nuclear generation in willing states and communities. The governors cited projections that electricity consumption in New England is expected to increase more than 40 percent over the next 20 years, with winter peak demand projected to double by 2045.

Governor Ayotte designated child care access as a priority issue for the 2026 legislative session. The state Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved HB 1433, a House-passed bill that would provide businesses a 50% tax credit against the Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax for creating on-site child care or expanding existing programs by at least 12 slots. The credits would be capped at $5 million annually beginning in 2028, with qualifying expenses including construction, permitting, development, and the first two years of operating costs.

Ayotte issued an executive order creating a nuclear energy roadmap for New Hampshire and directing state officials to review regulatory, financial, and market factors affecting nuclear deployment. She joined five other New England governors in a joint statement committing to keep the region's two existing nuclear power plants operational while exploring potential sites for next-generation reactor technologies. The coordinated action reflects efforts by multiple state governments to maintain and expand nuclear power capacity in response to energy demands and the need for greenhouse-gas-free electricity generation.

The Merrimack Town Council unanimously approved a letter to Governor Kelly Ayotte, the Executive Council, and the state legislature requesting that the state increase funding for local services and cease policies that shift costs to local property taxpayers. The letter cited recent state budget reductions to the Department of Health and Human Services, delays in transportation projects, and declining state education adequacy aid since the 1999-2000 school year as factors forcing municipalities to raise local property taxes. The council stated that a state budget preventing cost-shifting and restoring municipal revenue sharing would ease the tax burden on local property taxpayers.

Governor Ayotte expressed strong opposition to Senate Bill 627, which the state Senate approved in March 2026 to double turnpike toll rates for motorists without a New Hampshire E-ZPass transponder. The bill, authored by State Senator Mark McConkey, R-Freedom, was designed to generate $53 million annually for turnpike construction projects and would provide free E-ZPass transponders to New Hampshire residents. The measure passed on a voice vote and was sent to the House of Representatives.

Ayotte signed House Bill 1815, legislation that characterized education funding levels as a political matter to be decided by the legislative and executive branches rather than the judicial branch, following a state Supreme Court ruling that recommended the Legislature increase state aid to public schools by more than $500 million annually. The bill maintained current state education aid levels and linked the definition of adequate education to twelve areas of academic study in the state's education standards. Ayotte signed the measure without public comment the day after the state Senate approved it along party lines.

Governor Ayotte sent a letter to ISO-New England requesting expedited reforms to the Day-Ahead Ancillary Services financial product, which had resulted in approximately $1 billion in increased energy costs across the region since its 2025 deployment. ISO-New England responded by committing to fast-track a market rule change designed to reduce the costs of the program through what the operator described as a significantly accelerated process. Ayotte stated that the priority going forward must be achieving ratepayer relief while preventing similar cost overruns incidents from recurring.

Ayotte appeared before the New Hampshire Executive Council to advocate for approval of $21 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Initiative funding for mental health services. The Executive Council narrowly approved the allocation, which represents the first round of the GO-NORTH program designed to integrate the state's ten community mental health centers into a single coordinated network with shared electronic records systems. Ayotte stated that the competitive federal grant required rapid deployment to avoid funds being returned to Washington and noted that New Hampshire's continuation in the program for subsequent years depended on timely use of the initial allocation.

Ayotte appointed retired Judge Gerard Boyle as administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, which was established to compensate victims of abuse in state care. Boyle received unanimous confirmation from the Executive Council on March 26, 2026, following Ayotte's appointment earlier that month. The administrator position had been vacant since the middle of the previous year, and Ayotte's appointment authority derived from legislation enacted the prior spring that transferred the appointment power from the judicial branch to the governor's office.

Governor Kelly Ayotte formally honored Mark and Abbie Batia at an event in the Executive Council chambers after the Florida couple administered CPR to Executive Councilor John Stephen following his cardiac arrest while jogging in November 2025. Ayotte attended a breakfast meeting at the New Hampshire Fire Academy where Stephen hosted a discussion and demonstration on CPR training techniques. The event was designed to underscore the accessibility of CPR certification and its lifesaving potential.

Former Concord Circuit Court Judge Gerard Boyle was unanimously confirmed by the Executive Council on March 25, 2026, to serve as administrator of the Youth Development Center abuse claims fund, replacing former Chief Justice John Broderick who departed in summer 2025. The administrator position was restructured so that Boyle's settlement award determinations now require approval from Attorney General John Formella and Boyle may be removed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte at any time for any reason, a change from the previous independent judicial branch appointment model. Nearly 1,700 abuse claims remain pending in the fund as of the confirmation, with survivors seeking a total of $1.8 billion while the state has settled 425 claims for $239 million.

Governor Ayotte nominated retired judge Gerard Boyle to serve as administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, which compensates victims of sexual and physical abuse at the state facility. The state Executive Council unanimously confirmed Boyle's appointment on March 25, 2026, with his tenure beginning May 1, 2026. Boyle replaced John Broderick, who had resigned in July after Ayotte signed legislation that changed the administrator position from a judicial to a political appointment.

Governor Ayotte signed the two-year capital budget in the previous fiscal year that provided state-backed bonds for the $36 million design phase of a replacement men's prison in Concord. The Executive Council was scheduled to approve a contract with the DLR Group Inc., an Omaha-based firm, to lead the engineering and construction documents for the 1,500-bed facility on the existing 400-acre campus. The two-year design project is expected to precede a larger construction phase estimated to cost at least $600 million and conclude by September 1, 2035.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation passed by the New Hampshire state legislature to end vehicle emission inspections before obtaining a required waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act. Following a federal court ruling that the state must maintain inspections until receiving EPA approval, New Hampshire appealed the decision and terminated its contract with the inspection program administrator. The EPA announced it would expedite its review of the state's waiver request, with a proposed response expected within several months and a final decision by year's end.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in 2025 ending New Hampshire's required vehicle inspection program. The Environmental Protection Agency announced it would expedite review of the state's request to terminate the program, with a proposed decision by early summer and a final decision expected before the end of 2026, rather than the standard 18-month review timeline. The inspection program's emissions testing component had been the subject of a federal lawsuit challenging whether the state possessed authority to eliminate it without EPA approval under the Clean Air Act.

Governor Ayotte expressed support for a bill presented by state Senator Bill Gannon requiring all New Hampshire public schools to start after Labor Day, citing potential benefits to tourism and extended summer time for families. The proposal faced opposition from educators, parents, and other lawmakers who raised concerns about conflicts with local school calendars, union contract renegotiations, and potential effects on student achievement. The state Senate referred the bill to interim study, though Ayotte has continued to be outspoken in her support for the post-Labor Day start date.

Governor Ayotte advocated for increasing penalties for refusing a DWI test, citing New Hampshire's status as one of the nation's highest refusal rate states and arguing that the existing six-month driver's license suspension was insufficient deterrent. The House Criminal Justice Committee approved Senate Bill 620 on Friday, March 20, 2026, amending the bill to impose a nine-month driver's license suspension for test refusal, down from the initially proposed one-year suspension. The compromise measure, which faced two years of prior rejection, gained sufficient support across party lines to advance toward passage in the full House.

Governor Ayotte highlighted New Hampshire's high rate of DWI testing refusal and advocated for Senate Bill 620, which would increase the driver's license suspension for test refusal from six months to one year. Ayotte's office released data showing a 75% refusal rate in 2026 and cited Vermont's more severe refusal framework as evidence of effectiveness. The bill was presented to the House Criminal Justice Committee on March 18, 2026, following testimony from families of victims killed by drunk drivers, though similar legislation had been rejected twice previously by state lawmakers.

Governor Kelly Ayotte identified Senate Bill 620, which would increase license suspension penalties for individuals who refuse to submit to blood alcohol testing upon arrest for suspected drunken driving, as a top priority for the 2026 legislative session. The bill was presented to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee with testimony from families of victims killed in crashes involving repeat drunken drivers. The Republican-led House of Representatives had previously rejected similar measures by substantial margins in prior sessions.

Governor Ayotte sent a letter to ISO-New England in March 2026 calling for expedited reforms to the Day-Ahead Ancillary Services Market, a financial product designed to ensure grid reliability that had incurred approximately $921 million in incremental costs. The actual costs far exceeded ISO-New England's pre-implementation projection of $140 million annually. Ayotte stated that ratepayers in New Hampshire required relief from these unnecessary costs and that reforms could save nearly $1 billion.

Governor Ayotte and all five members of the New Hampshire Executive Council approved more than $640 million in federal funding for the GO-NORTH rural health care initiative on Monday. The funding targets improved access to care for rural patients, development of the rural health care workforce, and advancement of technology and innovation in rural health systems. The initiative includes support for county nursing home upgrades and a mobile training unit to expand medical and emergency services training in rural communities.

Ayotte's administration, through the Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH), presented contracts to the Executive Council for approval to expand rural health care access in New Hampshire. The Executive Council unanimously approved sole-source contracts to two college systems and two nonprofits to serve as four of six hubs managing federal grants for a five-year rural health initiative totaling approximately $1 billion. The contracts included provisions for a 10 percent cap on administrative costs and enhanced council oversight of spending, addressing concerns the council had previously raised about transparency and its role in the program's governance.

Ayotte vetoed HB 451, legislation that would have imposed a per gallon fee on the purchase of paint and stains to fund recycling and disposal of unused paint products in the state. The bill had passed the state Senate 13-11 in January with bipartisan support, though Ayotte did not publicly announce her position until after legislative passage. Ayotte characterized the fee as a sales tax in her veto, citing her campaign pledge against new taxes.

Governor Ayotte hosted a news conference to urge the House of Representatives to end its opposition to a Senate-passed bill that would double the license suspension period from six months to one year for individuals who refuse to take a blood alcohol test after arrest for suspected impaired driving. The bill, authored by State Senator Bill Gannon, had previously faced resistance in the House. A House committee scheduled testimony on the measure for the following Wednesday.

Governor Kelly Ayotte, along with Attorney General John Formella, selected retired circuit court judge Gerry Boyle to serve as the administrator of the YDC settlement fund. The position was moved from a court-appointed role to one overseen by the executive branch, making it directly answerable to the governor's office. Boyle, a retired Marine and former Boy Scouts leader, was selected to oversee a process addressing alleged abuse at the state youth development center.

Governor Ayotte indicated she would veto House Bill 1675, legislation sponsored by Democratic Rep. Ellen Read that would have subjected the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to public records law requirements under RSA 91-A. The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 168-156 to table the bill, effectively halting its progress. Ayotte's stated position regarding the veto preceded the House's tabling vote.

Governor Ayotte called on the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass legislation increasing license suspension penalties for drivers arrested for impaired driving who refuse to take a blood alcohol test. Under current state law, refusal to take a test results in a six-month license suspension, equal to the suspension for failing the test. Ayotte cited New Hampshire's 70 percent refusal rate, the second-highest in the nation, as a contributing factor to 260 roadway fatalities since 2018.

Governor Ayotte called on the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 620, which would increase the license suspension penalty for drivers who refuse roadside impairment testing during a DWI stop from six months to one year. Ayotte stated that New Hampshire currently has the second-highest rate of testing refusal in the country at approximately 70% annually and that the current six-month suspension incentivizes refusal. The legislation would align New Hampshire's penalty with 30 other states, though similar bills had been defeated by the House in the two preceding years.

The New Hampshire state Senate passed HB 323 and sent it to Governor Kelly Ayotte, legislation that would prohibit high school and college students from using educational identification cards as valid voter identification in state elections. The bill would instead require voters to present government-issued identification such as a driver's license, non-driver ID card, military ID, or passport. The Senate voted 16-8 along party lines to endorse the House-passed measure.

Governor Ayotte stated in late January 2026 that she would not support raising tolls on the New Hampshire turnpike system. The New Hampshire Senate passed legislation in March 2026 that would increase tolls by one dollar for out-of-state vehicles at three toll plazas, projected to generate $53 million in 2027 and $72 million in 2028 for turnpike maintenance and regional infrastructure projects. Ayotte's stated position placed her at odds with the Senate-passed bill as it advanced toward consideration in the House.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved HB 1815 along partisan lines, legislation that would modify the state's education aid law to allow the legislature to disregard the state Supreme Court's recommendation to increase public school funding by more than $500 million annually. State Rep. Robert Lynn, a Windham Republican and retired Supreme Court chief justice, stated the bill would prevent courts from compelling lawmakers to raise taxes to satisfy judicial rulings on education funding. An identical bill, SB 659, was sponsored in the Senate by President Sharon Carson with 12 Republican co-sponsors.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella nominated Circuit Court Judge Gerard Boyle to serve as administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund in a letter sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte in March 2026. Formella cited Boyle's 21 years of experience as a trial judge in District and Family divisions, as well as his 13 years presiding over Merrimack County Teen Court. The position had previously been held by former state Supreme Court Justice John Broderick and became subject to gubernatorial appointment following legislation enacted in spring 2025.

Governor Ayotte supported Christopher Ellms Jr.'s appointment to chair the Public Utilities Commission, stating he was a "champion for lower energy prices" and expressing confidence in his ability to prioritize affordability and serve the state with fairness and integrity. The Executive Council voted 4-1 on Wednesday to confirm Ellms to the position. Ellms, who has served as deputy commissioner at the Department of Energy since 2021, was evaluated by the Council on his experience in energy policy, regulatory matters, and understanding of utility regulation.

Ayotte nominated Diana Fenton of Mont Vernon to serve as director of the Office of the Child Advocate. Fenton withdrew her candidacy on March 3, 2026, citing potential conflicts of interest stemming from her role as a foster parent involved in a pending child custody case and her status as the wife of a circuit court judge who presides over family court matters. Fenton stated in a letter that she recognized "the potential appearance of any possible conflicts" and withdrew her name from consideration for the position.

Governor Ayotte nominated retired Concord Circuit Court Judge Gerard Boyle to serve as settlement fund administrator for claims of abuse at New Hampshire's former youth detention center, the John H. Sununu Youth Services Center. Boyle, a 21-year veteran trial judge who presided over the Concord Circuit Court from 2005 to 2016, requires confirmation by the Executive Council to fill the position vacated in July by former Supreme Court justice John Broderick. The settlement fund, established in 2022 to assess accusations of sexual and other abuse occurring over several decades at the facility, awards financial restitution to claimants whose allegations are determined to be credible.

Ayotte proposed the Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH), a $773 million rural health initiative that would distribute grants through five designated hubs without requiring Executive Council approval for individual contracts. The Executive Council voted to table the five contracts over concerns that the hubs would issue sole-source grants without competitive bidding or council oversight. Ayotte scheduled a special council meeting for March 16 to address the concerns and seek approval to proceed with the program.

Governor Kelly Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella nominated retired circuit court judge Gerard Boyle to serve as administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, which distributes damages to victims of sexual and physical abuse at the state facility. Boyle, a 21-year veteran of the trial court bench and 31-year Marine Corps veteran, would require confirmation by the Executive Council under a law that shifted the position from judicial branch appointment to gubernatorial appointment. Formella stated that many lawyers representing claimants supported Boyle's nomination and that no alternative candidates had been put forward by claimants' counsel.

Governor Ayotte nominated Department of Energy Deputy Commissioner Christopher Ellms Jr. to serve as chairman of the Public Utilities Commission. During his Executive Council hearing in March 2026, Ellms stated that rate affordability would be a major priority and committed to ensuring the PUC approves rates that are just and reasonable, placing the burden of proof on utilities to justify rate increases. The nomination proceeded to a vote before the five-member Executive Council.

Gov. Ayotte named Donnalee Lozeau of Nashua to direct the rural health transformation program under the Governor's Offices of New Opportunities and Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH). Ayotte's administration proposed $641 million in contracts over five years to higher education centers, the Foundation for Healthy Communities, and the Community Development Finance Authority to distribute federal rural health grant funding. The Executive Council was scheduled to vote on the four contracts and formal acceptance of the first-year $204 million federal grant to GO-NORTH on Wednesday.

Governor Ayotte nominated Diana Fenton, chief of the governance unit at the New Hampshire Department of Education, to serve as the state's child advocate. Fenton withdrew her nomination following a public hearing before the New Hampshire Executive Council on Monday, where several individuals raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest related to her status as a foster parent and her interactions with the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services. The child advocate office serves an independent oversight function regarding the safety of children in state systems and the actions of state agencies.

Ayotte stated that New Hampshire law enforcement works continuously to maintain the state's safety and will continue collaborative efforts to protect residents following threats identified by the Department of Homeland Security after a U.S. and Israeli military strike killed Iran's supreme leader. Ayotte encouraged the public to report suspicious activity to assist law enforcement in identifying potential threats. The statement was made in response to warnings from federal authorities regarding possible lone-wolf attacks and cyberattacks using artificial intelligence.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Diana Fenton to serve as child advocate, the independent official responsible for evaluating the Division for Children, Youth and Families. Fenton is a foster parent currently caring for a child whose biological mother is engaged in an ongoing custody case with the state agency that Fenton would be tasked with overseeing. The nomination proceeded to a public hearing where concerns about potential conflicts of interest were raised by observers including a former state representative.

An amendment to the Parental Bill of Rights included in House Bill 266 was sent to Governor Ayotte's desk for consideration. The amendment clarifies that schools may conduct audio and video recordings without written parental consent for required assessments and during school-sponsored events open to the general public. The clarification addresses confusion created by a December Department of Education advisory that had required written parental consent for school recordings.

Governor Ayotte met with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to discuss a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility planned for Merrimack, New Hampshire. Ayotte presented concerns raised by Merrimack town officials and residents regarding municipal infrastructure and property tax impacts of the facility. Following this meeting, the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack was scrapped.

Ayotte conducted a private campaign to block a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Merrimack while maintaining public silence on the matter. Several days before announcing her position, Ayotte held private discussions with Republican executive councilors regarding whether they should issue a joint statement opposing the project. Ayotte was reportedly pleased when the councilors' effort to release a unified opposition statement failed to materialize.

Ayotte described New Hampshire's approach to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state, stating that the state maintains cooperation at federal, state, and local law enforcement levels focused on public safety. Ayotte's administration has implemented a ban on sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire. Ayotte attributed the state's limited ICE presence to this cooperative law enforcement framework across all governmental levels.

Governor Ayotte commented on a federal judge's order requiring New Hampshire to resume auto inspections to comply with the Clean Air Act, stating that the state legislature had the right to discontinue the inspections but expressing a wish for a longer implementation timeline. Ayotte characterized the compliance issue as primarily administrative in nature, noting that the state's air quality met standards despite the lapsed inspection program. Ayotte indicated the state would need to comply with federal law while the matter proceeded toward resolution.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Christopher Ellms Jr., the current Deputy Commissioner of Energy, to chair the Public Utilities Commission. Energy stakeholders, including the non-profit 350 New Hampshire, raised concerns about Ellms's qualifications and potential conflicts of interest, citing his involvement in energy policy advocacy and his prior work with the Department of Energy, which frequently coordinates with the PUC on rate-setting matters. State Consumer Advocate Donald Kreis noted that Ellms would likely need to disqualify himself from numerous cases before the commission due to his previous involvement with related proceedings.

Attorney General John Formella's legal team filed a notice of appeal asking the state Supreme Court to overturn the two landmark Claremont cases that established the state's education funding system three decades ago. The appeal was filed in response to Rockingham County Superior Court Judge David Ruoff's decision that found the state's reliance on the statewide property tax to support education aid violated the New Hampshire Constitution due to varying rates based on community property wealth. The case returns to the state Supreme Court, which includes two justices nominated by Governor Ayotte.

Governor Ayotte stated in her inaugural address that she would veto House Bill 1590, legislation that would reduce New Hampshire's abortion restriction from 24 weeks gestation to 20 weeks gestation. The bill, which received a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, was intended to align the state's Fetal Life Protection Act with existing laws regarding fetal personhood and homicide. Ayotte indicated her commitment to maintaining the state's current 24-week abortion restriction and declining to sign any legislation that imposed further restrictions on abortion access.

On February 24, 2026, Governor Ayotte announced that the Department of Homeland Security would not proceed with a proposed ICE processing facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, which had been planned to detain 400 to 600 immigrants. The facility was to be located in a warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Way and was one of sixteen potential sites the Trump administration had identified nationwide for immigrant processing centers. Ayotte stated that she communicated her concerns directly to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during private conversations in Washington rather than through public statements.

On February 24, 2026, Governor Kelly Ayotte announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had canceled its plans to open a detention center in Merrimack, New Hampshire, which would have involved retrofitting a 324,395-square-foot warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway. The facility had been proposed to house hundreds of immigration detainees but faced opposition from local officials who cited concerns about impacts on emergency services and municipal finances. Ayotte's announcement concluded a process that included formal objections from town leadership to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Governor Ayotte announced that the Department of Homeland Security would not proceed with a proposed immigration processing facility in Merrimack following her discussions with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Washington, D.C. The 43-acre warehouse site had been under consideration for a 400-600 bed ICE detention facility before town officials and residents raised objections. Ayotte stated that the federal agency would cease moving forward with the project after hearing concerns from the Town of Merrimack.

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced that the Department of Homeland Security would not proceed with plans to establish an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Ayotte stated that she communicated directly with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem during a National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., to convey concerns about the proposed facility. Secretary Noem subsequently issued a statement acknowledging her discussions with Ayotte and indicating the department would not move forward with the Merrimack location.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen sponsored legislation requiring the Department of Homeland Security to obtain written approval from host communities before locating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in their jurisdiction. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan and U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander, would also mandate that DHS notify relevant congressional committees prior to initiating site plans for such facilities. The measure was introduced in response to a proposed 500-bed immigration processing center planned for Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Governor Kelly Ayotte tasked the Department of Education with examining the factors driving successful literacy education at the highest-performing schools in the state. The Concord Monitor's analysis identified eight of the ten districts with the strongest reading performance gains, when adjusted for socioeconomic status, as small rural schools located in low- and medium-income communities. Common characteristics among these high-performing districts included adoption of phonics-based pedagogical approaches grounded in reading science, low educator turnover, data-driven identification of struggling students, and strong community support for education.

Rep. Muns, a Hampton Democrat, authored House Bill 1726, which would require state agencies to conduct biennial inventories of surplus state-owned properties suitable for affordable housing development. Under the bill, agencies could sell identified properties to developers at below-market rates with a requirement that 20 percent of resulting housing units be designated as affordable. Rep. Thackston, a Troy Republican, raised concerns about the bill's pricing standards and potential for government favoritism in competitive bidding processes.

State Sen. Bill Gannon introduced SB 403, legislation requiring all public schools in New Hampshire to begin classes after Labor Day rather than allowing individual districts to set their own start dates. Gov. Kelly Ayotte indicated she would sign the bill if it reached her desk. The proposal drew support from those citing benefits to families and the hospitality industry, while school boards, administrators, and teachers unions raised concerns about impacts on local control, collective bargaining agreements, instructional time, and classroom conditions.

Ayotte's office communicated with White House and Department of Homeland Security officials regarding a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility planned for Merrimack, New Hampshire, urging coordination with the town and incorporation of local input into the siting decision. The governor's office stated it had been in contact for weeks with federal officials about the facility at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway. Ayotte previously requested the resignation of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources commissioner after documents revealed DHS discussions with that agency that had not been disclosed to her office.

Governor Ayotte indicated support for Senate Bill 475, legislation designed to reverse a state regulation that prohibited pregnant animals from being placed in foster care homes. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food had determined that pregnancy and lactation did not qualify as medical or behavioral rehabilitation under existing law, thereby restricting placements. The bill would permit temporary placements of pregnant animals in foster homes with approval from a licensed veterinarian.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey issued a statement calling federal plans to convert a 43-acre warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack, New Hampshire into a 400-bed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility "outrageous and absolutely the wrong move" and demanded that Ayotte use all available power to block the facility. Ayotte's office responded by expressing frustration over lack of communication from the Department of Homeland Security and criticizing a state agency for failing to inform the governor's office about its communications with DHS and ICE regarding the proposed facility. Ayotte's staff stated the office would "continue to insist on transparency and communication from the Department of Homeland Security with officials in Merrimack concerning this proposed facility."

On February 24, 2026, Governor Ayotte announced that the Trump administration's plan to convert a warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility would not be implemented. The facility had been proposed as one of sixteen detention sites nationwide, with projected costs of $158 million to retrofit and $146 million to operate over three years. Ayotte made the announcement after receiving and reviewing federal impact reports on the proposal, which contained errors referencing Oklahoma rather than New Hampshire.

Governor Ayotte received updated Department of Homeland Security documents regarding a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, which corrected errors in the original analysis including a reference to Oklahoma's economy. Ayotte posted the revised documents on her website immediately upon receipt. The updated analysis still contained references to state income and sales taxes that New Hampshire does not impose.

Governor Ayotte received an economic impact report on a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Merrimack, with conflicting accounts regarding the timing of its delivery. Interim ICE Director Todd Lyons stated during congressional testimony that Ayotte had already been provided the report, while Ayotte indicated she first saw the document hours after Lyons' testimony. According to the Department of Homeland Security report, the facility would require $158 million in retrofitting costs and $146 million in operational expenses over three years, with capacity for 400 to 600 beds and an average detainee stay of three to seven days.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in the state budget trailer bill that changed the administrator of the YDC Settlement Fund from a court-appointed official to a political appointee and granted the attorney general veto power over settlements reached by the administrator. The changes prompted former Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick, who held the administrator position, to resign and condemn the modifications. Abuse victims and their lawyers subsequently challenged the constitutionality of the changes in court, with a Superior Court judge dismissing the initial suit and victim lawyers filing an appeal.

Governor Ayotte released documents related to a proposed immigration detention facility in Merrimack following a U.S. Senate hearing in which ICE director Todd Lyons testified that his agency had been in contact with the governor's office. Ayotte stated that her office had only received the documents, which include an economic impact study, from the Department of Homeland Security after inquiring about them following the hearing, and immediately shared them with the Town of Merrimack and published them online. The documents detail the Detention Reengineering Initiative, which aims to establish 16 processing sites and eight large-scale facilities nationwide by November 30, with the Merrimack facility projected to cost $158 million to retrofit and $146 million to operate over three years while creating 1,252 construction jobs and 265 permanent jobs.

Governor Ayotte stated that the federal government had not answered her questions about a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, testified before a Senate committee that the Department of Homeland Security had worked with Ayotte and spoken with her about the facility's economic impact within the preceding weeks. Ayotte subsequently denied Lyons's account, stating that federal officials had provided no details about their plans and that the department head had resigned after learning that the governor's office had not been informed of a federal inquiry regarding the project.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Superior Court Judge Daniel Will to a seat on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and the Executive Council voted to confirm Will on Wednesday with a 4-1 vote. Will, age 59, will succeed Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Councilor David Wheeler cast the sole dissenting vote, citing Will's legal defense of government shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic among other concerns.

Governor Kelly Ayotte's Executive Council confirmed Lucy Lange of Bedford, president and CEO of Manchester Media Group, as commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Lange replaced Taylor Caswell of Littleton, who stepped down after Ayotte failed to secure the three votes needed on the five-person council to approve his third four-year term. Executive Councilors John Stephen and David Wheeler had criticized certain Caswell-backed contracts they deemed excessive.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Daniel Will of Loudon to serve on the New Hampshire Supreme Court to succeed Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi upon her mandatory retirement. The Executive Council confirmed Will in a 4-1 vote on February 11, 2026. Will has served as a Superior Court justice since 2021 and previously worked as New Hampshire's first solicitor general.

Sarah Stewart, commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, resigned after records revealed her agency failed to communicate federal authorities' plans to purchase a warehouse in Merrimack for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations to Governor Ayotte's office. Governor Ayotte accepted Stewart's resignation effective immediately, characterizing the communication lapse as unacceptable and stating that the town of Merrimack should have been informed of the potential facility. Stewart stated that an employee in the Division of Historical Resources received an inquiry from ICE in January but the information did not advance through the chain of command, and that the withholding was not intentional.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Judge Dan Will to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and Will appeared before the Executive Council for a confirmation hearing on February 6, 2026. During the hearing, Will defended his prior work as New Hampshire's solicitor general, stating that the COVID-19 emergency restrictions he had defended were constitutional, while councilors questioned his constitutional interpretation on issues including parental rights and school notification policies. The hearing included testimony from the attorney general, retired Supreme Court justices, and active judges in support of Will's nomination.

During her State of the State address on February 4, 2026, Governor Ayotte stated that New Hampshire's economic position is strong and outlined her continued focus on making health care, child care, and utility bills more affordable for residents. Ayotte emphasized her belief that smaller, leaner government delivers better results and announced the nomination of Lucy Lange as the next commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, pending a public hearing before the Executive Council. The Governor also highlighted efforts to market New Hampshire's business environment more effectively to prospective companies and residents.

During her State of the State address to the legislature on February 6, 2026, Ayotte announced a directive to the Department of Energy to develop pathways for next-generation nuclear power generation in New Hampshire. The announcement built on the state's existing nuclear power infrastructure and was framed as part of a broader energy strategy for the state's future. Ayotte also called on the legislature to increase administrative license suspension penalties for drivers who refuse breathalyzer tests and proposed a school cellphone ban policy.

The New Hampshire Executive Council voted 3-2 to reject a 60-day contract extension with Gordon-Darby LLC to continue the state's auto inspection and emissions program, despite a federal judge's preliminary injunction ordering the state to maintain inspections pending federal approval. Attorney General John Formella had recommended approval of the extension and stated afterward that the council's rejection placed the state in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. Formella indicated the next step would likely be for the council to approve a Request for Proposals to select a new vendor, a process he suggested could take months to complete.

Governor Ayotte called for the state Attorney General to review the circumstances surrounding the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' failure to notify her office that the Department of Homeland Security had filed an application with the Division of Historical Resources for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Merrimack on January 9. The application was not disclosed to Ayotte until the ACLU filed a right-to-know request in late January, prompting scrutiny at an Executive Council meeting. Ayotte's request for the Attorney General's review came after the division director announced changes to internal communication policies and despite the department commissioner's statement that there was no intent to withhold information.

During her 2026 State of the State address, Governor Ayotte directed the Department of Energy to build pathways to foster next-generation nuclear power in New Hampshire, stating the state should be at the forefront of the technology and requesting the department convene stakeholders, lawmakers, and organizations focused on nuclear generation. Ayotte also outlined education initiatives and public safety priorities in the address, which received a standing ovation from Republican lawmakers regarding the nuclear energy proposal. The governor criticized neighboring states' energy policies and the Public Utilities Commission's regulatory approach while addressing regional electricity rates.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 260 in 2025, legislation sponsored by State Rep. Stephen Pearson that authorized the creation of a commemorative license plate celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The red, white, and blue plate features a patriotic design incorporating the Old Man of the Mountain image and is available for purchase at $25 through the Division of Motor Vehicles website, with proceeds directed to the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. The plate functions as a cover plate for the front license plate and remains valid for one year, with the authorizing law set to expire on July 4, 2027.

Governor Ayotte nominated Superior Court Judge Dan Will of Loudon to a seat on the state Supreme Court in 2026. Conservative groups and Executive Councilor David Wheeler announced opposition to the nomination, citing Will's legal defense of government COVID-19 restrictions when he served as Solicitor General under former Governor Chris Sununu. Ayotte responded that Will, as a state prosecutor, had a professional duty to defend the state's legal positions regardless of personal agreement with underlying policies.

Senate Republicans passed an amendment to an unrelated bill on Thursday that would mandate universal public school open enrollment across New Hampshire, with the legislation set to take effect upon passage by the House and signature by Governor Ayotte. The amendment circumvents the standard bill hearing process and would require school districts to pay between 80 and 100 percent of their average cost per student to the district where a student enrolls. A spokesperson for Ayotte did not respond to questions about whether she would sign the legislation if it reaches her desk.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 267 into law, which increased the penalty for purchasing sexual services in New Hampshire from a lesser misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor effective January 1. The law established a $500 fine for individuals who buy sex. Brian Soule, a Penacook man arrested in December following a police investigation of Oriental Bodywork Spa, was convicted under this statute and ordered to pay a fine in Concord District Court.

Governor Kelly Ayotte is expected to request a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding New Hampshire's car inspection requirements after a federal judge temporarily halted the state's proposal to end car inspections starting February 1, 2026. The halt was issued because a company that manufactures emissions inspection equipment sued to overturn the state law, arguing that ending inspections would put New Hampshire in violation of the Clean Air Act. The Department of Safety extended the deadline to obtain a state inspection to April 10, 2026, for any vehicle with an inspection expiring prior to March 2026, pending resolution of the legal matter.

Governor Ayotte called for thorough and transparent investigations into shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Ayotte stated that facts and circumstances should be gathered before conclusions are reached and that such investigations should follow the same standard applied to officer-involved shootings in New Hampshire. Ayotte also emphasized the importance of cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Governor Ayotte appointed Deputy Energy Commissioner Chris Ellms to lead the Public Utilities Commission, replacing a prior chairman whom she did not reappoint. Ayotte stated that the PUC had issued decisions she viewed as unfavorable to ratepayers and that she sought to appoint someone willing to challenge utility companies on rate-setting issues. Democratic lawmakers criticized the appointment, arguing it blurred the line between the Department of Energy and the PUC.

Governor Ayotte characterized the fatal shooting of ICE detainee Alex Pretti in Minneapolis as "tragic" and stated that a complete and transparent investigation should be conducted into the incident. Ayotte noted that New Hampshire has not experienced similar incidents due to cooperation and information-sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Ayotte did not comment on calls from the state's congressional delegation for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Governor Ayotte announced on Thursday that New Hampshire will participate in a federal tax credit program established by Congress in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allowing residents to receive tax credits of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations. The program funds educational expenses including tuition, tutoring, and course materials for students attending both public and private schools, with implementation scheduled to begin in 2027. New Hampshire becomes the 22nd state to opt into the program, which creates a third funding mechanism for educational expenses alongside the state's existing education freedom account and state education tax credit scholarship programs.

Governor Ayotte stated that a proposal in Senate Bill 627 to double turnpike toll rates for motorists without New Hampshire E-ZPass transponders would not advance. The State Senate Transportation Committee had endorsed the amendment on a 4-0 vote, which would have increased tolls at three locations and generated an estimated $55 million annually. Ayotte indicated the measure was dead on arrival and would not receive her approval.

Governor Kelly Ayotte directed the state attorney general and commissioner of safety to develop guidance for the public following a federal judge's preliminary injunction blocking the repeal of New Hampshire's mandatory vehicle inspection program. The judge ruled that the state had not received permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act to eliminate the inspection requirement. Ayotte stated she understood the concerns of residents affected by the court's decision to reverse the repeal and indicated the administration would clarify how the Department of Safety would proceed under the injunction.

Ayotte nominated Deputy Energy Commissioner Christopher Ellms to chair the Public Utilities Commission, stating that his appointment would bring a different mindset focused on lowering electric rates. The nomination came after Ayotte decided not to reappoint PUC Chairman Daniel Goldner to another term, citing concerns that the PUC was not adequately protecting ratepayers. Democratic leaders criticized the nomination, arguing that it blurred the line between the Department of Energy and the PUC and represented a political move rather than a substantive approach to reducing energy costs.

Governor Ayotte announced her nomination of Daniel Will of Loudon, a Superior Court justice since 2021, to serve on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, replacing Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. Will's nomination is subject to approval by the five-member Executive Council, which will vote in the coming weeks. Ayotte also announced nominations of Christopher Ellms to chair the Public Utilities Commission and identified Diana Fenton as a candidate for the position of child advocate.

Governor Ayotte nominated Daniel E. Will, a Superior Court judge and former state solicitor general, to the New Hampshire Supreme Court to replace Associate Justice Barbara Hantz Marconi upon her mandatory retirement at age 70. Will was originally appointed to the Superior Court in 2021 by former Governor Chris Sununu and previously led the Department of Justice's solicitor general office handling the state's appeals and constitutional matters. The nomination requires confirmation by the New Hampshire Executive Council.

Governor Ayotte announced the nomination of Daniel Will, a Superior Court judge and former solicitor general, to fill the state Supreme Court seat being vacated by Justice Barbara Hantz Marconi. Ayotte also nominated Diana Fenton, who previously served as legal counsel for the Department of Education, to the Office of the Child Advocate, replacing Cassandra Sanchez who was not brought back for another four-year term. Additionally, Ayotte nominated Deputy Commissioner of Energy Chris Ellms to the Public Utilities Commission and Lucy Lange, a radio advertising executive, to lead the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.

Gov. Ayotte nominated Lucy C. Lange, president and CEO of the Manchester Radio Group, to serve as commissioner of business and economic affairs, a position carrying a four-year term. Ayotte also nominated Christopher J. Ellms Jr., deputy energy commissioner, to chair the Public Utilities Commission, a role in which the governor designates the chair among the three commissioners who serve six-year terms. Additionally, Ayotte announced her selection of Diana E. Fenton, legal counsel to the Department of Education, as the next child advocate, a four-year position.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed legislation in August 2025 that grants parents the right to access records of materials their children borrow from public libraries, effective January 2026. The law requires library staff to verify that the person making the request is the child's parent or guardian before disclosing borrowing information, with individual libraries establishing their own procedures for confirmation. The New Hampshire Library Association assisted local libraries in developing policies and procedures to implement the new transparency requirements.

State Rep. Buzz Scherr, D-Portsmouth, introduced HB 1570, legislation that would grant cities, towns, and county commissioners authority to override law enforcement agencies' decisions to enter Section 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Scherr argued that local governing boards should control whether their law enforcement officers participate in ICE cooperation agreements, citing budget concerns and stating that New Hampshire municipalities should not use local funds to support federal immigration enforcement operations. The bill received its first public hearing before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, where the current landscape of 14 New Hampshire law enforcement agencies participating in such agreements was noted.

Ayotte announced plans to address health care access and rising costs in her State of the State Address delivered to the New Hampshire Legislature on February 5, 2026. The governor indicated she would present proposals to expand access to child care and health care services, as well as measures to make electricity costs more affordable for residents. Ayotte also endorsed a business tax credit concept for employers offering onsite child care for their employees.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 2, the state budget trailer bill, in June 2025, which included language establishing a cap on targeted aid for school districts with 5,000 or more students at $3,750 per pupil, reducing Manchester's education funding by an estimated $10.2 million annually. The bill provided Manchester a two-year reprieve until July 1, 2027, before the aid reduction takes effect. Manchester officials subsequently testified before the House Education Funding Committee in January 2026 in support of HB 1831, legislation that would eliminate the aid cap provisions included in the budget bill Ayotte signed.

Governor Ayotte would appoint two family members of cold case homicide victims to a proposed five-person commission under Senate Bill 621, which would serve as an intermediary between the state's Cold Case Unit and families seeking updates on unsolved cases. The state's Attorney General and senior prosecutors testified that the commission was unnecessary and could compromise ongoing investigations by requiring disclosure of investigative details currently kept confidential. The bill had bipartisan sponsorship in the state legislature, including support from the Senate President and Majority Leader.

Governor Ayotte identified doubling the administrative license suspension for drivers arrested for impaired driving who refuse blood alcohol testing as a top priority for the 2026 legislative session. This proposal emerged from a safe driving task force report that Ayotte created the previous year, which included the suspension increase among its top recommendations. The change was intended to address New Hampshire's second-highest DWI test refusal rate in the nation, with state officials testifying in support of Senate Bill 620 to implement the measure.

Rep. Horrigan introduced a bill to renumber New Hampshire's highway exit signs from a sequential system to a mileage-based system in alignment with federal standards, which New Hampshire currently operates under a federal waiver to avoid. The proposal would change exits such as Exit 14 in Concord, located at the 38th milemarker, to Exit 38, and would similarly affect Exit 32 near Lincoln and Woodstock. The House Public Works and Highways Committee received testimony on the bill, though observers indicated passage was unlikely.

Governor Ayotte partnered with New Hampshire State Police to advance legislation aimed at strengthening the state's driving while intoxicated laws by closing a gap between penalties for breathalyzer test refusal and DWI convictions. The Senate Judiciary Committee took up the bill, which was designed to address New Hampshire's second-highest test refusal rate in the nation at 72 percent. Ayotte stated her intention to persuade House lawmakers to support the measure after the chamber had previously declined to pass similar legislation.

Governor Ayotte announced an agreement with Aurora Sustainable Lands LLC regarding the management of the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest, a 146,000-acre property in northern New Hampshire. Under the new stewardship plan, the landowner committed to allowing loggers to harvest an annual average of 30,000 cords of wood from the forest, approximately double the amount cut in 2024. The agreement maintains the property's status as a working forest while providing funding for state road maintenance and public access under the terms of the state's existing conservation easement.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office filed a brief with the state Supreme Court arguing that Michael Addison's death sentence for the 2006 murder of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs should not be dismissed on appeal, contending the sentence is not excessive or disproportionate compared to sentences in similar cases. Addison was convicted of capital murder in 2008 and remains on death row despite the state legislature's 2019 repeal of capital punishment through HB 455, which applied only to future cases. The Attorney General's brief contends that Addison's challenge to his death sentence, based solely on the legislature's repeal of the death penalty, lacks comparison to other similarly situated cases or recent life sentence cases.

On Veterans Day, Governor Ayotte issued an executive order guaranteeing employment interviews for military service members, veterans, and their spouses applying for positions within New Hampshire state government. The executive order was announced as the first action under the Governor's "NH First for Veterans" initiative, which aims to recruit transitioning service members to settle in the state. The order applies to approximately 200,000 service members who transition to civilian life annually.

Governor Ayotte included in her budget plan a proposal to impose new health care premiums for moderate-income families enrolled in Medicaid, projected to generate $12 million annually once fully implemented. The premiums would apply to families earning more than 255 percent of the federal poverty level, approximately $82,000 annually for a family of four, with monthly charges potentially reaching $270. Representative Jerry Stringham introduced HB 1596, which would eliminate Ayotte's proposed Medicaid premiums while using revenue from a $1.02 per pack increase in cigarette taxes to restore state funding to the University System of New Hampshire.

Pamela Smart filed a petition to reverse her 1991 conviction for her role in her husband's murder, citing new forensic research on audio evidence presented at trial. Smart's lawyers argued that providing jurors with transcripts while playing audio recordings created cognitive bias that led jurors to interpret unclear audio according to the transcripts rather than what was actually audible. Smart's previous clemency petition was rejected by Governor Kelly Ayotte in May 2025.

Governor Ayotte made a landfill moratorium a top priority during the 2025 legislative session, with the proposed expansion of an existing landfill in Bethlehem becoming the central focus of the debate. State Senator Howard Pearl authored HB 707 amended, which would create a new site evaluation committee to review landfill applications, though the measure faced criticism from those who believed it would override local planning board decisions. The Senate deadlocked 12-12 on an amendment by State Senator David Rochefort that would have required the committee to honor past local agreements, and the moratorium proposal ultimately did not advance during the legislative session.

Governor Ayotte spoke at an Executive Council meeting in fall 2025 indicating she would support lawmakers restoring the death penalty in cases involving capital murder of law enforcement officers. A House panel scheduled testimony on three bills to restore capital punishment in New Hampshire. The statement represented Ayotte's position on legislation being considered by the state legislature to reinstate capital punishment.

Governor Ayotte appointed former Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau to head the Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH), a new state office established to manage more than $204 million in federal rural health grants. Lozeau, who was retiring as CEO of Southern New Hampshire Services, accepted the role after Ayotte convinced her to remain in public service. The office was modeled after the Governor's Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) that managed federal pandemic relief funds under the previous administration.

Governor Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by abuse survivors at the Youth Development Center who challenged changes to the settlement fund distribution process. The changes replaced the judicial administrator overseeing the fund with a political appointee and granted the attorney general veto power over settlement decisions. Judge James Kennedy dismissed the lawsuit on January 6, 2026, and the plaintiffs' attorneys announced their intention to appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved HB 155, legislation to reduce the Business Enterprise Tax from 0.55% to 0.5% beginning in 2027, with the measure passing along partisan lines 189-165. The Department of Revenue estimated the reduction would decrease state receipts by $27 million annually in the first full year of implementation. Governor Kelly Ayotte's signature would be required to enact the bill into law.

The New Hampshire State Senate voted 13-11 to advance HB 451, a bill imposing a fee on paint and stain purchases to fund recycling and disposal programs, sending it to Governor Ayotte's desk. The measure, which had previously stalled in the Republican-led Legislature, narrowly passed despite opposition from Senate leadership including President Sharon Carson and Majority Leader Regina Birdsell. The bill would establish a user fee system administered by PaintCare, a nonprofit entity created by the paint manufacturing industry, rather than relying on general tax revenue for hazardous waste disposal costs.

Governor Ayotte appointed former Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau to head the Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH), a new state office created to manage more than $204 million in federal rural health grants. Lozeau, who was retiring as CEO of Southern New Hampshire Services, accepted the position and stated confidence in achieving sustainable health solutions across the state. The appointment followed the Trump administration's approval of New Hampshire's application for federal rural health transformation funds, which provided the state with more funding than other New England states received.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 15 on January 7, 2026, legislation that would require individuals convicted of capital murder or child rape to perform hard labor during their prison sentences. House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee Chairman Terry Roy sponsored the amended bill, stating it would provide the Corrections Commissioner flexibility in implementation while delivering certainty of punishment. The bill passed 179-159 along largely partisan lines, with Republicans voting 176-12 in favor and Democrats voting 147-3 in opposition.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in 2025 that banned gender transition medical procedures for minors in New Hampshire. The law restricts access to medical interventions for transgender youth, aligning with similar restrictions placed on other medical procedures for minors such as tanning beds and tattoos. The legislation was among the most significant passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature during that legislative session.

Governor Ayotte vetoed 11 House bills during 2025, all of which had strong Republican support, including legislation that would have allowed the segregation of individuals by biological sex in public bathrooms. Among the bills Ayotte signed into law were HB 712 and HB 377, which banned gender transition medical procedures for minors, and measures establishing anti-sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire municipalities. Ayotte also approved a $16 billion two-year budget that required 10 state departments to reduce spending by more than $80 million combined.

In her January 2025 inaugural address to the legislature, newly elected Governor Ayotte declared the banning of personal electronic devices in schools a policy priority, reversing the previous bipartisan resistance to statewide action on the issue. During the final week of the legislative session, Ayotte publicly supported the most restrictive version of a phone ban bill, which prohibited phone use from bell to bell rather than only during instructional time, and the Republican-controlled Senate subsequently agreed to include the measure in the biennial budget. School districts across New Hampshire implemented the resulting law during the 2025 school year, with most high schools adopting policies allowing students to carry phones in their pockets or backpacks rather than utilizing locking pouches.

Ayotte signed a bail reform law that took effect during the year, which lowers the burden prosecutors must show to hold a violent suspect without bail pending trial. The governor signed the legislation in the spring surrounded by law enforcement officials. Ayotte characterized the previous bail system as a failed experiment.

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced that New Hampshire received a $204 million federal award from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of the 2026 Rural Health Transformation Program, the largest award among New England states. Ayotte signed an executive order to establish the Governor's Office of New Opportunities and Rural Transformational Health to manage the federal funds, with strategic goals including preventative health promotion, workforce development, and healthcare innovation. The state developed its application through collaboration with over 300 organizations and individuals and anticipates receiving similar funding allocations over the subsequent five fiscal years under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Ayotte signed a bail reform law that took effect during the year, which lowers the burden prosecutors must show to hold a violent suspect without bail pending trial. The governor signed the legislation in the spring surrounded by law enforcement officials. Ayotte characterized the previous bail system as a failed experiment.

Governor Ayotte vowed to veto any bill legalizing recreational marijuana in New Hampshire during 2025. Advocates then sought to expand access to the state's Therapeutic Cannabis Program by proposing measures including increased possession limits, reduced dispensary regulations, and home cultivation rights for certified patients. All proposed expansions to the program failed in the state Senate before reaching Ayotte's desk, with Republican senators citing concerns that regulatory changes would make the law unenforceable.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte stated her commitment to preserving services for vulnerable families as the Department of Health and Human Services initiated a process to reduce $51 million in state spending over 18 months. The Executive Council approved the first phase of cuts totaling $3 million to third-party DHHS contracts on Wednesday, which included a $2 million reduction in home visiting services for Medicaid recipients. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver clarified that existing service recipients would retain access but expansion of care to additional clients would be limited under the reduced budget.

Governor Ayotte vetoed House bills that would have allowed organizations to bar transgender people from using bathrooms and locker rooms aligned with their gender identity. The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted on December 17, 2025, to reconsider Ayotte's vetoes but failed to overturn any of them. The veto reconsideration occurred during a session in which Democratic Representative Alice Wade of Dover testified against the bathroom bill while reading names of transgender people who died by suicide or targeted violence in 2025.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in spring 2025 that extended Education Freedom Account grants to parents of all incomes, expanding the state-subsidized program beyond its previous income restrictions. The bill resulted in nearly doubled enrollment in the Education Freedom Account program. The Education Freedom Account Oversight Committee subsequently elected a Democratic chair after a year without meetings, with the incoming chair positioned as an opponent of the expanded program.

Activists presented Governor Ayotte with a petition during an Executive Council meeting on December 17, 2025, requesting that the state withdraw from partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The petition called for county jails to resist federal contracts for immigration-related detention and for law enforcement agencies to exit existing agreements with ICE that authorize arrests based on immigration violations. The petition also sought repeal of a state ban on sanctuary and welcoming policies that Ayotte had previously championed as a public safety measure.

Governor Ayotte held a highway traffic safety conference in Concord on December 17, 2025, where she stated that lawmakers must address wrong-way drivers, impaired driving, and distracted driving in the 2026 legislative session. Ayotte identified a specific loophole in state law that she said incentivizes impaired drivers to decline field sobriety tests, noting that previous legislative attempts to close this loophole in recent years had not succeeded. Ayotte vowed to make highway safety a top priority at the State House in 2026.

Gov. Ayotte signed an executive order creating the Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GONORTH) to manage federal Rural Health Transformation Grant funds that the state applied to receive. The state submitted an application seeking $265 million over 18 months under the federal program, with the Trump administration expected to announce awards by the end of the month. The new office was structured similarly to the Governor's Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR), which previously managed COVID-19 pandemic relief spending.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed Senate Bill 287, legislation requiring absentee voters to provide photo identification or sign an affidavit when obtaining a ballot. Three visually impaired voters challenged the law in Rockingham County Superior Court, arguing the requirement discriminated against disabled voters by forcing them to access technology, travel to a clerk's office, or pay for notarization services. Judge David Ruoff dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the identification requirement imposed reasonable, nondiscriminatory burdens to protect election integrity.

Governor Ayotte signed SB 287, legislation passed by the Republican-led Legislature that added identification requirements for absentee voters, effective September 30. The law requires absentee voters to either submit a copy of a photo identification card with a notarized signature on their application or sign an affidavit confirming their eligibility. Three visually impaired voters challenged the law as discriminatory against disabled voters, but Rockingham County Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the lawsuit, finding the identification requirements reasonable and nondiscriminatory.

Governor Ayotte received the final report from the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) in December 2025, which contained recommendations for reducing administrative overhead, reforming professional licensing, and improving customer service in state government. The 77-page report identified dozens of incremental and system-wide reforms intended to lower costs and improve services, with Ayotte highlighting three specific recommendations including a "one in, two out" approach to eliminate outdated rules, a framework for AI innovation, and a constituent case-management system for state agencies. Ayotte stated the report had the potential to modernize state government and maximize taxpayer value while making New Hampshire more competitive.

Ayotte created the Commission on Government Efficiency through her first executive order upon taking office in January 2025. The commission's 77-page final report, released nearly one year later, recommended possible restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services into smaller, more focused agencies and proposed that school districts establish independent audit committees answerable to school boards rather than superintendents. The report also called for digitizing and modernizing state systems, with implementation of the recommendations to be determined by the governor and legislature.

Ayotte presided over the formal announcement of 31 recipients of Land & Community Heritage Investment Program grants totaling $3.5 million in 2025. The grants were distributed to preserve historic landmarks including Robert Frost's home in Franconia, the Canterbury Shaker Village complex, and the South Church in Portsmouth, as well as to conserve open land and groundwater access across New Hampshire. Since its inception in 2001, LCHIP has awarded over $68 million in grants to conserve nearly 250,000 acres of land and almost 200 historic landmarks throughout the state.

Governor Ayotte eliminated Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic for weight loss alone, effective January 1, starting with a Department of Health and Human Services advisory announced November 6. The state Medicaid program will continue to cover these medications for clients with medically necessary conditions including Type 2 diabetes, major adverse cardiovascular events, severe obstructive sleep apnea, and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis. Ayotte stated the decision was made to address cost concerns while maintaining coverage for medically necessary uses.

Corrections Commissioner Bill Hart, appointed by Governor Kelly Ayotte, presented a proposed reorganization of administrative positions within the Department of Corrections to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee in December 2025. Hart stated the reorganization would save up to $550,000 in personnel costs and create a more flexible organizational structure capable of contracting and expanding based on departmental size. The reorganization was offered as an amendment to SB 301, which the committee subsequently recommended be sent to study while pursuing attachment of the proposal to different legislation.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted 3-2 to endorse HB 451, a Paint Stewardship Program bill that would impose a per-gallon fee on paint purchases to fund the collection and recycling of unused paint and empty containers. Committee Chairman Tim Lang cast the deciding vote in favor of the measure, which would shift paint disposal costs from municipalities to consumers and manufacturers. The bill is designed so that paint manufacturers pay fees to the program based on sales volume in the state, with retailers given the option to operate collection stations for consumers to bring unused paint for recycling.

Governor Ayotte communicated with the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding proposed changes to the Continuum of Care funding system that would reduce federal support for homeless services in New Hampshire. Ayotte stated that she urged HUD officials to delay implementation of the funding changes, which would result in Manchester losing 88 permanent supportive housing beds and a $1.3 million reduction in federal assistance. New Hampshire did not join other states in filing legal challenges to the proposed changes, with Ayotte indicating that direct engagement with federal officials rather than litigation was her preferred initial approach.

Governor Ayotte engaged in negotiations with Aurora Sustainable Lands LLC regarding a stewardship plan for the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Forest, a 171,000-acre property subject to a state conservation easement. Ayotte stated in March 2026 that talks were in final stages but that acceptable terms for an agreement had not yet been reached. The negotiations centered on balancing timber harvesting levels, carbon storage practices, and maintenance of forest infrastructure while preserving the property's function as a working forest.

Ayotte urged the Trump administration to reconsider temporary housing eligibility changes announced by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner for the Continuum of Care program. The new rules, set to take effect in summer 2026, establish requirements including job seeking and substance abuse or mental health treatment as conditions for receiving permanent housing assistance. Ayotte stated she hoped the administration would reconsider the policy after receiving negative feedback, citing concerns that the changes could increase homelessness in New Hampshire.

Governor Ayotte approved a settlement agreement between the state and design firm SMRT regarding a foundation design error at the new secure psychiatric hospital in Concord, resulting in SMRT paying the state $9.9 million in compensation. The settlement allowed construction work to resume on the project after a standstill lasting most of 2025, with remedial micropiles to be installed to address the inadequate foundation. Ayotte stated that while the solution was not ideal, proceeding with the settlement and project completion was preferable to prolonged litigation, though the state remained responsible for approximately $5 million in additional project delays and costs.

Governor Ayotte announced on social media that SynQor, a manufacturer of power converters for military and industrial applications, was relocating its corporate headquarters from Boxborough, Massachusetts to Salem, New Hampshire, bringing approximately 250 jobs to the state. The move marked the second major company relocation from Massachusetts to New Hampshire in 2025, following Analogic Corporation's January announcement of moving 500 jobs to the same Salem location. Ayotte characterized New Hampshire as the number one state for economic freedom in her statement welcoming the company's arrival.

Governor Ayotte issued a statement expressing concern about federal funding changes to the Continuum of Care program that cap spending on permanent housing programs at 30 percent, down from the current 63 percent in New Hampshire. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimated that a $4.6 million reduction in federal funding would result in approximately 406 people losing housing when current grants end in mid-2026. Ayotte stated that the state would continue working with local partners and communities to minimize the impact of the funding changes, though New Hampshire did not join other states in litigation over the federal mandate.

Governor Ayotte signed state legislation during the summer of 2025 that established a Tax Amnesty Program allowing taxpayers with delinquent state tax accounts as of June 30, 2025, to pay outstanding taxes without penalties and with only half the accrued interest if payment is made by February 15, 2026. The program applies to state taxes including business taxes, meals and rooms taxes, and interest and dividends taxes, but excludes property taxes and federal taxes. According to the Department of Revenue Administration, the amnesty program was expected to generate approximately $5 million in state revenue while the state wound down its Interest and Dividends Tax.

In May 2025, Ayotte signed legislation that banned sanctuary cities in New Hampshire and mandated cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. The law represented a shift in policy that enabled local police departments to collaborate with federal immigration agencies on enforcement actions. Immigration attorneys subsequently began advising clients without full legal status to avoid traveling through New Hampshire due to the increased likelihood of immigration-related stops and detentions.

Governor Ayotte faced a tight fiscal climate in the 2026 legislative session as revenue from taxes and fees fell $30 million below the Legislature's forecast through October and nearly $60 million below the same period the prior year. Ayotte stated that she and lawmakers needed to continue working on policies to help families with housing affordability, child care costs, energy bills, and healthcare access, while indicating that if revenues rebounded, she would prioritize restoring $35 million in state aid to the University System of New Hampshire that had been cut in the state budget. Ayotte also announced she was working on a state tax credit for business owners who provide child care services at the workplace.

Ayotte signed legislation that made New Hampshire the first state with the authority to invest in Bitcoin and other digital assets. Following that law's passage, the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority approved issuing up to $100 million in bonds backed by digital assets, which would represent the first government bonds of this kind if approved by the governor and executive council. Revenue generated from the transaction would support the new Bitcoin Economic Development Fund for state business programs.

Governor Kelly Ayotte championed a bail reform law that modified New Hampshire's bail system to prioritize public safety in pretrial release decisions. The legislation was developed through collaboration between Ayotte's office, lawmakers, prosecutors, victims' advocates, and law enforcement officials. The law established new procedures for bail determinations intended to reduce the release of individuals charged with serious offenses prior to trial.

The Executive Council approved $1.5 million in funding for lawyers representing indigent defendants in New Hampshire after Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald agreed to establish a task force to examine the judiciary's income verification procedures. The approval represented a reduction from the initial $5.5 million request, which had been rejected by the council over concerns that the court system lacked a process to verify whether defendants accurately reported their inability to afford legal representation. MacDonald designated Associate Justice Melissa Countway to lead the task force, which will examine income verification systems used by judicial branches in other states.

In June 2025, Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 2, the state's appropriations trailer bill, which implemented a bell-to-bell cellular phone ban in all New Hampshire public schools. The ban was enacted to reduce classroom distractions and cyberbullying. The policy took effect without prior consultation with teachers, administrators, students, or parents regarding its implementation.

Governor Ayotte credited state agency officials and the New Hampshire Food Bank with establishing a $2 million contingency program to distribute free food to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients whose benefits ended on November 1 during a federal government shutdown. Ayotte stated that the emergency food clinics established in response would close on Friday upon the federal government's reopening, with standard food pantry services resuming at previous capacity levels. The state agency worked with the Food Bank's 400 partner organizations to rapidly implement the distribution program and ensured New Hampshire was among approximately 20 states where SNAP recipients received their full November benefits on electronic benefit transfer cards.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte stated her support for the concept of legislation to reinstate capital punishment in some form, which House Republicans were developing for the 2026 session. The statement came in the context of a House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee vote that advanced a bill narrowing hard labor requirements to capital murderers and those convicted of raping children under age 13. Ayotte had previously served as the prosecutor who obtained a death sentence for Michael Addison in connection with a 2008 murder case.

Governor Ayotte presided over the formal opening of an upgraded State Emergency Operations Center in Concord following a $1.4 million renovation project. The enhanced facility features a large interactive display wall capable of showing 21 simultaneous live video feeds and 15 computer docking stations designed to improve coordination among state, county, and federal emergency response partners. The upgraded center replaced a previous configuration that had operated with limited technological capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ayotte expressed concern regarding New Hampshire SNAP recipients caught between conflicting federal directives during the government shutdown, after the state Department of Health and Human Services announced full November benefits following a Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration was not required to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture subsequently ordered states to undo the distribution of full benefits despite funds already being sent to recipients. Ayotte stated her position that the government should reopen and called for certainty that SNAP benefits and other support for disabled and elderly recipients would be available.

Governor Ayotte appointed Chris MacBean to the New Hampshire Retirement System's Independent Investment Committee, a non-partisan body responsible for overseeing and evaluating fund managers and implementing asset allocation strategies for the state's retirement system. MacBean, a partner and chief planning officer at Harbor Group, Inc., brings experience in investment strategy and financial planning to the committee. The appointment contributes to the governance structure overseeing the administration of New Hampshire's public employee retirement funds.

Following a Senate agreement on a potential resolution to a 40-day government shutdown, Governor Ayotte called for immediate reopening of federal government operations. Ayotte stated that government reopening was necessary to maintain services for residents receiving SNAP benefits, individuals with disabilities, and others dependent on federal support. The Governor indicated her priority was ensuring resource availability to New Hampshire residents and preventing food insecurity while Congress finalized the shutdown resolution.

Governor Ayotte stated that New Hampshire would continue working to ensure vulnerable citizens received services during a federal government shutdown and called on Washington to reopen the federal government to prevent further disruption to important programs. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services distributed full November SNAP benefit allotments to all 77,000 state recipients on their EBT cards based on federal guidance received before a Supreme Court stay was issued. The state continued processing SNAP applications during the shutdown and made mobile food pantries available to recipients.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced that the Trump administration released federal funding to allow New Hampshire to continue providing Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program benefits through the end of November 2025 to approximately 13,000 recipients. The funding prevented a lapse in nutritional assistance that had been scheduled to expire on November 10, 2025. Ayotte stated she directly advocated for the funding with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to secure the extension.

Governor Ayotte announced the creation of the Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH) to oversee New Hampshire's application for federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The state submitted an application seeking approximately $500 million in federal grants over five years beginning in 2026 to improve affordability, accessibility, and sustainability of health care in rural communities. GO-NORTH will coordinate with the state Department of Health and Human Services to implement initiatives including mental and physical health promotion and workforce recruitment and payment model innovation.

Governor Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire Legislature changed the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund administrator position from an independent role to a political appointee in spring 2025. The change prompted former state Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick, who had been leading the fund, to resign from his post. As of November 2025, more than 2,200 people had filed claims with the settlement fund seeking compensation for alleged abuse at state-run youth facilities, with over 1,700 claims remaining pending while the state sought a new administrator.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte nominated Brian Valerino, a Republican state representative from Coos County, to serve as warden of the medium-security prison in Berlin, and the Executive Council confirmed the appointment. Valerino's resignation from the New Hampshire House triggered a special election in his district. Ayotte campaigned for Marc Tremblay in the special election to fill Valerino's seat, which Tremblay won by 14 votes over Democrat Corinne Cascadden.

Ayotte's reelection campaign rented a billboard truck in midtown Manhattan in November 2025 to recruit businesses to relocate to New Hampshire following the election of Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor. The billboard truck featured messaging highlighting New Hampshire's tax rates, business environment, and regulatory structure as alternatives to conditions in New York City. Ayotte stated the campaign sought to attract both business owners and individuals to the state based on its economic and tax advantages.

Ayotte used campaign funds to send a mobile billboard truck through Manhattan displaying messages designed to attract New York City businesses to relocate to New Hampshire. The billboard circulated one day after Zohran Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York City and featured rotating messages describing New Hampshire as "safe, prosperous, free" and emphasizing lower taxes and quality of life. The messaging directly referenced concerns about Mamdani's political positions to encourage business relocation from New York to the state.

Ayotte announced that New Hampshire secured new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend Women, Infants and Children benefits through the end of November 2025, following the expiration of previous shutdown-related funding. The extended funding will support approximately 13,000 WIC recipients in the state and will also support nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and community resource referrals provided by partner agencies. Ayotte stated in a press release that she advocated at the federal level for the new WIC funding and called on national leaders to reopen the federal government to prevent further disruption to vulnerable populations.

Governor Ayotte allocated $2 million in state funding to establish mobile food pantries throughout New Hampshire in response to the federal government shutdown that froze Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The mobile pantries, operated in partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and the New Hampshire Food Bank, began distributing food to approximately 77,000 SNAP-enrolled residents across multiple locations in November 2025. The program was designed to serve eligible recipients who presented EBT cards or letters of eligibility from DHHS for a five-week period.

Governor Ayotte announced a state-funded effort to provide direct food assistance to New Hampshire communities during the federal government shutdown, with mobile food pantries scheduled to operate throughout the state as of Wednesday. The initiative was designed to address food insecurity concerns exacerbated by the shutdown's impact on the SNAP program and other federal assistance resources. Ayotte stated that the state-funded food pantry program would be fully operational by midweek.

Governor Ayotte announced the establishment of mobile food pantries at 15 locations across six regions of New Hampshire, beginning the week of November 3, 2025, to serve families who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to a federal government shutdown. The $2 million state initiative, implemented by the New Hampshire Food Bank, was approved unanimously by the Executive Council and provides free food distribution for SNAP recipients for an initial five-week period with provisions for eight additional one-week extensions if the shutdown continues. The Department of Health and Human Services oversaw the program, with pantry locations subject to weekly updates on the state's website.

Governor Ayotte announced a plan to address food assistance disruptions during a federal government shutdown affecting approximately 75,000 New Hampshire SNAP recipients. The Executive Council unanimously approved Ayotte's proposal to allocate $2 million in state funding to partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank's mobile pantry program. Officials stated the contingency program would require approximately one week to implement and was intended to provide assistance through November 2025.

State Rep. Glenn Cordelli, R-Tuftonboro, chair of the House Education Policy and Administration Committee, introduced legislation that would grant the state Board of Education authority to hire an administrator to oversee financial operations of school districts unable to manage their own budgets, citing the financial crisis in Claremont schools as justification for the measure. The bill, which faced its first public hearing in November 2025, would represent a significant shift from the traditional model of local school board control over district finances. Cordelli stated the proposal was necessary to protect taxpayers from financial mismanagement, while educators and some lawmakers raised concerns about the impact on local governance and school operations.

Governor Ayotte and the Republican-led Executive Council reached a compromise regarding the delivery of contract documentation after a week of disagreement over whether to transition from paper to digital copies. Under the settlement, councilors who requested paper backup of the hundreds of pages of contracts reviewed every two weeks would continue to receive them, but delivery would be handled by state employees rather than state troopers. Ayotte stated her intention to continue pursuing digitization of the contracting process while the council maintained its access to physical documentation.

The Executive Council voted 4-1 to table a request from the Judicial Council to increase spending from $2 million to $7.5 million for legal counsel provided to indigent defendants in cases where the Public Defenders Program could not serve due to conflicts or unavailable attorneys. Governor Ayotte participated in the Executive Council's consideration of the budget increase request on October 29, 2025. The Council's decision to table the request followed testimony from State Court Administrator Chris Keating and Judicial Council Executive Director Jay Buckey, who acknowledged the judicial branch lacked a process to verify eligibility claims for the program.

Governor Ayotte announced in October 2025 that a proposed 10-year highway program bill she would present to the Legislature in early 2026 would not include an increase in turnpike tolls. The Department of Transportation had identified a $400 million shortfall in funding for the highway program, with state officials indicating that a $1 toll increase at each of the five turnpike toll locations would help address the funding gap. Ayotte stated that families were struggling and that the state would not burden drivers with toll increases to finance construction projects.

Governor Ayotte issued a proclamation lifting a statewide ban on outdoor fires and smoking in or near woodlands in New Hampshire, which was approved by the Executive Council on October 29, 2025. The ban had been implemented on September 22 following the state's driest summer since 1895, and was rescinded after recent rainfall reduced wildfire danger. With the ban lifted, open fires for camping and debris burning are permitted with a municipal or online permit, and smoking is again allowed in public woodlands and on public trails.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in 2025 that prohibited New Hampshire communities from refusing to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities. In response to activist efforts to establish sanctuary communities that would surveil and report ICE actions, Ayotte issued a statement warning that obstruction of law enforcement would result in prosecution and reiterating that New Hampshire would not become a sanctuary jurisdiction. The governor characterized the state's position as one of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and noted the law's role in preventing communities from shielding individuals present in the country illegally.

Governor Kelly Ayotte secured Executive Council approval to allocate $2 million in state Medicaid Enhancement Tax surplus funds to establish mobile food pantries serving Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients whose federal benefits were depleted due to a federal government shutdown. The New Hampshire Food Bank and Catholic Charities were authorized to implement the program over five weeks to distribute food to approximately 75,000 families and children receiving monthly SNAP benefits. The contract included provisions for up to eight one-week extensions if the federal shutdown continued through the end of the year.

The Executive Council unanimously approved Governor Ayotte's plan to provide $2 million in state funding to the New Hampshire Food Bank's mobile pantry program to assist Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients during a federal government shutdown. The funding was designed to help mobile pantries reach nearly 75,000 households across New Hampshire that normally receive more than $12 million monthly in SNAP benefits. Officials indicated the contingency program would require approximately one week to become operational.

Gov. Ayotte stated she would oppose any legalization bill if it came to her desk, according to reporting on HB 186, which the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee voted 10-7 to recommend for passage in the 2026 legislative session. HB 186 would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and older and permit home cultivation shielded from public view, while prohibiting public smoking or vaping as a violation subject to fines rather than criminal penalties. The bill, authored by Rep. Jared Sullivan, was expected to advance to a full House vote early in the 2026 session.

Governor Ayotte expressed firm opposition to House Bill 186, legislation that would legalize cannabis for users 21 years or older and permit home cultivation in New Hampshire. The bill advanced from the House Commerce Committee to the House floor in October 2025, where it was scheduled for a vote in early 2026. Ayotte's stated opposition, combined with Senate rejection of similar measures, substantially limited the likelihood of the legislation becoming law.

Governor Ayotte's administration advanced a contingency plan to allocate $2 million in state spending to support food assistance through the New Hampshire Food Bank's mobile pantry program in response to a federal government shutdown that halted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding. The proposal required approval from the Executive Council and was designed to provide temporary relief to nearly 75,000 households that normally receive over $12 million monthly in federal SNAP benefits. Ayotte stated that New Hampshire would ensure families impacted by the shutdown had access to needed support while calling on federal officials to reopen the government.

Ayotte proposed a contingency plan in October 2025 to allocate $2 million in Medicaid Enhancement Tax dollars to the New Hampshire Food Bank to expand mobile food pantries for approximately 75,000 families at risk of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to a federal government shutdown. The Legislative Fiscal Committee unanimously approved the plan, which was designed to provide food assistance for five weeks beginning in November 2025, with provisions for potential extension into December. The proposal required additional approval from the Executive Council before implementation.

Governor Ayotte first proposed a one-year moratorium on new landfill approvals in her two-year state budget proposal in February 2025. State Senator Howard Pearl authored revised legislation based on Ayotte's concept, which would establish a seven-person site evaluation committee to approve or deny landfill applications after July 1, 2027, and the revised proposal unanimously cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in October 2025. The revised legislation included modifications to expand the committee membership and allow for increased application fees to support committee operations.

Governor Ayotte announced that New Hampshire developed a contingency plan to assist approximately 75,000 state residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in the event the federal government shutdown continues past October 31st. The plan includes increased access to food through the New Hampshire Food Bank's mobile food pantry program and traditional food pantries, pending approval from the state's fiscal committee and Executive Council. Ayotte stated the contingency measures were necessary to ensure residents maintain access to food assistance if federal SNAP funding becomes unavailable.

Governor Ayotte vetoed Senate Bill 213, legislation that would have further restricted electioneering by public employees by banning surveys that express or primarily indicate political preferences and extending restrictions to politically appointed officials such as department heads. The state Senate unanimously sustained Ayotte's veto on the measure. Following the veto, a Republican-led Senate panel recommended revising the proposal and attaching it to another bill in an attempt to address Ayotte's stated objections to the original legislation.

Governor Ayotte proposed a contingency plan to partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank to distribute food to approximately 75,000 families at risk of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after November 1 due to a federal government shutdown. Under the plan, food would be made available twice weekly at the food bank's 20 locations across the state for five weeks if the shutdown continued beyond that date. The proposal required approval from the Executive Council and the Legislative Fiscal Committee to proceed.

Ayotte announced that New Hampshire secured additional funding from the Department of Agriculture to maintain the Women, Infants and Children program through at least November 7 during the federal government shutdown. Ayotte stated the state would provide additional information on backup plans for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the coming days. Ayotte indicated her team was monitoring the shutdown's ongoing impacts on food assistance programs.

Governor Kelly Ayotte initiated a modernization of New Hampshire Executive Council processes designed to reduce paper usage and associated costs by shifting to digital documents such as laptops and iPads during council meetings. Executive councilors began tabling dozens of contracts in October 2025, citing insufficient access to critical information about the agreements they are required to oversee and approve, with councilors stating they were not consulted during the policy's initial implementation in February and March. The dispute resulted in the delay of millions of dollars in state spending, including a road repair project on Route 12 in Charlestown that had been reduced to one lane for five months.

Governor Ayotte released comments following an attorney general's report on the murder of Marisol Fuentes in Berlin, stating that the system failed at multiple points including the bail system, magistrate decisions, and Berlin Police Department responses. Ayotte identified specific failures including police inaction when warned two days before the killing that the suspect might harm the victim, and called for disciplinary action against the police department. Ayotte and Executive Council members cited gaps in the state's domestic violence response and called for new safeguards to prevent similar failures.

Ayotte announced that New Hampshire is preparing contingency plans in response to the federal government shutdown and the potential depletion of SNAP food assistance funds within 15 days. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, 42,779 households participated in SNAP in September, affecting more than 75,000 state residents. Ayotte stated that the state is in active conversation with federal officials and working on contingency planning through October 31, while calling on Washington lawmakers to fund the government to resolve the crisis.

Governor Ayotte nominated Richard Lavers of Concord, the deputy commissioner of the Employment Security Agency, to replace George Copadis as Employment Security Commissioner when Copadis retired on November 17, 2025. Lavers had served as the longtime deputy in the agency prior to his nomination. Ayotte stated that Copadis had been a trusted colleague and expressed gratitude for his service across multiple administrations.

Governor Ayotte responded to Attorney General John Formella's report on a murder-suicide in Berlin, New Hampshire, stating that the case revealed systemic failures in law enforcement response to domestic violence. Ayotte called for disciplinary action by Berlin Police and noted that the suspect, Michael Gleason Jr., should have been detained under the state's bail reform law that took effect the previous month, which lowered the burden of proof for detaining suspects arrested for violent crimes. Ayotte indicated her commitment to work on systemic changes to improve safety for domestic violence victims, citing multiple points where law enforcement could have intervened differently.

Governor Ayotte called for the New Hampshire Executive Council to transition from paper-based to digital document distribution, citing costs associated with printing 1.3 million pages annually and state police time spent hand-delivering documents to council members' homes. Ayotte stated that adopting digital processes when first available in 2013 could have saved taxpayers approximately $3 million and estimated state police spend roughly six full weeks annually on document delivery. The Executive Council, which vets and approves all state contracts exceeding $10,000, has expressed resistance to the proposal, with some members contending the shift would limit their access to necessary documentation rather than achieve efficiency gains.

Governor Ayotte announced a plan to digitize the Executive Council contracting process, converting approximately 1.3 million pages of printed contracts annually to online format with projected savings of over $200,000 per year. The proposal would eliminate the practice of state troopers hand-delivering contract documents to councilors' homes, a process that consumes six weeks of staffing time annually. All five executive councilors expressed concern about the plan and requested the option to retain paper backups for the hundreds of millions in contracts reviewed every two weeks, but Ayotte indicated she intended to proceed with the digitization effort.

Attorney General Formella released a 21-page report in October 2025 examining law enforcement and prosecutorial actions preceding the July murder-suicide involving Michael Gleason Jr. and Marisol Fuentes in Berlin. The report found that a Berlin Police officer's response to a report that Gleason had mentioned potentially killing Fuentes was "wholly insufficient," and stated that police failed to warn Fuentes after Gleason denied knowing the person who had reported his statements. Formella's report recommended enhanced training for law enforcement in domestic violence cases, improved victim services access, and expanded use of lethality assessments to identify individuals at risk of committing acts of extreme violence.

Governor Ayotte established the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) through executive order on her first day in office to examine state departments and develop cost-saving and efficiency recommendations. After conducting research through individual interviews with state employees and soliciting public feedback via online survey, the commission is scheduled to release its first round of recommendations in fall 2025. The recommendations will be presented to Ayotte and the legislature for consideration, with any adopted changes requiring the governor's approval.

Governor Kelly Ayotte issued executive orders restricting Communist Chinese ownership of New Hampshire property following Attorney General John Formella's report on the Nongfu Spring bottling plant deal in Nashua. The executive orders were issued in response to concerns about a Chinese state-affiliated business acquiring a factory property for $67 million, with potential access to local water resources through Pennichuck Water Works. Ayotte's orders aligned with a budget rider enacted by State Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell that similarly prohibits Communist China and its citizens from owning New Hampshire property, though neither action retroactively affected the completed Nongfu transaction.

Governor Ayotte designated October 9th as PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day in New Hampshire. PANS and PANDAS are neuroimmune disorders that can affect children following infections such as strep or influenza, causing symptoms including sudden-onset obsessions and compulsions, restricted food intake, motor or vocal tics, sleep disturbances, and sensory issues. The designation prompted the lighting of the Portsmouth Memorial Bridge in green to draw attention to these debilitating conditions.

Governor Ayotte signed a state budget in 2025 that reduced funding for the Division of the Arts from $1.5 million to $150,000 annually. The budget cuts forced the State Arts Council to lay off six of its seven state employees and significantly reduced the council's operational capacity. Despite earlier opposing a House Finance Committee proposal to eliminate the Division of the Arts entirely, Ayotte ultimately signed legislation that reduced arts funding by 90 percent.

Governor Ayotte spearheaded bail system reforms that took official effect, working with legislators and law enforcement to address concerns about dangerous individuals being released before case processing was completed. The reforms modified bail procedures to establish conditions intended to prevent the release of individuals deemed dangerous while cases proceeded through the justice system. Ayotte had previously addressed criminal justice matters during her tenure as attorney general and in the U.S. Senate before becoming governor.

Governor Kelly Ayotte convened a special task force on highway safety that released a preliminary roadmap after six months of work in October 2025. Ayotte will lead efforts to balance New Hampshire's DWI test refusal law, which currently incentivizes drivers to refuse breathalyzer testing and has resulted in the state ranking second nationally with a 72 percent refusal rate. The roadmap includes immediate enforcement actions such as increased use of administrative license suspensions against impaired drivers and monthly meetings of the Traffic Safety Commission to ensure accountability.

Ayotte received a report from a safe driving task force that included recommendations for proposed changes to state law and enforcement procedures aimed at reducing highway fatalities. The task force report, which was presented to Ayotte, included findings related to repeat offenders and dangerous driving behaviors. Ayotte stated that the findings of the task force report needed to be carried out to reduce highway fatalities in the future.

Governor Kelly Ayotte issued an executive order to restrict state business dealings with Chinese companies and entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The order was framed within the context of New Hampshire's location near national security installations including Pease Air National Guard Base, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and New Boston Space Force Station. Ayotte's stated rationale was to prevent acquisition of sensitive information and restrict access to strategic parcels of land in the state.

Governor Ayotte signed bail reform legislation that modified New Hampshire's bail system, which the New Hampshire Police Association had identified as a revolving door for violent offenders. The law officially took effect six months after Ayotte spearheaded the effort and signed the bill. The reform was developed through Ayotte's engagement with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victims' advocates.

Governor Ayotte signed two executive orders to prevent foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, and Iran, from accessing data or purchasing land and property in New Hampshire, following an investigation into the sale of a warehouse at 80 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua to Nongfu Spring, a Chinese water bottling company owned by Zhong Shanshan. The investigation, conducted at Ayotte's request by the state Attorney General's Office, found that staff at the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs failed to notify other state officials of the property sale before it was completed, though no illegal action was determined to have occurred. The property sold for $67 million, more than four times its estimated value of $15 million.

Governor Ayotte issued two executive orders in response to a report by Attorney General John Formella regarding a Chinese beverage company's purchase of commercial property in Nashua. The first executive order directed the Department of Information Technology to develop procedures preventing the state from using technology made by foreign adversaries that poses a cyber risk, while the second directed the Department of Justice to advise state agencies about their obligation to report transactions involving principals or governments from hostile countries. Ayotte also announced support for a new law banning foreign adversary land purchases in the state.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 140 into law in July 2025, establishing statutory authority for the New Hampshire Domestic Violence Review Committee to access information and documents previously unavailable to the committee and to require individuals to participate in committee proceedings. The law, which took effect after the signing, provides the committee with confidential access to records and the power to compel testimony to identify gaps in the justice system's response to domestic violence cases. The committee, composed of experts in advocacy, criminal justice, and victim support, is tasked with analyzing patterns in domestic violence cases to improve intervention and prevention strategies.

Governor Ayotte signed two executive orders on Monday in response to an internal review by Attorney General John Formella concerning a $67 million property purchase in Nashua by a subsidiary of Chinese company Nongfu Spring. The first executive order bans state agencies from using certain technologies made by companies from foreign adversaries such as China. The second executive order directs state employees to ensure that entities from foreign adversary countries are not involved in any state-owned real estate transactions.

Rep. Michael Moffett introduced legislation to raise the cap on the optional disabled veterans' property tax credit, with the bill's original language allowing cities and towns to eliminate disabled veterans' property tax bills entirely by covering up to 100 percent of taxes owed. The bill was modified during the legislative process, ultimately capping the optional tax credit at $5,000 and adding language that prevented veterans from combining the disability credit with other standard veteran credits. Governor Kelly Ayotte signed the modified version into law as HB 99, which resulted in some disabled veterans in Canterbury and other municipalities receiving reduced tax relief compared to what they had previously received.

The New Hampshire Executive Council expressed concern about reduced access to background documentation for state contracts during an October 2025 meeting, with Councilor David Wheeler stating that supporting materials such as vendor information, board composition, and insurance details were no longer being provided to councilors for review. Governor Kelly Ayotte attributed the documentation changes to budget constraints and a state hiring freeze, stating that the administration was attempting to reduce paper and transition to electronic systems while maintaining transparency. Ayotte committed to convening a comprehensive discussion on contracting procedures at the council's next breakfast meeting scheduled for October 16, 2025, at the Bridges House Mansion in Concord.

Governor Ayotte signed a state budget trailer bill in June 2025 that banned diversity, equity and inclusion practices in New Hampshire public schools and threatened to withhold state grants from districts that did not comply with the ban. U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty issued a preliminary injunction in October 2025 blocking enforcement of the DEI ban, finding the law's definition of prohibited practices was so broad that it would prevent schools from operating at a basic level. The injunction remained in effect pending further court action.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed legislation in July 2025 that created the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, a multi-agency initiative led by the New Hampshire Attorney General's office to examine domestic violence cases resulting in death. The committee, which held its first session in October 2025, includes representatives from state agencies, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations tasked with reviewing fatalities involving domestic violence to identify patterns and prevention strategies. Committee findings will be compiled into reports released every two years, with case reviews remaining confidential except for cases already in the public record.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated she would support reinstating capital punishment in New Hampshire, where the death penalty was repealed by the legislature in 2019. Ayotte, who previously prosecuted death row inmate Michael Addison while serving as attorney general, said she would review House Republican bills filed to restore capital punishment but has not yet examined the specific legislation. She indicated her support would be conditional on careful review of the particular bills being proposed.

Governor Ayotte signed a two-year state budget in June that provided funding to expand New Hampshire's Cold Case Unit by converting two investigators from part-time to full-time positions. Attorney General John Formella and State Police Colonel Mark Hall announced in October that Detective Sergeant Mallory Littman and Detective Matthew Anderson, both experienced homicide investigators from the State Police's Major Crime Unit, were permanently assigned to the expanded unit, which now operates with six full-time staff members. The expansion was intended to increase investigative capacity for the state's 129 listed unsolved homicide cases as of August.

Governor Ayotte called on federal lawmakers to end a government shutdown that had resulted in approximately 6,000 New Hampshire federal employees working without pay. During an Executive Council meeting, Ayotte stated "My only message to everyone is get this done. Open the government back up," while state department heads briefed the council on the shutdown's effects across state operations. New Hampshire officials announced measures to assist affected federal workers, including unemployment benefits assistance and continued home heating assistance funding through state carryover resources.

Governor Ayotte stated in October 2025 that she wants the state Legislature to restore the death penalty for capital murder of law enforcement officers, a penalty that the Legislature repealed in 2019 by overriding then-Governor Chris Sununu's veto. Ayotte noted that as a private citizen three years earlier, she had testified against the 2019 repeal legislation, and she expressed hope that efforts to overturn the death sentence of Michael Addison, currently the only person on death row, would not succeed. The governor indicated support for one of three proposed bills on the topic, specifically legislation proposed by Representative Doug Trottier to restore the death penalty for crimes classified as "capital murder" under prior state law.

Governor Ayotte stated that if a federal government shutdown occurred at midnight, most state functions would continue operating normally for at least 30 days. State agency heads assured her that programs administered through federal pass-through funds, including SNAP, WIC, and LIHEAP, would continue, and state parks would remain open during the busy leaf-peeping season. Federal services deemed essential, such as Social Security and Medicare payments, would also continue, though offices of the White Mountain National Forest would close.

Governor Ayotte issued a ban on open fires in New Hampshire in response to severe drought conditions affecting the state, prohibiting campfires, brush burning, charcoal grills, and smoking near woods and public trails, with limited exceptions for inspected campgrounds with permits. The ban was implemented following record drought conditions that left more than 32 percent of the state experiencing extreme drought, the highest percentage recorded since the U.S. Drought Monitor began tracking data in 2000. The fire restrictions remained in effect until at least mid-October as water systems across the state implemented usage restrictions affecting nearly 200,000 residents.

Ayotte stated that New Hampshire would experience minimal disruption in the event of a federal government shutdown lasting less than a month, asserting that critical federal programs including food stamps, Women Infants and Children benefits, and fuel assistance would remain unaffected and that state parks would stay open during peak foliage season. Ayotte called on leaders in Washington to adopt New Hampshire's approach to budget negotiations, stating that both parties should prioritize family needs over partisan disagreements. The statement came as the state's Democratic congressional delegation warned that a shutdown could result in New Hampshire residents losing health care coverage or facing increased costs related to expiring Obamacare tax credits.

Governor Ayotte designated September as No Kill Month in New Hampshire earlier in the month, joining 19 other states in making a similar proclamation. The designation recognizes the work of animal shelters and rescue organizations that have committed to saving at least 90 percent of animals that enter their facilities. Ayotte stated in a statement that New Hampshire achieved no-kill state status in 2021 and encouraged residents to consider adopting pets from local rescues.

Ayotte contacted the U.S. Department of Education Secretary through letters and calls regarding proposed cuts to TRIO and GEAR UP grant funding affecting over 1,000 low-income students in New Hampshire. The Department of Education announced plans to eliminate millions of dollars in grant funding for these programs at the end of the month, citing concerns that program outreach to minority communities may have violated civil rights law. Ayotte stated she would continue engaging with the Secretary of Education to explore options for restoring the funding.

Ayotte reached out to the Trump administration's Department of Education and stated her intention to personally speak with Secretary Linda McMahon regarding federal education funding cuts affecting nearly 5,000 New Hampshire high school students in TRIO and Gear Up programs. Ayotte said she was seeking full restoration of the cuts and emphasized the importance of allowing students in these programs to complete their current service through the school year. The article notes that shortly after her remarks, the Trump Administration and Department of Education released more than one million dollars in delayed federal funding to New Hampshire through the TRIO Program.

The Trump administration froze approximately $600 million in federal funding designated for TRIO and Gear Up grants in September 2025, which provide academic planning services, tutoring, mentorship, and career planning assistance to low-income and first-generation college students. In New Hampshire, the freeze affected more than 5,000 students and resulted in the termination of $4.8 million in Gear Up funding and $1.2 million in TRIO funding as of September 30, 2025. Students enrolled in these programs, such as those at Concord High School, lost access to college preparation resources including adviser support, scholarship location services, and financial assistance for application fees.

New Hampshire received $7.96 million as the first payment from 3M Company's settlement regarding PFAS contamination of public drinking water systems, with the funds directed to the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund for distribution to eligible public water systems. Governor Ayotte stated the state would continue addressing PFAS contamination and ensuring a healthier future for New Hampshire residents. The payment represents the initial installment of the state's approximately $56 million share from the first phase of the settlement, with additional payments expected through 2033 and a second phase scheduled after 2026.

Governor Ayotte signed into law a bail reform measure that took effect in 2025, which lowered the burden of proof prosecutors must demonstrate to hold violent suspects without bail pending trial from a "clear and convincing evidence" standard to a "probable cause" standard. The law repealed a 2018 bail reform statute and restored earlier requirements for pretrial detention. The legislation also extended the period authorities may hold a suspect after arrest before an initial hearing from 24 hours to 36 hours and eliminated the use of court-appointed magistrates to conduct bail hearings.

Governor Ayotte issued an official proclamation designating Saturday as "Girls in Aviation Day" in New Hampshire. The proclamation recognized a STEM education exhibition held in Londonderry designed to introduce students ages 8 to 18 to careers in aviation and aerospace. The event, organized by Women in Aviation International and its Boston Chapter, featured hands-on activities, aircraft displays, and meetings with aviation professionals and educators.

Governor Ayotte issued a proclamation banning open outdoor fires statewide in response to dry conditions across New Hampshire. The ban prohibits fires built for camping, burning debris, or warming, as well as smoking in or near woodlands and public trails, though certain exceptions remain for campfires in fire-resistant rings at permitted campgrounds with permanent staff and for liquid-fueled gas grills and stoves. The proclamation remains in effect for the foreseeable future as drought conditions persist.

Ayotte signed a state budget trailer bill in June 2024 that contained a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion policies in public agencies. A federal judge issued a temporary stay in September 2025 blocking enforcement of the ban against public school districts while litigation challenging its constitutionality proceeded. The temporary restraining order was extended through October 2, 2025, pending the court's ruling on a motion for preliminary injunction filed by the National Education Association-New Hampshire, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, four school districts, and other plaintiffs.

Governor Ayotte appointed a new administrator for a New Hampshire settlement fund for survivors of abuse at the state's former youth detention center as part of changes made during the state budgeting process. The changes also granted the attorney general's office veto power over settlement amounts. A Merrimack County judge upheld these changes after survivors of abuse sued to block their implementation, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate immediate irreparable harm from the new law.

The New Hampshire Executive Council approved an extension on a contract to oversee broadband expansion to rural areas of the state on Wednesday. The project, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, is scheduled to continue through the end of 2026 and aims to complete wiring throughout New Hampshire. Governor Ayotte stated that the broadband expansion project would be critical to securing additional federal funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Governor Ayotte nominated Bryan Gould, a Pittsburg lawyer, to a seat on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and the Republican-led Executive Council confirmed his appointment. Gould stated during his public hearing that he would recuse himself from cases involving Caswell Waste Systems and the state GOP due to his prior representations. Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, the lone Democrat on the council, opposed Gould's appointment.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 511 and SB 62 into law in May, legislation that prohibits sanctuary city policies and prevents local officials from blocking police and county jails from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1 and would require county jails to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees for 48 hours regardless of whether a formal contract exists. The Hillsborough County House of Corrections has received informal inquiries from federal immigration officials about housing detainees but the county commissioners stated they have made no decisions to enter into such an arrangement.

The Trump Administration's U.S. Department of Education halted a $1.2 million TRIO grant to the University System of New Hampshire, citing a conflict with the department's education priorities based on the grant application's language regarding outreach to students of color and non-Caucasian students. Governor Ayotte announced she would personally appeal the decision to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and advocate for reversal of the funding reduction. The TRIO program provides advising services, tutoring, and financial aid assistance to low-income college students, including first-generation college-goers.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Bryan Gould, lead attorney for Casella Waste Systems, to serve on the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Gould was confirmed by the Executive Council on a 4-1 vote on Wednesday after pledging to recuse himself from cases involving Casella and the Republican Party, for which he has provided legal representation. The nomination drew scrutiny due to Gould's extensive representation of Casella, which is appealing the state's rejection of a proposed landfill near Forest Lake State Park in Dalton.

Ayotte proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month in New Hampshire during a press conference on Monday. The governor stated that while the state has made progress in suicide prevention efforts, additional work remains necessary, citing suicide as the second leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 34 and the ninth leading cause overall in the state. Ayotte highlighted existing state initiatives including the 988 suicide hotline, a 10-year mental health plan, and Mission Zero, an initiative designed to reduce emergency room wait times for treatment beds.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court issued a ruling in July requiring the legislature to increase state education funding from a base aid of $4,266 per student to at least $7,356 per student, finding the current level insufficient to meet the state's constitutional obligation to provide adequate education. Republican House Majority Leader Jason Osborne initially suggested the legislature could disregard or minimally comply with the court order, but as the fall legislative session began, other Republican leaders including former Chief Justice Bob Lynn indicated the legislature should respect the judicial decision. Lynn stated that while the legislature and executive branch owe respect to the court's ruling, the specific legislative response remained within the legislature's discretion.

Ayotte will make final decisions on legislation regarding the next 10-year highway plan to be presented during the 2026 session. The Governor's Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation, comprising the five executive councilors and the Department of Transportation's commissioner, scheduled a series of public hearings to gather testimony on the draft 2027-36 plan that the DOT developed. The commission must make recommendations on changes to the 10-year plan in the fall before Ayotte determines what legislation will be introduced.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed HB 467 into law in July, legislation that made New Hampshire the ninth state to authorize social districts, designated areas where patrons can purchase alcohol from bars and restaurants and consume it in to-go cups while moving through specified downtown zones. The statute took effect on September 5, with local communities given authority to establish district boundaries, determine operating hours, and coordinate with the state liquor commission to ensure compliance with safety requirements. In response to the new law, Concord city councilors placed a ballot question on the November ballot asking voters whether the city should allow the operation of social districts within its jurisdiction.

Governor Ayotte issued a statement condemning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. In her social media post, Ayotte characterized the killing as contrary to American values and called for unity across political divisions. Ayotte's statement was part of a broader bipartisan response from New Hampshire political leaders who unanimously rejected the act of political violence.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated as a candidate for governor in 2024 that she would veto any attempt to legalize marijuana. The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee was expected to endorse HB 186, sponsored by Representative Jared Sullivan, D-Bethlehem, which would allow adults over 21 to possess up to two ounces of marijuana while making public consumption a violation subject to fines. This bill represented a continuation of legislative efforts spanning 15 years, following a compromise proposal under the previous administration that narrowly failed to gain passage in 2024.

In March, Governor Ayotte signed legislation to revise New Hampshire's bail system, requiring that certain felony-level and violent offenders appear before a judge before release rather than being processed through a bail magistrate system. The new law takes effect on September 21 and also mandates automatic detention and court appearance for repeat offenders arrested while out on bail. The judicial branch is training bail commissioners, judges, and court personnel to implement the revised bail procedures.

Ayotte signed HB 701, the New Hampshire Right to Try Law, on August 20, 2025. The legislation removes liability barriers that previously discouraged the use of experimental treatments and permits patients and doctors to conduct remote prescreening and sign consent via telehealth, making New Hampshire the first state to allow such remote procedures for experimental treatment access. The law was enacted to address treatment options for patients with rare diseases and life-threatening illnesses.

Ayotte led a trade mission to Canada to expand economic opportunities between New Hampshire and the Canadian market. The mission took place during a period of ongoing tariff disputes between the countries, though bilateral trade remained significant with Canada representing New Hampshire's second-largest export market at $1.2 billion in 2024 and its largest source of imports at $1.7 billion. The trade delegation focused on building business relationships across sectors including life sciences, energy, and manufacturing.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in mid-July that allowed detached accessory dwelling units to be built on residential properties in New Hampshire without requiring special zoning exceptions. The law took effect and enabled Jane Broadrick to proceed with constructing a small dwelling unit in her Concord backyard for multigenerational living purposes. Kinstruct, the builder hired for the project, contacted Concord's planning office within days of the bill's signing to obtain the necessary permits for what became the city's first detached accessory dwelling unit built under the new state law.

Ayotte held a summit in Littleton to develop a plan for New Hampshire to access federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program, which makes approximately $500 million available to the state over five years for rural health care. The $50 billion program was established as part of President Donald Trump's federal budget legislation to offset Medicaid cuts that affect rural hospitals. States seeking to access the funds must demonstrate plans to improve health outcomes, implement new technology, and identify factors that could lead to rural hospital closures.

Ayotte requested that the state's new Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, created by the legislature to examine deaths related to domestic violence and identify protective measures, begin its work with the case of Marisol Fuentes, a 25-year-old Berlin woman killed in July by her husband Michael Gleason. The committee was established in response to data showing that more than half of homicides in New Hampshire involve domestic violence. The committee scheduled its first meeting for September or October 2025.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation earlier in 2025 that created the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, a multidisciplinary body tasked with conducting comprehensive reviews of deaths related to domestic violence in New Hampshire. Attorney General John Formella named more than a dozen members to the committee, including state officials, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, and behavioral health professionals. The committee's first case will examine the murder of Marisol Fuentes by her boyfriend, Michael Gleason Jr., with the stated purpose of identifying systemic improvements to protect domestic violence victims and prevent future fatalities.

Governor Ayotte announced her intention to lead New Hampshire's application for federal grants available under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a five-year, $50 billion program supporting rural health initiatives, with applications due by year-end. Ayotte indicated she had been holding private meetings with stakeholders and scheduled a public forum on the topic for September 4 in Littleton. The grant opportunity was presented as a potential source of funding for the Department of Health and Human Services despite planned budget cuts to the agency.

Governor Ayotte nominated Bryan Gould, an attorney and lobbyist for Casella Waste Systems, to the New Hampshire Supreme Court in August 2025. Gould currently serves as lead counsel for Casella in a lawsuit against the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services challenging the agency's denial of a permit for the company's proposed North Country landfill. Gould previously served as legal counsel for Ayotte's gubernatorial campaign and was appointed by Ayotte to a judicial selection commission in May 2025.

Governor Ayotte announced she would lead New Hampshire's efforts to apply for federal rural health grants available under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a five-year, $50 billion program with a deadline at the end of the year. Ayotte informed state councilors that she would be taking the lead on the initiative and scheduled a public forum on the topic for September 4 in Littleton. The Executive Council subsequently voted 3-2 to reject a $109,000 contract to hire a consultant from Dartmouth College to assist the state in preparing its grant application.

In August 2024, Ayotte, then a gubernatorial candidate, issued an apology regarding a campaign advertisement that contained inaccurate information about the 2015 killing of Denise Robert in Manchester. The advertisement suggested that Robert's death occurred during the tenure of former Mayor Joyce Craig, when the shooting actually took place in 2015, prior to Craig's time leading the city. Ayotte acknowledged the error in the campaign material.

Ayotte stated that state education officials were offering support to the Claremont school district in addressing a budget deficit but declined to endorse a financial bailout from the state. Ayotte noted that the Community College System of New Hampshire could potentially provide temporary staff assistance similar to support previously given to Franklin. Ayotte emphasized the need for improved fiscal management at the local level, citing what she characterized as serious financial mismanagement in the district's handling of federal grant paperwork and spending.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated William Hart to serve as commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, and the Executive Council confirmed Hart with a 4-1 vote on August 28, 2025. Hart, currently the U.S. Marshal for the District of New Hampshire, brings experience as chief of police in Londonderry and as a Rockingham County Attorney, though he has no prior corrections experience. The commissioner position became vacant in May when former commissioner Helen Hanks resigned.

During the drafting of the state budget, Ayotte and the New Hampshire legislature shifted control over survivor compensation in the Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund to the governor and attorney general, giving them the power to decide compensation amounts for abuse survivors. Under the previous structure, decisions were made by a fund administrator appointed by the New Hampshire Supreme Court and were final; the new structure allows the governor to appoint the administrator and grants the attorney general veto power over the administrator's decisions. These changes are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit before Judge Daniel St. Hilaire in which abuse survivors have testified about the impact of the altered settlement process.

Governor Ayotte nominated Bryan Gould, an environmental lawyer and longtime Republican legal adviser from Concord, to serve as an associate justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, replacing retiring Associate Justice Jim Bassett. Ayotte simultaneously renominated Attorney General John Formella of Portsmouth for another four-year term as the state's top law enforcement official. Both nominations were scheduled to be made official before the Executive Council at Hampton Beach.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 287 into law on August 1, 2025, which requires absentee ballot applicants to provide photo identification in person or obtain a notarized application form. Three visually impaired New Hampshire residents filed a lawsuit challenging the law, arguing that the requirements create additional burdens for voters with disabilities who rely on absentee voting. The plaintiffs seek an injunction to halt the law's implementation, scheduled for September 30, 2025.

Governor Ayotte signed a bill in March 2025 that supporters characterized as addressing bail reform procedures, following public discussion of bail decisions in the case of Kyle Bisson, who was arrested in February 2025 for a stabbing incident on Elm Street in Manchester. The bill was signed in response to a magistrate's decision to release Bisson on personal recognizance bail after his arrest. Bisson's case is scheduled for jury selection to begin on March 23, 2026, with a final pre-trial hearing set for March 12.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a bill in March 2025 addressing bail reform procedures following the February stabbing incident involving Kyle Bisson outside Bunny's Convenience store in Manchester. Bisson had been released on personal recognizance bail after his arrest, which prompted criticism from the Manchester Police Department, Mayor Jay Ruais, and Ayotte regarding bail practices. Bisson is scheduled to begin jury selection on March 23, 2026, facing charges of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, and two counts of falsifying physical evidence.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a statewide cellphone ban into law as part of the state budget that requires all public school districts and charter schools in New Hampshire to adopt policies prohibiting personal electronic device use during the school day from the first bell to dismissal. The Manchester School District subsequently revised its existing cellphone policy to comply with the new statewide requirement, which mandates device confiscation and student discipline as consequences for violations. The school board held a public hearing on the updated policy and scheduled discussion of an amended version for the following Monday to address concerns raised during the hearing.

Governor Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire legislature enacted changes to the Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund that transferred control over survivor compensation determinations from an independent administrator to the governor and attorney general. The fund was originally established in 2022 to provide compensation for survivors of sexual and other abuse at state-run facilities. Abuse survivors, including former residents of the Anna Philbrook Center, challenged the changes through litigation, with testimony heard in Merrimack Superior Court regarding the impact of shifting administrative authority.

Governor Ayotte implemented the Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) program in New Hampshire, which provides grants to students attending private and religious schools. The program enrolled approximately 10,000 students for the 2025-2026 school year, resulting in state expenditures of approximately $52 million, exceeding the budgeted amount of $39 million for that fiscal year. The EFA funds are drawn from the Education Trust Fund, which also supports public school adequacy grants, charter school per-pupil grants, special education, and building aid programs.

Governor Ayotte terminated John Broderick from his position as the YDC claims administrator. Broderick, a former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice, had been managing the claims process for victims of the Youth Development Center. Ayotte subsequently installed a state representative to manage the YDC claims administration.

Ayotte signed SB 273, known as "Sherrill's Law," on August 18, 2025, at a ceremonial signing held at State Police Troop A in Epping. The legislation expands New Hampshire's "Move Over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes or reduce speed when approaching stopped emergency vehicles. The bill was named in memory of State Police Staff Sergeant Jesse Sherrill, who was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 while working in Portsmouth.

Governor Ayotte signed a state budget in June 2025 that reduced state aid to the University System of New Hampshire by approximately 18 percent over two years. The budget cut affected funding for Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire, prompting tuition increases and institutional layoffs. Ayotte stated that increasing state aid to USNH would be a top priority if state revenues rebounded in subsequent months.

Governor Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire Legislature altered the Youth Development Center claims settlement process through legislative changes that took effect in June 2025. The modifications transferred administrative authority over victim compensation from an independent administrator to the governor and attorney general, making the administrator position a political appointment rather than a neutral role. John Broderick, who had served as the independent settlement fund administrator, resigned from his position on July 31, 2025, citing the loss of neutrality in the claims assessment process.

Governor Kelly Ayotte requested that the New Hampshire attorney general investigate the purchase of a warehouse located at 80 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua by Nongfu Spring, a Chinese water company, for $67 million in 2025. Ayotte stated the review should examine the facts and circumstances of the transaction, the stated purpose of the purchase, and the involvement of state economic development officials in facilitating the company's arrival in New Hampshire. Ayotte also referenced a recently enacted state law requiring notification to the state when individuals connected to the Chinese Communist Party attempt to purchase property near national security facilities such as Pease Air National Guard Base.

Governor Kelly Ayotte directed Attorney General John Formella to investigate how Nongfu Spring, a Chinese beverage company owned by billionaire Zhong Shanshan, purchased commercial property in Nashua for $67 million despite a market valuation of approximately $15 million. Formella stated the review would examine the facts and circumstances of the purchase with specific focus on involvement by state and local officials and potential process improvements for future transactions of this nature. Ayotte also signed a budget trailer bill that prohibits foreign adversaries, including China, from purchasing public property near military installations in New Hampshire.

Governor Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire Legislature modified the Youth Development Center abuse settlement fund process through changes to state law that altered the administrator role and shifted oversight authority. The modifications gave the governor and attorney general greater control over the allocation of restitution funds to victims of abuse at the facility. John Broderick, who had served as the settlement fund administrator, resigned from his position on July 31 following implementation of these legislative changes.

Governor Ayotte and the attorney general's office announced the expansion of the Cold Case Unit, increasing the number of investigators from a single part-time position to two full-time positions. The expansion was announced the week prior to a gathering in Concord where families of missing and murdered individuals called for continued action on New Hampshire's more than 100 unsolved cold cases. Senior Assistant Attorney General Christopher Knowles, chief of the recently expanded Cold Case Unit, addressed the families at the gathering.

Governor Ayotte stated that New Hampshire state marijuana laws would not change in response to potential federal reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Trump administration. Ayotte indicated that while she would comply with any changes to federal law, her position remains that marijuana should not be legalized in New Hampshire. The governor's statement came as cannabis advocates expressed optimism about the potential federal rescheduling and its possible economic and regulatory benefits.

Governor Kelly Ayotte preserved existing Cold Case Unit funding and obtained additional budget resources to hire two new full-time investigators with cold case experience to the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit. The expansion was announced in August 2025 and was made possible through support from state leadership despite budget constraints. The Cold Case Unit has reported recent successes including arrests in long-unsolved homicides, identification of decades-old remains, and expanded use of forensic genealogy and DNA analysis.

The Executive Council approved a contract extension with consultant firm Alvarez & Marsal valued at nearly $10 million, bringing total spending under the agreement to $37.4 million through June 2027. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver stated the extension was necessary to complete operational improvements including an upgrade to the agency's Medicaid Management Information System and to establish a work requirement program for Medicaid recipients. The council had rejected the contract in June but reversed course after Weaver committed to opening the services to competitive bidding within two years.

Ayotte called for increased scrutiny of Nongfu Spring's purchase of a warehouse in Nashua, New Hampshire, stating that questions should be raised about the sale price, which exceeded $67 million and was more than four times the property's assessed value. Ayotte expressed concern about the Chinese company's acquisition of the property and stated that the New Hampshire Department of Economic Development should not have facilitated the sale. Ayotte indicated that under her governorship, the state would not bring such acquisitions to New Hampshire.

Governor Ayotte signed a state budget in June that reduced state aid to the University System of New Hampshire by approximately 18% over two years. The budget cuts affected funding for Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire, prompting tuition increases ranging from 2.5% to 4.9% and resulting in layoffs at UNH. Ayotte stated that increasing state aid to USNH would be among her top priorities if state revenues rebound in coming months.

The Executive Council approved a nearly $10 million extension of a no-bid consultant contract with Alvarez & Marsal, a Washington-based firm, with Councilor Joe Kenney providing the tie-breaking vote on August 13, 2025. Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver stated that the contract extension, funded 90 percent with federal dollars, would support operational improvements including upgrades to the Medicaid Management Information System and development of a work requirement program mandated by Congress. Weaver committed that services would be opened to competitive bidding within two years, and Kenney stated his support was contingent on the contract being put out to bid in the future.

Ayotte signed Senate bills SB 287 and SB 218 into law on August 1, 2025, which established new requirements for absentee voting including notarization, in-person visits, and photocopies of identification. On the same date, Ayotte also signed legislation endorsing voting access rights for disabled citizens. The letter writer contends that the absentee voting requirements in SB 287 and SB 218 create barriers that may discourage participation among citizens with disabilities and those working multiple jobs.

Governor Ayotte signed a statewide cellphone ban for New Hampshire public schools as part of the state budget, which requires all public-school districts and charter schools to adopt policies prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day from the first bell to dismissal. The Manchester School District subsequently reworked its existing cellphone policy to comply with the statewide mandate, expanding restrictions to include smartwatches and eliminating exceptions during lunch periods. The revised policy, presented to the school board in August 2025, includes enforcement provisions allowing discipline up to suspension for students who refuse to surrender devices when requested by teachers.

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced the nomination of William Hart, the current United States Marshal for New Hampshire, to serve as the state's Department of Corrections Commissioner. Hart is a former Londonderry Police Chief and Rockingham County attorney with more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and executive leadership. The nomination requires confirmation by the state Senate.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation that established the administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund as a political appointee selected by the governor rather than an independent position. The settlement fund was created to evaluate and provide compensation to survivors of sexual and other abuse at state detention facilities, with nearly 2000 claims filed. Former abuse survivors have objected to the law, stating that an independent administrator is necessary to ensure fair decision-making without political influence.

Governor Ayotte nominated U.S. Marshal William R. Hart to serve as commissioner of the Department of Corrections, a position that required confirmation by the Executive Council. Hart, a registered Democrat who had served as a U.S. Marshal since January 2023, was selected to replace Helen Hanks, who resigned in spring after executive councilors questioned her spending practices regarding agency contracts. Ayotte announced the nomination at an Executive Council meeting in August 2025, following a three-month search to fill the vacant position.

Governor Ayotte signed into law an anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion provision included in the state budget that took effect July 1, 2025, which bans DEI programs related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability in New Hampshire schools and public entities including police departments and libraries. Four school districts, the New Hampshire Education Association, and DEI advocates filed a lawsuit challenging the law, claiming it is vague and ambiguous, could result in loss of public funding for non-compliant schools, and may impact programs such as implicit bias training for public servants. The plaintiffs argue the law's effects extend beyond education and seek clarification on how the state Department of Education will interpret and enforce the legislation.

Governor Ayotte signed the two-year state budget and two companion bills in late June at the State House, surrounded by Republican legislative leaders including Senate President Sharon Carson and House Speaker Sherman Packard. The budget trailer bill contained policy changes to state law needed to implement the budget, including provisions aligned with the House Republican "Contract with New Hampshire" platform from the 2024 campaign. The trailer bill passed the House by a narrow 184-183 margin after House Speaker Packard broke a tie vote to advance the measure.

Governor Ayotte announced support for the Constitution gas pipeline project from New York after meeting with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. Ayotte stated that the project differs from previous unsuccessful pipeline proposals because it would utilize an existing pipeline corridor. Environmental activists indicated they would mount opposition to the pipeline, citing concerns about necessity and cost-effectiveness similar to arguments that resulted in the failure of a comparable pipeline proposal in New York in 2020.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated that she is not interested in revisiting congressional redistricting in New Hampshire at this time. Ayotte cited timing concerns, noting that the state is in the middle of the census period and that redistricting is not a priority for New Hampshire residents she has spoken with. Her position contrasted with Republican governors in other states who have moved forward with redistricting efforts.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 2, the 2025 trailer bill to the two-year state budget, in June 2025. The legislation included Ayotte's proposal for Medicaid premiums requiring individuals with incomes above 255 percent of the federal poverty level to pay up to 5 percent of their monthly income for coverage. The bill also contained Ayotte's school cellphone ban proposal, which compels all school boards to develop policies preventing student access to cellphones throughout the school day.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 267, landmark legislation addressing commercial sexual exploitation in New Hampshire. The law establishes mandatory fines for individuals who purchase sexual services, with revenues directed to the state's Victims' Assistance Fund to support survivors of sex trafficking. The legislation holds sex buyers accountable while funding services for those harmed by commercial sexual exploitation.

During the 2025 legislative session, Governor Ayotte and Senate Republicans rejected a House-passed 3% Medicaid cut and supported incremental healthcare funding improvements, including fairer reimbursement rates for ambulance services and funding to process Medicaid applications for long-term care. Ayotte's administration operates within the context of federal Medicaid reductions contained in the budget signed by President Trump, which will reduce federal funding to New Hampshire's healthcare system over time. The state faces additional pressure from Medicare cuts under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, which will affect hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care providers in New Hampshire.

Governor Ayotte signed a trailer bill to the two-year state budget in June 2025 that contained amendments to the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, including provisions that converted the administrator position into a political appointment and granted the attorney general veto power over settlement decisions. Lawyers representing alleged victims of abuse at the facility filed suit in Merrimack County Superior Court seeking to block implementation of these legislative changes. A special master who previously oversaw the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund was scheduled to testify against the amendments.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 2 into law in late June 2025, with provisions establishing a diversity, equity and inclusion ban that took effect in New Hampshire on July 1, 2025. The ban applies to DEI programs pertaining to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability across K-12 public schools, public and private colleges and universities, and public entities including police departments and libraries. Following the law's implementation, the state's largest teachers' union, the National Education Association — New Hampshire, joined advocacy groups ACLU-NH and GLAD Law in filing a federal lawsuit challenging the ban on constitutional and federal civil rights grounds.

Governor Ayotte announced the expansion of the state's Cold Case Unit through funding included in the state budget, increasing investigators from one part-time staff member to two full-time positions. Todd Flanagan, a former Concord Police detective and former deputy chief investigator with the Department of Justice, transitioned into a full-time cold case investigator role alongside existing investigator Bruce Foremny. The expanded unit, led by Senior Assistant Attorney General Chris Knowles, aims to increase the state's capacity to investigate unsolved homicide cases.

Ayotte approved a new state budget that expanded the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit from one part-time investigator to two full-time positions within the Department of Justice. The expansion, announced in August 2025, allocated funding to hire longtime DOJ Deputy Chief Investigator Todd Flanagan and Investigator Bruce Foremny to investigate approximately 150 unsolved homicides in the state. Cold cases are defined as homicides more than five years old that remain unsolved and are no longer actively investigated due to limited leads or resources.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation in August 2025 that invalidates driving privileges for individuals who obtained out-of-state driver licenses while in the country illegally, making New Hampshire the second state to adopt such a policy after Florida. The law was authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Bill Gannon and applies to anyone holding an out-of-state license who lacks legal immigration status. Ayotte also signed a separate bill denying temporary shelter or housing in public schools or colleges to individuals in the country illegally except during declared disasters.

Governor Ayotte signed SB 295, legislation that eliminated income eligibility limits for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program, making the subsidies available to all families regardless of earnings. Following the bill's signing in June 2025, enrollment in the program reached 10,000 students for the 2025-26 school year, nearly doubling from approximately 5,600 participants in the previous year and hitting the cap set by the Legislature. The legislation also mandated that the program's enrollment cap increase by 25 percent to 12,500 students in the following school year, with a waiting list of 295 families already formed.

Governor Ayotte announced her support for reviving the Constitution Pipeline project during a meeting with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin in New Hampshire on August 4, 2025. The Constitution Pipeline would transport natural gas from Pennsylvania to Northeast markets and was originally proposed in 2012 before being canceled in 2020. Ayotte stated that the project would increase natural gas supply to the region to help address energy costs.

Governor Ayotte prepared to nominate a new justice to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. The Kent Street Coalition formally presented Governor Ayotte with a series of questions on July 8, requesting that she obtain responses from her nominee regarding the rule of law and the judiciary's co-equal status to the other branches of government, with those responses to be made public. The coalition sought assurance that Ayotte's nominee would demonstrate a commitment to judicial independence and adherence to constitutional principles.

Governor Ayotte signed SB 267, legislation that establishes a mandatory $500 fine for individuals convicted of paying for sexual services, effective January 1, 2026. The bill received bipartisan support in the state legislature and was sponsored by State Senator Donovan Fenton. Revenue generated from the fines will be directed to the state Department of Justice to support the Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation banning elective breast surgeries and access to puberty blockers for minors under 18 seeking to transition to a different gender, even with parental consent. She also signed HB 60, which allows landlords to evict tenants by providing 60 days' notice without demonstrating cause, overriding a 2005 New Hampshire Supreme Court decision requiring "good cause" for eviction. Additionally, Ayotte signed a bill requiring the reporting of abortion statistics to state health officials.

Ayotte met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on multiple occasions to advocate for education funding from the Trump administration. As a result of these meetings, Ayotte secured the release of $20 million in education funds that had previously been frozen by the Trump administration. New Hampshire also filed an administrative appeal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to restore pandemic funding that had been clawed back by the federal department.

Governor Kelly Ayotte sought the reappointment of Taylor Caswell as Commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs following his eight years leading the department since its creation. Executive Councilors John Stephen, Dave Wheeler, and Joe Kenney communicated their position that Caswell should not receive another term, with Stephen citing unspecified leadership concerns reported by industry stakeholders and department employees. Caswell ultimately resigned from the position after the Executive Council declined to support his reappointment.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 377, which prohibits the use of puberty blockers for gender-affirming care in minors, though such medications remain available for treating other medical conditions in young patients. Ayotte also signed House Bill 712, which restricts breast surgeries for minors. The Governor stated in a written statement that the bills represent a balanced, bipartisan effort to protect children from medical decisions with lifelong consequences.

Governor Ayotte signed SB 267 into law on Monday, which establishes a mandatory $500 fine for individuals convicted of paying for sex, effective January 1, 2026. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support and directs fine proceeds to the state Department of Justice to support the Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force. Ayotte stated the law holds offenders accountable and protects trafficking victims by addressing demand in the sex trade.

Governor Ayotte vetoed HB 613, legislation that would have permitted municipalities to forgo providing accessible voting machines for people with disabilities if no resident requested one at least 60 days before an election. Ayotte determined the bill conflicted with federal requirements under the Voting Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act that mandate accessible voting systems be available at all polling places during state and federal elections. Ayotte also vetoed SB 213, which would have established more explicit definitions of illegal electioneering by public officials at polling places, citing conflicts with recently signed legislation regarding absentee ballots.

Governor Kelly Ayotte paused the nomination of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell to a third term after three of four Republicans on the Executive Council indicated they would not vote to approve his reappointment as the state's top business recruiter. Ayotte's director of appointments stated that the governor retained full confidence in Caswell and that the commissioner had received widespread support from BEA colleagues and business community leaders across New Hampshire. The pause marked Ayotte's first significant personnel setback during her tenure as governor.

Governor Ayotte vetoed House Bill 148, legislation that would have regulated transgender access to bathrooms, locker rooms, sporting competitions, and detention facilities. She also vetoed House Bill 324, which sought to prohibit certain obscene or explicit materials in schools, and a bill mandating the inclusion of high-quality fetal development videos in school health classes. Ayotte stated that she carefully examines each bill, particularly those affecting people with different backgrounds, and believed the state should not dictate curriculum requirements to local school districts.

Governor Ayotte signed SB 245 on July 31, 2025, legislation that establishes a two-year commercial insurance reimbursement rate for ground ambulance transport and creates an actuarial study to develop a permanent rate-setting mechanism. The law requires ambulance providers to be paid at least 3.25 times the Medicare rate and mandates that providers seek in-network status with commercial insurers. New Hampshire became the first state in New England to regulate surprise billing for ambulance services through this measure, which takes effect January 1, 2026.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 245 on Thursday, legislation that establishes rate standards for insurance company payments to ambulance providers in New Hampshire. The bill addresses surprise billing for ambulance services and includes a two-year pilot period before financial analysts will evaluate its effects on ambulance services, insurance carriers, and patients. The law takes effect in January and establishes reimbursement rates that ambulance providers and insurance companies disputed during the legislative process.

Governor Ayotte announced a planned trade delegation visit to Canada in September aimed at strengthening New Hampshire's economic ties with the country. The visit comes as Canadian tourism to New Hampshire has declined approximately 30 percent compared to prior years, which state officials attributed partly to volatility between the U.S. and Canadian governments. Ayotte stated that the delegation would demonstrate to Canadian partners that New Hampshire remains committed to maintaining important economic relationships with Canada.

Ayotte met with Pittsburg Police Chief Rick Dube and the Northern Border Alliance to receive a briefing on the organization's efforts to combat illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug trafficking along the New Hampshire-Canada border. The alliance operates an emergency dispatch network covering 1,400 square miles across multiple states and Canadian towns, coordinating communication among 40 public safety agencies. Following the briefing, Ayotte stated that the program's funding had been well spent and helps protect the northern region of the state.

Governor Ayotte nominated Caitlin Davis, a 15-year Department of Education executive from Concord, to serve as Education Commissioner, succeeding Frank Edelblut. Davis appeared before the Executive Council at a public hearing in July 2025, where she received support from speakers across the ideological spectrum, including both teachers union representatives and House Education Committee leadership. The council was scheduled to vote on Davis's confirmation the following day in Pittsburg.

Ayotte appointed Caitlin Davis as Commissioner of Education, replacing Frank Edelblut after his eight-year tenure. Davis, a 15-year Department of Education employee from Concord, was unanimously confirmed by the Executive Council with bipartisan support. Ayotte stated that Davis brings broad support and extensive experience focused on serving children across public schools and alternative educational pathways.

Lawmakers included a provision in the state budget requiring the closure and sale of the Philbrook Adult Transitional Housing Facility in Concord within two years. The facility currently serves approximately 16 residents in a step-down program following treatment at New Hampshire Hospital for mental health crises. Ayotte's office stated that the Department of Health and Human Services would develop a transition plan to ensure no individual loses housing during the facility's closure.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Caitlin Davis for Commissioner of Education, a position Davis has worked toward through 14 years of service in the department. Davis received bipartisan support at her confirmation hearing, with lawmakers from both parties citing her policy expertise and budget knowledge. If confirmed, Davis stated she would focus the department on evaluating existing programs for quality and effectiveness rather than creating new initiatives.

Governor Ayotte signed eleven bills into law addressing domestic violence, human trafficking, and child sex abuse crimes. The legislation included measures to improve rape kit handling, establish a committee to study human trafficking in illicit massage parlors, create stricter penalties for creating child sex abuse images using artificial intelligence, create a domestic violence fatality review committee, and increase penalties for engaging in prostitution with mandatory fines. The domestic violence fatality review committee will begin by examining the case of Marisol Fuentes, a 25-year-old killed by her husband who was facing felony charges related to prior alleged crimes against her.

Ayotte held a ceremonial bill signing in July 2025 for multiple crime-related laws addressing domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. The signed legislation included House Bill 62, which provides financial assistance to National Guard victims of sexual assault; House Bill 218, which grants crime victims access to police reports and case files; House Bill 369, which establishes accountability measures for offenders against minors; House Bill 405, which creates a commission to study human trafficking in illicit massage businesses; Senate Bill 140, which establishes a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee; and Senate Bill 267, which increases penalties for prostitution patrons. The bills also included provisions prohibiting convicted murderers from receiving certain financial benefits from victims and making it a felony to create non-consensual AI-generated intimate images of children.

Governor Ayotte restored retirement benefits to Group II Tier B first responders that had been removed in 2011, achieving the restoration through budget negotiations and legislative work that resulted in unanimous Senate passage. The restored benefits addressed recruitment and retention challenges in law enforcement, fire, and corrections departments across New Hampshire. Ayotte's action reduced the cost burden on municipalities by having the state increase its contribution to first responder retirement security.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte's office announced the resignation of John Broderick as administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, effective July 31, 2025. Broderick's departure followed a change in the fund's governance structure implemented through the state budget trailer bill, which made the administrator position subject to gubernatorial nomination and Executive Council confirmation, removing the position's prior independence under the Judicial Branch. Assistant Administrator Diane Nicolosi also resigned, citing her senior status with the Judicial Branch and the position's transition to the Executive Branch.

Governor Kelly Ayotte issued a statement thanking John Broderick, the administrator of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, for his service, characterizing his departure as a resignation. Broderick disputed this characterization, stating he did not resign but rather that the nature of his position changed when the administrator role was converted from an independent position to a political appointment. The settlement fund addresses thousands of claims from individuals alleging abuse at state youth facilities.

The Northern Border Alliance, a $1.4 million state program championed by former Governor Chris Sununu in 2023, funds increased police presence within 25 miles of New Hampshire's border with Canada through overtime, equipment, training costs, and grants to local and county police departments. According to a progress report from Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn, police involved in the program assisted U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seven times from January to June. Local police chiefs in border towns including Pittsburg, Colebrook, and Berlin credited the increased law enforcement visibility with affecting illegal border crossing activity in the region.

Governor Ayotte signed several bills on a bipartisan basis related to cryptocurrency and digital assets regulation in New Hampshire. These legislative actions were part of the state's broader effort to establish a regulatory framework for emerging financial technologies. The bills reflected New Hampshire's approach to creating conditions that balance consumer protection with enabling innovation in the digital currency industry.

Ayotte signed legislation to support Group 2 retirement benefits for New Hampshire law enforcement officers, including police officers, corrections officers, and fire personnel. The legislation was designed to strengthen retirement security for these first responders. The measure addressed pension funding for public safety employees in the state.

Ayotte campaigned on establishing a moratorium on new landfill approvals in New Hampshire and designated it as a legislative priority during the 2025 session. The House and Senate produced competing versions of legislation aligned with Ayotte's proposed one-year moratorium, but the final bill, House Bill 171, failed to advance to passage. Ayotte did sign House Bill 566 into law, which requires landfill operators to submit comprehensive plans for managing leachate and mandates permits detailing how toxic liquid from new landfills and expansions will be treated or transported.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation to strengthen the state's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, which is tasked with reviewing domestic violence-related deaths and identifying systemic gaps in prevention and response. The action was prompted following a July 2025 murder-suicide in Berlin in which Michael Gleason Jr. shot and killed Marisol Fuentes at her workplace after she had obtained a protection-from-abuse order and filed for divorce. The state court system is cooperating with the committee as it examines the case to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Executive Councilor John Stephen, following a meeting with Governor Ayotte, sent a letter to Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald, Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn, and Attorney General John Formella requesting a meeting to address gaps in real-time information sharing between law enforcement and courts regarding stalking charges and temporary restraining orders. The letter was prompted by the Berlin murder-suicide case in which Michael Gleason Jr., released on $5,000 bail on felony charges, subsequently killed his estranged wife Marisol Fuentes before taking his own life. Stephen stated that the failure of law enforcement and courts to share information about such charges and orders represented a systemic gap that required remediation to prevent future incidents.

Governor Ayotte vetoed House Bill 324, a Republican-backed bill that would have prohibited New Hampshire schools from distributing materials defined as "harmful to minors" and established monetary penalties for violations. Ayotte stated in her veto that she did not believe the state should determine literary value and appropriateness based on subjective standards, and that existing state law already provides mechanisms for parents to object to materials through their local school districts. The governor also expressed concern that the bill could have opened the door to unnecessary civil lawsuits against schools and school districts.

Governor Ayotte vetoed House Bill 324, legislation that would have prohibited New Hampshire public schools from providing materials to students that meet legal thresholds for obscenity or content deemed age-inappropriate or harmful to minors. Ayotte stated in her veto reasoning that existing state law already provides parents mechanisms to be notified of sexuality and gender identity lessons and to exempt their children from participation, making additional restrictions unnecessary. Ayotte also cited concerns that the bill could expose the state to legal vulnerability and that the state should not engage in determining literary value and appropriateness.

Ayotte vetoed House Bill 148, which addressed segregation by biological sex, stating that the existing state law limiting youth sports teams to members of the same sex was already sufficient and that the bill's language was largely redundant and weaker than current law. Ayotte vetoed House Bill 324, an obscene material bill, citing existing parental rights mechanisms through local school districts and expressing concern that the bill's subjective standards could invite unnecessary litigation. Ayotte vetoed House Bill 446, which would have changed a risk behavior survey from an opt-out to an opt-in program, reasoning that the change could substantially reduce student participation and jeopardize the state's access to federal grants.

On June 19, Governor Ayotte signed SB 285 into law, which updated the professional title "physician assistant" to "physician associate" in New Hampshire. The legislation did not expand the scope of practice for these professionals but changed their official designation to reflect their level of training and clinical responsibilities. The bill was supported by healthcare providers and advocates who argued the new title more accurately represented the qualifications of licensed clinicians working across all medical specialties and settings.

Governor Ayotte signed a bail reform law in the spring of 2025 that will eliminate magistrate positions and their role in holding bail hearings as of September of that year. The legislation was enacted following public backlash over a magistrate's decision to grant $5,000 bail to Michael Gleason Jr. on felony kidnapping and sex assault charges, charges that preceded his murder of his estranged wife and subsequent suicide two months later. The new law represents a statutory change to the bail hearing process in New Hampshire courts.

Ayotte signed House Bill 467 into law on Monday, which authorizes cities and towns in New Hampshire to establish designated social districts where individuals may carry open alcoholic beverages in public spaces. The legislation permits licensed businesses such as bars and restaurants to sell drinks within these districts, with beverages required to be in labeled plastic containers of 16 ounces or less. The law takes effect on September 5, 2025, and municipalities must first vote to approve the ordinance and submit boundary maps to the state liquor commission for approval before implementing social districts.

The New Hampshire Department of Justice launched a targeted enforcement campaign beginning in November 2024 in collaboration with local and federal agencies to identify and shut down illicit massage parlors involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation. As of July 2025, authorities had closed at least 15 such businesses across communities including Derry, Londonderry, Hudson, Merrimack, Manchester, Dover, Salem, and Somersworth. According to Assistant Attorney General Alexander Kellermann, these establishments operated as trafficking hubs where women, often immigrants, were coerced into performing sexual acts and subjected to labor violations while having their immigration documents withheld.

Ayotte vetoed legislation that would have permitted New Hampshire school board elections to be conducted on a partisan basis. The bill would have changed the existing nonpartisan election structure for school board candidates. Ayotte's veto prevented the measure from becoming law.

Governor Ayotte signed a bail reform law in the spring of 2025 that strengthened restrictions on bail determinations in New Hampshire. The law eliminates magistrate positions and their role in holding bail hearings, effective September 2025. This legislative action followed a case in which a magistrate had granted $5,000 bail to a man charged with felony kidnapping and sex assault, who subsequently murdered his estranged wife two months later.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated that her administration is evaluating the implementation of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid resulting from the budget reconciliation bill signed by President Donald Trump. Ayotte indicated concern about reductions in SNAP benefits that could affect approximately 15,000 New Hampshire residents and potential impacts to Medicaid coverage in the state. The governor said her administration would begin planning immediately to assess how the changes affect vulnerable populations in New Hampshire, with most provisions taking effect in 2026 and beyond.

Governor Ayotte stated that Michael Gleason Jr., who was charged with kidnapping and sexual assault, was released on $5,000 bail before he fatally shot his estranged wife Marisol Fuentes and himself because a new tougher bail reform law had not yet taken effect. Attorney General John Formella informed Ayotte and the Executive Council that the Fuentes case would be reviewed by a new 17-person Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee approved by the Legislature during the 2025 session. Formella indicated that Ayotte was expected to sign legislation establishing this committee, which would have broader stakeholder representation and subpoena powers compared to previous executive-order-created panels.

Governor Ayotte vetoed House Bill 356, legislation that would have allowed individual cities and towns to conduct partisan elections for school district offices. The bill had passed the Republican-led Legislature largely along party lines, with supporters arguing that partisan labeling would increase voter turnout and clarify candidates' political positions. Ayotte stated in her veto message that the current nonpartisan system functions properly and that introducing partisan elements would create unnecessary division in local school board elections.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 90, legislation authored by House Education Committee Chairman Rick Ladd that permits college instructors to teach in public high schools without teacher certification, provided they work no more than 20 hours per week and pass a criminal background check. Ayotte stated the measure would expand educational pathways and help build the state's workforce by allowing high school students access to critical courses and trade skills instruction. The National Education Association of New Hampshire and American Federation of Teachers of New Hampshire expressed concerns that the policy could incentivize lower-resourced school districts to hire uncertified instructors and potentially reduce educational quality.

Governor Ayotte signed New Hampshire's state budget in June, which raises Medicaid premiums and increases prescription drug copays to $4. The budget changes occur alongside federal Medicaid cuts of nearly $1 trillion over the next decade enacted through President Trump's recently passed legislation. These modifications at both state and federal levels are creating financial pressures for healthcare providers across New Hampshire, including nonprofits that rely on Medicaid reimbursements to fund services for vulnerable populations.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 250 into law, which authorizes pharmacists to administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment. The legislation expands access to the monthly injection treatment beyond physician offices to community pharmacies, particularly benefiting rural areas with limited clinical resources. The law permits a medication already approved by federal regulators to be distributed through an additional class of healthcare providers.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 467 into law in July 2025, legalizing public alcohol consumption in designated "social districts" or "sip and stroll" areas where adults may purchase to-go alcoholic drinks from licensed establishments and consume them while walking. The law, effective September 5, 2025, allows individual municipalities to establish social districts through town meetings or municipal elections, with each locality setting operational hours and district boundaries, and beverages limited to 16 fluid ounces per drink. New Hampshire became the ninth state to legalize public alcohol consumption in designated areas under this legislation.

Governor Ayotte signed a trailer bill to the state budget that modified the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund by making the administrator an at-will appointee of the governor and granting the Attorney General's Office veto power over settlements. The changes altered the governance structure of the fund, which was established in 2022 with $100 million to address claims from alleged victims of abuse at the Youth Development Center. A class action lawsuit challenging these modifications was filed, and a judge declined to block the changes while the case proceeds to an August hearing on a preliminary injunction motion.

Governor Ayotte signed the state's $16 billion budget that excluded funding for new school building projects during the current biennium, providing only resources for ongoing debt payments on previously awarded school construction projects. The Concord School District had anticipated state aid for a planned replacement of Rundlett Middle School, a project under development for nearly a decade. Without state funding, Concord school leaders must decide whether to proceed with construction independently or delay the project while continuing temporary repairs to the aging facility.

Ayotte signed HB 467 at Merrimack's Independence Day parade on July 4, 2025, legislation sponsored by state Rep. Bill Boyd that authorizes cities and towns to establish "social districts" where patrons may purchase alcoholic beverages and consume them in designated outdoor areas. The bill, modeled after similar North Carolina legislation from 2021, takes effect within 60 days and makes New Hampshire the ninth state to permit public alcohol consumption in designated locations. The legislation allows local ordinances to define the specific properties and boundaries where such consumption is permitted.

A spokesman for Governor Ayotte stated that the governor's office saw no need for Senate Bill 141, which would have created an exception to New Hampshire's three-year deadline for petitioning a new trial when new evidence of exoneration exists. The bill, which had bipartisan support, did not advance during the 2025 legislative session. Governor Ayotte's office indicated that the existing exception for cases involving constitutional violations was sufficient under current law.

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced her support for a moratorium on new landfill construction in New Hampshire and stated her intention to continue pushing for a revamped regulatory process that includes community input. The announcement came after lawmakers in the state legislature ended their session without reaching agreement on changes to landfill regulation and siting, an issue that became prominent following a proposed landfill near Forest Lake in Dalton and Whitefield in 2019. Ayotte characterized New Hampshire's natural beauty as foundational to the state's quality of life and indicated she would continue addressing the issue in the next legislative session.

On June 10, 2025, Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 295, the Educational Freedom Accounts Act, into law. The legislation allows students to use their per-pupil state funding to attend private, parochial, or homeschool educational options rather than public schools. The law permits tax credits and establishes education savings accounts that families can use to pay for alternative educational services.

Ayotte's office declined to support SB 141, legislation that would have extended the deadline for individuals to petition for a new trial beyond New Hampshire's three-year limit when new evidence of exoneration exists. A spokesperson for Ayotte stated the governor's office saw no need for the legislation. The bill died at the close of the 2025 legislative session despite bipartisan support.

House Bill 60, which would allow landlords to decline lease renewal without stating cause, passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate largely along party lines and was sent to Governor Ayotte's desk in late June 2025. The legislation includes provisions designed to protect tenants while permitting lease terminations at contract expiration. Ayotte had not publicly announced her decision on the bill as of the article's publication date, though the bill's sponsor stated he had discussed the measure with her.

House Bill 457, which bans town and city ordinances that restrict the number of occupants in a home to fewer than two per bedroom or create restrictions based on non-familial relationships or marital status, passed the New Hampshire House and Senate and was sent to Governor Ayotte's desk. The legislation targets local zoning rules common in college towns that limit congregate student living, with the House passing the bill 179 to 170 after extensive debate. The bill represents an attempt to increase affordable housing availability by preventing municipalities from enforcing occupancy restrictions based on bedroom count or family relationship status.

Governor Ayotte signed into law earlier in 2025 a complete overhaul of the state's 2018 bail reform law, which expanded the circumstances under which certain violent and dangerous felony offenders must appear before a judge before release. The New Hampshire House subsequently passed an additional bill to further expand the scope of this revised bail law by including felonies involving the use, threatened use, or attempted use of force in the list of offenses requiring judicial review before release. Ayotte's office indicated the governor would sign this additional expansion, stating she welcomes efforts to strengthen public safety through bail reform measures.

Ayotte signed legislation on June 10, 2025, that expanded New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts Program by eliminating the income eligibility requirement that had previously limited participation to families earning less than 350 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Under the expansion, any New Hampshire family will be eligible to receive at least $4,265 per child annually for private school tuition or other educational expenses, with families of children with additional needs eligible for up to $9,676 per year. The law caps initial program enrollment at 10,000 students but permits expansion in subsequent years if enrollment exceeds 90 percent of the prior year's cap.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation expanding Education Freedom Accounts to all families regardless of income level, removing the previous income-based restrictions on the taxpayer-funded program. She also signed parental rights legislation, including HB 10 and SB 72, designed to increase parental access to information about their children in schools. The Education Freedom Account expansion was estimated to add $17 million annually to a program that previously cost $30 million per year.

Governor Ayotte encouraged New Hampshire localities to sign 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that authorize local law enforcement to conduct immigration enforcement activities. Hillsborough County became the fourth county in the state to enter such an agreement, allowing its sheriff's department to arrest individuals on immigration detainers, interrogate people for suspected immigration violations, and transport detainees to ICE-approved facilities. Ayotte also signed legislation banning local sanctuary policies that would have prevented municipal authorities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 295 on Tuesday, which removed the income eligibility cap from New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program, making it available to all families who choose not to enroll their children in public school. The program previously limited eligibility to families earning below 350% of the federal poverty guideline, approximately $112,525 annually for a family of four. The removal of this cap resulted in approximately 500 new applications within the first 24 hours following the signing, representing a 9% increase in program enrollment over the school year and adding about $2.5 million to the program's funding.

Governor Ayotte nominated Caitlin Davis, a 15-year Department of Education employee who most recently served as director of education analytics and resources, to be the next commissioner of education, replacing Frank Edelblut. Ayotte announced the nomination in June 2025 and stated she would present Davis to the state Board of Education at its next meeting, with the nomination subsequently going to the Executive Council for consideration. Davis had overseen implementation of a statewide student information system and the adoption of iPlatform, a data dashboard for tracking student assessment performance and enrollment metrics.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 10, the "Parental Rights" legislation, into law on June 10, 2025, at the Executive Council chambers. The law codifies existing parental rights regarding their children's education and requires schools to provide parents with "prompt, accurate, truthful, and complete disclosure regarding any and all matters related to their minor child," while also establishing new notification requirements for nonacademic surveys and district data collection. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Caitlin Davis to serve as the next commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, replacing Frank Edelblut who announced his departure in March. Davis has directed the Division of Education Analytics and Resources for eight years and oversaw modernization of the department's data systems, school safety programs, assessments, and charter school accountability. Ayotte formally presented the nomination to the State Board of Education on Thursday.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation on June 10, 2025, that grants universal access to Education Freedom Accounts, removing income limits on the state's school choice program that allows families to direct public education funds toward private school tuition. Ayotte also signed a parental bill of rights in education that requires educators to disclose information to parents about their children's experiences in school. The parental rights bill included amendments designed to ensure the disclosure requirements would not impede child abuse investigations.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved mandatory minimum sentences on certain fentanyl-related crimes under Senate Bill 14, establishing sentences of at least three-and-a-half years for possession of more than 20 grams and at least seven years for 50 grams or more. The legislation addresses transportation, manufacturing, and possession with intent to sell of fentanyl-related substances. The bill awaits action by Governor Ayotte.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation on May 23 that amended a broader firearms bill to shield firearms manufacturers from product liability lawsuits in New Hampshire involving claims of defective design or negligence related to the absence of an external mechanical safety. The amendment directly addressed litigation against SIG Sauer, a major New Hampshire employer based in Newington that faced dozens of state lawsuits from gun owners alleging their P320 pistols fired without the trigger being pulled. The governor did not publicly comment on the bill signing and did not respond to requests for comment from the Washington Post.

Governor Ayotte called on New Hampshire lawmakers in January to send her a bell-to-bell cellphone ban policy, and the House of Representatives subsequently voted 314-42 in June 2025 to approve Senate Bill 206, which prohibits students from using personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day with limited exceptions for medical devices and special education needs. Ayotte stated her support for the measure, citing potential benefits including enhanced educational outcomes, increased classroom focus, and reduced cyberbullying. The bill awaits acceptance of the House's edits by the State Senate before proceeding to Ayotte's desk for signature.

The New Hampshire House and Senate considered separate parental rights legislation during the 2025 legislative session, with House Bill 10 and Senate Bill 72 each proposing to codify parental rights in public school education. The bills would require school boards to develop policies promoting parental involvement in matters of homework, attendance, and discipline, and would mandate policies allowing parents to examine instructional materials and withdraw children from specific lessons. Unlike previous iterations, the current bills do not explicitly require school staff to disclose students' sexual orientation or gender identity to parents.

Governor Ayotte called for the restoration of the Office of the Child Advocate after the New Hampshire House of Representatives proposed abolishing it. The state Senate voted to keep the office in place but reduced its staffing from nine positions to five by eliminating the associate child advocate, case aide, public relations officer, and office coordinator positions. The budget amendment also added statutory language restricting the office's access to certain documents and information to only those materials "as allowed by state and federal law," potentially limiting its oversight capabilities.

The New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee approved a two-year, $15.6 billion state budget on Tuesday that aligned with the spending priorities of Governor Kelly Ayotte. The budget restored Medicaid rate funding and assistance for the developmentally disabled, reduced planned corrections layoffs, and reinstated the Office of the Child Advocate and Arts Council. The Senate proposal differed from the House budget by approximately $240 million and was scheduled for a full Senate vote later in the week.

Governor Ayotte included pension benefit restoration for 1,550 first responders in her state budget proposal, seeking to reverse cuts made by a 2011 retirement reform law and proposing to fund the approximately $26.5 million annual cost through legalized slot machine gambling at state charity casinos. The Senate Finance Committee approved an amendment by Senator Tim Lang that restored the pension benefits with a six-month implementation delay rather than immediate restoration, which Lang stated would save approximately $13 million in the first budget year. Ayotte had made pension restoration a central campaign promise that secured endorsements from public-sector unions including the State Employees Association.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed legislation on May 22 banning sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire. The law prohibited municipalities from restricting local law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement. One week after the law's enactment, the Department of Homeland Security published a list identifying Hanover and Lebanon as sanctuary cities, though the list was subsequently removed from the federal website.

Governor Ayotte signed into law Senate Bill 62 and House Bill 511, legislation designed to prohibit sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire and prevent local officials from blocking police departments or county jail administrations from entering cooperative agreements with federal immigration authorities. The signing occurred shortly before a Department of Homeland Security report identified the cities of Lebanon and Hanover as the only communities in New Hampshire with policies obstructing cooperation with federal authorities regarding suspected illegal immigrants. The bills represented a direct legislative response to the federal government's identification of sanctuary communities within the state.

Governor Ayotte has on her desk HB 467, legislation that would allow New Hampshire cities and towns to establish "social districts" where residents may purchase alcoholic beverages at local bars and restaurants and carry them in to-go cups through designated pedestrian areas. The bill, modeled after similar legislation in North Carolina, would make creation of such districts a local option requiring voter approval at town meetings or city elections, with local officials determining district boundaries in coordination with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission and state law enforcement. According to the bill's sponsor, State Rep. Bill Boyd, the legislation was developed in consultation with the state liquor commission's Division of Enforcement and Licensing to ensure community safety standards are met.

The New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved a proposal by Pearl and three colleagues to establish a stripped-down vehicle inspection program as part of state budget negotiations. Under the plan, new vehicles would require a safety inspection followed by a three-year exemption, while vehicles three years or older would undergo annual inspections with reduced requirements, and the Department of Environmental Services would seek EPA approval to eliminate on-board diagnostic and emission testing by January 1, 2027. The revised inspection program, set to take effect January 1, 2027, represented a compromise between the House vote to eliminate inspections entirely and Senate efforts to maintain some safety requirements.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation banning sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire. The law prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting policies that shield individuals from federal immigration enforcement. Ayotte's action followed a letter from a constituent citing concerns about public safety risks associated with sanctuary city practices.

Governor Kelly Ayotte declined to grant Pamela Smart a commutation hearing before New Hampshire's Executive Council, announcing the decision in May 2025 after Smart's legal representatives expected the hearing to appear on the council's June 4 agenda. In a written statement, Ayotte said she takes pardon hearings seriously and believes such proceedings should be reserved for exceptional circumstances, and after reviewing Smart's case, determined it did not meet that threshold. Smart has been incarcerated since 1991 for her role as an accomplice in the 1990 murder of her husband, Gregg Smart, and has sought commutation for over 35 years.

Governor Ayotte declined to grant a commutation hearing to Pamela Smart, who has served 35 years of a life sentence for her role as an accomplice in her husband's 1990 murder. Ayotte stated in a written response that Smart's request was "not deserving of a hearing before the Executive Council" and noted that she reserves pardon hearings for exceptional circumstances. This marks the fourth rejection of Smart's commutation request, following three previous denials by the Executive Council and a 2024 state Supreme Court decision that declined to compel the state to hold such a hearing.

The Manchester school board voted to send a letter to Governor Kelly Ayotte requesting that she veto House Bill 324, legislation that would restrict materials in schools deemed harmful to minors. The board characterized the bill as lacking adequate definitions of prohibited materials and as an overreach of state authority that would constrain academic freedom and local control of school districts. Board members cited concerns that the bill's vague guidelines fail to specify who would implement the policy or what standards would be used to determine which materials are prohibited.

The House Finance Committee voted 14-11 along party lines to advance legislation SB 295, which would remove income limits for families eligible to receive Education Freedom Accounts allowing parents to direct public education funding toward private, religious, alternative public, or homeschool programs. The committee's action came during debate in which House Finance Committee Chairman Ken Weyler made critical remarks about public school board performance and the public education system. Democrats on the committee opposed the measure, citing procedural concerns about its inclusion in the budget process.

In January 2025, Governor Ayotte called on the state legislature to pass a school phone ban, and in February included a bell-to-bell ban provision in her proposed budget that would prohibit personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day rather than only during instructional time. The House Education Policy and Administration Committee amended the Senate's version of the bill to include the all-day prohibition, which Ayotte stated she supported. The amended bill still required passage by the full House and Senate, though both chambers appeared to show widespread bipartisan support for the all-day device restriction.

Governor Ayotte endorsed legislation requiring local school districts to restrict student cellphone use during the school day. The proposal adopted a state standard while preserving flexibility for individual districts to implement restrictions according to local circumstances. Ayotte's position supported the Senate bill approach, which established state guidance without imposing a uniform mandate across all districts.

Governor Ayotte signed two bills into law that ban local and county sanctuary policies shielding undocumented immigrants from detention and authorize police to enter into agreements with federal immigration enforcement officials. The legislation takes effect in stages, with some provisions becoming effective within 60 days and others at the beginning of the following year. The bills eliminate the ability of municipalities to adopt sanctuary policies within New Hampshire.

Governor Ayotte announced a settlement of a lawsuit brought by the New Hampshire Hospital Association, Dartmouth Health, and Concord Hospital challenging the state's Medicaid Enhancement Tax program. The agreement established a budget-neutral solution providing $1 billion in total payments to hospitals over three years while generating $60 million in additional benefits to the state compared to previous proposals. The settlement concluded litigation that had resulted in two prior court rulings finding the Medicaid tax unconstitutional due to its selective application to acute-care hospitals but not other healthcare providers.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill providing limited immunity from liability to SIG Sauer and other state gunmakers regarding optional features on their weapons, voting 200-161 on a Senate amendment that had not undergone public hearing. The legislation was prompted by multiple lawsuits filed in federal court against SIG Sauer over its P320 pistol, which has been the subject of 82 federal cases and numerous complaints from law enforcement officials. The bill proceeded to Governor Kelly Ayotte's desk for consideration.

The New Hampshire State Senate passed HB 446 on a 16-8 party-line vote in May 2025, requiring parents to provide advance written consent before their children participate in the Youth Behavioral Risk Survey, changing the previous system where parents could opt out after being notified. State Sen. Victoria Sullivan, R-Manchester, led the effort to reverse the Senate Education Committee's recommendation against the bill. Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka stated that the opt-in requirement could reduce survey participation below the 60% threshold needed for state agencies and nonprofit organizations to use the data in applications for federal and private grants.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 62 and House Bill 511 into law in May 2025, legislation that prohibits sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire and requires local police and prison departments to cooperate with federal authorities regarding the detention of suspected illegal immigrants. The anti-sanctuary city provisions of SB 62 took effect two months after signing, while the remaining provisions began on January 1, 2026. The signing concluded a decade-long legislative effort by Republican lawmakers to enact immigration enforcement measures in the state.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62 into law on May 22, 2025, legislation that prohibits municipalities from adopting sanctuary or welcoming policies that restrict local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. HB 511 outlaws new local sanctuary policies and overhauls existing ones, while SB 62 removes local authority to prevent police departments from signing 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and authorizes county jails to hold individuals for up to two days after state or local charges are resolved if they are subject to ICE detention. The laws will take effect in January and override approximately a dozen existing local policies enacted in New Hampshire towns and cities.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 140, establishing the Blue Envelope program in New Hampshire, into law in May 2025. The voluntary program allows drivers with autism spectrum disorder, mental health conditions, and trauma-related disorders to request blue envelopes from the Department of Motor Vehicles containing information to facilitate safer communication during traffic stops. The program is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2026, and will provide officers and drivers with relevant medical and emergency contact information to help prevent misunderstandings during police interactions.

Governor Ayotte announced at a Wednesday press conference that construction work on the new forensic psychiatric hospital being built on Clinton Street in Concord has been halted due to construction issues discovered at the site. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General's office are investigating the issues, and Ayotte stated that the work stoppage will impact the project's delivery timeline, though she provided no specific details. The 24-bed, $41.9 million facility was previously scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated she would continue to urge legislative leaders to restore state spending support for the arts after the Senate Finance Committee voted to reduce funding for the Council on the Arts to one dollar. Ayotte had proposed $1.7 million in state funding for the arts in her two-year budget proposal, which would have leveraged approximately $2 million in federal grants. The House-approved budget would have eliminated the arts program entirely, making New Hampshire the only state without a state-supported arts entity.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation approximately two months before this article's publication that reversed New Hampshire's 2018 bail law, which had permitted most offenders to be released without jail time following arrest. The signed legislation targets violent felony crimes and takes effect in September. Ayotte stated she would consider a subsequent amendment that would expand the list of crimes requiring judicial review before release to include felonies involving the use, threatened use, or attempted use of force.

Governor Ayotte played a key role in facilitating a compromise agreement between House and Senate leaders regarding commercial insurance reimbursement rates for ambulance service providers. Under the agreement, ambulance providers will receive 325 percent of the federal Medicare rate for two years if they join commercial insurance networks, while a newly-established commission studies and recommends a fair reimbursement rate based on actual costs. The compromise also eliminated balanced billing practices that had allowed ambulance companies to seek additional payment from patients.

Governor Ayotte signed changes to the state's bail reform law that designated twelve violent crimes as requiring judicial hearings before bail release. Less than two months after Ayotte's law took effect, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would expand the list of crimes requiring such hearings by adding two additional crime categories: felonies committed with threatened use of physical force and repeat felonies by offenders with two prior convictions at the same level.

Governor Kelly Ayotte endorsed restrictions on cellphone use in schools as a candidate and called for legislation in her inaugural address in January. The House and Senate approved House Bill 781, which Ayotte supported, requiring school boards to adopt policies to restrict cellphone use during the school day. The bill represents a less restrictive approach than a subsequent House committee amendment that would have required a complete "bell-to-bell" ban making cellphones inaccessible throughout the entire school day.

Helen Hanks resigned as commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections effective immediately in May 2025. Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated John Scippa, director of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, to serve as interim leader of the agency for up to 90 days while she searches for a permanent commissioner. Ayotte also placed assistant commissioner Paul Raymond on leave without disclosing the reason for his removal.

Department of Corrections Commissioner Helen Hanks resigned without comment on May 19, 2025, following scrutiny of procurement practices including a Taser contract that the Executive Council rejected twice and allegations of premature equipment delivery. Governor Ayotte placed the assistant corrections commissioner on immediate leave and announced she would nominate the chief of the state's police standards and training program as acting commissioner for 90 days while searching for a permanent replacement. The shake-up followed months of controversy including a rejected courier contract recommendation and council rejection of budget proposals for corrections department staffing.

The New Hampshire Senate gave final approval to two bills on May 15, 2025, that ban sanctuary city policies in local governments, allow jails to hold individuals on immigration detainers for up to 48 hours, and enable police and sheriffs to enter into agreements with federal immigration officials for enforcement efforts. The bills were sent to Governor Ayotte's desk, with Republican leadership indicating she is expected to sign them. The legislation concluded a legislative effort that Republican leaders described as spanning nearly a decade.

Governor Ayotte received three bills from the New Hampshire legislature designed to restrict sanctuary city policies, including HB 511, SB 71, and SB 62, which would prevent municipalities from adopting ordinances that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. The bills passed on party-line votes in the Senate following a decade-long effort by Republican legislative leaders. Ayotte indicated in a statement that she intended to sign all three bills.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 302 in May 2025, legislation that authorized New Hampshire to invest in digital assets with market capitalizations exceeding $500 billion as part of the state's official financial strategy. The bill, championed by Representatives Keith Ammon and Jason Osborne, made New Hampshire the first state to permit such investments, initially limited to Bitcoin given current market conditions. The legislation established a threshold designed to restrict state investments to mature, globally recognized digital assets.

Senate Bill 105, passed by the New Hampshire Legislature on Thursday, would allow towns to adopt local spending caps through a three-fifths vote at town meetings, with spending limits calculated using a formula based on current expenditure per resident adjusted for inflation. The bill prohibits amendments to proposed budget caps before voting and requires a three-fifths vote to change or override any spending limit adopted by a town. The legislation was sent to Governor Ayotte for her signature, with the new law set to take effect before next year's town meetings if signed.

Governor Ayotte proposed making Education Freedom Accounts available to all public school students earlier in 2025. House and Senate Republicans subsequently advanced legislation to expand the program further by removing income eligibility restrictions and achieving universal access over the next two years through negotiated year-to-year caps. The New Hampshire Legislature moved closer to implementing these changes following a House vote in May 2025.

The New Hampshire state Senate approved legislation that would block future liability lawsuits in state courts over the presence or absence of optional safety features on firearms. The amendment, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Bill Gannon, was added to House Bill 551 and passed on a 16-8 vote with all Republicans supporting and all Democrats opposing the measure. The legislation specifically exempts gunmakers from liability claims related to features such as magazine disconnect mechanisms, loaded chamber indicators, authorized user recognition technology, and external mechanical safeties, and does not apply to suits already filed or to manufacturing defect claims.

Governor Kelly Ayotte provided her blessing for State Police, sheriffs in three counties, and police in six towns to apply for or receive approval from the Department of Homeland Security for cooperative agreements under Section 287 G Task Force Agreements. These agreements would allow local law enforcement to assist federal immigration authorities. The House of Representatives subsequently approved a combined bill, SB 62 amended, that would ban sanctuary city policies and require local officials to honor such cooperative agreements signed by county jail wardens or local police chiefs.

Governor Ayotte signed HB 302 in May 2025, making New Hampshire the first state to permit investment of state government funds in cryptocurrency and precious metals. The legislation grants State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelle discretion over whether to use these investment options, with restrictions limiting cryptocurrency investments to no more than 5% of any single fund and requiring digital assets to have a minimum value of $500 billion in the previous year. Ayotte stated she was confident the treasurer would exercise prudent judgment in implementing the new investment authority.

Governor Kelly Ayotte disagreed with revenue projections adopted by the Senate Ways and Means Committee for the next two years, which forecasted revenues lower than her projections but higher than House estimates. The committee's projections of $228.1 million above House numbers would prevent the Senate from restoring all of Ayotte's stated budget priorities. Ayotte stated she disagreed with the vote and questioned why Republicans joined Democrats on the committee in adopting the lower revenue estimates.

Governor Ayotte made parental rights legislation a top priority of her administration, calling for the reform during her election campaign. A comprehensive parental rights bill, Senate Bill 72, advanced through the House Children and Family Law Committee on May 6, 2025, with the panel endorsing it along party lines. The bill would require parental consent for minors to obtain services including birth control and would expand parental access to information across education and medical care venues.

Governor Ayotte announced a plan to restore retirement benefits for first responders hired under a different pension system in the last decade, a change aimed at addressing losses of experienced firefighters and police officers. Municipalities including Manchester supported the proposal, with city officials citing recruitment and retention challenges as reasons for restoring the Group 2 pension system benefits. The plan emerged as lawmakers considered the state budget in the New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee during May 2025.

Governor Ayotte used a ceremony designating May as Mental Health Awareness Month to publicly call on the state Senate to reject budget cuts to Medicaid, community mental health centers, and services for the developmentally disabled that had been approved by the House. Ayotte stated her hope that the Senate would restore funding for these mental health programs and emphasized that the state budget should prioritize mental health services. The ceremony also featured remarks from Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver, who highlighted achievements of the state's mental health initiatives including the "Mission Zero" program and expanded crisis response services.

Governor Kelly Ayotte's administration reported that state business tax revenue declined 15% below forecast and 13% below the prior year through April 2025, with overall tax and fee collections totaling $2.66 billion, approximately $194.8 million or 6.8% below the first ten months of the previous fiscal year. Senior adviser John Corbett stated that Ayotte remained confident in the revenue estimates underlying her state budget plan, with Revenue Commissioner Lindsey Stepp and chief economist Brian Gottlob projecting a rebound in business taxes and overall revenue in subsequent months. The administration indicated that despite the tight revenue environment, the state's fiscal outlook remained strong as it entered the final two months of the budget year.

Governor Ayotte identified the expansion of Education Freedom Accounts as one of her two priority bills for the legislative session. The expansion bill, SB 295, would remove income eligibility caps for parents receiving taxpayer-subsidized scholarships to send their children to private, religious, alternative public, or home school programs beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The House of Representatives voted on the measure during the week of May 4, 2025, with the proposed expansion going beyond what Ayotte had originally called for in her two-year state budget plan presented in February.

State Representative Joe Sweeney introduced House Bill 511, legislation that would ban sanctuary city policies and require police departments to comply with federal immigration enforcement officials. The bill would prohibit local attempts to hinder cooperation with national immigration authorities and eliminate what Sweeney characterized as exemptions to such cooperation. The proposal generated public testimony from both supporters and residents of towns including Peterborough, Hanover, and Lebanon that had previously adopted ordinances limiting local police participation in immigration enforcement.

Governor Ayotte halted a proposed sale of 88 acres of state-owned land along Interstate 95 in Hampton, New Hampshire that the State Liquor Commission had been attempting to dispose of for over a decade. Instead of selling the property outright to one of four companies that submitted proposals, Ayotte instructed the commission to pursue a long-term lease arrangement in which the state would retain ownership while a private developer would operate the site. Ayotte stated the decision was made to secure better financial returns for the state and ensure the development aligned with New Hampshire's character.

Governor Ayotte indicated to state Senate leadership that she would veto any cannabis legalization bill submitted to her desk. Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell cited Ayotte's stated position when Senate Republicans voted to table House Bill 198, a cannabis legalization measure that had passed the House, on a vote of 12-10. The tabling of HB 198 marked the second marijuana legalization bill the Senate set aside without holding a final vote during the legislative session.

Gov. Ayotte unveiled a state Department of Safety donation program that provides engines from former police cruisers to high school automotive education programs. The initial distribution awarded four engines to the Huot Career & Technical Center in Laconia, the Manchester School of Technology, and the Creteau Regional Technology Center in Rochester, with selection based on assessed need. The Concord Regional Technical Center did not receive engines in the first round because its automotive technology program determined it had sufficient equipment at present, though additional engines are expected to become available for distribution in the future.

The New Hampshire Senate passed House legislation that would authorize the state treasurer to invest in precious metals and digital assets, including cryptocurrencies that meet a $500 billion market capitalization threshold, currently limiting eligible assets to Bitcoin. The bill does not mandate such investments but permits the treasurer discretion to make them, with the understanding that certain state funds designated for emergency reserves would not be used for these purposes. The legislation is awaiting action by Governor Ayotte.

Governor Ayotte celebrated the New Hampshire State Police's receipt of federal approval for a memorandum of understanding with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to cooperate in enforcing federal immigration laws. Under the agreement, state troopers will receive training from ICE to perform immigration enforcement functions, including temporary detention of individuals accused of violating federal immigration laws. The New Hampshire State Police joined three county sheriffs and law enforcement agencies in six towns that had previously entered into similar agreements with ICE.

Fund administrator John Broderick requested that Governor Kelly Ayotte and the Legislature add $150 million to the Youth Development Center settlement fund, which provides damage awards to survivors of sexual and physical abuse at the state-run facility. Ayotte declined to include additional funding in her two-year budget proposal, stating that replenishing the fund was the Legislature's responsibility. An advocacy group called Justice for YDC Victims was subsequently launched to encourage lawmakers to fulfill prior commitments to support the settlement fund, which faces depletion while more than 800 claims remain pending.

Governor Ayotte announced on Wednesday that New Hampshire State Police had signed an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in the 287(g) program, effective as of the previous Friday. Under this program, state and local law enforcement officers are authorized to assist federal immigration officials by identifying migrants with criminal or pending criminal charges and executing warrants. New Hampshire State Police became one of ten law enforcement agencies in the state to enter into such a partnership with ICE.

Ayotte announced the Reclaim Rally, a state program through the Department of Safety that donates used engines from retired state vehicles to high school automotive repair programs across New Hampshire. The first engines were distributed to automotive shops in Laconia, Manchester, and Rochester. Ayotte stated the initiative aims to provide students with learning opportunities in automotive trades and career technical education.

Governor Ayotte urged New Hampshire law enforcement agencies in February to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and the New Hampshire State Police's application to join the federal 287(g) program was approved in April, making the department the largest participating agency among nine law enforcement entities across the state. The 287(g) program deputizes state and local police to exercise limited immigration enforcement authority under ICE oversight and guidance. The agreement was signed on April 25, authorizing State Police to conduct immigration checks during routine operations.

Governor Ayotte proposed a 4% cut in state aid to the University System of New Hampshire in her budget proposal. This contrasted with a House-approved budget that would reduce state aid to USNH by $50 million, representing approximately 30% of current funding. USNH Chancellor Catherine Provencher stated that the system could manage Ayotte's proposed 4% reduction but characterized the larger House-approved cut as unsustainable.

Two state senators, Mark McConkey and David Watters, sent a letter to Governor Ayotte in April 2025 urging consideration of the first increase in New Hampshire turnpike toll rates in 15 years, citing increased operational and maintenance costs since the last toll increase in 2009. Ayotte declined the proposal through a spokesman, responding with "No!" to the recommendation. This decision aligned with the approach taken by her predecessor, former Governor Chris Sununu, who did not permit toll increases to reach the Executive Council during his eight years in office.

Governor Ayotte stated that she considered a House-approved 10% cut to the Department of Corrections budget, totaling more than $35 million, to be "not realistic" and indicated she had urged Senate budget writers to reject the proposal. The House Finance Committee had approved the spending plan, which would have resulted in the layoff of nearly 100 state workers. Ayotte established a Commission on Government Efficiency to examine long-term approaches to streamlining state services.

Governor Ayotte responded to a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that ordered the release of audio recordings from a 2019 custody hearing in the Harmony Montgomery case by stating she hoped the disclosure would help prevent similar tragedies. The recordings document a hearing in which a judge granted custody of Harmony Montgomery to her father, Adam Montgomery, despite his violent criminal history; Montgomery was later convicted of murdering his daughter. Ayotte also called for improved communication between New Hampshire and Massachusetts child protection agencies.

Attorney General Ayotte stated her agreement with a legislative budget oversight group's decision to order a financial audit of the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund, which had spent $160 million processing damage awards to 300 victims of abuse at the Manchester juvenile detention center. Ayotte specifically noted the audit would examine how much compensation reaches victims directly versus funds directed to third-party litigation entities that charge interest rates to claimants awaiting awards. The Executive Council unanimously approved an additional $5 million appropriation to the settlement fund to prevent depletion before the end of the fiscal year.

Governor Ayotte urged New Hampshire state representatives to pass Senate Bill 14 and Senate Bill 15, which establish mandatory minimum prison sentences for fentanyl offenses. Senate Bill 14 sets a mandatory minimum of 3.5 years for possessing 20 grams or more of fentanyl and 7 years for possessing 50 or more grams, while Senate Bill 15 sets a 10-year minimum sentence for dealing fentanyl that results in an overdose death. The House Criminal Justice Committee delayed voting on these bills until the following week but approved separate legislation clarifying the court venue for prosecuting dealers who provided fatal fentanyl doses.

Governor Ayotte stated that a House-approved proposal to cut the Department of Corrections budget by 10 percent, which would result in nearly 100 state worker layoffs, was "not realistic" and urged Senate budget writers to reject it. Ayotte indicated she had spoken with her Commission on Government Efficiency regarding the department and its commissioner. The Governor's position contrasted with House Finance Committee leadership, who defended the proposed cuts as necessary fiscal measures.

Cassandra Sanchez, New Hampshire's Child Advocate, presented a budget request to the Senate Finance Committee on April 21, 2025, seeking two additional positions and increased general funds for the Office of the Child Advocate to travel to residential facilities. The House had voted to eliminate the Office of the Child Advocate entirely as part of broader budget cuts, with the rationale citing cost savings of approximately $2 million over two years. The fate of Sanchez's office and its eight employees now depends on the Senate's decision during the next phase of the state budget process.

Governor Ayotte proposed a state budget of $15.4 billion over two years that included higher funding for the University of New Hampshire system compared to the House of Representatives' proposed budget of $15.4 billion, which was approximately $643 million lower and included $57.6 million in cuts to the university system according to Chancellor Cathy Provencher. The difference between the two budgets centered on revenue forecasts, with the House predicting lower state tax and fee collections than Ayotte's projections. Ayotte supported efforts by the state Senate to restore some of the House's proposed cuts to university funding.

Governor Ayotte endorsed eliminating Education Freedom Account income limits for parents whose children are enrolled in public schools in her February budget address. The House passed HB 115, which would raise the income eligibility ceiling from 350% to 400% of the federal poverty level in the 2025-26 school year and eliminate the cap entirely starting in 2026-27. The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on HB 115 alongside SB 295, which would eliminate income caps but limit EFA grants to 10,000 per year, with lawmakers seeking compromise between the two competing proposals.

Governor Ayotte issued a proclamation designating April 21-27, 2025 as Wildfire Awareness Week in New Hampshire in coordination with the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau. The proclamation responded to a 24% increase in wildfires and nearly doubled acreage burned in the state during 2024, which resulted in four structures destroyed and thirty-seven threatened. Ayotte's statement emphasized the importance of public education and participation in wildfire prevention to protect New Hampshire's forests and the homes located in wildland-urban interface areas.

Gov. Ayotte signed House Bill 592 in March 2025, which rolled back portions of a 2018 bail reform law that had made it easier for suspects to avoid jail time after arrest. Ayotte also announced the creation of a Highway Safety Task Force to address distracted driving, wrong-way driving, and speeding, and directed law enforcement agencies to assist federal authorities with immigration enforcement while establishing a partnership with Lawrence, Massachusetts to combat drug trafficking. These actions were presented by Ayotte as major accomplishments during her first 100 days in office, though critics argued she had not adequately addressed concerns about tariffs, federal funding cuts, and cost-of-living increases affecting the state.

During her first 100 days in office, Governor Ayotte signed legislation reforming the bail system and closing what she characterized as a revolving door for criminals. The governor also delivered a State of the State address at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics outlining her priorities for the remainder of her term. Ayotte became the first elected official in modern New Hampshire history to transition directly from the U.S. Senate to the governorship.

During her inaugural State of the State address, Ayotte advocated for the restoration of funding cuts made by the House to higher education, mental health services, Medicaid providers, the arts, and the state's child advocate office in the $16.3 billion two-year state budget. Ayotte met with Senate President Sharon Carson and Majority Leader Regina Birdsell to present her priority items for reinstatement in the budget. The address marked her effort to influence the budget process as it moved through the legislative chambers following the House's passage of the spending plan.

House Bill 231 passed the New Hampshire state Senate on a vote of 21-3 in April 2025, requiring parental consent before educators transport students to medical appointments except in cases of emergency ambulance transport or when transport complies with an emergency policy adopted by the local school district. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kristine Perez, R-Londonderry, advanced to Governor Kelly Ayotte's desk for consideration. Ayotte had not publicly stated a position on HB 231 at the time of passage, though she had previously expressed vocal support for broader parental rights legislation pending in the legislature.

During her first 100 days in office, Governor Ayotte secured the repeal of the 2018 bail law, which had made it easier for suspects to avoid jail after arrest. The new bail framework restores a presumption of detention for multiple offenders and establishes stronger consequences for those who have previously skipped bail. Ayotte cited this legislative action as a major achievement of her early tenure.

Gov. Ayotte proposed an $18 million increase to community mental health program funding that would have brought total annual spending to $58 million, but the House Finance Committee reduced the proposed increase and set funding at $31 million per year. Advocates warned that the reduced funding could result in delays for New Hampshire residents seeking mental health care. The budget proposal then moved to the Senate for further consideration.

Governor Ayotte instituted a government-wide hiring freeze earlier in 2025 prior to the budget process. The New Hampshire House passed a budget proposal in April 2025 that includes funding cuts to the judicial branch of approximately 10 percent. In response to the budget cuts, the judicial branch issued an order on Friday implementing its own hiring freeze and establishing a plan to review operational efficiency with a full assessment due by July.

On April 1, 2025, the House Finance Committee proposed reducing New Hampshire's mental health funding from the current $40 million annual budget to $31 million per year in the next state budget. This reduction directly contradicted Governor Ayotte's proposed plan to add $18 million to existing funding, which would have brought the total to $58 million annually. The full House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on its version of the 2026-27 state budget, after which the budget would proceed to the Senate for revisions.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 115 on a 188-181 vote in April 2025, which would eliminate income-eligibility caps for families receiving taxpayer-funded Education Freedom Accounts, raising the threshold to 400% of the federal poverty level before removing it entirely in 2026-27. Governor Kelly Ayotte's budget proposal called for a smaller expansion of the program than either the House bill or the Senate's competing legislation, SB 295, which would eliminate the income cap while limiting the number of accounts to 10,000 annually. The House vote reflected differing approaches to the three-year-old program, which had grown from an initial cost estimate of $350,000 to $28 million in the current fiscal year.

Governor Ayotte announced that New Hampshire would pursue an administrative appeal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to recover $80 million in COVID-era federal funding that the Trump administration moved to reclaim from the state. Ayotte stated that the state would exhaust administrative remedies before considering litigation, noting that all options remain available if the appeal proves unsuccessful. The decision to pursue administrative channels rather than immediately joining 23 other states in federal court was explained as a strategic approach to protecting the state's interests in the disputed funds.

Ayotte declared April 9 as New Hampshire's POW Recognition Day during a ceremony at the State House where two former prisoners of war were honored. Edward Parker, a World War II veteran who escaped from a German labor camp and served with the Italian resistance, and Hubert Buchanan, a Vietnam War veteran held prisoner in Hanoi for over six years, received recognition at a meeting with Ayotte and the executive council. The declaration established a state observance separate from the national POW Recognition Day observed in September.

Governor Kelly Ayotte proposed adding $18 million to the state's mental health funding in the next budget, which would bring the total annual budget for community mental health programs to $58 million. On April 1, the House Finance Committee proposed reducing mental health funding to $31 million annually, a cut of $9 million from the current $40 million budget and a rejection of Ayotte's proposed increase. The proposed cuts would affect the state's 10 community mental health centers and could impact services including crisis stabilization, transitional housing, and specialized support for children.

Ayotte presented a draft state budget to the legislature in February 2025. The House Finance Committee subsequently approved a revised budget proposal that reduced Ayotte's draft by more than $271 million and eliminated more than 320 state jobs, primarily in the Department of Corrections. The committee's budget proposal was scheduled for a vote before the full House of Representatives.

Governor Ayotte prioritized bail reform legislation during her administration, working to build consensus on the issue. Ayotte's leadership resulted in the passage of HB 592, which modified provisions of a 2018 bail law that had produced outcomes the governor and legislature determined to be problematic. The legislation became law and modified the state's bail system procedures.

The New Hampshire House Finance Committee approved a revised state budget that reduced Governor Ayotte's proposal by $271 million for the next two-year spending plan. The committee's 14-11 party-line vote produced a $16.3 billion budget that eliminated more than 320 state jobs, with significant cuts to the Department of Corrections, Department of Education, state liquor commission, and the University System of New Hampshire. The reductions were attributed to a state revenue shortfall caused partly by lower-than-expected business tax gains.

Governor Ayotte signed House Bill 592 into law, legislation that reversed bail reform measures enacted in 2018 under her predecessor Governor Chris Sununu. The bill created a rebuttable presumption of detention for individuals arrested on new offenses while already released on bail and added several serious felony charges, including felonious sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, and stalking, that preclude bail commissioner review. Criminal defense attorneys stated the previous bail system functioned adequately and expressed concern that the new provisions would result in increased incarceration rates.

Governor Ayotte included proposals for a three-year landfill moratorium in her budget submission to the state legislature. The moratorium would prevent new landfill construction in New Hampshire during the three-year period if enacted. This proposal would affect pending permit applications, including Casella Waste Systems' proposed landfill project in Dalton.

Governor Ayotte plans to direct state agencies to develop new hiring procedures following the employment of Richard Brown as an administrative judge for the Department of Labor in May 2024, months after his release from a Florida prison where he served time for organized fraud, money laundering, grand theft, and filing false insurance claims. The Department of Labor stated that its standard hiring procedures failed to reveal Brown's criminal record during the vetting process. Ayotte's directive aims to establish revised procedures to prevent similar hiring decisions in the future, though specific details of the new requirements have not been released.

Governor Ayotte endorsed a three-year moratorium on new landfill development in New Hampshire as part of the state budget bill HB2, revising her earlier position of a one-year moratorium. The three-year pause, which would extend until July 1, 2028, represents a compromise between the governor's initial proposal and the five-to-six year ban sought by lawmakers. During the moratorium, the Department of Environmental Services would continue to accept and review landfill applications for completeness but would not approve new landfills, large transfer stations, or solid waste disposal facilities until new regulations are adopted or by July 1, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Governor Ayotte signed legislation that restored New Hampshire's bail law to its previous status before a 2017 reform movement had substantially altered bail practices in the state. The legislation was developed with support from state legislators, law enforcement officials, and municipal leaders including Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais. The restored law reinstated bail requirements for certain offenders whom law enforcement officials indicated were committing repeated crimes while released under the prior reform framework.

During budget discussions in March 2025, Ayotte stated she did not support a proposal by House budget writers to defund the Office of the Child Advocate as part of sweeping budget cuts. The Office of the Child Advocate, established by the Legislature in 2018 following high-profile child fatalities, serves as a watchdog over the child protection system. Ayotte indicated that the office's external perspective and provision of information to the Legislature were important functions in protecting children in state care.

House budget working groups completed proposed reductions to Governor Kelly Ayotte's two-year state budget plan, including cuts of more than $160 million from state spending on human service programs and $50 million in state aid to higher education. The Republican budget writers reduced Medicaid payments to health care providers by 3 percent, securing $48 million in cuts, and cut $31.4 million in state spending for services to families of developmentally disabled dependents while rejecting a proposal to reinstate a waitlist for those services. The plan also reduced Ayotte's proposed spending on mental health by more than $35 million and directed the Health and Human Services Commissioner to identify an additional $46 million in unspecified state spending cuts over the next two years.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated that the New Hampshire Department of Labor's hiring process failed when it employed Richard Brown as an administrative judge in May 2024, four months after his release from prison following a 2012 conviction for money laundering, grand theft, and filing false insurance claims in Florida. Ayotte indicated that the state background check procedures did not reveal Brown's criminal record or his disbarment from practicing law in Florida. The Department of Labor announced it is following termination procedures to remove Brown from his position as an administrative judge, which involves hearing workers' compensation and other labor-related complaints.

Governor Ayotte worked with the New Hampshire State Senate to advance HB 592, legislation that reversed a 2018 bail reform law. The bill received bipartisan support with a vote of 23-0 in the State Senate and was enacted within Ayotte's first months in office. HB 592 modified bail procedures to allow for the detention of individuals charged with serious crimes prior to trial.

The New Hampshire Senate passed SB 83, a bill legalizing slot machine betting at charity casinos, with a revenue-sharing structure that differed from Governor Ayotte's budget proposal. Ayotte had proposed that charity casino operators pay 45 percent of gross betting revenue to the state and charities, but the Senate Finance Committee amended the bill to reduce this rate to 32.5 percent. Under the passed version, the state would receive approximately $49.7 million for public safety retiree pension benefits and $24 million for property tax relief, generating less total revenue than Ayotte's original proposal would have produced.

Ayotte decried sanctuary communities in response to a week-long immigration enforcement operation in the Greater Boston region that resulted in at least 370 arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, and other federal agencies. The operation was conducted pursuant to President Donald Trump's January executive order directing federal agencies to coordinate immigration enforcement efforts. According to federal authorities, at least 205 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges for violent crimes, including six fugitives facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

Governor Ayotte responded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's announcement to terminate $80 million in pandemic-era public health grants that New Hampshire had anticipated receiving through the following year. Ayotte requested that the Trump administration reconsider the funding cut, but was informed the decision would not be reversed. Ayotte stated her office was determining which positions and programs within the Department of Health and Human Services could be affected by the budget shortfall.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted on March 26, 2025, to pass House Bill 467, sponsored by Republican Bill Boyd, which would authorize municipalities to establish "social districts" where customers could purchase alcoholic beverages to-go from licensed restaurants and consume them within designated downtown areas. The bill requires approval from the state Senate and Governor Kelly Ayotte before becoming law. Under the proposal, beverages would be restricted to non-glass containers of 16 ounces or less, and consumption would be limited to the defined district boundaries with clear signage marking operating hours.

The Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services ordered the return of $11.4 billion in unspent COVID-19 grants from states and local governments, affecting approximately $80 million in New Hampshire funds that state officials previously expected to have available until the end of 2026. Governor Ayotte contacted the White House and was informed the decision was not reversible, with federal officials stating the funds would be reclaimed 30 days after termination notices were received in late March 2025. State legislative budget writers and the Health and Human Services Commissioner began reassessing departmental budgets to determine which COVID-related spending programs would be affected by the federal clawback.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved an amendment to HB 481 that delays the move of the state primary election from September to June until 2028, rather than implementing the change in 2026. House Election Laws Committee Chairman Ross Berry introduced the floor amendment, which the House passed 337-1 and sent to the State Senate for consideration. The delay means the primary date change will not affect the 2026 election to replace retiring U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Ayotte signed House Bill 592, a bail reform law, on March 25, 2025, at the Executive Council Chamber at the State House in Concord. The bill restructures the bail system with the stated intent to address what Ayotte characterized as a revolving door in criminal proceedings. Ayotte stated that the new system would not increase costs to taxpayers despite concerns raised by judicial administrators about increased expenses from pretrial confinement.

Gov. Ayotte announced she needed additional time to decide whether to renominate Attorney General John Formella to a second four-year term before his initial term ended on March 31, 2025. Formella was placed in holdover status, a legal arrangement allowing him to continue serving indefinitely while Ayotte evaluated the operations of the Department of Justice. Ayotte's senior adviser stated the governor wanted to work with Formella and assess the department's functioning before making her decision.

Governor Ayotte proposed a 45% tax on slot machine gambling by charity casino operators as part of her two-year state budget to generate an additional $110 million in state revenue during the second year. A House budget working group rejected this proposal and instead endorsed a 30% tax rate on slot machine gambling. Representative Daniel Popovici-Muller stated that the lower tax would encourage casinos to more quickly convert their operations to slot machines and generate state revenue more rapidly.

Ayotte signed legislation that reformed New Hampshire's bail system by expanding judicial discretion in pretrial detention decisions. The law granted judges greater authority to detain defendants before trial based on specified criteria. The measure modified the state's existing bail procedures to allow for more individualized assessments in determining pretrial release conditions.

Governor Ayotte designated House Bill 592 as a legislative priority, and the State Senate unanimously passed the bill in March 2025. The legislation rolls back 2018 bail reforms by tightening bail restrictions, lowering the standard of proof required to detain arrested individuals, and repealing the use of magistrates that began in January 2025. The bill was sent to Ayotte's desk for her signature.

In her first executive order, Governor Ayotte created the Commission on Government Efficiency with the stated purpose of developing proposals to streamline government and cut inefficient spending. The commission was tasked with ensuring that those governing create value for taxpayers. The letter references this action in the context of potential automation of the Free and Reduced School Lunch Program across New Hampshire's school districts.

Governor Ayotte said she looked forward to signing HB 592, bail reform legislation that the state Senate unanimously passed and sent to her desk in March 2025. The bill lowers the legal threshold for judges to deny bail to those arrested for violent crimes, creating presumptive detainment for individuals with prior felonies or serious misdemeanors who were out on bail, failed to appear in court, or violated bail conditions. The legislation also extends the period before a bail hearing from 24 hours to 36 hours, addressing what supporters described as a loophole in the 2018 bail reform law.

Governor Ayotte instructed Republican lawmakers in the New Hampshire House and Senate to pass parental rights legislation and bring it to her desk for signature following the chambers' passage of bills expanding parental authority in schools. House Bill 10, which passed both chambers, affirms and expands parental rights including the right to examine curriculum, exempt children from health requirements and lessons, and receive certain information from teachers and administrators. Ayotte indicated her intention to sign the legislation once a final version is delivered to her office.

Governor Ayotte attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on a bill to overhaul New Hampshire's 2018 bail reform law, sitting in the back of the room in solidarity with law enforcement. The bill would require offenders charged with certain violent crimes to appear before a judge prior to release, modifying the 2018 law that made it easier for offenders to avoid jail after arrest. Ayotte stated she would "very much like to sign this bill" and the legislation passed out of committee with unanimous bipartisan support before heading to the Senate floor.

Governor Ayotte requested legislation that would permit families of any income level to receive Education Freedom Account grants, but only if their child was currently enrolled in a public school. The state House approved HB 115 on March 13, 2025, which would raise the income limit to 400% of the federal poverty level before eliminating it entirely in 2026-27, going beyond Ayotte's request. The state Senate passed SB 295, which would eliminate the income limit entirely but cap the number of grants awarded annually at 10,000, also exceeding the scope of Ayotte's proposed legislation.

Governor Ayotte commended the New Hampshire House for voting 204-175 in favor of House Bill 592, legislation that would modify the state's 2018 bail law by requiring certain offenders accused of twelve specified crimes to appear before a judge prior to release. The bill targets offenses including child sexual abuse, child pornography possession, and sexual assault. The House action represented the first chamber's initial approval of what supporters characterized as the most significant revision to bail procedures since the 2018 law took effect.

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced that Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut will depart from his position at the end of the current school year after serving as the chief officer of New Hampshire's Department of Education for eight years. Ayotte launched a search for Edelblut's replacement, stating that the next commissioner will focus on improving academic performance and supporting teachers while building on existing education initiatives. Edelblut oversaw the expansion of the state's Education Freedom Accounts program, which had grown to serve more than 5,300 students by the current school year.

Governor Ayotte championed legislation to roll back bail reforms previously signed into law by former Governor Chris Sununu in 2018 and 2024. The House of Representatives voted 204-175 on March 14, 2025, to pass House Bill 592, which would lower the standard of proof required to detain arrested individuals, repeal the magistrate system that began in January, and allow automatic detainment of those with prior crimes committed while on bail or those who failed to appear in court. Ayotte stated the bail system created dangers for law enforcement and citizens by allowing too many individuals to be released from jail.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 198-180 on House Bill 115 to remove income requirements from the state's Education Freedom Account program, effective July 2026, with the income cap temporarily increased to 400% of the federal poverty level before elimination. The bill advanced to the House Finance Committee and is scheduled to proceed to the Republican-controlled Senate and subsequently to Governor Ayotte for consideration. The Education Freedom Account program, established in 2021, provides state-funded vouchers to families seeking alternative education options including private school and homeschooling.

Ayotte advocated for a bail reform bill scheduled for a House vote, stating that modifications to the 2018 bail law were necessary to address public safety concerns. The proposed legislation includes eliminating the three-strike requirement for holding repeat offenders and bail violators, extending the allowable detention period from 24 to 36 hours when bail hearings cannot be scheduled promptly, and eliminating three magistrate positions responsible for bail determinations outside business hours. The ACLU of New Hampshire publicly disagreed with the proposed changes, asserting that the modifications would restrict freedoms while crime rates were declining.

Governor Ayotte announced in 2025 that she would appoint a new state education commissioner later that year, following an agreement with incumbent Frank Edelblut to remain in the position through the end of the school year. Edelblut's second four-year term was set to expire on March 23, 2025, and he had served as education commissioner for eight years. Ayotte stated that the Department of Education would conduct a search for Edelblut's successor while ensuring a smooth transition.

Governor Ayotte urged the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass legislation modifying the 2018 bail reform law, specifically House Bill 592, which would replace the "clear and convincing evidence" standard for detaining defendants accused of serious violent crimes with a "probable cause" standard. The proposed changes would also create a presumption of detention for individuals with prior felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions while on bail, those with histories of failing to appear in court, or those who violated bail conditions, and would eliminate three court magistrate positions created to hear bail requests outside regular business hours. Ayotte made this appeal while surrounded by law enforcement officials and political leaders, including mayors and county sheriffs from both parties.

In her first major act as governor, Ayotte presented a state budget that modified New Hampshire's Medicaid program by implementing new premium payments for enrolled families. Under the revised plan, a single parent with two children earning $67,000 annually would be required to pay approximately $280 monthly in new premiums, while individuals earning under $20,000 would face increased health care costs of nearly $100 per month. The budget also included education vouchers for higher-income families while reducing Medicaid access for lower-income residents.

The New Hampshire Senate passed a parental rights bill on a party-line vote in March 2025 that consolidates parental rights under one area of state law and establishes a new evidentiary standard of clear and convincing evidence for when schools may withhold information from parents. The bill sets this higher evidentiary threshold for cases involving a child's health or behavior, with Republican supporters arguing the standard is necessary to protect parental rights from infringement. Governor Kelly Ayotte encouraged GOP lawmakers to advance the legislation, which had faced obstacles in previous legislative sessions.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 189-181 on March 6, 2025, to give preliminary approval to HB 524, which would eliminate the New Hampshire Vaccine Association, a state-created nonprofit that administers the delivery of free vaccines to children. State Rep. Jim Kofalt, R-Wilton, led the debate for the bill, stating that the state spends nearly $1 million annually to oversee the program. The measure was subsequently referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further study before proceeding to additional votes.

Governor Ayotte expressed support for state and local law enforcement cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating that it is critical for law enforcement to work with federal authorities and that criminals in the country illegally who pose danger should be apprehended and removed. Ayotte's statement came as New Hampshire State Police, Gorham Police, and Belknap County Sheriff's office applied for deputization under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows officers to perform immigration enforcement functions. Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr declined to pursue deputization for his department, citing staffing shortages and lack of dedicated funding for the program.

The Republican-controlled House Education Funding Committee on Tuesday endorsed HB 115, a proposal to make New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program fully universal starting in 2026, departing from Governor Ayotte's recommendation to limit expansion to students leaving public schools. The committee voted along party lines to amend the bill, delaying the shift to universal eligibility by one year and instead increasing the income threshold from 350 percent to 400 percent of federal poverty guidelines for the 2025-26 school year. Committee members disagreed substantially on the fiscal impact, with estimates ranging from $11 million to $102 million in additional state spending.

Governor Ayotte endorsed a one-year moratorium on new landfill permits in New Hampshire, which was included in the policy section of the state budget bill known as HB2. The House Environment and Agriculture Committee voted 13-1 in favor of House Bill 171, which would block the Department of Environmental Services from issuing new landfill permits until 2028, a reduction from the original five-year proposal. The Senate advanced its own version, Senate Bill 226, proposing a six-year moratorium, setting up negotiations between the two chambers and the governor's office on the final duration of the landfill permit freeze.

Governor Ayotte urged President Donald Trump to approve requests from the New Hampshire State Police, Belknap County Sheriff's Office, and Gorham Police Department to be deputized under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act to assist with federal immigration enforcement. Ayotte stated that state and local law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement was important for enforcing immigration laws and keeping communities safe, characterizing the arrangement as an extension of existing partnerships with U.S. Border Patrol near the Canadian border. The three agencies' applications sought to have their officers participate in the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws under agreements with the Department of Homeland Security.

Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 4, legislation that authorizes cities and towns in New Hampshire to establish Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) agreements for developers. The C-PACER program reduces upfront construction costs by separating energy expenditures into municipal financing arrangements that can be repaid over time. The bill makes New Hampshire the 37th state to permit such agreements, with Ayotte stating the measure addresses housing supply challenges in the state.

Governor Ayotte commented on legislation to dissolve the New Hampshire Vaccine Association, an organization established by the state to purchase vaccines in bulk and reduce costs to healthcare providers. When asked about the bill by reporters in February 2025, Ayotte stated she had not reviewed the legislation but acknowledged the vaccine association's importance to public health and its role in providing lower-cost vaccines to providers statewide. House Republicans supporting the dissolution argued that vaccine purchasing functions could be performed by the private sector without government involvement.

Governor Ayotte expressed support for New Hampshire State Police participation in the 287(g) program, a federal immigration enforcement partnership that would allow state and local law enforcement to detain suspected undocumented immigrants pending ICE arrest. The 287(g) program was established in the 1990s and was highlighted through an executive order signed by President Trump on his inauguration day. New Hampshire State Police and the Gorham Police Department have submitted applications to participate in the program pending federal approval.

On February 27, 2025, Governor Ayotte signed Senate Bill 4 into law, legislation that established New Hampshire's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACER) program. The program permits commercial developers, including those building multifamily residential projects, to finance clean energy, water, resilience, and public benefit projects through voluntary property tax assessments rather than upfront loans. The law allows municipalities to opt into the program, which is administered through a centralized authority and replaces previously fragmented local energy efficiency districts.

Governor Ayotte announced her encouragement for New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through a delegated authority program that allows officers to question individuals about immigration status during routine duties. The New Hampshire State Police and Belknap County Sheriff's Office filed applications to participate in the program, which was revived under President Donald Trump's Executive Order calling for enhanced enforcement of immigration laws. Ayotte stated that the cooperation would help enforce immigration laws and ensure that individuals in the country illegally who pose a danger are apprehended and removed.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated that the amended version of House Bill 592, which makes it easier to hold certain violent offenders in custody after arrest and allows such offenders to be held over the weekend before a hearing, addresses the need for appropriate bail laws across New Hampshire. The House Criminal Justice Committee advanced the bill, which rolls back portions of the state's 2018 bail law. Ayotte characterized the legislation as addressing multiple cases rather than a single incident.

Governor Ayotte commented on New Hampshire State Police and the Gorham Police Department's applications to participate in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorization program established by President Trump's executive order signed on Inauguration Day. The program permits qualified state and local law enforcement officers to arrest, interrogate, and hold individuals suspected of being in the United States illegally. Ayotte stated that the applications represented law enforcement agencies executing their functions regarding public safety concerns.

Ayotte proposed amendments to New Hampshire's bail reform law that would extend the time accused offenders can be held before a bail hearing from 24 hours to 36 hours, excluding weekends, and lower the standard for detention without bail from "clear and convincing" evidence to "probable cause." The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee advanced Ayotte's proposal in a 9-7 vote on February 26, 2025, with all committee Republicans supporting and all Democrats opposing the measure. Ayotte stated her intention to lobby the Legislature to pass the bail reform changes, which she had made a priority in her inaugural address, budget address, and budget trailer bill.

Governor Kelly Ayotte created the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) on her first day in office as a 15-person team tasked with reviewing state government operations. The commission held its first public meeting on Wednesday, with co-chair Craig Benson and other members discussing their mandate to identify efficiencies and improve services rather than pursue broad cuts to government. Ayotte stated that the state commission would operate within state laws and rules, distinguishing it from the federal Department of Government Efficiency.

Governor Kelly Ayotte indicated support for moving New Hampshire's state primary election from the second Tuesday in September to the second Tuesday in June, according to her office. The proposal gained renewed momentum in the New Hampshire State House during the 2025 legislative session, with increased Democratic support following the lengthy primary-to-general election timeline experienced in 2024. An alternative bill proposing to move the primary to the fourth Tuesday in August was also under consideration, though Ayotte's stated preference for the June date would likely influence the outcome of the legislative debate.

Governor Ayotte included provisions in her proposed two-year state budget to impose monthly insurance premiums on certain Medicaid recipients, with the aim of generating approximately $27 million in revenue. Under the plan, families with children in the Children's Health Insurance Program earning at least 255% of the federal poverty level would be required to pay 5% of their annual income for coverage, approximately $300 monthly. Additionally, low-income adults in the Medicaid expansion program earning at least 100% of the federal poverty level would face monthly premiums of roughly $66, while those below the poverty level would see prescription drug copayments increase from $1-$2 to $4 per medication.

Secretary of State David Scanlan testified before the House Election Laws Committee in February 2025 regarding legislation to move New Hampshire's primary election earlier on the calendar. Scanlan endorsed HB 408, which would move the primary from September to the fourth Tuesday in August, stating that this timing would minimize disruption to election workers while providing necessary time before the general election. The committee also heard testimony on a competing bill, HB 481, which proposed moving the primary to the second Tuesday in June.

Ayotte sent a letter to Helen Hanks, the commissioner of the Department of Corrections, urging the department to use statutorily mandated language when referring to incarcerated people. Ayotte specified that the department should use the term "inmates" rather than Hanks' preferred term "residents." Ayotte stated in the letter that the label "residents" obscures the joint goals of deterrence, rehabilitation, and punishment.

An audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights found 259 unresolved cases and an average case closure time exceeding two years, identifying deficiencies in training, administration, and staffing as contributing factors. Governor Ayotte characterized the long-standing issues outlined in the audit report as unacceptable and stated that her office would take action to ensure the commission operates efficiently and effectively in investigating discrimination claims. State lawmakers expressed frustration with problems persisting for decades despite additional monetary support provided to the commission.

Governor Ayotte stated that she will not permit marijuana legalization during her tenure as governor. The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill on February 20, 2025, that would remove most cannabis references from state statute and authorize possession and use of marijuana for individuals over age 21. The bill proceeded to the state Senate, where greater opposition to the measure exists.

Governor Ayotte stated she supports reporting involuntary mental health commitments to the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in connection with Senate Bill 144, which seeks to close a gap in New Hampshire's reporting to the federal gun background check database. Ayotte indicated her support is conditional on the existence of a plan to implement such reporting. New Hampshire currently does not report involuntary psychiatric commitments to the federal background check system, unlike the majority of states.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved House Bill 75, legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, on a voice vote after rejecting a motion to kill the bill 190-167. Governor Kelly Ayotte stated during her 2024 campaign that she would not support any legalized cannabis proposal. The bill was sponsored by state Representative Kevin Verville, R-Deerfield, and passed despite Ayotte's stated opposition.

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering House Bill 148, which would carve out exceptions to the state's 2018 anti-discrimination law by allowing government entities and local authorities to restrict access to public restrooms, locker rooms, prisons, jails, and sports facilities based on biological sex or gender identity. The bill's sponsor stated it would not mandate separations but would grant decision-making authority to local entities such as school boards to establish policies they deem reasonable. The legislation represents a reintroduction of a measure that Governor Chris Sununu vetoed in the previous year, now proceeding under Governor Kelly Ayotte's administration.

House Speaker Packard proposed a complete rewrite of his parental rights legislation, HB 10, in February 2025, working with state Rep. DeSimone to revise the bill's language. The revised version removed a criminal penalty for educators who violated parental rights provisions while maintaining language establishing that parents have a fundamental liberty interest in access to information regarding their minor children. Packard stated the changes addressed flaws in the original bill, though education and medical professionals continued to raise concerns about the revised legislation.

Governor Ayotte ordered Corrections Commissioner Helen Hanks to change Department of Corrections policy to use the term "inmates" instead of "residents" when referring to incarcerated individuals in state prisons. Ayotte's directive cited the need for language consistency with New Hampshire law and the distinct statutory terminology used for other state facilities, as well as the importance of acknowledging the purposes of deterrence, rehabilitation, and punishment in the correctional system. The order responded to requests from law enforcement organizations including correctional officer unions, the state trooper association, and county sheriffs.

Governor Ayotte sent a letter to Department of Corrections Commissioner Helen Hanks directing the department to refer to incarcerated individuals as "inmates," the term specified in state statute, rather than "residents," which Hanks had preferred. Ayotte stated that the term "residents" obscures the goals of deterrence, rehabilitation, and punishment, and could create confusion with residents of New Hampshire Hospital and the state veterans' home. The letter was supported by seven law enforcement leaders throughout the state who cited confusion resulting from varied terminology used within the department.

Governor Ayotte presented her $16.5 billion two-year state budget to the House Finance Committee, which included a 4% spending reduction target across state agencies. Ayotte stated her disagreement with judicial administrators' proposal to cancel jury trials in July and December to meet budget constraints, and indicated her preference for two rather than four state agencies to coordinate housing development permits. The budget proposal included elimination of eight state employee positions, though Ayotte indicated willingness to waive a hiring freeze for critical vacant posts after consultation with state employee union leadership.

Ayotte unveiled her state budget priorities in February 2025, which included funding for law enforcement initiatives focused on drug trafficking and border security. The budget allocated $600,000 to continue the Northern Border Alliance, a program that provides communication assistance, gear, and overtime to law enforcement near New Hampshire's border with Canada. Ayotte characterized this funding as a deterrent to illegal immigration in the northern border region.

Governor Ayotte released a state budget proposal for the 2026-27 biennium that projects business tax revenues will rebound to approximately $2.45 billion despite recent underperformance. The proposal includes revenue projections dependent on legislative approval of Senate Bill 83, which would legalize slot machines to replace historic horse racing, with Ayotte estimating slot machine revenue would generate $10 million in fiscal year 2026 and $117 million in 2027, split equally between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. Ayotte stated the projected revenues would support increased funding for law enforcement and education, as well as retirement repayments for first responders.

Ayotte included a proposal to expand Education Freedom Accounts to all public school students in her budget submission to the New Hampshire legislature. The governor estimated the cost of the expansion at approximately $11.8 million and characterized it as sustainable and funded within her budget plan. State House Democrats challenged the cost projection, asserting that the existing program had exceeded its budget annually since inception and lacked accountability mechanisms to local school boards.

Governor Ayotte proposed a state budget that included a $98.8 million investment in special education, representing nearly a 50% increase from the previous biennium. The budget allocated over $1 billion for services to citizens with developmental disabilities while returning more revenue to local communities than the state had previously distributed. Ayotte stated the budget was designed to operate within available means while maintaining existing commitments to state services in response to declining state revenues and the cessation of federal COVID-19 funding.

Ayotte unveiled a proposal during a budget presentation to the legislature to increase funding for special education reimbursement to schools by nearly 50 percent, raising the total available from $33.9 million to $49.4 million annually for 2025 and 2026. This represented the largest single-year increase in this funding component since at least 2017, which would increase the percentage of total school special education spending covered by state aid from 3.4 percent to 5 percent. School district leaders acknowledged the proposal as a step forward while noting that the increase would not fully address the overall funding pressures facing special education services.

Governor Ayotte presented a two-year state budget totaling $16.5 billion to the New Hampshire Legislature in February 2025, which contained $150 million less in state spending than the current fiscal year. The budget proposal included provisions for Education Freedom Accounts for public school families, a $33 million increase for state pension benefits, a $1 million grant program for school cellphone policies, and authorization for casino slot machines expected to generate $127 million in additional state revenue by mid-2027. The budget also included a landfill moratorium, a new Medicaid copay requirement, funding for mental health centers, and a 60-day housing permit review timeline.

Governor Ayotte commented on a magistrate's decision to release a Manchester stabbing suspect with no cash bail, calling out the state's bail system during her budget address. In response to the incident involving a suspect with a domestic violence criminal record, Ayotte asked state lawmakers to send her legislation to update the bail law. More than half of the House members voted to begin impeachment proceedings against the magistrate, though the effort fell short of the required two-thirds vote to advance.

Governor Ayotte presented a proposed two-year state budget of $16.5 billion that includes $150 million in spending cuts during her address to the Legislature in February 2025. Ayotte characterized the reductions as made "with a scalpel, not a shovel," stating they avoided across-the-board cuts and included reductions in vendor contracts, agency operating costs, and adjustments to Medicaid eligibility to pre-pandemic levels. The budget also allocated resources for school choice expansion, first responder retention, drug trafficking efforts, special education services, and community college workforce development programs.

Governor Ayotte presented a proposed state budget totaling $7.9 billion for 2026 and just over $8 billion for 2027 that includes $150 million in overall state spending cuts while allocating $33 million to the state's Group II retirement fund for public employees including firefighters, police, and corrections officers. The budget also includes $3.5 million for anti-drug trafficking programs through the Northern Border Alliance to fund law enforcement overtime. Ayotte called for a "recalibration" of state spending and directed increased funding to local governments while challenging local officials to examine their own expenditures.

Governor Ayotte presented a two-year state budget proposal that includes increased spending on special education and eliminates waitlists for families with disabilities seeking services. The budget maintains a tuition freeze in the community college system while the University System of New Hampshire indicated it would end its six-year freeze on tuitions for public four-year colleges. Ayotte stated the budget reflects a commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations while maintaining fiscal responsibility during a period of declining federal pandemic aid and leveling state revenues.

Governor Ayotte called for changes to New Hampshire's bail law following the release of a Manchester stabbing suspect on personal recognizance bail. Ayotte announced she would include bail law modifications in the budget trailer bill, HB 2, to increase the likelihood of passage. The proposal came after a magistrate released a suspect accused of stabbing someone multiple times on Elm Street, despite police indicating the person posed a danger.

Governor Ayotte backed legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell to prohibit China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing land within ten miles of ten key military installations in New Hampshire, including the New Hampshire National Guard headquarters in Concord, the New Boston Space Force Station, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The bill, designated SB 162, was refined after the House raised concerns about earlier versions and was sent to a study committee for improvements before advancing. Ayotte's support aligned with Birdsell's position that existing federal oversight through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States had proven insufficient to prevent foreign land acquisitions near sensitive military sites.

Ayotte announced a collaboration with Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePeña to enhance drug interdiction efforts across state lines through increased law enforcement coordination. Ayotte stated that her two-year state budget plan, to be unveiled the following Thursday, would include increased funding for Granite Shield, an existing anti-drug grant program for local and county police, and establish a new initiative partnering with the Northern Border Alliance to prevent illegal drug and human trafficking at New Hampshire's border with Canada. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by police chiefs from Manchester and Nashua, the State Police Director, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials, and the Essex County District Attorney.

Governor Ayotte met with Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePeña at the New Hampshire State House to discuss increasing collaboration and communication across state lines to combat fentanyl trafficking and cross-border crime. The meeting represented a shift in tone from a previous conflict in 2017 between then-Governor Chris Sununu and then-Mayor Daniel Rivera regarding responsibility for opioid trafficking between the two states. Ayotte stated that the meeting between the governor and mayor constituted a beginning and could serve as a model, while noting that conversations with higher-level Massachusetts officials, including Governor Maura Healey, have not yet occurred.

House Republicans introduced House Bill 392, which seeks to abolish New Hampshire's Office of Health Equity, a state agency created in 1999 that provides healthcare access services including sign language interpretation, transportation coordination, and refugee resettlement assistance. Republican state representatives characterized diversity, equity and inclusion programs administered by the office as discriminatory and divisive. The bill received testimony from public health officials and others during legislative hearings regarding its potential impact on healthcare access for various populations including refugees, elderly people, English language learners, and people with disabilities.

Ayotte delivered her draft state budget to legislators during budget week, promising adherence to a balanced budget while maintaining services for vulnerable populations amid a revenue shortfall and education funding lawsuits. She instituted a state-wide hiring freeze while proposing investments in recruitment and retention efforts for state employees, particularly law enforcement. Ayotte stated that a 30-day pause on President Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports was welcome and expressed hope that the tariffs would not be implemented, citing potential impacts on New Hampshire industries including construction, transportation, and energy.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 351-6 to advance HB 511, a compromise anti-sanctuary city bill authored by House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee Chairman Terry Roy, and sent it to the House Finance Committee. The bill included modifications that exempted crime victims from prosecution as illegal immigrants and limited local law enforcement cooperation with federal authorities to cases involving individuals held in custody and accused of state crimes. The House also voted along partisan lines to approve HB 71, which would prohibit the use of public schools and colleges as temporary housing facilities for undocumented immigrants.

During the 2025 New Hampshire House business session, the House approved HB 60, which grants landlords an affirmative right to issue tenants a 60-day notice of intent to evict once a lease expires and the parties cannot agree on future rent or occupancy terms. The bill passed 217-139, with House Republicans using their newly expanded majority to reject Democratic amendments that would have delayed implementation until the state's vacancy rate reached 2.5 or 5 percent. The legislation now moves toward consideration by Governor Kelly Ayotte, with Republicans holding a 16-8 supermajority in the Senate.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte stated on Wednesday that she welcomes the 30-day pause on President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Canada and hopes the pause will result in a permanent resolution rather than the implementation of tariffs. Ayotte characterized Canada as a valuable trading partner for New Hampshire while acknowledging concerns about border security and fentanyl trafficking. State officials including transportation officials and consumer advocates identified potential impacts from the tariffs on construction project costs and energy prices for residents.

Governor Ayotte stated that the Executive Council's decision to table a $25,000 contract with Dartmouth Health until the health care provider demonstrated compliance with a 2022 state law prohibiting conditioning medical services on vaccination status was appropriate. The action was prompted after a patient reported being required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to be placed on a kidney transplant list, contrary to the Patient Bill of Rights law. Following the Executive Council's intervention, Dartmouth Health announced it would no longer require COVID-19 vaccines for kidney transplants and agreed to provide confirmation to the state Attorney General that no vaccine requirements exist across all medical procedures.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated that she would sign HB 238, a right-to-work bill, into law if it reaches her desk. The bill passed out of the House Labor Committee with an "ought to pass" vote in early 2025. Right-to-work legislation would allow employees in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues as a condition of employment.

Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed concern regarding President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariff on trade with Canada, citing potential negative effects on New Hampshire businesses and consumers. Ayotte acknowledged the administration's stated goal of addressing fentanyl trafficking while stating that tariff implementation should not harm state prices and businesses. New Hampshire exported $1.4 billion in goods to Canada in 2023, and an agreement to pause the tariffs for 30 days was reached to allow time for negotiation.

Governor Ayotte directed commissioners of state departments to identify cost savings within their budgets as part of an approach to balance the state budget without raising taxes. Ayotte also formed the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) to find innovative ways to reduce costs and streamline government operations. These actions reflected a Republican fiscal strategy that emphasized controlling spending rather than increasing revenue through taxation.

Governor Ayotte identified a ban on sanctuary city policies and increased minimum mandatory prison sentences for fentanyl-related offenses as priority legislative requests early in her administration. The Republican-led State Senate advanced both measures on January 30, 2025, approving bills that would prohibit so-called sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire municipalities and establish enhanced prison terms for those convicted of dealing deadly drugs. The measures passed largely along party lines, with Democratic senators raising concerns about implementation costs for county jails and questioning whether New Hampshire communities actually maintained sanctuary policies.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte made a campaign promise not to enact any law more restrictive than New Hampshire's current 24-week abortion ban. Rep. Katy Peternel withdrew a proposed 15-week abortion ban from consideration before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, with multiple high-ranking Republicans including Ayotte having pledged during their campaigns to maintain the existing 24-week restriction. The House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on whether to accept the bill's withdrawal at its next session.

Governor Ayotte expressed support for legislation that would require New Hampshire school districts to create policies restricting cell phone use during instructional time, committing in her inaugural address to secure passage of the bill. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Rick Ladd, Rep. Jim Kofalt, and Sen. Ruth Ward, permits exceptions for classroom activities and students with special education needs requiring phones for medical purposes, while delegating additional policy details to individual school districts. Ayotte's endorsement aligned with testimony from educators describing improved student performance following classroom cell phone restrictions.

Governor Ayotte stated during her campaign that she opposed legalizing cannabis for recreational use, telling the Monitor in August that the state should not be in that business. Following the lack of legislative momentum for recreational legalization, Ayotte's spokesman John Corbett indicated that the governor would not endorse recreational marijuana legalization but would consider any bill that reached her desk. Corbett did not disclose Ayotte's position on House Bill 53, which would allow certified patients and caregivers to cultivate their own cannabis under the state's Therapeutic Cannabis Program.

Governor Ayotte stated repeatedly that she does not favor cannabis legalization in New Hampshire. The House Criminal Justice Committee held a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill in January 2025, but no testimony was presented, including from the bill's prime sponsor. The reduced legislative interest in cannabis legalization during this session was attributed in part to Ayotte's public statements on the issue.

Governor Ayotte issued an executive order implementing a hiring freeze on non-essential state workers across state government to address a potential budget deficit in the fiscal year ending June 30. The freeze exempted essential personnel including staff at state direct-care facilities, child protective services workers, law enforcement officers, and employees in enterprise fund operations such as the state lottery and liquor operations. Ayotte also permitted state agencies to fill positions funded entirely through federal grants or restricted revenues and to hire internal applicants for vacant posts.

Governor Ayotte stated that she is closely monitoring the Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund budget and allocation of resources during the 2025 budget review process. Ayotte indicated her intention to ensure that victims receive fair compensation for harms sustained while in state care and that fund resources are directed to victims rather than administrative costs. The fund, which was established by the Legislature and expanded through legislation passed in the previous year to add $75 million annually, has paid out more than $127 million to date across 874 claims totaling over $1 billion in requested compensation.

Governor Ayotte issued an executive order implementing a state hiring freeze, citing a budget deficit and the need to recalibrate spending levels as state revenue from major business taxes fell more than $80 million short of forecast since July. The freeze exempts positions related to direct care at state facilities, child protective services, liquor and lottery commission functions, and law enforcement, as well as positions funded entirely by federal or restricted revenues. Ayotte directed state agencies to identify potential budget cuts and stated she would present a budget proposal to lawmakers the following month.

Governor Kelly Ayotte stated that she is monitoring the potential 25% tariff on Canadian goods that President Donald Trump announced would take effect February 1st. Ayotte said the president is working to secure a better deal for America and that Canada is one of New Hampshire's most important trading partners, noting the state cannot afford to damage its long-standing economic relationship with the country. She indicated she would work to ensure the tariff policy benefits the Granite State.

Governor Ayotte announced the appointment of 15 members to lead her Commission on Government Efficiency, including former Governor Craig Benson and retired auto dealer Andy Crews as co-chairs, along with representatives from state government, private business, education, and politics. The commission was established as an all-volunteer effort without dedicated budget or staff to identify longer-term solutions for streamlining government operations and reducing spending. Ayotte indicated that any recommendations quickly identified by the commission could potentially be incorporated into her upcoming budget proposal to the Legislature.

Governor Ayotte issued an executive order on January 22, 2025, implementing a hiring freeze across New Hampshire state government in response to a forecasted budget shortfall. The freeze exempts certain agencies and positions deemed essential, including state police, corrections, the Department of Transportation, Child Protective Services, lottery and liquor commission enterprise functions, and direct care positions at state facilities, with a waiver process allowing approval for critical openings. Ayotte stated the measure aims to generate savings during the anticipated difficult budget process.

Governor Ayotte announced the appointment of 15 members to the Commission on Government Efficiency, with former Governor Craig Benson and retired auto dealer Andy Crews serving as co-chairs. The commission, composed of business leaders, state government officials, and education representatives, was established to identify methods to streamline government operations and reduce spending. Ayotte stated the commission would operate on a volunteer basis without dedicated budget or staff, with a member of her office designated as liaison to the group.

Governor Ayotte established the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) to identify inefficiencies and reduce waste in state operations while maintaining core public services. Ayotte appointed former Governor Craig Benson and Bedford businessman Andy Crews as co-chairs of the commission to bring private-sector expertise to state government management. The commission was created in response to New Hampshire's fiscal challenges stemming from the depletion of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and declining state revenue projections.

Governor Ayotte indicated support for the concept of removing the income cap on Education Freedom Accounts, New Hampshire's school choice program, while stating she would work with the legislature on the timing and implementation of such an expansion. The current EFA program is limited to families with incomes at or below 350% of the federal poverty level, approximately $110,000 for a family of four in 2024. Ayotte characterized her approach as more measured than the universal access supported by House Republicans, noting that the legislature would determine expansion measures during the current biennium.

Governor Ayotte announced her intention to maintain funding for the Northern Border Alliance in her state budget following the New Hampshire Executive Council's approval of a $134,000 federal grant for police overtime at the U.S.-Canada border. The grant was less than state officials had requested, and state tax dollars have increasingly supplemented federal funding for the security initiative. Ayotte stated she anticipates the incoming Trump administration may allocate additional federal resources toward border enforcement efforts.

In her inaugural address, Governor Ayotte stated that she expected Republicans to pass a ban on sanctuary city policies, which would prohibit state and local governments from restricting cooperation with federal immigration officials. Two bills, one in the House and another in the Senate, were subsequently proposed to require state, county, and local governments to assist in enforcing federal immigration law and to prohibit municipalities from adopting policies that would hinder such enforcement. These proposals came as the incoming Trump administration announced plans for a mass deportation effort, alongside roughly a dozen other bills introduced in the New Hampshire legislature addressing immigration enforcement and undocumented residents.

Gov. Ayotte made statements during her campaign and in her inaugural address pledging to veto any legislation that restricts abortion access beyond New Hampshire's current six-month gestational limit. Nine Republican state representatives filed House Bill 476, which would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy except in cases of medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities incompatible with life, and would require healthcare providers to report all abortions to state authorities. The bill does not include exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut and Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Tim Lang proposed legislation that would authorize Governor Kelly Ayotte to allocate $16 million from the Education Trust Fund to cover over-budget special education costs incurred by local school districts during the current school year. The proposal emerged following a rally at the State House where advocates and families with disabilities expressed concerns about potential cuts to special education spending. The legislation would permit the governor and education commissioner to distribute these funds to local districts as long as a surplus remains in the trust fund, which currently holds $125 million.

Governor Ayotte stated in January 2025 that her two-year budget proposal would not include reductions to New Hampshire's business enterprise tax, basing the budget on the current revenue structure. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne and other House Republicans had co-sponsored House Bill 155, which would lower the business enterprise tax from 0.55 percent to 0.5 percent. Ayotte indicated she would review all bills but did not rule out the proposed tax cut entirely.

Governor Ayotte ran on a campaign promise to increase mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl and opioid-related crimes in New Hampshire. The Senate is considering Senate Bill 14, which would establish mandatory minimum sentences of three-and-a-half years for possession of more than five grams of fentanyl and seven years for possession of more than 28 grams, and Senate Bill 15, which would create a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for manufacturing, dispensing, or selling fentanyl that results in death. The bills are sponsored by Republican Senator Bill Gannon, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Governor Ayotte expressed support for legislation imposing minimum mandatory prison sentences for drug trafficking offenses, specifically Senate Bill 14 and Senate Bill 15. SB 14 would require a minimum 3½-year prison term for possession of five grams of fentanyl, escalating to seven years for possession of 28 grams or more, while SB 15 would establish a minimum 10-year sentence for selling illegal drugs that cause another person's death. Ayotte stated during an interview that New Hampshire's criminal penalties for drug crimes had become weaker than neighboring states and that strengthening penalties was necessary to deter drug dealers from operating in the state.

Karen Liot Hill was sworn in as a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council representing the Monadnock Region after winning the November 5 general election, succeeding Democrat Cinde Warmington and becoming the only Democrat on the five-member panel. Hill stated she would use her position to speak out about public health, housing, and property taxes, and indicated she would support state contracts with family planning organizations such as Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, which the Republican council majority has previously rejected. The Executive Council approves state and federal contracts and appointments, with the governor conducting meetings but not voting.

Governor Ayotte established the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE), a 15-person all-volunteer group tasked with identifying systematic cost-saving measures for future state budgets. Ayotte stated the commission would focus on longer-term budgetary improvements rather than immediate fiscal adjustments and indicated she would consider recommendations brought to her attention. The governor outlined her intention to present a two-year state budget plan in mid-February while pursuing legislative progress on additional priority initiatives during the interim period.

Governor Kelly Ayotte called for changes to New Hampshire's 2018 bail law, stating that the law made it easier for suspects to avoid jail after arrest. Ayotte pointed to a Bedford incident in which a police officer was shot during a confrontation with a suspect who had three prior failures to appear in court within a four-year period, noting that current law would not have required the suspect's detention under the three-failures-in-three-years threshold established by recent amendments. Ayotte stated that the current bail law provisions are dangerous and cited the incident as evidence supporting the need for further legislative modification.

Ayotte backed legislation to expand access to Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), which would allow parents of any income level to receive taxpayer-financed scholarships for alternative educational programs. The current program limits EFAs to families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, approximately $109,200 for a family of four. The bill, HB 115, received committee testimony in the New Hampshire Legislature in early 2025.

Hours after being sworn into office, Gov. Kelly Ayotte issued an Executive Order creating a 15-member Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE). Ayotte appointed former Republican Gov. Craig Benson and Bedford businessman Andy Crews to lead the commission, which she stated would deliver ideas to streamline state government and reduce spending. The executive order grants Ayotte authority to appoint 13 additional members, with two seats reserved for a state representative and state senator to be appointed by legislative leaders.

Governor Kelly Ayotte took office in January 2025 with an "all-of-the-above" energy message focused on cost savings for ratepayers. Ayotte has departed from her predecessor on offshore wind development, which is expected to see reversal at the federal level with the Trump administration. The new governor faces decisions on energy administration appointments and will work with the Legislature on dozens of proposed energy bills during the 2025 session.

During her inaugural address as New Hampshire's 83rd governor, Ayotte announced the creation of a Commission on Government Efficiency to identify ways to streamline state government operations. Ayotte also sought legislation to restrict public school students' access to cellphones during class time. The governor named the commission to assist her in addressing budgetary challenges facing the state.

Governor Ayotte established a Commission on Government Efficiency, modeled after a similar federal initiative, to examine state government spending in New Hampshire. The commission is led by former Governor Craig Benson and business leader Andy Crews. Executive councilors, including the council's lone Democrat, indicated support for the new commission as a means to identify cost-saving measures within state government.

Governor Ayotte announced the creation of a Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) during her inaugural address as New Hampshire's 83rd governor to streamline state operations while addressing budget challenges. In her inaugural address, Ayotte proposed legislation to restrict student access to cellphones during class time in public schools. Ayotte also backed enhanced retirement benefits for first responders, protection of North Country headwaters under conservation easement, opposition to a proposed landfill near Forest Lake, and legislation to ban sanctuary cities.

Gov.-Elect Ayotte announced in her inaugural address that she would work with lawmakers to reduce state spending and achieve a balanced two-year budget in response to the end of over $2 billion in federal aid and declining state revenues. Ayotte stated the state needed to "recalibrate" from higher spending levels of recent years and find savings through more efficient operations while maintaining protections for vulnerable populations and underserved communities. She framed the budget cuts as necessary adjustments to financial realities facing the state, comparing them to difficult budgeting decisions families must make.

Kelly Ayotte was sworn in as New Hampshire's 83rd governor on January 9, 2025, succeeding Chris Sununu. In her inaugural address, Ayotte pledged to streamline state approvals on development to less than 60 days, re-purpose state property for housing, and involve municipalities and private businesses in addressing housing solutions. Ayotte identified housing supply and costs as central priorities, stating that the shortage affects young families seeking homes, businesses attempting to hire workers, and retirees wishing to remain in their communities.

Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte outlined her day one priorities ahead of her inauguration on Thursday, stating that managing the state budget would be a central focus given New Hampshire's fiscal constraints from the expiration of federal COVID relief funding and slower business revenues. Ayotte indicated she would present a two-year budget to state lawmakers in February and planned to review state government operations to identify efficiencies while protecting vulnerable populations. She also identified housing development as a priority, announcing plans to advocate for overhauling the permitting process to a 60-day timeline and convening state commissioners and the private sector to accelerate housing projects.

Paul Dean, the University of New Hampshire Police Chief, was appointed by incoming Governor Kelly Ayotte to serve as director of citizen services in her administration. Dean had faced criticism from students and faculty regarding his response to a pro-Palestine campus protest in May 2024 that resulted in 12 arrests. Dean left the university after 35 years in law enforcement, including 13 years as chief of the UNH police department.

Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte announced key staff appointments prior to taking the oath of office as New Hampshire governor in January 2025. The appointments included Myles Matteson as legal counsel, Paul Dean as director of citizens services, Caroline Hakes as communications director, Morgan Hughes as director of appointments, and Consuelo Carver as director of scheduling, among others. The appointees included a state prosecutor, university police chief, campaign staff members, and personnel transitioning from the outgoing administration.

Paul Dean retired as University of New Hampshire Police Chief after 14 years in the position to become director of citizen services for Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte. In his new role, Dean will lead Ayotte's community outreach team, managing constituent correspondence, phone calls, and emails while identifying emerging community issues on behalf of the governor. Deputy Chief Steve Lee assumed the position of interim chief while the university began planning a search for a permanent police chief.