New Hampshire House Bill HB1626

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/10/25
• Refer: 12/10/25
• Report DNP: 2/3/26

Caption

Relative to the effectiveness of tourism expenditures.

Impact

The proposed changes would lead to a more systematic approach to measuring the effectiveness of tourism spending, essential for state legislators and policymakers to understand the impact of their investments in tourism. By assessing the ROI, the state would be in a better position to allocate resources where they are most effective, potentially leading to more informed decision-making in budget allocations for tourism programs in the future. However, the legislation does not provide any immediate funding for these evaluations, which could lead to additional financial requirements for the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.

Summary

House Bill 1626-FN aims to enhance the assessment of tourism expenditures in New Hampshire by mandating the Department of Business and Economic Affairs to evaluate the effectiveness of promotional programs that exceed $10,000 in cost. This evaluation will include a quantitative estimate of the return on investment (ROI) for each program, which is intended to provide clearer insight into the financial impact and overall effectiveness of tourism-related expenditures. The annual report generated will inform various stakeholders, including the governor and the fiscal committee of the General Court, about the allocation and success of tourism funding initiatives and their economic return.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 1626 appears to be cautiously positive among supporters who believe that increased transparency and accountability in tourism spending are critical for effective governance. They argue that better assessment of spending will facilitate improved tourism strategies that can ultimately bolster the state's economy. However, there may be concerns regarding the financial implications of implementing such assessments, especially if the costs are not covered adequately within existing budgets.

Contention

One notable point of contention is the financial adequacy of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs to conduct the detailed evaluations required by the bill. With estimated costs ranging between $350,000 to $500,000 annually for the needed research and analysis, concerns have been raised about the potential strain on the department's budget. If enacted, the bill will require careful consideration of whether such evaluations will yield sufficiently beneficial insights to justify these additional expenditures.