New Hampshire HB 1616: prohibiting state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire.

Bill Text

HB 1616-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2648

 05/08

HOUSE BILL 1616-FN

AN ACT prohibiting state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire.

SPONSORS: Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. D. Kelley, Hills. 32; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Polozov, Merr. 10; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

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ANALYSIS

 This bill prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2648

 05/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT prohibiting state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Section; Expenditure of Funds to Advertise Vaccines Prohibited. Amend RSA 9-G by inserting after section 1 the following new section: 

 9-G:2 Advertisement of Vaccines Prohibited. No state agency or political subdivision shall advertise, or expend funds to advertise, vaccines in the state of New Hampshire. Furthermore, no state agency or political subdivision shall issue payment to any person, contractor, or other entity to advertise vaccines on its behalf. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. 

 LBA

 26-2648

 12/8/25

HB 1616-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT prohibiting state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$61,000 reduction in federal spending; other impacts indeterminable 

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

 Funding Source(s)

Federal Funds, General Funds

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 County Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 County Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Local Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Local Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

METHODOLOGY:

This bill prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from advertising or expending funds to advertise vaccines in the state of New Hampshire. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates an initial reduction in spending out of the federal immunization grant of $61,000, which is allocated to states to provide provider education and contracted services throughout the state. This fiscal impact is expected to be in the first year only, as the Department plans to undergo a budget revision to direct funding resources to other areas of the Immunization Program pending federal approval. 

With respect to less immediate fiscal impacts, the Department states that as vaccination rates decrease over time, there is an increased potential for disease outbreaks. Associated costs for the Department to manage an outbreak range from an estimated $100,000 to $350,000 per outbreak. In addition, the Department states that redirection of federal immunization grant funds may put it at risk of losing $3.5 million of federal funding if the Department is unable to fulfill grant requirements related to education and communication on vaccines. It is unknown to what extent, if any, these less immediate impacts will occur, and so aside from the initial reduction of $61,000 in federal spending, the bill's fiscal impact is indeterminable. 

The New Hampshire Municipal Association states that to the extent that any budgeted funds for vaccine advertisement are no longer spent, there may be a minimal savings to municipalities. The Association further states that it is unable to assess any long-term impacts resulting from the bill. 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services and New Hampshire Municipal Association