CACR18 Relating to tax rates. Providing that the rate of taxes in the state shall not exceed certain annual percentages.
Relating to tax rates. Providing that the rate of taxes in the state shall not exceed certain annual percentages.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Harmful
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Taxpayers may benefit from capped tax increases tied to inflation and population, but the outcome depends on whether actual spending pressures exceed the cap and how courts interpret enforcement.
Your Community
Local schools, police, fire, and social services would face rigid spending limits regardless of increased demand, emergency needs, or changing demographics, potentially forcing service cuts.
Your Freedom
Citizens gain a right to sue over violations, but the amendment transfers spending authority from elected officials and voters to courts via jury trials, creating uncertainty and litigation risk rather than local democratic control.
Status
Ought to Pass: Motion Failed DV 170-163 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/12/2026 House Journal 8 P. 78
Sponsor
Jordan Ulery (R)
The Short Version
This constitutional amendment would cap annual spending growth for the state and local governments to inflation (max 2.5%) plus population change, requiring voter approval for tax increases or debt beyond that rate. It also creates a private right of action allowing citizens to sue for violations and recover attorney fees and damages up to 20 times those fees.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Taxpayers seeking limits on tax rate increases
- ▲ Citizens who sue the state or municipalities for alleged cap violations (eligible for attorney fees and damages up to 20x those fees)
- ▲ Advocates for constrained government spending
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Public schools, which cannot increase spending beyond the cap even if enrollment grows or costs rise
- ▼ Local emergency services and police/fire departments operating under fixed budgets during crises
- ▼ Municipal governments unable to address infrastructure needs or unfunded mandates without voter approval
- ▼ Low-income residents dependent on social services potentially cut to stay within spending caps
- ▼ State and local governments facing litigation costs and damage awards from enforcement lawsuits
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.