Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Expensive Second Bill
New Hampshire wants to tax expensive second homes
Relative to the taxation of non-primary residences.
Good for everyday people ·
This bill would add a special tax to vacation houses worth over $500,000 to help pay for local schools and lower property taxes for regular residents.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
Right now, wealthy buyers can scoop up expensive vacation homes and leave them empty for most of the year. This bill would force owners of second homes worth half a million dollars or more to pay a little extra. That extra money would go straight back to the town to fix roads, fund schools, and lower property taxes for the people who actually live there full time. It is a smart way to make sure out-of-towners pay their fair share to the community.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Would add a 0.75 percent tax to second homes and vacation houses.
- Would only apply to properties worth $500,000 or more.
- Would not tax your main home where you live most of the year.
- Would not tax landlords who rent out a house to the same person for at least six months.
- Would give all the new tax money to the local town to pay for schools, roads, or lower taxes.
- Would fine owners an extra 10 percent if they lie about living in the house.
Follow the money
Who's spending to push it through vs. fight it.
millions
How they voted
The actual floor vote, and who broke from their own party.
Want to see how your representatives voted on this? Find your reps →
- Lucy Weber (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- Marjorie Smith (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- Peter Leishman (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- John Cloutier (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- John Sytek (R): voted against it, crossing most Republicans
- Thomas Schamberg (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- Efstathia Booras (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- George Sykes (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the New Hampshire Bill Book 2026
The best and worst New Hampshire bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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