This bill proposes an increase in the state minimum hourly wage, amending RSA 279:21 to establish a new minimum wage structure. The new legal language specifies that, unless otherwise provided by statute, no employee shall be paid less than the federal minimum wage or the following rates: $12 per hour from September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and $15 per hour starting July 1, 2026. Additionally, it includes provisions for tipped employees in certain establishments, ensuring they receive a base rate of at least 45% of the applicable minimum wage. If an employee's total wages do not meet the $15 per hour minimum, the employer is required to compensate the difference.

The bill also repeals and reenacts the contingent introductory paragraph of RSA 279:21, maintaining the same minimum wage structure while ensuring that the new rates take effect either when the federal minimum wage reaches $15 per hour or on the specified dates in the bill. The fiscal impact of this legislation is projected to be indeterminable for local and county governments, with an estimated cost of approximately $373,000 for the state in FY 2026 due to the wage increases. The bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, and its implementation will require adjustments to the state's payroll system.