The bill in question aims to limit the use of proprietary software by state agencies in New Hampshire for public interactions, mandating the use of free and open-source software (FOSS) unless no viable alternative exists. It introduces a new chapter, 21-W, titled "Free and Open Source Software," with section 21-W:1 prohibiting the mandatory use of proprietary software in various government interactions, including tax filing, court proceedings, and unemployment benefits. Agencies must provide public notice if proprietary software is the only option. The bill is expected to take effect 60 days after its passage.

The fiscal impact of the bill is significant, with the Department of Information Technology estimating a cost of approximately $1.47 billion over five years for compliance, which includes re-implementation of existing applications and hiring contracted and state staff to develop or modify open-source applications. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch (NHJB) also anticipates a substantial impact, requiring nearly all of its public-facing applications to be re-implemented to meet the bill's requirements. The NHJB estimates the cost of compliance at about $131.3 million over five years, necessitating additional staff and indicating that funding will need to come from the State General Fund. The bill does not provide an appropriation for these new positions.