Statehouse Deal on Local Taxes: New Hampshire House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on a local property tax cap for schools, with cities and towns voting in 2026 and 2028; if adopted, the cap would limit school-related property tax growth to inflation plus assessed value increases, with exemptions for bonds, building projects, and certain funding, and it would require 3/5 voter support to take effect. Gun Preemption Advance: Republicans also finalized HB 609, a statewide firearms preemption bill that further restricts towns, cities, and even state agencies from enacting their own weapon limits; floor votes are expected next week. Education Open Enrollment: Lawmakers moved a public school open enrollment bill forward with a statewide cap of 500 students, while Gov. Kelly Ayotte warned it isn’t “ready for primetime.” DOC Leadership Scrutiny: InDepthNH reports confidential meetings over the nomination of Men’s Prison Warden Michelle Edmark to a new assistant commissioner role. Charity Oversight: The NH attorney general’s Charitable Trusts Unit found governance failures at North Country Healthcare tied to the termination of a former president, ordering outside oversight changes. Public Safety: Concord police and multiple agencies searched downtown for a 44-year-old missing man; police say there’s no danger to the public. Health Costs Watch: New data show Concord Medicaid spending for ambulance/transport services rose to $381,743 in 2024.