Rep. Sallie Fellows

Maddy summaryHB 1403 establishes new certification requirements for school business administrators in New Hampshire. To qualify, candidates must either complete a state-approved business administration program (at bachelor's or master's level) or hold a business degree with equivalent experience and a professional development plan. They must submit documentation including work history, education records, and three professional references to the bureau of credentialing. The bill specifies required skills in key areas like financial management, human resources, and legal compliance for school business operations. This directly affects all individuals seeking certification for the position in New Hampshire school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 establishes new certification requirements for school superintendents in New Hampshire. It mandates that candidates must have at least 3 years of K-12 administrative experience, complete a graduate-level education administration program, and demonstrate specific leadership competencies related to student success, instructional programs, and district management. The bill requires applicants to submit work records, education documentation, and references to the Bureau of Credentialing for review. This directly affects individuals seeking their first superintendent certification in New Hampshire schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1820 shifts administration of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program from scholarship organizations to the Department of Education. It requires the Department to directly transfer funds to parents for qualifying education expenses (like tuition, materials, or tutoring) for eligible students, replacing the previous system where scholarship organizations managed distributions. Parents must apply through the Department, agree to educational requirements (including assessments or portfolio reviews), and use funds only for approved expenses. Unused EFA funds roll over annually but revert to the education trust fund if not used by graduation or after misuse. This bill directly affects parents of K-12 students participating in the EFA program.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 requires home heating oil, kerosene, and propane dealers to provide clear, written contracts that disclose all terms in plain language - including total costs, delivery details, and contact information for the state consumer protection hotline. The bill specifically regulates prepaid contracts by restricting advertising to May 1-October 31, mandating refunds for undelivered fuel within 30 days, and requiring dealers to secure contracts through methods like futures contracts, surety bonds, or liquid inventory. These rules directly affect dealers who sell prepaid home heating fuel and consumers who enter such agreements. The bill excludes budget plans with monthly payments from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 allows dogs to be present year-round in all New Hampshire state parks when under the owner's control. Dogs must be leashed to a maximum of 6 feet or reliably controlled through other approved methods. The bill prohibits blanket park-wide dog bans, restricting access only in specific areas like swimming zones, beaches during peak seasons, environmentally sensitive sites, or temporary events (e.g., Mount Sunapee arts festival). It takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to follow these rules without overriding them with conflicting policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1579 establishes a legislative committee to study potential revenue sources for increasing education funding in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of 10 members (four from each legislative party with revenue expertise, plus two Senate appointees), will analyze options like new taxes or modified existing ones to boost education aid while reducing property taxes. It must examine factors including revenue reliability, implementation costs, economic impacts on businesses, and effects on different income groups and housing types. The committee is prohibited from recommending specific options and must report findings by November 1, 2026, to state leaders. This bill creates a study process only, with no immediate policy changes or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 establishes a 18-member commission to review draft rules for minimum standards in public school approval and state academic standards before they are submitted to the New Hampshire state board of education or legislature. The commission includes representatives from school administrators, principals, curriculum specialists, teachers (elementary, middle, and high school), and a competency-based education expert, appointed through specific educational organizations. It requires the commission to provide written recommendations within 120 days of receiving draft rules, ensuring reviews incorporate competency-based education principles, research-based practices, and accountability measures outlined in existing law. This bill directly affects the New Hampshire Department of Education and state board of education when developing or revising school standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1823 requires all schools, school districts, and school administrative units receiving state funding to conduct annual independent audits and publicly post the reports on their websites. The audits must be submitted to the Department of Education and Department of Revenue Administration within 180 days after the fiscal year ends. If audits reveal significant financial issues, schools must submit quarterly financial reports to the Department of Education until resolved, and non-compliance may result in withheld state funding. This bill directly affects all 179 school districts and 35 charter schools in New Hampshire, mandating greater financial transparency and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 1803 prohibits students from receiving both education tax credit scholarships (under RSA 77-G:2) and education freedom account funds (under RSA 194-F:2) in the same program year. This directly affects students currently using or eligible for both programs, requiring them to choose one funding source per year. The bill also removes an additional $2,036 grant for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) when students in either program enroll part-time, shifting tuition responsibility to families. These changes aim to prevent duplicate funding and adjust state payments for specific school enrollments.

Maddy summaryHB 1679 establishes a refundable $0.10 deposit on most beverage containers sold in New Hampshire, requiring distributors to collect the deposit and consumers to return empty containers to redemption centers or retailers for a refund. It exempts containers larger than 3 liters, milk, plant-based milk, infant formula, and beverages sold on airlines or trains. Distributors reimburse redemption centers $0.035 per container for processing, and unclaimed deposits after one year fund recycling infrastructure and litter prevention programs. The program, effective January 2027, directly affects distributors, retailers, redemption centers, and consumers purchasing eligible beverages.