Rep. Jeanine Notter

Maddy summarySB 591 allows New Hampshire electric utilities to own or build power generation facilities under specific conditions, directly affecting utility companies and their customers (ratepayers). The bill requires approval from the Public Utilities Commission, limits new facilities to 400 megawatts, and mandates that projects must serve the public interest while benefiting ratepayers and taxpayers. Utilities may also enter 20-year power agreements for these facilities, subject to environmental and permitting rules. This policy change modifies existing law to permit limited utility reentry into power generation, aiming to support energy reliability and economic needs.

Maddy summarySB 456 establishes a commission to study children's health and safety issues in New Hampshire, including mental health services, school safety, and childhood diagnoses. The commission, composed of legislative members and 17 appointed experts (such as healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents), will examine specific topics like school mental health programs, youth homelessness, and exposure to harmful content. It must submit annual reports by November 1 to state leaders, including the governor and legislative leaders, with findings and recommendations. This bill creates a study body but does not enact new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 sets all renewable energy fund compliance payments (the fees electric providers pay if they can't meet renewable energy requirements) to $0, effective January 1, 2027. This eliminates the primary revenue source for New Hampshire's Renewable Energy Fund (REF), which currently funds programs like low-income solar initiatives, non-residential renewable grants, and community solar projects. The fiscal note states this change would reduce annual REF revenue by approximately $6.7 million starting in 2028, causing all REF-funded programs and nine state positions supporting renewable energy compliance to cease without new legislative funding. The bill directly affects electric service providers (by removing compliance penalties), state programs, and low-income communities relying on REF-funded solar projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1416 prohibits New Hampshire state agencies, subdivisions, and municipalities from regulating pregnancy resource centers regarding abortion or contraception services. It directly affects private nonprofit pregnancy resource centers (which provide support without performing abortions or referring for abortion/contraception) and government entities that might impose such regulations. The bill bans requirements that centers offer, provide, refer for, or promote abortion, chemical abortion drugs, or contraception, and prohibits restrictions on their services based on these policies. It also allows affected centers or individuals to sue the government for violations seeking damages or court orders.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 establishes the "Right to Compute Act" in New Hampshire, creating a constitutional right for residents to privately own and use computational resources (like computers, software, networks, and AI tools) for lawful purposes. It prohibits government entities from restricting this right except for specific, narrowly defined compelling interests - such as preventing AI infrastructure risks, stopping fraud, protecting minors from deepfakes, or addressing datacenter nuisances. The bill defines "computational resources" broadly to include all technology enabling data processing, and "government action" to cover any rules or policies limiting such tools. It explicitly preserves existing intellectual property laws and does not override federal regulations. This law directly affects all New Hampshire residents using digital tools by strengthening protections against unwarranted government interference.

Maddy summaryHB 1270 clarifies the definition of part-time teachers in New Hampshire public schools. It specifies that part-time teachers (working up to 20 hours weekly) do not need state teaching credentials if they are affiliated with a NH university or community college, have subject-area expertise verified by a school leader, and pass criminal history checks. The bill also requires part-time teachers to follow the state's educator ethics code and bars those with revoked credentials from teaching under this section. This directly affects schools hiring part-time educators, particularly those with professional experience but without traditional teaching licenses.

Maddy summarySB 412 allows courts to continue handling violations of conditional release conditions for two groups: minors found delinquent (who broke laws) and children in need of services (due to family or safety concerns). The bill explicitly permits courts to retain jurisdiction over these cases as long as violations are reported during the release period, rather than requiring immediate action. This change clarifies that courts can address breaches of conditions like curfews or school attendance throughout the entire release term. It directly affects juvenile court proceedings for these minors and the judges overseeing their cases. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 permits public and private entities in New Hampshire to separate individuals by biological sex in three specific settings: multi-user facilities (like bathrooms and locker rooms), athletic competitions where biological males typically have a competitive advantage, and correctional or treatment facilities. The bill defines "biological sex" as the sex listed on an individual’s birth certificate issued near birth. It explicitly states that these sex-based separations do not constitute discrimination under state law. The bill amends New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination statute (RSA 354-A) to create these limited exceptions, affecting how facilities and events are operated in those contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 permits public and private entities to separate individuals by biological sex in two specific situations: multi-user bathrooms/locker rooms and athletic competitions where biological males typically have physical advantages (like strength or speed). It defines "biological sex" as male or female and states that such separation does not count as discrimination under New Hampshire law. The bill makes this classification optional - entities are not required to implement it. This change modifies New Hampshire's anti-discrimination law to explicitly allow these limited sex-based classifications.

Maddy summarySB 447 allows New Hampshire electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear power as part of their energy mix, alongside renewable sources. It increases the annual capacity cap for low-income community solar projects from 6 MW to 18 MW and expands eligibility for group net metering to include public housing authorities. The bill also updates rules for customer generators, permitting members to join multiple group hosts under load limits, and clarifies processes for utilities to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) on long-term energy agreements. These changes aim to diversify energy sources, stabilize costs, and support community solar access while maintaining regulatory coordination with New England states.