Rep. Wendy Thomas

Maddy summaryHB 1415 establishes strict liability for owners or operators of facilities where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been released into groundwater or surface water at concentrations of 100 parts per trillion or higher. The bill defines specific chemical terms and designates any site where PFAS are used, stored, or disposed of as a PFAS facility. Under this law, responsible parties would be required to follow federal regulations for the closure, removal, or decommissioning of tanks, pipes, equipment, and building surfaces associated with PFAS management. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature overrode the veto to make it effective law.

Maddy summaryHB 1581 allows the state Department of Health to authorize alternative treatment centers to operate additional cultivation sites, such as greenhouses, for growing cannabis. To approve these new locations, the department must work with local town or city officials to gather input from qualifying patients, designated caregivers, and local residents. The proposed cultivation sites must follow existing state rules and comply with local zoning laws. Although the bill was vetoed by the Governor, the legislature overrode the veto to make it law.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 expands the list of qualifying medical conditions for therapeutic cannabis in New Hampshire to include any debilitating or terminal condition where a doctor believes the benefits likely outweigh the risks for adults aged 21 and older. Under this new provision, a certifying provider must document the patient's specific condition and state their clinical opinion on the risk-benefit balance to approve the patient for treatment. The bill also removes previous restrictions that limited how many times a qualifying patient could visit the state to obtain their medication. Additionally, it includes a contingency clause to renumber the new section if another related bill passes in the future, and the law takes effect 60 days after being signed.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits the sale of new consumer products that contain intentionally added chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly used for stain and water resistance. The ban covers a wide range of household items, including mattresses, carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, and furniture, while excluding products made with high percentages of recycled content or those regulated by federal law. Manufacturers and distributors must stop producing or importing these items, and the state can also pursue civil lawsuits against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for settling legal claims related to the impacts of these chemicals on water supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state trust fund specifically to hold money from legal settlements related to soil and water contamination. When the attorney general receives settlement funds for environmental damage, they must deposit the money into this separate account rather than mixing it with other state funds. The state treasurer will manage and invest the money, and the legislature will decide how to spend it on cleanup efforts, testing, health monitoring, or further investigation for the specific contamination involved. If funds remain unused after four years or if the contamination is already fixed, the money will be moved to other dedicated environmental funds. The law does not apply to criminal fines, penalties, or settlements that already have specific funding rules under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of medical professionals in New Hampshire who can certify patients for the state's therapeutic cannabis program. It allows physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to issue certifications if they hold the necessary federal licenses to prescribe controlled substances, and it removes the requirement for a pediatrician's signature when certifying minors, instead requiring certification from two pediatric care providers. The law also creates a new category for any other licensed New Hampshire provider who can prescribe drugs and has DEA registration, provided they are primarily responsible for the patient's care. These changes aim to increase access to medical cannabis by broadening the types of healthcare workers eligible to recommend it.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric and gas utilities in New Hampshire to submit detailed ten-year distribution plans to the state commission within five years of its effective date. These plans must include forecasts for future energy demand, assessments of efficiency programs and infrastructure needs, and evaluations of alternative solutions like non-wires options for electricity and non-pipeline options for gas. The commission will review each plan through a public process, approving, rejecting, or modifying it within one year, with the goal of improving grid reliability, resilience, and cost-effectiveness while aligning with the state's broader energy strategy.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's real estate disclosure laws to require sellers to inform buyers about the potential presence of PFAS, a group of chemical compounds, in addition to radon, arsenic, and lead. The law mandates that before a contract for the sale of a property with a building is signed, the seller must provide a specific notice explaining that PFAS have been detected in wells across the state, particularly in southern New Hampshire, and advising buyers to test their water. The buyer is required to sign an acknowledgment of receiving this notice, which includes information on how accredited laboratories can measure PFAS levels and the availability of water treatment systems. This change directly affects real estate transactions in the state by ensuring prospective homeowners are aware of potential water contamination risks before completing a purchase.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for a special commission to investigate the environmental and health effects of perfluorinated chemicals in five towns to November 1, 2029. The commission, which studies pollution in the air, soil, and groundwater of Merrimack, Bedford, Londonderry, Hudson, and Litchfield, will now submit its final report and any legislative recommendations by that new date. Additionally, the bill delays the official end of the commission's work until November 1, 2029, allowing more time for analysis. These changes apply directly to the commission members and the officials who receive their reports.