Rep. Kristin Noble

Maddy summaryHB 656 clarifies that local school districts in our state have the authority to accept federal grants without needing additional state approval. This bill directly affects school districts by streamlining their ability to access federal funding for educational programs. The key provision removes potential barriers, ensuring districts can independently accept eligible federal grants as permitted by federal law. The bill does not change existing grant requirements but explicitly affirms districts' authority to do so.

Maddy summaryHB 293 aims to restrict minors' access to obscene content on internet-enabled electronic devices like smartphones and tablets. It would require device manufacturers or service providers to implement age-appropriate content filters or blocking systems. The bill directly affects minors under 18 and the companies producing or distributing these devices. Currently, the bill was referred for interim study by the committee with a 17-0 vote, indicating it has not yet advanced to a full vote.

Maddy summaryHB 131 requires all public school boards to create and adopt written policies governing student use of personal cell phones during school hours. This directly affects school boards (as the policy creators) and students (as the individuals subject to the rules). The bill mandates that these policies address how cell phones may be used, stored, or restricted while on school grounds. It does not specify particular restrictions but sets a requirement for school boards to establish clear, formal guidelines. The policy must be enacted by the school board, not by individual schools.

Maddy summaryHB 362 would grant the Department of Education authority to create rules requiring education candidates (such as future teachers) to pass professional assessments. This bill directly affects individuals seeking teaching licenses or certification by establishing a requirement for passing scores on standardized exams. The key provision gives the Department the power to set specific passing scores and assessment criteria through its rulemaking process. The bill does not specify the exact assessments or scores but enables the Department to define these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 360 would ban public school staff from performing diagnostic tests, conducting surgical procedures, or prescribing medications within school settings. This bill directly affects school nurses, administrators, and other personnel who currently handle medical needs during school hours. Key provisions would require schools to refer students needing these services to external healthcare providers instead of addressing them on-site. The bill is currently pending in committee after a majority committee report recommended passage with an amendment, though a minority report opposed it. (Note: Summary based solely on provided bill title and actions; no additional context was given.)

Maddy summaryHB 721 proposes to make gold and silver coins legal tender for all debts in the state, meaning businesses would be required to accept them for transactions. This would directly affect merchants, consumers, and financial institutions by expanding the forms of payment they must accept. The bill's key provision would amend state law to specify that gold and silver coins hold the same status as paper currency for settling obligations. As of the latest action (November 2025), the bill was referred to committee for further study with no floor vote taken, so it remains a proposed measure without current legal effect.

Maddy summaryHB 129 aimed to establish a formal definition for the term "evidence-based" within public education standards. It would have directly affected schools, educators, and curriculum developers by clarifying what qualifies as "evidence-based" instructional methods or materials. The bill proposed specific criteria for this definition but did not introduce new funding or mandates. The committee voted 25-0 to table the bill as "inexpedient to legislate," meaning it was not advanced further. No policy changes were enacted through this bill.

Maddy summaryHB 707 requires the Department of Environmental Services to revise regulations governing new landfill proposals. This directly affects the state agency responsible for environmental oversight and developers planning to build new landfills. The bill mandates the department to update specific rules related to landfill approvals and environmental standards. The bill is currently recommended for passage by the committee with an amendment.

Maddy summarySB 296 increases the minimum percentage of education scholarships for nonpublic schools that must go to low-income students from 40% to 50%. It requires scholarship organizations to award at least half of their funds to students who qualified for federal free/reduced-price lunch in the prior school year, verified through household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill also allows students temporarily losing eligibility to retain their scholarship for one "probationary year" before becoming ineligible. This applies directly to scholarship organizations distributing funds under New Hampshire's education freedom account program, affecting families seeking nonpublic school funding.

Maddy summaryHB 273 grants parents the right to access their minor child's library records at public libraries. The bill directly affects parents of minors and public libraries that maintain such records. It requires libraries to provide parents with access to their child's borrowing history and other library records upon request. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on August 1, 2025.