Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how retirement benefits are calculated for Group II members of the New Hampshire Retirement System, specifically affecting those who were already vested before January 1, 2012, and those who started working after July 1, 2011. It establishes new rules for early retirement, allowing eligible members to retire at age 45 with 20 years of service or age 50 with 25 years of service, while requiring a minimum age of 52.5 for those who began service after 2011 unless they accept a reduced benefit. The legislation also sets a minimum annual pension of $10,000 for qualifying retirees and adjusts the percentage used to calculate pension amounts based on years of service, with different rates applying to pre-2012 and post-2011 employees. Additionally, the bill updates disability retirement formulas and includes a specific appropriation to fund these changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to study the costs of providing ground ambulance services in the state and creates a reporting requirement for all ambulance providers. An independent expert will analyze financial data submitted by these providers to develop a suggested reimbursement rate schedule for commercial insurance payers, ensuring providers can cover costs while maintaining readiness for emergencies. The study, which must be completed by December 31, 2024, will also estimate how these rates might affect insurance premiums and will be funded by a special assessment on health plans. Once finished, the final report detailing these findings will be sent to state officials and legislative committees.
Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill updates state hunting laws to allow hunters to use a wider range of pistol calibers, including any caliber .38 or .357 Magnum and larger, for taking deer. The law specifically limits the ammunition capacity in these hunting pistols to no more than six rounds at any time. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to individuals hunting deer under existing regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to continue paying health insurance premiums for emergency response and public safety workers who are appealing a denial of a workers' compensation claim based on a presumptive condition. The coverage must be maintained at the value of a single employee premium for up to 18 months while the claim is being reviewed. Eligibility for this benefit begins at the start of employment and lasts for 20 years after the worker separates from service.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to offer free early cancer screening tests to active and retired firefighters in New Hampshire. The state will provide $5 million to cover costs for optional screenings that may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and lung CT scans, with a preference for vendors capable of detecting multiple cancer types. A committee of firefighter representatives and officials will create a plan to organize these screenings, track results, and report findings to the legislature after 12 and 24 months. Additionally, firefighters who paid for their own screenings after January 1, 2024, may receive reimbursement of up to $1,300. The program is designed to run for up to two years starting July 1, 2024, with all personal data kept confidential.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants local governments in New Hampshire the authority to create their own building and fire safety rules, provided these local standards are not less strict than the state's current codes. Municipalities can adopt additional regulations or choose to use nationally recognized codes that are not already part of the state code, as long as they receive approval from the state Building Code Review Board or the State Fire Marshal. To ensure consistency and safety, any new local rules must be submitted for review within 60 days of taking effect, and they cannot be enforced until the state agency confirms they do not conflict with or weaken state requirements. The law also clarifies that all buildings must comply with both state and local codes, while allowing cities to file copies of their adopted codes for public inspection.
Maddy summaryThis bill would have changed how the New Hampshire Retirement System calculates the base compensation for certain public employees who were not yet fully vested before 2012. Under the proposed rules, the system would have included mandatory overtime pay in the base rate used to determine retirement benefits, while keeping other types of extra pay separate. The legislation also specified that the employer defines what counts as mandatory overtime for this calculation. Although the bill passed initial committee stages, it was ultimately killed by the legislature on May 23, 2024, and will not take effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund within the state's Division of Archives and Records Management to support the preservation of historical records and objects. It authorizes the division's director to accept donations of these items and requires an annual report to the governor and council detailing all received gifts. Additionally, the legislation establishes a specific account for donated money used solely for maintenance purposes, which must be continuously available to the division. The law also adds a duty for the director to collect these donations on behalf of the state.