Rep. Jim Kofalt

Maddy summaryHB 1719 removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which childhood immunization is required in New Hampshire. This change directly affects children enrolled in schools or childcare programs, as parents will no longer be required to ensure their children receive the Hepatitis B vaccine for enrollment. The bill amends state law by deleting "Hepatitis B" from the mandated immunization list, which includes diseases like measles and polio. This policy shift is expected to reduce state vaccine purchase costs by approximately $20,000 in the first year and $82,000 annually thereafter, as the requirement is eliminated. The Hepatitis B vaccine would remain available on a voluntary basis for parents who choose to use it.

Maddy summaryHB 1319 allows towns, village districts, and school districts to establish or disband local committees that annually review government spending to identify cost-saving opportunities. To adopt such a committee, a local government must hold a vote at its annual meeting using specific ballot language asking for approval, with a majority vote required. If created, the committee (called FACTS) would consist of 3-7 members serving staggered 3-year terms, tasked with evaluating spending efficiency to provide better value for taxpayers. This applies to towns using town meetings or official ballot systems, school districts, and village districts with certain budget processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1797 modifies New Hampshire's SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligibility rules. It requires the state to seek a federal waiver banning SNAP benefits from purchasing candy and soft drinks, strengthens work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, and prohibits the state from setting more lenient eligibility standards than federal law allows. The bill mandates data-sharing agreements with multiple state agencies - including lottery, vital records, employment security, corrections, and economic security - to verify recipient eligibility through monthly or quarterly checks on income, employment, incarceration, and other circumstances. These changes directly affect SNAP recipients in New Hampshire by restricting benefit usage and tightening eligibility verification processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1503 allows New Hampshire's Department of Education to use existing funds to create a centralized database of detailed maps for all public schools. This database would include site-specific details like building layouts and grounds features to help emergency responders and school staff during crises. The bill amends education funding law to add a new provision requiring this mapping technology for unified emergency response coordination. It directly affects public schools and emergency personnel by providing standardized, location-specific information during incidents. The bill does not change funding levels but specifies a new use for current education funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1202 sets funding limits for high school students taking college courses through New Hampshire's community college system. It restricts state-funded enrollment to a maximum of four dual or concurrent enrollment courses per grade (10th, 11th, and 12th), with each funded course limited to four credits. Students may take additional courses beyond these limits at their own expense. The bill amends existing law to implement these requirements, directly affecting high school students enrolled in such programs within the state's community college system.

Maddy summaryHB 1836 requires New Hampshire public schools and districts to submit annual input-based accountability reports by January 15 of even-numbered years. The bill mandates that school principals and superintendents certify the accuracy of these reports, and the state education commissioner must verify compliance before releasing grant funds. Schools failing to submit the required reports will have grant funds withheld until they comply. This replaces a previous requirement for NEASC-certified schools to file separate reports. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1066 amends New Hampshire municipal laws to clarify and expand how lease agreements are defined and managed. It defines "lease" to include lease-purchase, sale-lease-back, and similar agreements for property, equipment, or facilities under RSA 33:7-e/f. The bill requires public hearings for municipal leases exceeding $100,000 (aligning with existing bond hearing rules) and ensures lease funds remain available until projects are completed, preventing premature budget lapsing. This directly affects towns, cities, and unincorporated areas in New Hampshire that use lease financing for infrastructure or equipment.

Maddy summaryHB 1505 requires towns, cities, and municipalities that have adopted local tax caps or budget caps to submit detailed documentation to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration annually. This documentation must include calculations of the tax or budget cap for the year, proposed and voted appropriations, estimated revenues, and counts of any ballot votes taken to override the cap. The bill amends existing laws to clarify how these caps are calculated (e.g., adjusting for estimated revenues reported to the Department) and ensures transparency by mandating formal submission of compliance evidence. It directly affects all local governments with adopted caps, requiring them to verify adherence to these financial limits through standardized reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 1808 creates a new position for an "academic research and improvement performance data analyst" within the New Hampshire Department of Education. This state employee, at the administrator III level, will collect and analyze education data to measure student progress, evaluate programs, guide curriculum decisions, and support school improvement efforts. The bill appropriates $160,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund this position, with subsequent years' costs estimated at $103,000-$108,000. The role directly affects the Department of Education’s internal operations and indirectly supports schools and educators through data-driven insights.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 exempts membership-based health care facilities (which charge direct patient payments without insurance reimbursement) from certain licensing rules, including a moratorium on new licenses and bed capacity increases under RSA 151:2. The bill also requires these facilities to adopt a patient bill of rights covering dignity, privacy, and clear admission information, while directing the Department of Health and Human Services to study direct-pay models. It directly affects facilities operating under membership or direct-payment structures, removing them from standard licensing requirements in RSA 151:2-f and RSA 151:2, VI(a). The key change is creating a tailored regulatory framework for these facilities while maintaining core patient rights protections.