Rep. Peter Schmidt

Maddy summaryHB 1269 updates New Hampshire's acupuncture licensing rules to make practice more accessible. It revises educational requirements to allow an associate's degree or 60 college credits instead of a bachelor's degree for licensure, and permits out-of-state practitioners with comparable qualifications to practice. The bill adds a certified acupuncture detoxification specialist to the licensing board and requires annual supervision via phone or electronic means (not in-person) for these specialists during their first two years of certification. These changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1328 updates New Hampshire's licensing structure for alcohol and drug use professionals. It changes the board composition to include three master licensed alcohol and drug counselors (down from four) and two licensed alcohol and drug counselors (up from one), while eliminating the "licensed clinical supervisor" license and all related rules. This directly affects the board's membership and the licensing of professionals who previously held or sought the clinical supervisor credential. The bill removes four specific law sections about clinical supervisors and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 494 updates New Hampshire's state fire code to reference the 2024 editions of NFPA standards for life safety and fire prevention. It requires fire departments to report all incidents to the state fire marshal within 10 days, with fatal fires or carbon monoxide releases needing immediate reporting and a 48-hour investigation. The bill adds new duties for the state fire marshal, including authority to charge fees for electrical and mechanical safety inspections (per Saf-C 8100) and to assist with local inspections when requested. This affects fire departments, property owners, contractors, and local authorities by clarifying reporting timelines, investigation protocols, and inspection fee structures.

Maddy summarySB 640 prohibits using artificial intelligence to provide services requiring a professional license (such as psychology, mental health, or substance abuse counseling) unless those services are delivered by a licensed professional. The bill specifically bans AI from replacing human professionals in direct client interactions, though it allows AI for administrative tasks like scheduling or billing. It also authorizes the Office of Professional Licensure to collect fees to cover enforcement costs for violations. This applies to all licensed professions in New Hampshire, with additional specific rules for psychologists and mental health practitioners.

Maddy summarySB 427 revises salary ranges for specific unclassified state employee positions, primarily affecting medical examiners, corrections facility wardens, and fire safety directors. The bill updates salary brackets - such as raising the chief medical examiner's range from $210,000-$300,000 to $210,000-$350,000 - based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Employee Classification. It does not create new positions or provide new funding, instead adjusting existing pay structures using current budget resources. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to roles identified in the bill’s amendments to state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 prohibits the construction of new data centers in New Hampshire for one year from its effective date, affecting developers and businesses planning such facilities. It establishes a four-member committee (three House members appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the President) to study the environmental impact of data centers. The committee must submit interim findings by November 1, 2025, and a final report by November 1, 2026, to legislative leaders and the governor. The bill does not ban existing data centers or address operational impacts, only pausing new construction while studying environmental effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to conduct ongoing studies on nuclear energy technologies, including advanced reactors, and to evaluate how these developments might impact state laws, infrastructure, and public safety. It requires the department to publish a report on these findings at least once every three years, starting in December 2025, and to consult with various state agencies on issues such as health, transportation, and environmental protection. Additionally, the bill officially renames the Office of Offshore Wind Industry Development to better reflect its broader role in coordinating state activities related to both nuclear and offshore wind energy. The legislation establishes the Commissioner of Energy as the primary state adviser to the Governor on matters concerning the industrial and commercial use of nuclear energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal rights of individuals appointed as wards in guardianship cases by ensuring they retain access to their confidential medical and financial records unless a court specifically restricts this access. It requires guardians to provide these records to the ward within ten days of a request and mandates that any court order denying such access must be based on evidence proving the ward is incapable of managing them. Additionally, the legislation simplifies the process for wards to request the termination of their guardianship by allowing them to submit a simple letter to the court, while also guaranteeing immediate access to records when such a motion is filed. These changes aim to protect the privacy and autonomy of vulnerable adults while maintaining judicial oversight to prevent harm.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 updates the composition and operational rules of New Hampshire's Commission on Native American Affairs to better represent indigenous communities. The bill reduces the number of public members from eleven to ten and clarifies that each representative must come from a specific tribe, band, or community rather than a broad social group, while also adjusting the voting quorum requirement. It outlines the commission's duties to study issues affecting Native Americans, preserve cultural artifacts and burial grounds, and recognize indigenous contributions without granting special legal rights or privileges to any individual. The legislation also mandates that the commission meet at least four times annually and publishes its meeting notices and minutes online for public transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the list of state positions eligible for special salary adjustments to help recruit or retain qualified staff. It removes several existing roles, such as the financial data administrator and deputy director of information services, while adding new positions like a right-to-know ombudsperson and a chief forensic investigator. The legislation also sets specific salary ranges for certain roles, including the state epidemiologist and pharmacy inspectors, to ensure competitive compensation. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed into law.