Sen. David Rochefort

Maddy summarySB 256 establishes rules for "clinician-administered drugs" - outpatient prescriptions (like IV cancer treatments) that patients cannot self-administer and are typically given in clinics or hospitals. It prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from mandating "white bagging" (pharmacy delivers drugs to providers) or "brown bagging" (patients transport drugs) without written agreements and consent from both the patient and provider. The bill ensures patients can choose their pharmacy for these drugs, prevents insurers from charging extra fees for non-network pharmacy use, and stops insurers from reducing payments to providers who obtain these drugs outside their network. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 737 authorizes keno gaming statewide, allowing counties to offer it as a new option for local games of chance. It changes license fees for charitable organizations running gaming events and updates their reporting requirements to simplify compliance. The bill directly affects local governments (which can now implement keno), charitable groups (through adjusted fees), and gaming operators (with new reporting rules). The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, for most provisions, with key changes like keno authorization becoming active on June 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 328 establishes a 15-member Charitable Gaming Oversight Commission to review New Hampshire's charitable gaming laws, including historical horse racing and fundraising events like raffles. The commission includes 7 voting members (legislative leaders and appointees) and 8 non-voting members (public representatives, gaming operators, charities, and agency staff) who will examine issues like problem gambling, fund allocation, and location restrictions. It must submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2026 with recommendations for changes to gaming rules and laws. The bill directly affects state agencies, charitable organizations, and gaming operators participating in charitable gaming activities.

Maddy summarySB 291 expands New Hampshire's property tax exemption for religious organizations to include convents, monasteries, and their associated lands and buildings. It allows these properties - owned, used, and occupied directly for religious training or worship by recognized religious groups - to qualify for the exemption, aligning them with existing church and parish properties. The bill specifically covers properties leased for pastor housing allowances and personal property used for religious purposes. This change directly affects religious institutions operating convents or monasteries in New Hampshire that meet the state's incorporation and recognition requirements. The law became effective July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 127 extends the closing date for off-highway vehicle (OHRV) trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property. The bill changes the specific date when these trails must close each year, directly affecting OHRV users and operators on that property. It does not create new rules or restrictions but simply adjusts the existing seasonal closure deadline. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 31, 2025, effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 771 changes how public schools with open enrollment policies receive state funding. It modifies the funding formula to better support these schools, which allow students to attend outside their district boundaries. The bill directly affects all public schools operating under open enrollment programs statewide. It became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 670 adjusts the minimum fine amount for incidents involving dog attacks classified as "nuisance" behavior. The bill directly affects individuals or entities responsible for dog attacks that meet the legal definition of a nuisance, altering the baseline penalty. Key provisions modify the existing fine structure without changing the criteria for what constitutes a nuisance dog incident. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025, and takes effect January 1, 2026. It does not introduce new enforcement mechanisms but sets a revised minimum financial penalty for qualifying attacks.

Maddy summarySB 271 expands eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans who received a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. This change directly affects veterans whose military service ended with this specific discharge type, allowing them to qualify for the plates they previously could not. The bill amends existing law to add this discharge category to the list of qualifying discharges for the plates. The law took effect on September 13, 2025, after being signed by the governor on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 24 allows students under age 21 to taste wine during approved educational programs, such as culinary or viticulture classes at schools or colleges. It directly affects students enrolled in these specific educational settings and requires participating institutions to follow state guidelines for wine tasting activities. The bill amends state alcohol laws to create an exception for supervised educational tasting, prohibiting consumption beyond tasting and requiring educational context. The law takes effect on September 13, 2025.