Sen. Donovan Fenton

Maddy summaryHB 1314 allows New Hampshire residents under 18 to obtain a freshwater fishing license without paying a fee. Minors must present proof of age to the Fish and Game Department when applying. The license will be marked as designated by the department and will not require a fee, replacing the previous requirement for a fee that was collected from 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1232 requires New Hampshire health insurers to reimburse telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services when the telemedicine code is substantially equivalent to an in-person code. Insurers that fail to comply face administrative fines of up to $2,500 per violation, and repeated violations (three or more in five years) could trigger license suspension. Affected individuals may also sue for court costs and attorney fees if an insurer violates the law repeatedly. The bill applies to all health insurers offering plans in New Hampshire and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 651 would legalize cannabis use for adults 21 and older in New Hampshire, requiring businesses to obtain licenses and follow regulations similar to alcohol, including age verification for purchases, product testing, and labeling. It establishes a new cannabis tax fund, with revenue from sales allocated to support substance abuse prevention, treatment, and education programs through a dedicated fund managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. These programs would cover evidence-based initiatives, mental health services for dual-diagnosis cases, and public education campaigns about cannabis risks for both youth and adults. The bill mandates annual reporting on fund usage and ensures tax revenue directly supports state efforts to address substance misuse.

Maddy summarySB 582 increases New Hampshire's base cost for an adequate education from $4,100 to $7,356.01 per student for the 2027-2028 school year, directly affecting public schools receiving state funding. It expands the definition of "adequate education" to include specific resources like teachers, counselors, technology, and facilities maintenance. The bill requires the state to update this cost every two years using actual school data and adjusts funding formulas accordingly. The fiscal note estimates this change will cost approximately $500 million annually starting in 2028, funded through the Education Trust Fund.

Maddy summarySB 628 enables highway authorities (state or local governments) to license curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in public rights-of-way, such as sidewalks or street spaces. It establishes two options for electricity supply: either a dedicated new service or a "host energy reimbursement arrangement" where operators pay adjacent property owners for electricity use via separate metering. The bill sets strict siting rules to ensure pedestrian accessibility, safety, and compliance with disability standards, while clarifying that operators are not considered public utilities. This directly affects highway authorities, property owners hosting chargers, and EV charging operators by creating a legal framework for public EV charging infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 584 increases state funding for students receiving special education services by adding $16,000 per student to the base education cost calculation. This change directly affects school districts and students in special education programs across New Hampshire, starting July 1, 2026. The bill modifies the formula used to determine per-pupil funding by specifying this additional amount for special education students, alongside existing adjustments for free/reduced meals and English language learners. The policy change aims to provide higher state support for these students' educational needs without altering current eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySB 555 creates "critical risk protection orders" to temporarily restrict access to firearms when someone poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. It allows family members, household members, intimate partners, or law enforcement to petition a court for this order, requiring the respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition. The court can issue an emergency order without the respondent's immediate presence, followed by a hearing within 72 hours. This applies only to acute risk situations and excludes cases already covered under domestic violence laws (RSA 173-B or 633:3-a).

Maddy summarySB 463 prohibits carrying firearms in "safe school zones" (defined under RSA 193-D:1) for most people, with exceptions for parents dropping off students (with firearms locked in vehicles), school-authorized personnel, and law enforcement. Violating this law would be a class A misdemeanor. The bill specifically exempts individuals who are properly trained school resource officers, active-duty military, or authorized by a school board in writing. It does not create new requirements but modifies existing criminal penalties under RSA 159:19-b.

Maddy summarySB 458 removes the current restriction that limits toll credits to the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project, allowing any municipal, county, or non-profit transportation project to use toll credits. The bill requires toll credits to be available at a minimum 50% discount (meaning entities pay no more than half the face value) to meet federal matching requirements for eligible highway projects. It also eliminates the need for state department or legislative approval when using toll credits for these projects, streamlining access to federal transportation funding.

Maddy summarySB 406 appropriates $20 million from the state General Fund to the city of Nashua for purchasing the former Daniel Webster College property. The bill states this property, currently owned by a foreign entity near Nashua's airport (deemed critical infrastructure), must be acquired to prevent foreign ownership near sensitive infrastructure. The funds are designated for the 2026-2027 biennium and will be drawn directly from the state treasury. This is a direct funding mechanism with no revenue impact on the state.