Sen. Donovan Fenton

Maddy summarySB 637 creates a tax credit for New Hampshire grocery stores that purchase at least 10% of their products from registered local farms, requiring them to reduce prices on those items by 10%. The credit equals 10% of qualifying purchases and can offset the store’s business profits tax liability, with unused portions carryable for up to five years. Grocery stores must verify purchases from farms in a voluntary state registry and provide proof of price discounts. This policy directly affects grocery stores and supports New Hampshire farms by incentivizing local sourcing.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Hampshire towns and cities to collect a fee of up to $2 per day on hotel and room rentals priced above $40 per night, for up to 184 consecutive days per stay. Municipalities must hold a public hearing and obtain voter approval through a town meeting or city council vote before implementing the fee. Revenues must be deposited into a dedicated tourism or capital improvement fund to support services related to increased tourism and transient traffic, and cannot be used as general fund surplus. The fee applies only to rentals exceeding $40 daily, with no fee collected on lower-priced stays.

Maddy summarySB 553 increases penalties for drivers who willfully attempt to evade law enforcement by speeding, turning off headlights while moving, or abandoning their vehicle during a chase. Offenders will face a mandatory 5-day jail term (with no probation or deferred sentencing) and a driver's license suspension of at least six months. This law directly affects individuals who use these specific tactics to avoid police pursuit. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 618 requires drivers with repeated speeding violations - such as those suspended for excessive speeding (over 100 mph on highways or 50+ mph over limits on other roads) or multiple tickets - to install a GPS-based speed-limiting device (called an "intelligent speed assistance" or ISA device) as a condition for regaining their driver’s license. The device must actively prevent speeding by restricting vehicle speed to posted limits and cannot be tampered with, with data shared only under strict court or legal requirements. Offenders must pay for the device unless they qualify for affordability programs (e.g., low-income status via TANF, SNAP, or 150% of federal poverty level), and the device must remain active for at least 12 months after license reinstatement. This bill directly affects repeat speeding offenders in New Hampshire, focusing on behavioral correction through technology rather than new fines or jail time.

Maddy summarySB 636 creates tax credits for small businesses facing increased costs due to federal tariffs. Qualifying businesses - manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees or non-manufacturers with average annual revenue under $500,000 - can claim a credit equal to 25% of documented tariff-related costs (e.g., via invoices or supplier certifications), up to $7,500 per business annually. The total state spending on these credits is capped at $8 million per fiscal year, with applications processed in order of receipt and prorated if the cap is exceeded. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to three years, but credits are non-refundable and applied first against business profits tax.

Maddy summarySB 638 establishes a small business tariff stabilization fund to provide financial assistance to New Hampshire small businesses affected by reduced revenue from tariffs and trade disruptions. The fund, initially funded with $2.5 million from the General Fund, will distribute grants to support businesses facing supply chain issues or increased costs due to tariffs, specifically targeting those committed to avoiding layoffs. It directly benefits small businesses (defined per U.S. Small Business Administration standards) operating primarily in New Hampshire that have experienced revenue declines linked to lower exports to Canada and tourism impacts. The fund is separate from other state funds, non-lapsing, and will be managed by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs starting January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 136 creates a state fund to cover medically necessary care for uninsured patients by imposing a surcharge on commercial health insurers, reinsurers, and certain self-insured plans (including state/municipal plans). The fund, managed by the Department of Insurance, will support non-profit safety-net health providers who treat uninsured individuals who don’t qualify for government programs. Insurers must pay the assessment directly without passing costs to consumers via higher premiums, and an advisory committee will determine annual assessment levels and fund distribution. The program will begin in January 2026, with assessments collected quarterly starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 742 would change how the state funds emergency special education aid by requiring these payments to come directly from the Education Trust Fund instead of other state accounts. This policy affects school districts that receive state aid for high-cost special education services, particularly for students with severe disabilities requiring intensive support. The bill's key provision is a mandatory reallocation of funding sources, ensuring these critical aid payments are prioritized from the designated education fund. As of the latest committee action (referred for interim study on November 13, 2025), the bill has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 366 modifies the ranking system for school building aid grants in New Hampshire. It removes two priority rules: projects that didn’t receive funding the previous year (if construction hadn’t started) and projects with "critical needs" as defined by the department. Applications will now be ranked solely based on the established scoring criteria in RSA 198:15-c, II(b), including factors like unsafe conditions, ADA compliance, overcrowding, and fiscal capacity. This change affects all public school districts and chartered public schools applying for state building grants.

Maddy summarySB 204 expands free school meal eligibility in New Hampshire to students from households earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level, allowing school districts to choose this option. It requires the state to cover 50% of the cost difference for meals not fully reimbursed by federal programs, with districts covering the remaining 50%. School districts opting into this program must offer both online and physical applications for free meals, with the state providing administrative support and software funding. The bill appropriates $357,000 ($107,000 for administrative help and $250,000 for reimbursements/software) for the 2025-2026 biennium, effective July 1, 2025.