Sen. Donovan Fenton

Maddy summaryHB 431 establishes a commission to study the costs associated with special education programs in the state. The commission would examine funding requirements and operational expenses affecting school districts and students with disabilities. The bill was referred to the Education Committee but was later deemed "inexpedient to legislate" by the committee on May 15, 2025, effectively halting its progress. This procedural bill does not create new programs or funding but would have directed a study into existing special education cost structures.

Maddy summarySB 66 appears to regulate third-party organizations that assist veterans in filing claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. It aims to protect veterans by establishing standards or oversight for these service providers, directly affecting veterans seeking claim help and the third-party organizations offering those services. The bill is currently in committee review, having been referred to multiple committees since its introduction on January 9, 2025, with no further action details provided in the context. Specific provisions or mechanisms of the bill are not described in the available information.

Maddy summarySB 208 requires local school boards and public libraries to adopt written policies for selecting and organizing materials (like books and digital resources). These policies must address how materials are chosen, reviewed, and made available to the public. The bill directly affects school districts and public library systems across the state, mandating a formal process for material curation. As of March 2025, the bill was referred to committee but ultimately deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the committee, meaning it did not advance further.

Maddy summarySB 150 defines what constitutes an electric vehicle (EV) charging station and requires operators to pay an annual fee for testing by the Division of Weights and Measures to ensure accuracy. This bill directly affects EV charging station businesses, mandating they cover the cost of annual calibration checks. The key provision establishes a fee structure for these mandatory tests, administered by the Division of Weights and Measures. The bill was retained in committee and later reported as "Inexpedient to Legislate" by both majority and minority committees on November 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 215 requires landfill permit applicants to submit a detailed report outlining both potential environmental and community harms and benefits of their proposed project before a permit is approved. This directly affects landfill companies seeking new permits or expansions, as they must now proactively disclose these impacts to regulators. The key mechanism is a mandatory pre-permit disclosure requirement, shifting the burden to applicants to document effects like soil contamination risks or local job creation. The bill aims to provide clearer information for decision-makers without specifying how the report will influence final permitting decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 604 would create a loan forgiveness program for low-income homeowners who build new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or convert existing structures (like garages) into ADUs. It directly affects qualifying low-income homeowners in the state by covering the cost of their loans for these projects, reducing financial barriers. The key mechanism is that approved homeowners would not need to repay the loan after completing the ADU construction or renovation. This policy aims to increase housing options through secondary units without requiring repayment from eligible residents.

Maddy summaryHB 480 establishes a 2-year pilot program in one New Hampshire county (Merrimack or Strafford) to improve competency restoration for criminal defendants declared incompetent to stand trial. It creates neutral "forensic liaison" roles to coordinate between courts, attorneys, and mental health providers, helping defendants access evaluations, treatment, and reduce barriers to care. The program aims to address New Hampshire’s low restoration rate (44% in 2019) by formalizing a system that currently lacks structured support, unlike national averages showing 81% success. The liaisons will track progress, share updates with the court, and report outcomes to improve the state’s competency restoration process.

Maddy summaryHB 611 proposed requiring indigent criminal defendants (those who cannot afford a lawyer) to repay court-appointed attorneys after their cases concluded. The bill aimed to establish a formal repayment mechanism for legal services provided to low-income defendants in criminal cases. However, the committee voted 25-0 on October 30, 2025, to deem the bill "Inexpedient to Legislate," meaning it was rejected and did not advance further. The bill remains inactive as it was not enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 182 amends the structure of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee by adding a new member position to its composition. This change directly affects the committee's operational capacity as it reviews cases of maternal death to identify causes and recommend healthcare system improvements. The bill modifies the committee's membership requirements without altering its core function or creating new healthcare mandates. As a procedural amendment, it focuses on strengthening the committee's makeup rather than implementing new policies.

Maddy summaryHB 707 requires the Department of Environmental Services to revise regulations governing new landfill proposals. This directly affects the state agency responsible for environmental oversight and developers planning to build new landfills. The bill mandates the department to update specific rules related to landfill approvals and environmental standards. The bill is currently recommended for passage by the committee with an amendment.