Sen. Donovan Fenton

Maddy summarySB 59 creates a recruitment incentive program within New Hampshire's community colleges for public safety communicators and dispatchers. It directs $100,000 from an existing law enforcement fund to the Police Standards and Training Recruitment and Retention Fund, specifically to support career development, recruitment, and retention efforts for these roles. The funds will cover up to $100,000 in police academy cost reimbursements for eligible community college students. This bill directly affects community college students pursuing public safety communication and dispatch careers in New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 304 is a proposed bill directing New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs commissioner to create a report on how tariffs impact both New Hampshire residents and Canadian residents. It does not change laws or impose new requirements but requests a study on tariff effects. The bill was referred to committee, where it received a "Inexpedient to Legislate" recommendation (3-2 vote) before being tabled. This procedural request was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 199 proposes a new program to recruit and retain new New Hampshire state troopers. The bill directly affects the New Hampshire State Police by establishing mechanisms to attract and keep new officers, addressing staffing challenges in law enforcement. Key provisions include creating a structured recruitment initiative and retention strategies, though specific details like bonuses or training programs aren't outlined in the context. The bill passed committee unanimously (6-0) but was later deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" under Senate Rule 3-23 on October 31, 2025. It focuses on practical policy changes to strengthen the state police workforce.

Maddy summarySB 244 creates a Public-Private Health Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Hub managed by the Bi-State Primary Care Association to expand access to primary care in New Hampshire. It funds specific workforce programs including a $500,000 annual initiative to train 500 nursing assistants (covering up to $2,600 in tuition), loan repayment for clinicians working in non-profits, and expanded nursing mentorship programs with area health education centers. The bill appropriates over $2 million total across fiscal years 2026-2027 to support recruitment, training, and retention of health care workers, particularly in rural areas. These provisions directly affect health care organizations, nursing students, and clinicians seeking career development opportunities in New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 288 creates an advisory council to improve care services for older adults in New Hampshire. The council will meet quarterly to review and recommend changes to the state's "system of care for healthy aging," focusing on reducing wait times for Medicaid long-term care, streamlining hospital discharges for non-acute patients, and addressing gaps in long-term care access. It will specifically examine data on long-term care bed availability, Medicaid waiver services, and workforce challenges for direct care providers. The council's findings will be included in the State Commission on Aging's annual report, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects older adults, their caregivers, and service providers by shaping how care is delivered and accessed.

Maddy summarySB 86 amends New Hampshire law to clarify that the state's full faith and credit supports the Housing Finance Authority's affordable housing guarantee program. It requires the state treasurer to provide funds from the treasury to the authority when needed to cover guaranteed obligations, with reports to the fiscal committee. This directly affects the Housing Finance Authority and the affordable housing projects it supports by ensuring state-backed financial backing for their guarantee program. The bill focuses on the funding mechanism, not new housing policies or outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 70 would create a mobile driver's license and non-driver identification card system, allowing residents to use smartphone apps instead of physical cards. It directly affects individuals who require identification for age verification, travel, or official purposes, offering a digital alternative to traditional licenses. The bill proposes establishing state-approved mobile ID platforms that would meet security and privacy standards. However, the bill is currently stalled under "Inexpedient to Legislate" status (Senate Rule 3-23, effective October 31, 2025), meaning it has not advanced to become law.

Maddy summarySB 240 would allocate state funds to the Department of Environmental Services for eligible water infrastructure projects, such as treatment facilities or watershed protection. The bill directs the department to distribute these funds to specific local projects meeting defined criteria. However, the bill was deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the Senate on October 31, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 279 establishes a new loan program to provide financing for businesses focused on building or rehabilitating housing. It allocates state funds to the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the Business Finance Authority to administer these loans. The program directly supports small housing developers, contractors, and housing-focused nonprofits by offering them access to capital for housing projects. This policy change shifts state funding toward housing development through a dedicated loan mechanism, without specifying loan terms or interest rates.

Maddy summarySB 239 allocates $400,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the General Fund to the Fish and Game Department to continue environmental reviews for threatened and endangered species. It also allocates $2 million from the Fish and Game Fund in 2026 to cover a deficit from past salary increases for department staff. The funds are non-lapsing (meaning unused funds carry over) and take effect July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects the Fish and Game Department's budget for specific operational needs.