Sen. Donovan Fenton

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Business and Economic Affairs to hire and train small business development counselors specifically for rural areas of New Hampshire. The funds are designated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and are authorized to remain available until June 30, 2026, allowing the department to draw on the money over that period. The department will use these resources to support existing small business development centers by expanding their staff with counselors trained to assist rural entrepreneurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Modern Economy Act, would require most group health insurance plans to cover up to six rounds of intrauterine insemination for certificate holders each year, even without a formal infertility diagnosis. It also expands legal protections against sex discrimination to explicitly include pregnancy-related conditions and fertility treatments, mandating that employers allow time off for IVF follow-ups and postpartum care. However, the legislation excludes insurance plans available through the Small Business Health Options Program and those in transition to Affordable Care Act compliance. The measure was ultimately not passed, as it was laid on the table by the House in May 2024 and died when the legislative session ended later that year.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have allowed New Hampshire to issue driver's licenses to noncitizens who are legally residing in the state, including those with temporary work or study visas, as well as their spouses and children. Under the proposed rules, applicants would need to provide proof of their legal status, undergo standard driving tests, and submit documentation such as a foreign driving record or social security number if available. The licenses would be valid for no more than five years and would expire when the holder's legal status in the United States ends. Once issued, license holders would be subject to the same traffic laws and regulations as all other drivers. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the governor and the veto was sustained by the state legislature, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a report detailing how to expand access to the medications mifepristone and misoprostol. The report must identify potential ways to protect and increase access, outline methods for better public education on these drugs, and list any obstacles currently preventing their availability. The legislation requires the report to be submitted to state legislative leaders by November 1, 2024, without using state general funds, and notes that the department must not violate existing state or federal laws while conducting this study.

Maddy summarySB 543 establishes the State Environmental Adaptation, Resilience, and Innovation Advisory Council to help New Hampshire prepare for environmental changes like rising sea levels and extreme weather. The council consists of representatives from various state agencies, local governments, and environmental organizations, and it is required to meet at least twice a year. Its primary tasks include creating maps of vulnerable areas, reviewing state plans to ensure they account for climate risks, and developing strategies to protect public health and infrastructure. The bill also directs the council to consider how environmental shifts might disproportionately affect at-risk populations and to promote the efficient use of public funds. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature overrode the veto, making the council and its duties official law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the oversight of manufactured housing in New Hampshire by converting the existing Manufactured Housing Installation Standards Board into an advisory body and establishing a new advisory board for massage therapists, reflexologists, structural integrators, and Asian bodywork therapists. The legislation transfers implementation authority to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, which would be responsible for enforcing installation standards, issuing licenses to installers, and conducting inspections to ensure safety and compliance. Key provisions include setting specific experience and training requirements for those who install manufactured homes and creating a formal dispute resolution process for issues between manufacturers, retailers, and installers. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not receive the necessary two-thirds vote to override the veto, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a three-year pilot program allowing recovery centers and community mental health centers to receive free passes to state parks for their clients. Funded through state and federal grants plus donations, the initiative would require these facilities to report annually on how the program is used and its impact. The pilot is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024, with the specific provisions set to expire in 2027. Although the bill was referred for study, it was ultimately not passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to set a new speed limit of 45 miles per hour on unimproved rural highways, which are defined as areas adjacent to two-lane roads that lack paved shoulders and have low-density driveway access. The legislation directly affects drivers traveling on these specific roadways by establishing a maximum speed that is lower than the current 55 miles per hour limit applicable to other locations. It also creates a new legal definition for "unimproved rural highway" to clarify which roads fall under this restriction and updates the fine schedule for speeding violations to align with the new limit.