Sen. Donovan Fenton

Maddy summarySB 559 lowers the minimum speed limit on locally controlled roads from 25 mph to 20 mph in certain areas, including outside urban districts and within business or urban residential zones. Local authorities must base any speed limit reduction on engineering or traffic studies before implementing it. The bill does not require new funding or change existing enforcement, as it only modifies the minimum limit threshold in state law. This affects municipalities and town officials responsible for setting speed limits on local roads.

Maddy summarySB 497 removes a requirement that community colleges in New Hampshire follow specific procurement rules (RSA 21-I) when awarding contracts for capital projects funded by state appropriations. The bill repeals Section 159:13, IV of the current law, which previously mandated that certain capital contracts be processed through the Department of Administrative Services. This change directly affects the Community College System of New Hampshire, streamlining how it manages construction and facility projects. The policy shift eliminates a procedural step without altering funding amounts or project eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 620 increases license suspension periods for drivers who refuse alcohol testing and modifies penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI). For a first refusal of testing, license suspension rises from 180 days to 12 months; for repeat offenders with prior DWI convictions or refusals, it increases from 2 to 3 years. The bill also adds new requirements for aggravated DWI convictions, including a mandatory 17-day jail sentence (suspensible), a substance use disorder evaluation within 60 days of release, and installation of an ignition interlock device. These changes directly affect drivers arrested for DWI who refuse testing or are convicted of aggravated DWI offenses. The policy focuses on stricter consequences for refusal and repeat offenses, with court discretion to suspend up to 6 months of license revocation if treatment requirements are met.

Maddy summarySB 571 updates New Hampshire's requirements for issuing CPA certificates. It replaces the term "substantial equivalency" with "comparable" when evaluating foreign accountancy credentials, making the standard clearer for applicants with international qualifications. The bill also modifies educational rules by requiring a bachelor's degree plus 30 additional credit hours in accounting (including specific subjects like auditing and taxation), and allows candidates to take the CPA exam up to 120 days before graduating. These changes directly affect individuals seeking CPA licensure in New Hampshire, particularly those with foreign credentials or nearing degree completion.

Maddy summaryHB 1025 updates the statutory designation of the chief financial officer (CFO) responsible for identifying eligible agency income for deposit into the New Hampshire Armories Fund. It changes the reference from "CFO of the New Hampshire National Guard" to "CFO of the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services," clarifying which department manages this fund. This fund supplements general funds for operating military facilities (excluding federal program income), with the CFO identifying eligible income for deposit. The bill was requested by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the size of New Hampshire's State Veterans Council from 4 to 5 members. The council will now consist of 4 veterans (as defined by state law) and 1 family member of a veteran or currently serving military member, all appointed by the governor. Council members must meet at least twice yearly to provide guidance on veterans' programs, make recommendations for improvements, and oversee the "New Hampshire first for veterans" initiative. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and align with the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services' organizational structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1162 extends the deadline for the Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Studies to submit its final report from November 1, 2026, to November 1, 2029. The bill directly affects the commission, which is tasked with studying Holocaust and genocide education in New Hampshire schools. It modifies the commission's reporting requirements by updating the final report deadline in state law, while maintaining existing provisions for preliminary and annual reports. This is a procedural adjustment to the commission's timeline, with no changes to its duties or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 designates all donations and bequests received by New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services as non-lapsing funds. This means these funds will automatically carry over year-to-year without expiring, rather than requiring annual reappropriation. The bill directly affects the department’s ability to manage and use donor contributions for military/veteran programs without needing new budget approvals each year. It clarifies existing law (RSA 110-B:1, III) to ensure continuous funding for veteran support initiatives. The bill was requested by the department itself and will take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 613 requires new health care facilities (like ambulatory surgical centers, walk-in care centers, or dialysis centers) planning to operate within 15 miles of a critical access hospital to provide written notice to that hospital. The notice, sent by certified mail, must describe the facility and its services before opening. This bill adds a notification step to current licensing requirements but does not alter facility approval standards or restrict new facilities. It directly affects health care providers seeking to establish services near existing critical access hospitals.

Maddy summaryHB 1171 creates a 90-day grace period for renters who miss rent payments due to an unexpected interruption in their monthly Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects residential tenants in New Hampshire whose Social Security payments are halted unexpectedly, providing time to secure alternative housing or funding without facing immediate eviction. It amends state law to require landlords to grant this 90-day extension when rent is missed specifically because of disrupted Social Security payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.