Sen. Tim McGough

Maddy summarySB 547 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in New Hampshire to increase transparency and fairness in drug pricing. The bill requires PBMs to act in the best interest of health insurance companies (their clients) and bans them from keeping profits from "spread pricing" - where PBMs charge health plans more than they pay pharmacies for drugs. It defines key terms like "affiliate" and "revenue," and mandates that PBMs pass all rebates from drug manufacturers to health plans rather than retaining them. This directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and pharmacies, aiming to address high drug costs (23% of healthcare spending) and patient cost concerns (25% skip doses due to expense).

Maddy summarySB 403 requires all public and private schools in New Hampshire to begin the school year on or after the day following Labor Day. This law directly affects school boards statewide by prohibiting them from scheduling the start of classes before Labor Day. The key provision amends state law to establish a new requirement that schools must begin no earlier than the day after Labor Day, as defined by existing law. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no exceptions specified.

Maddy summarySB 536 creates a new seven-member Solid Waste Facility Site Evaluation Committee to assess proposed major waste facilities beyond standard regulatory reviews. The committee, appointed by the governor with specific expertise requirements (including local conservation and waste industry knowledge), must evaluate non-regulatory impacts like noise, odor, property values, tourism effects, and economic impacts on affected communities. This applies to facilities accepting over 100,000 tons of waste annually (excluding certain food waste facilities or municipal projects), prioritizing expansions of existing landfills over new greenfield sites. The committee will issue a certificate authorizing construction after its review, replacing the current process for evaluating broader community impacts.

Maddy summarySB 662 appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for repairs and renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam. The funds are non-lapsing, meaning they can be used until June 30, 2029, and become available July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the state agency responsible for managing the dam and its infrastructure. It makes no changes to laws or regulations but allocates specific funding for maintenance work.

Maddy summarySB 477 requires hospitals and other 340B-covered entities in New Hampshire to submit annual public reports to the Department of Health and Human Services by April 1. These reports must detail patient usage of 340B drugs (by insurance type), financial data including acquisition costs and reimbursements for drugs and other services, net revenue, and charity care costs. The bill mandates separate reporting for hospitals, their practice locations, and contracted pharmacies, along with CEO/CFO attestations confirming accuracy. It aims to increase transparency by making 340B program financial data publicly available and preventing duplicate discounts.

Maddy summarySB 635 establishes a tax credit program for New Hampshire employers that use health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) instead of traditional group health insurance. Employers with more than one employee (classified as "qualified taxpayers") can claim a credit of up to $400 per covered employee in the first year (reducing to $200 in the second year), with annual limits of $20,000 per employer in year one and $10,000 in year two. The credit is applied against state tax liability, with a total annual cap of $10 million across all claims, and unused credits may be carried forward for up to three years. This policy directly affects employers transitioning to HRAs and aims to offset costs for covering employee health expenses through tax incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 changes how municipalities must notify the public about zoning board appeals. It replaces the current requirement to publish hearing notices in newspapers with a new rule: notices must be posted on the municipality’s public website for at least 5 days before the hearing. This applies to all towns and cities with zoning boards of adjustment. The change aims to reduce costs for municipalities, as they will no longer need to pay for newspaper advertising - estimated savings are under $10,000 per municipality annually.

Maddy summaryHB 1623 requires charter schools in New Hampshire to use uniform, clear billing practices for special education services, prohibiting varying rates for identical services. It directly affects charter schools and school districts that provide special education, ensuring parents and oversight bodies can easily understand costs. The bill mandates transparent billing by July 1, 2026, with no new state funding or staffing authorized to implement it. This policy change aims to simplify cost structures for families and improve accountability without altering service delivery.

Maddy summarySB 506 directs New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to implement federal work and community engagement requirements for Medicaid eligibility under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025." It requires the state to submit a plan to CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) by December 2026, after legislative review, and mandates quarterly reports to lawmakers on implementation progress. The bill suspends existing state law provisions related to these requirements while federal rules are in effect, with automatic reinstatement if federal rules end. It does not provide new state funding or create positions, aligning state Medicaid operations with federal guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 1551 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for owners of vehicles 11 years or older, replacing annual registration fees. It requires a $50 base fee plus three times the standard registration fees (state, municipal, or electric vehicle fees), with the registration never expiring. The registration cannot be transferred if the vehicle changes ownership - new owners must apply for a new registration - and non-residents may obtain it with a "NON-RESIDENT PERMANENT REGISTRATION" label that cannot establish state residency. This policy change directly affects vehicle owners of older vehicles, including non-residents, by eliminating recurring registration costs for as long as they own the vehicle.