Sen. Tim McGough

Maddy summaryHB 1585 requires New Hampshire's state and local public retirement systems to prioritize only financial factors when making investment decisions, excluding environmental, social, or political considerations. The bill directly affects retirement systems managing state pension funds, mandating that fiduciaries (like investment managers) act solely in the financial interest of participants and beneficiaries. Key provisions prohibit considering factors such as climate policies (e.g., restricting fossil fuel investments), diversity criteria, abortion access, or firearm industry engagement when managing assets. The law explicitly states that investment decisions must not be influenced by "environmental, social, political, or ideological interests," even if tied to corporate practices. This shifts focus entirely to financial returns and risk, eliminating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria from retirement fund strategies.

Maddy summaryHB 1784 amends New Hampshire's health care consumer protection trust fund rules, which holds settlement money from health care acquisition cases. The bill removes executive council approval for fund spending (retaining only advisory commission and governor approval), prohibits grants to state agencies (including subgrants), and requires all funded projects to have measurable patient outcome goals with milestone-based payments and clawbacks for unmet targets. It also bans funding for academic research while allowing limited evaluation to verify outcomes. This directly affects how the Attorney General, advisory commission, and governor administer the fund, ensuring money flows only to non-state entities like municipalities or non-governmental organizations for direct consumer benefits.

Maddy summarySB 514 prevents local legislative bodies (like town councils) from changing the wording of ballot questions that ask voters to approve raising municipal tax caps. The bill requires that when a budget would exceed the tax cap, the question must be put to a vote by ballot (not decided by the council), and the question cannot be altered by the council. A 3/5 majority vote is required for the tax cap override to take effect, with polls open for at least one hour after discussion. This applies to all existing municipal tax caps without needing new local action and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1543 updates the process for transferring state-owned highway, federal, or turnpike-funded property to local municipalities. It requires the state to first offer such property to the local town, city, or county government where it’s located, with municipalities having 90 days to respond or be deemed to have approved. For active road segments (class I/II highways), disposal needs either municipal approval or a rehab agreement before the state can transfer it. Proceeds from sales must go back to the original funding source (highway, federal, or turnpike fund), and the state must provide a "turnback condition report" verifying highway infrastructure is repaired before transfer.

Maddy summarySB 424 repeals the position of "northern county area industrial agent" within New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs and authorizes the department's commissioner to reassign those responsibilities to existing staff. The bill allows the commissioner to direct departmental employees to focus on economic development in specific regions of the state, including assisting local governments and businesses. Crucially, it requires that all areas of the state be served equally according to their economic needs. This is a procedural change to departmental structure with no new funding or direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Maddy summarySB 301 proposes creating a new joint legislative oversight committee. This bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on establishing the committee structure rather than implementing policy changes. The bill was recently referred to an interim study (scheduled for January 7, 2026), indicating it is still in the early stages of the legislative process. It does not specify which agencies or programs the committee would oversee or directly affect any particular group.

Maddy summarySB 211 requires New Hampshire public schools to establish eligibility rules for female-designated sports programs, directly affecting student athletes in those programs. The bill mandates that schools cannot exclude students solely based on transgender status but sets specific criteria: students must identify as female in daily life, not transfer teams mid-season for competitive advantage, and meet other criteria tied to the sport's educational purpose. It also requires all schools to adopt privacy policies by September 2025, allowing any student needing increased privacy (regardless of reason) to access single-stall restrooms or private changing areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all public school sports programs in the state.

Maddy summarySB 33, titled the "Right To Challenge Act," requires New Hampshire public school districts to establish policies by September 1, 2026, restricting materials deemed "harmful to minors" in schools. It defines such materials as those depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse in a way that appeals to minors' prurient interest, lacks serious value for them, and is inappropriate for their age. School boards must create complaint procedures allowing parents to submit written concerns about materials, requiring schools to investigate within 10 days and respond in writing within 15 days with their decision. The bill directly affects school districts, educators, and parents seeking to challenge materials in school settings.

Maddy summarySB 34 requires written parental consent for each new medical service (defined by a new ICD code) provided to Medicaid-enrolled students through the Medicaid to Schools program. It mandates an annual report to state lawmakers detailing the program's costs and enrollment. The bill also states the program terminates statewide if federal or state policy opposes parental control over children's medical services, or in a single school district if local policy changes. This directly affects Medicaid-enrolled students and their parents in schools participating in the program.