Sen. Tim McGough

Maddy summarySB 89 removes a citizenship requirement for individuals delivering alcohol in New Hampshire. It amends state law to allow non-citizens legally authorized to work in the U.S. to be employed in alcohol delivery roles, replacing the prior restriction that limited such jobs to U.S. citizens. The key change modifies RSA 179:20, I to explicitly permit eligible non-citizens to deliver liquor or beverages. The bill passed unanimously, was signed by the governor on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 300 makes it a crime to create explicit images or videos involving minors. It directly affects individuals who produce such content, imposing criminal penalties for this specific act. The law prohibits the creation of "child intimate visual representations" and establishes legal consequences for violators. Signed into law (Chapter 0259) and effective January 1, 2026, it focuses on preventing the production of this material.

Maddy summaryHB 148 would permit state agencies and public entities to classify individuals based on biological sex in specific contexts, such as access to certain public services or facilities. It directly affects individuals interacting with state programs where sex-based distinctions are currently used, like healthcare services or gender-segregated spaces. The bill establishes a legal framework allowing such classifications without requiring additional justification, shifting from existing policies that may have prioritized gender identity. The bill passed both chambers in May 2025 but was vetoed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 437 provides a legal process to correct property records when mortgages remain unpaid but are no longer active, directly affecting property owners with unresolved mortgage documentation. The bill establishes a streamlined procedure for recording authorities to clear outdated mortgage liens without requiring full repayment, using court-certified affidavits to verify the mortgage's inactivity. This removes bureaucratic barriers preventing property owners from selling or refinancing due to obsolete mortgage records. The law became effective September 5, 2025, after passing the legislature and being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 243 is a multi-topic bill containing several unrelated provisions. It increases penalties for false reports of child abuse to the Division for Children, Youth, and Families; modifies the Maternal Mortality Review Committee; establishes rules for electric vehicle charging stations; adjusts fees for annual testing by the Division of Weights and Measures; and authorizes accepting portraits of Senators Larsen and Bradley for the State House. The bill was referred to conference committee but a final report was not filed (as of July 8, 2025), meaning it did not advance to the governor. This is not a single policy change but a collection of separate amendments to existing laws and procedures.

Maddy summarySB 258 establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly using a gift card or its redemption information that the person suspects was obtained through deception or forgery to get money, goods, services, or other value. It directly affects individuals who use gift cards they believe were fraudulently acquired, such as stolen or counterfeited cards. The law specifically targets the act of using such cards for transactions, making it illegal to do so with knowledge or belief of the card's fraudulent origin. The bill was signed into law on July 1, 2025, and will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 292 revises New Hampshire's funding formula for special education costs, providing state aid to school districts when their special education expenses exceed 3.5 times the state's average per-pupil cost for the prior school year. Districts are responsible for costs up to 3.5 times the average plus 20% of additional costs (capped at 10 times the average), with the state covering the rest through automatic entitlement. The bill allocates $250,000 annually for emergency aid to small districts (under 1,000 residents) facing financial harm from special education costs, and specifies that unused emergency funds must support broader special education cost increases. It takes effect August 24, 2025, and is funded from the state education trust fund.

Maddy summarySB 173 modifies the rules governing legal agreements (covenants) that restrict how residential properties financed through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program can be managed. It directly affects developers and property managers of LIHTC housing by changing how long certain restrictions on these properties can remain in place. The bill establishes new requirements for updating or removing these covenants, aiming to provide more flexibility in property management while maintaining affordability commitments. This law took effect on July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 96 requires New Hampshire school employees (like teachers) to respond in writing to parent inquiries about their child within 5 school days, answering completely and honestly where permitted by law. School districts may withhold information only if disclosure could cause abuse, neglect, or abandonment (with written documentation), but must otherwise provide full responses. This directly affects parents seeking information about their child’s education and school staff who must follow these communication rules. Violations would be treated as breaches of educator conduct standards. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summarySB 78 amends New Hampshire law to set a specific 45-day deadline for filing appeals to a zoning board of adjustment, replacing the previous vague "reasonable time" standard. This directly affects applicants, property owners (abutters), and local government officials who wish to challenge zoning decisions made by municipal administrative officers. The key provision requires appeals to be filed within 45 days by submitting a notice specifying grounds to both the officer who issued the decision and the zoning board. This change aims to create clearer timelines for appeals while maintaining existing eligibility for those challenging zoning actions.