Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summaryThis bill requires animal care centers (like boarding kennels, veterinary facilities, and humane societies) that board five or more dogs to notify owners in writing when a dog will be left unattended without an employee present and to disclose if the facility lacks a functioning fire sprinkler system. Centers must also report any injuries to animals or people occurring on their premises to local law enforcement within a specified timeframe. Additionally, the bill mandates annual unannounced inspections by local authorities between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to verify sanitation and care standards, with penalties including temporary closures (up to 5 days) for first violations and permanent closure after a third infraction. The requirements apply to commercial centers but exclude private residences caring for five or fewer dogs at a time.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (CACR 18) would cap annual increases in New Hampshire state and local government spending and tax rates based on inflation and population growth. Specifically, it limits annual spending increases to a four-year average inflation rate (capped at 2.5%) plus the prior year's population change, with excess revenues up to 10% directed to a rainy day fund. It also grants citizens the right to sue the state or local governments for violations, including recovery of attorney fees and up to 20x those costs if successful. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.

Maddy summarySB 583 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a public education funding transparency system tracking how state education dollars are allocated, disbursed, and spent over the past decade at the school, district, and intermediate unit levels. The system must include data visualization dashboards for state officials (like the legislature and governor) and public-facing tools showing aggregate, non-identifiable funding data. Key features require the system to integrate diverse data sources, ensure strict privacy compliance (including de-identified data and small cell suppression), and support advanced analytics for forecasting and program evaluation. The bill appropriates $900,000 for system creation and $500,000 annually for maintenance starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment would raise the mandatory retirement age for New Hampshire judges from 70 to 75 years. Currently, judges must retire upon reaching age 70, but the change would allow them to serve until age 75. The proposal requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election to take effect, as it amends the state constitution. It directly affects current and future judges who would no longer be required to retire at 70.

Maddy summaryHB 1339 prohibits retail businesses from refusing to sell goods or services solely because a customer wants to pay with cash. It requires all retail establishments to accept legal tender (cash) when offered, eliminating policies that force customers to use credit cards. The law directly affects retailers selling physical goods or services to consumers, ensuring cash buyers cannot be denied transactions. This is a concrete policy change that mandates equal treatment of cash payments alongside other payment methods.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 would direct New Hampshire to seek federal approval to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing sweetened drinks (with 5g+ added sugar) and candy. The bill requires the state health department to submit a waiver to the USDA by January 2027, defining prohibited items like soda and candy bars while excluding milk, juice blends, and certain non-refrigerated sweets. It mandates implementation plans for retailers and annual reports on purchasing patterns and health outcomes. This would directly affect SNAP recipients in New Hampshire who currently use benefits for these restricted items.

Maddy summarySB 537 repeals a specific law (RSA 374:3-a) that allowed New Hampshire's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve alternative regulatory approaches for utility companies. This bill directly affects the PUC and regulated utilities by removing the PUC's authority to approve non-traditional regulatory methods. The key provision simply eliminates this existing option, requiring utilities to follow standard regulatory processes instead of potential alternative arrangements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 summaryHB 1769 prohibits publicly funded medical facilities (including state-funded hospitals and clinics) from referring patients for abortions, except in medical emergencies or when referring to a pregnancy resource center (a nonprofit facility offering counseling/support but not abortion services). The bill requires these facilities to submit compliance affidavits and allows taxpayers or affected mothers/family members to sue the facility or state for violations. It also voids contracts with organizations that violate the referral ban. This law directly affects state-funded healthcare providers and creates new legal avenues for challenging abortion referrals. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

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.