Sen. Kevin Avard

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 summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire public school districts to create and post online policies about classroom materials and establish procedures for parents to file complaints about materials they believe are inappropriate for students. The process mandates written complaints, investigations within 10 school days, written responses within 15 days, and detailed justifications for decisions. School boards must review appeals and make all decisions and communications public records, with all requirements to be implemented by November 1, 2026. The bill directly affects school districts, school boards, parents, and students by creating a standardized process for addressing concerns about educational materials.

Maddy summaryHB 1104 changes how New Hampshire school districts and chartered public schools are ranked for building aid grants. It removes the previous rule that automatically prioritized applications from the prior year that didn't receive funding due to budget limits, as well as applications with "critical needs" (like unsafe conditions). Instead, all applications will now be ranked solely based on the standard scoring criteria outlined in the law, including factors like unsafe facilities, overcrowding, ADA compliance, and school district fiscal capacity. This change affects every school district applying for building aid grants by altering the ranking process used to determine funding order.

Maddy summarySB 628 enables highway authorities (state or local governments) to license curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in public rights-of-way, such as sidewalks or street spaces. It establishes two options for electricity supply: either a dedicated new service or a "host energy reimbursement arrangement" where operators pay adjacent property owners for electricity use via separate metering. The bill sets strict siting rules to ensure pedestrian accessibility, safety, and compliance with disability standards, while clarifying that operators are not considered public utilities. This directly affects highway authorities, property owners hosting chargers, and EV charging operators by creating a legal framework for public EV charging infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 539 reclassifies all eligible biomass technologies under "Class III" for renewable energy compliance, replacing previous subcategories. It specifically affects existing biomass plants (under 25 MW or operating in Coos County by 2026) and landfill methane projects. The bill removes methane gas from Class III eligibility if landfill sites exceed 10 MW total capacity, requiring new landfill projects to meet strict size limits. This change streamlines eligibility rules but restricts certain methane sources from qualifying under the renewable portfolio standards.

Maddy summarySB 44 requires cities and towns using electronic voting machines to conduct a hand recount of all or part of an election if 100 registered voters who participated in that election request it. The request must be submitted to the secretary of state within 15 days of the election. This applies to any election where electronic machines were used, ensuring voters can seek a manual verification of results. The bill adds this requirement to existing election law and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 470 allows dentists to administer moderate sedation to patients under 13 without requiring a second anesthesia provider, provided they meet specific training and safety standards. Key provisions include requiring dentists to complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, obtaining informed consent that notes potential hospital alternatives, and conducting a pre-procedure medical evaluation. The bill updates the Dental Board’s rulemaking authority to align with national standards from groups like the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This directly affects dentists performing sedation on pediatric patients under 13 and ensures safety while expanding access to dental care in non-hospital settings.

Maddy summaryHB 451 establishes a statewide program requiring paint manufacturers to fund the collection and recycling of household paint waste. It mandates manufacturers to submit detailed plans covering architectural paint and aerosol coating products (excluding industrial coatings), including how they will manage waste through approved collection sites and educate consumers. Retailers can voluntarily host collection sites, but manufacturers must ensure all paint sold in New Hampshire is covered by an approved program, prohibiting sales without it. The law aims to reduce paint waste in landfills by creating a structured recycling system managed by manufacturers.

Maddy summarySB 298 creates a mandatory certification program for recovery residences (sober living homes) in New Hampshire. All facilities must meet safety standards, obtain certification through a state-designated body, and post resident rights - failing to comply could lead to fines or loss of certification. State agencies and vendors can only refer clients to certified residences, and the state will maintain a public list of certified facilities. This applies to all existing and new recovery residences operating in the state, with existing homes required to file for certification within 120 days.