Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summarySB 100 prohibits New Hampshire public school educators from teaching, instructing, or inculcating discrimination targeting specific racial groups (including white people, Black people, or Hispanic/Latino people), while allowing educators to discuss historical discrimination as part of academic instruction. It requires school districts to investigate educator violations under state code and permits civil lawsuits by affected individuals or the attorney general. The law applies specifically to certified educators (teachers, administrators, and specialists) in public schools and explicitly states that discrimination cannot be justified by special considerations for any racial group.

Maddy summaryHB 355 adjusts the membership structure of the state's Solid Waste Working Group. The bill specifies who may serve on this group, directly affecting the composition of the panel that advises on solid waste management policies. It was passed unanimously by the committee (3-0) and the full chamber, then signed into law by Governor Ayotte on June 10, 2025, effective immediately. As a procedural bill focused solely on group membership, it does not create new policies or funding.

Maddy summarySB 295 creates New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, allowing parents to use public funds for private school tuition or approved educational expenses. It directly affects eligible K-12 students from households earning up to 350% of the federal poverty level (with income verified only at initial application), prioritizing current EFA students, siblings, students with disabilities, and low-income families. The program sets a 10,000-student enrollment cap for 2025-2026, with potential 25% annual increases if prior-year enrollment exceeded 90% of the cap, and reserves spots for renewing students before new enrollments. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, is now effective and replaces prior eligibility rules.

Maddy summarySB 29 updates the structure and responsibilities of the Health Care Workplace Safety Commission and modifies reporting requirements for healthcare facilities under their workplace violence prevention program. The bill changes commission membership rules and clarifies its jurisdiction, while simplifying the reporting process healthcare facilities must follow to document workplace violence incidents. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities required to submit these reports, as well as the commission managing the program. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, becomes effective August 9, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 229 allows the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat within the state. It directly affects producers and sellers of these specific wild game meats by removing the requirement for mandatory state inspection for their sale. The key provision permits these meats to be sold without inspection under defined conditions, streamlining the process for small-scale producers. The bill became law on June 10, 2025, and took effect on June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 168 expands the types of public infrastructure projects eligible for impact fee assessments. It allows cities and towns to include municipal public works facilities - such as water treatment plants, fire stations, or public transportation hubs - in the calculation of fees charged to new development projects. This change requires developers to pay impact fees for these specific municipal facilities, directly affecting local governments and new construction projects. The law takes effect on August 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 198 designates the third week of September as "New Hampshire Service Dog Week" to recognize service dogs and their handlers. This commemorative resolution directly affects service dog users, handlers, and related organizations across the state by establishing an annual awareness period. The bill does not create new legal requirements or funding but formally acknowledges the role of service dogs in supporting individuals with disabilities. It has been referred to committee and is currently under review.

Maddy summarySB 222 sets the effective date for a state primary date change to January 1, 2027. The bill does not alter the actual primary date or voting rules; it only establishes when the change will take effect. This procedural bill directly affects future election administration timelines but does not impact current voting procedures or voters. The summary is based solely on the bill's text and effective date provision.

Maddy summarySB 241 establishes a dedicated "Hampton Beach State Park Pier Fund" in the state treasury to finance the construction and maintenance of an accessible public pier at Hampton Beach State Park. The fund will cover engineering, design, construction, and ongoing upkeep, requiring the Parks Division to follow a 2022 feasibility study and prioritize accessibility for people with disabilities. It allows the division to accept donations and grants, and any remaining funds after July 1, 2035, will transfer to a broader state park accessibility account. The bill appropriates $1 for the 2025-2027 biennium to start the fund, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 371 updates the legal definition of "occasional food service establishment" in state law. This change directly affects small community events, churches, schools, and local vendors that operate temporary food service events (like bake sales or festivals) without requiring full restaurant permits. The bill’s key provision clarifies the scope of this category, reducing regulatory complexity for these low-volume, non-commercial food operations.