Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summarySB 492 authorizes New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services to lease or license property it owns, directly affecting the department and private entities renting that property. The bill requires lessees (unless tax-exempt) to pay local property taxes on the leased property, similar to private owners, and outlines penalties for nonpayment. It creates a dedicated "Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services Property Fund" to manage revenues from leases, which can be used for purchasing, maintaining, or operating department property and projects. The fund ensures these revenues are kept separate and can cover related expenses like property maintenance, administrative costs, or bond payments.

Maddy summaryHB 564 revises how school administrative units (SAUs) adopt budgets in New Hampshire, primarily affecting SAUs with multiple school districts. It repeals the previous "alternative budget procedure" and requires SAUs to place their budget warrant article first (after bond articles) at meetings, post mandatory voter reports 7 days prior, and apportion budgets based on student attendance and property value. For new services, SAUs must now secure approval from a majority of districts representing at least 60% of students. The bill also standardizes voting procedures, requiring separate ballot votes on SAU budgets at district meetings and preserving the previous year’s adjusted budget if the vote fails.

Maddy summarySB 548 requires health insurance companies in New Hampshire to hold a public hearing with the insurance commissioner within 15 business days if they terminate a contract with a healthcare provider that would affect 1,000 or more patients. It also mandates that all health insurance provider contracts include a 60-day provision ensuring patients maintain access to their provider after termination (except for unprofessional conduct), and requires insurers and providers to jointly notify affected patients about this access and the hearing. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients covered by these contracts. These provisions aim to ensure transparency and continuity of care during contract terminations that impact large groups of patients.

Maddy summarySB 529 requires state-funded building projects in New Hampshire to prioritize lumber harvested in the United States for material specifications, unless design needs necessitate imported sources. It specifically directs contractors to reference U.S.-sourced spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber for softwood framing in construction plans. This applies to all state-funded projects, affecting state agencies and contractors working on public buildings. The bill does not mandate exclusive use of U.S. lumber but establishes a preference, with implementation set for 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 541 appropriates $16.5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Services for Phase 2 of the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project. It directly funds infrastructure (including pumps, storage tanks, and pipelines) to increase water supply by over 2 million gallons daily for towns affected by PFAS contamination and rising demand. The bill requires that no public utility ratepayer face adverse costs from this project. Funds are nonlapsing, meaning they remain available for use beyond the fiscal year without needing annual renewal.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 allows disabled individuals with specific physical conditions - such as paraplegia, loss of both lower extremities, or other disabilities approved by the executive director - to hunt from motor vehicles with a special permit. To qualify, hunters must hold a current hunting license, apply for the permit (with a $10 fee), and carry it while hunting. The permit permits hunting from motor vehicles, including off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and terrain vehicles, but prohibits carrying loaded firearms while the vehicle is moving. This change modifies existing hunting regulations to accommodate certain disabled hunters under strict safety and licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the state's maximum guarantee limit from $200 million to $500 million for the Business Finance Authority. It raises the total amount of state-backed financial guarantees (like loan assurances for businesses) that can be active at one time, effective March 1, 2026. The change directly affects the authority's ability to support business financing through state guarantees. This is a procedural adjustment to an existing financial limit, not a new program.

Maddy summarySB 507 limits school districts' financial responsibility for continuing education services for students expelled due to assaulting school staff. It requires districts to cover only the average per-pupil cost for such students, rather than full educational expenses. The bill does not change expulsion rules or relieve parents of their obligation to educate their children. This applies specifically to students expelled for assault against staff and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1537 allows school bus operators to install high-resolution cameras on stop bars (the flashing arms extending from school buses) to capture drivers who run school bus stop lights. The cameras must clearly identify faces, include digital timestamps and tamper-proof video markers, and only activate when stop bars are extended during student loading/unloading. Videos must be preserved for up to 4 years if injuries occur, but deleted after 7 days if unused for investigations. School bus operators may choose to install the cameras but are not required to do so.

Maddy summarySB 589 requires New Hampshire to create a task force studying electricity needs for interstate trucking charging stations, port electrification, and transmission corridors, with a report due by June 2027. It authorizes a pilot program for microgrid development at up to five locations to improve energy resilience, collaborating with utilities and businesses. The bill also mandates the Department of Energy to develop cybersecurity guidelines for distributed energy systems like solar and battery storage. These provisions directly affect state agencies, transportation infrastructure planners, port operators, and energy providers by setting new planning and safety requirements.