Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summarySB 593 clarifies that landfill expansions (adding capacity to existing permitted sites) require approval solely from New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services, overriding local zoning rules. It mandates landfill operators expanding capacity to pay host municipalities at least $2.50 per ton of waste received. For new landfills not on existing sites, the bill requires visual impact assessments within one mile of homes and analysis of benefits/impacts on regional land uses. This directly affects landfill operators, host communities, and municipalities near proposed landfill sites.

Maddy summarySB 669 allows licensed barbershops and salons (already registered under New Hampshire's professional licensing rules) to serve one alcoholic drink per customer during appointments. It sets specific limits: one 16-ounce drink, 6-ounce wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor per person per visit, requires responsible beverage service training for staff, and mandates recordkeeping for both alcohol service and training. The bill imposes a $480 license fee, prohibits serving alcohol in private residences, and requires minors to be present but not served. It also mandates annual facility inspections and an annual report to the legislature detailing licenses, inspections, and violations.

Maddy summaryHB 191 prohibits transporting, recruiting, or harboring a pregnant minor under 18 (unemancipated) within New Hampshire to obtain an abortion without parental permission, imposing criminal penalties. It classifies first offenses as class A misdemeanors and repeat offenses (two prior violations) as class B felonies. Exemptions include parents/guardians, those with written parental consent, common carriers, and emergency medical personnel. The bill also allows civil lawsuits for wrongful death if a violation leads to an abortion, with damages covering economic, noneconomic, and punitive costs. This directly affects individuals assisting minors in accessing abortion services without parental involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 permits public and private entities in New Hampshire to separate individuals by biological sex in three specific settings: multi-user facilities (like bathrooms and locker rooms), athletic competitions where biological males typically have a competitive advantage, and correctional or treatment facilities. The bill defines "biological sex" as the sex listed on an individual’s birth certificate issued near birth. It explicitly states that these sex-based separations do not constitute discrimination under state law. The bill amends New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination statute (RSA 354-A) to create these limited exceptions, affecting how facilities and events are operated in those contexts.

Maddy summarySB 603 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to internally transfer existing state funds to cover any shortfall in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding caused by reduced federal support. It applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period and mandates that transfers exceeding $100,000 require approval from the Fiscal Committee, governor, and council. The bill does not provide new funding or create new costs; it simply directs the department to reallocate current resources to maintain SNAP operations. This addresses an expected $4.6 million state cost increase starting October 2026 due to federal funding changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no net fiscal impact as it only shifts existing funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 would require public schools and public charter schools in New Hampshire to remove all flags except the U.S. flag, New Hampshire state flag, and POW/MIA flag from school buildings and grounds. Exceptions allow for flags used in specific educational contexts (like foreign language or U.S. history classes), U.S. military branch flags, and official city or town flags. Violations would trigger escalating penalties: a warning for the first offense, disciplinary action for the second, and potential state-imposed fines up to $1,000 for third or subsequent violations. The law would take effect on September 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 450 establishes a 3-year pilot program (2026-2029) allowing community mental health centers registered with the Department of Health and Human Services to receive state park passes for their clients. Participating centers must submit annual anonymized reports on pass usage and program impact, with funding coming from state/federal grants and donations (costing under $10,000 annually). The program directly affects mental health centers and their clients by providing subsidized park access. It expires automatically in 2029 per the bill’s repeal clause.

Maddy summarySB 447 allows New Hampshire electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear power as part of their energy mix, alongside renewable sources. It increases the annual capacity cap for low-income community solar projects from 6 MW to 18 MW and expands eligibility for group net metering to include public housing authorities. The bill also updates rules for customer generators, permitting members to join multiple group hosts under load limits, and clarifies processes for utilities to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) on long-term energy agreements. These changes aim to diversify energy sources, stabilize costs, and support community solar access while maintaining regulatory coordination with New England states.

Maddy summarySB 441 requires any New Hampshire municipality planning to transport homeless individuals or those needing substance use disorder treatment to another municipality to first establish a written agreement (Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU) with the receiving municipality. The MOU must detail services provided, financial responsibilities (including potential payments for treatment), transfer limits, and reporting requirements. This applies to non-emergency transports for housing, shelter, or treatment, but excludes emergency medical transfers, court-ordered moves, or voluntary relocations. Violations carry a $5,000 fine payable to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill aims to ensure coordinated care and financial clarity between municipalities handling vulnerable residents.

Maddy summaryHB 1602 creates a statewide program requiring battery manufacturers and brands (producers) to fund and manage the safe collection and recycling of covered batteries. It applies to portable batteries (under 4.4 lbs primary or 11 lbs rechargeable) and medium-format batteries (11-25 lbs), excluding medical device batteries, vehicle batteries, and lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds. Producers must join a "battery stewardship organization" that meets annual collection targets and follows environmental safety rules, with the Department of Environmental Services overseeing compliance. The program shifts recycling responsibility from consumers to producers, ensuring covered batteries are handled safely through a structured, industry-funded system.