Maddy summaryHB 1787 modifies New Hampshire's statewide education property tax system by requiring all tax revenues to be collected by local officials and deposited directly into the state education trust fund, rather than being handled by municipalities. It updates the low- and moderate-income homeowners property tax relief program and establishes a committee to study this program's effectiveness. The bill also mandates that tax bills include clear information about available relief programs, including the low-income homeowner program. These changes affect homeowners (particularly those eligible for tax relief) and ensure education funding flows through a centralized state trust fund for grants and tax relief payments. The tax rate is set to generate $378 million annually, increasing by 2% each year.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 410 authorizes New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to possess portions of human remains (such as tissue or bone) for training cadaver detection dogs, directly affecting law enforcement, funeral homes, and mortuaries. The bill requires written consent from next of kin or the deceased’s prior donation authorization, specifies the exact portions to be used, and mandates documentation retention. After training, all remains must be returned to a New Hampshire institution of higher education or a licensed medical waste disposal company. Agencies must also develop written policies covering consent, handling, storage, and final disposition, all to be submitted to the police standards council. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.
Maddy summaryHB 1638 creates a process for healthcare providers to bypass step therapy protocols when a patient's condition requires it, directly affecting patients and providers in insurance plans that use step therapy. Step therapy typically forces patients to try less expensive medications first before coverage is provided for more expensive alternatives. The bill requires step therapy protocols to be based on updated clinical guidelines developed by expert panels and mandates that insurers must grant an override request when providers demonstrate medical necessity, including conditions like advanced cancer or serious mental illness. This establishes a clear, evidence-based pathway to avoid unnecessary treatment delays without altering existing insurance coverage rules.
Maddy summarySB 647 authorizes New Hampshire's Department of Insurance to join a cooperative group with other states to secure lower prices on prescription drugs through a discount program. The bill enables the department to form an intergovernmental agreement for this purpose, requiring approval from the governor and executive council. This would directly affect the Department of Insurance's operations and potentially reduce prescription drug costs for state residents. The program would take effect on July 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1701 reestablishes New Hampshire's College Graduate Retention Incentive Partnership (NH GRIP) program, which provides financial incentives to college graduates who work for participating employers in the state. The bill requires participating employers to pay graduates a minimum of $1,000 annually for up to four years of employment, with priority given to New Hampshire-based small businesses and employers in sectors facing workforce shortages (like healthcare and technology). Employers must post qualifying positions online and sign agreements with graduates, while the Department of Business and Economic Affairs administers the program and publishes annual reports on participation and outcomes. This directly affects recent New Hampshire college graduates seeking employment and participating employers who choose to join the program.
Maddy summaryHB 1500 establishes a 17-member commission to study and develop procedures for managing state government shutdowns. The commission includes legislative leaders, executive branch officials (like the treasurer and attorney general), union representatives, and business groups, with specific roles for key state departments. It must identify essential services, review employee pay rules and budget impacts, and propose legal frameworks to maintain public safety during shutdowns. The commission must submit an interim report by November 2026 and a final report by November 2027 to state leaders. This bill directly affects how New Hampshire state government would operate during a shutdown, focusing on continuity of essential services and employee protections.
Maddy summaryHB 1653 requires freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs) to allow patients receiving emergency care to choose their transfer destination hospital, rather than being limited to the parent hospital that owns or operates the FHEF. The bill mandates that FHEFs provide this choice when a transfer is medically necessary and the selected hospital can treat the patient's condition, while prohibiting practices like conditioning treatment on transfers to affiliated hospitals or steering patients toward the parent facility. It also requires FHEFs to document the patient's transfer preference and forbids exclusive contracts with emergency medical services that restrict transfer options. These provisions aim to protect patient autonomy, prevent anti-competitive behavior, and ensure continuity of care during emergency transfers.
Maddy summaryHB 1798 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by November 1, 2026, to add diaper coverage under Medicaid for infants' first year of life. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible infants (approximately 4,000 annually) and their families, providing coverage for 100 diapers per month during the child's first 12 months. It appropriates $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the program, with federal matching funds expected to cover most costs. Implementation depends on federal CMS approval, with a target start date of May 1, 2027, if approved.
Maddy summarySB 535 defines two key terms for animal transfer regulations: a "residential breeder" (an individual breeding dogs/cats at home, raising litters as part of the household, transferring no more than 50 animals yearly, and not importing animals) and an "imported animal" (the offspring of an animal imported while pregnant). These definitions apply specifically to animal transfers within New Hampshire, clarifying which operations fall under certain regulations. The bill directly affects home-based breeders and animal transfer operations by setting clear boundaries for their activities. It becomes effective 60 days after passage, with no additional policy changes beyond these definitions.
Maddy summarySB 481 directs the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services to sell the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) property in Manchester. The department must negotiate the sale (at market value or higher), consult with Manchester city officials and business agencies, and get approval from the governor and council. Proceeds from the sale must go to the state general fund if finalized by June 30, 2027, or to the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund if sold after that date. The bill also requires the department to request annual funding to maintain the property until sold, subject to legislative approval.