Sen. Cindy Rosenwald

Maddy summarySB 637 creates a tax credit for New Hampshire grocery stores that purchase at least 10% of their products from registered local farms, requiring them to reduce prices on those items by 10%. The credit equals 10% of qualifying purchases and can offset the store’s business profits tax liability, with unused portions carryable for up to five years. Grocery stores must verify purchases from farms in a voluntary state registry and provide proof of price discounts. This policy directly affects grocery stores and supports New Hampshire farms by incentivizing local sourcing.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Hampshire towns and cities to collect a fee of up to $2 per day on hotel and room rentals priced above $40 per night, for up to 184 consecutive days per stay. Municipalities must hold a public hearing and obtain voter approval through a town meeting or city council vote before implementing the fee. Revenues must be deposited into a dedicated tourism or capital improvement fund to support services related to increased tourism and transient traffic, and cannot be used as general fund surplus. The fee applies only to rentals exceeding $40 daily, with no fee collected on lower-priced stays.

Maddy summarySB 636 creates tax credits for small businesses facing increased costs due to federal tariffs. Qualifying businesses - manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees or non-manufacturers with average annual revenue under $500,000 - can claim a credit equal to 25% of documented tariff-related costs (e.g., via invoices or supplier certifications), up to $7,500 per business annually. The total state spending on these credits is capped at $8 million per fiscal year, with applications processed in order of receipt and prorated if the cap is exceeded. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to three years, but credits are non-refundable and applied first against business profits tax.

Maddy summarySB 638 establishes a small business tariff stabilization fund to provide financial assistance to New Hampshire small businesses affected by reduced revenue from tariffs and trade disruptions. The fund, initially funded with $2.5 million from the General Fund, will distribute grants to support businesses facing supply chain issues or increased costs due to tariffs, specifically targeting those committed to avoiding layoffs. It directly benefits small businesses (defined per U.S. Small Business Administration standards) operating primarily in New Hampshire that have experienced revenue declines linked to lower exports to Canada and tourism impacts. The fund is separate from other state funds, non-lapsing, and will be managed by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs starting January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 187 adopts the dentist and dental hygienist compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists licensed in New Hampshire to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes a "compact privilege" requiring professionals to maintain an active license in their home state, pass national exams, and meet clinical assessment requirements. It creates a commission to oversee the compact, share licensure and disciplinary information among participating states, and provides special provisions for active military members and their spouses. This bill directly affects dentists, dental hygienists, and state licensing authorities, improving public access to dental services across state lines while maintaining regulatory standards.

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 208 requires local school boards and public libraries to adopt written policies for selecting and organizing materials (like books and digital resources). These policies must address how materials are chosen, reviewed, and made available to the public. The bill directly affects school districts and public library systems across the state, mandating a formal process for material curation. As of March 2025, the bill was referred to committee but ultimately deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the committee, meaning it did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 621 allows birth mothers to choose not to share specific information from their birth worksheet with state agencies. The bill directly affects individuals who have given birth and are interacting with state services related to their birth records. It provides a mechanism for birth mothers to withhold certain details contained in the worksheet, though the exact information covered is not specified in the title. This change modifies how state agencies may access or use that particular documentation.

Maddy summarySB 150 defines what constitutes an electric vehicle (EV) charging station and requires operators to pay an annual fee for testing by the Division of Weights and Measures to ensure accuracy. This bill directly affects EV charging station businesses, mandating they cover the cost of annual calibration checks. The key provision establishes a fee structure for these mandatory tests, administered by the Division of Weights and Measures. The bill was retained in committee and later reported as "Inexpedient to Legislate" by both majority and minority committees on November 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 197 would require the state to pay a portion of retirement system contributions for local government employers (such as cities, counties, and school districts). This directly affects political subdivisions that administer retirement systems for their employees. The bill's key provision is shifting a share of these employer contribution costs from local entities to the state treasury. This would reduce financial burdens on local governments managing retirement plans. The bill is currently stalled in committee after a majority committee report deemed it "inexpedient to legislate."