Sen. Cindy Rosenwald

Maddy summarySB 469 allows the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) director to create rules permitting electronic signatures on vehicle-related documents. It specifically removes the requirement for notarized signatures when transferring vehicle ownership to an insurer after a claim payment, permitting electronic signatures and printed hard copies instead. This applies to supporting documents like title forms, odometer statements, and power of attorney. The bill directly affects vehicle owners, insurers, and DMV staff handling title transfers, streamlining processes for claims-related vehicle ownership changes.

Maddy summarySB 402 eliminates geographic non-compete restrictions in contracts for physician associates in New Hampshire. It makes any agreement preventing a physician associate from practicing in specific areas after employment ends void and unenforceable for new contracts or renewals signed on or after the law's effective date. This directly affects physician associates (healthcare providers working under physician supervision) and their employers by removing barriers to where they can practice following job changes. The law does not impact other contract terms, only the geographic restriction provision, and applies only to agreements entered after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 reduces New Hampshire's annual carbon dioxide emissions budget allowances for 2027-2030 and beyond, lowering the total from previous levels (e.g., to 2,993,220 allowances for 2027). It establishes cost containment triggers: if auction prices reach $19.50 or higher in 2027, the state must release additional allowances to prevent excessive price spikes. This directly affects electricity generators (who must purchase allowances) and ratepayers (who pay for these allowances through utility bills). The bill also simplifies the program by repealing outdated definitions related to banked allowances.

Maddy summarySB 429 requires all public schools in New Hampshire to install trauma kits containing specific emergency supplies (tourniquets, bleeding control bandages, gloves, scissors, and official training materials) by July 2026. The bill establishes a dedicated "trauma kit fund" in the state treasury, appropriating $25,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover kit procurement and distribution. It applies specifically to public schools (excluding vacant or under-construction buildings) and mandates the Department of Administrative Services to determine kit placement priorities. The law does not require school staff to use the kits during emergencies and specifies exact contents based on national emergency response standards.

Maddy summarySB 592 requires New Hampshire municipalities and regional planning commissions to explicitly include habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their regional conservation, land-use, and energy planning. Conservation commissions must now maintain an index of these natural areas within their communities, and regional commissions must consider them in comprehensive regional plans covering land use, transportation, recreation, and infrastructure. The bill uses existing definitions for habitat strongholds (RSA 207:1, XIII-a) and wildlife corridors (RSA 207:1, XXXVI) without creating new protected areas. This change affects all municipalities and regional planning bodies statewide, ensuring these natural features are factored into development decisions.

Maddy summarySB 538 extends the net metering eligibility term to 20 years for municipal energy projects in New Hampshire, directly affecting cities and towns developing community-based renewable energy systems. The bill ensures these projects can continue receiving compensation under current or future utility tariffs for the longer of 20 years from their start date or until January 1, 2040, addressing delays that previously shortened project viability. Municipalities participating in group net metering under House Bill 315 (2021) can transition to new utility tariffs while maintaining their 20-year eligibility period. This change restores the financial viability of municipal projects by aligning with the original intent of 2021 legislation and preventing premature loss of net metering benefits.

Maddy summarySB 670 establishes a Developmental Services Oversight Commission to monitor health and safety for individuals receiving home and community-based developmental services in New Hampshire. The commission, composed of 15 members including legislative representatives, agency staff, service providers, parents, and people receiving services, will review data from the Department of Health and Human Services and make recommendations to improve outcomes. Key duties include analyzing satisfaction surveys, training requirements, licensing data, and waiver performance measures, with annual reports due starting November 2026. The bill also creates a new $52,000 position to support the commission and amends related reporting requirements for vulnerable adult fatality reviews and child deaths in residential care.

Maddy summarySB 663 creates a working group within New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to study Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. The group, including state officials and healthcare associations, will examine issues like access to care, staffing needs, infrastructure costs, and fair rate adjustments during ownership changes. It also allocates $5 million for a one-time payment to licensed nursing facilities serving Medicaid patients that saw their daily reimbursement rates drop below 95% of 2025 rates as of January 1, 2026. The working group must submit recommendations by December 2026, with the department having sole discretion over distributing the funds.

Maddy summarySB 453 allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician associates to certify two specific medical needs currently only permitted for physicians. It extends vehicle equipment waivers for people with disabilities from 2 to 4 years when such nurses or associates certify "lasting medical necessity." It also permits these professionals to exempt children from certain immunizations if they certify that a specific vaccine could harm the child’s health. These changes update existing laws (RSA 266:61-a and RSA 141-C:20-c) to expand who can make these certifications, directly affecting disabled drivers seeking vehicle modifications and parents navigating school immunization requirements.

Maddy summarySB 540 defines "portable solar generation devices" as movable solar units under 1,200 watts that plug into standard home outlets to offset personal electricity use. The bill exempts these devices from utility interconnection rules and net metering requirements, while requiring safety standards like anti-islanding protection (UL 1741/IEEE 1547) and compliance with building codes. Electric utilities cannot demand approval, fees, or extra equipment for compliant devices, and the bill limits utility liability for customer-installed devices. This directly affects homeowners using small portable solar systems, simplifying their installation without utility oversight.