Sen. Cindy Rosenwald

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire state and local law enforcement officers who assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program to display their name or badge number, refrain from wearing facial coverings, and keep body-worn cameras active during these duties. It mandates that law enforcement agencies establish disciplinary measures for officers who violate these requirements and directs all complaints about violations to the state Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Unit for investigation. The bill applies only to officers participating in the 287(g) program and takes effect 60 days after enactment. It does not alter existing requirements for officers not engaged in federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1806 creates a process for educators with revoked or suspended licenses (not due to criminal conduct) to petition for removal from the state's public registry of educator misconduct. To qualify, petitioners must provide documentation showing rehabilitation and proof the revocation wasn't criminal. The Department of Education must review petitions within 90 days and may remove names if the individual poses no current risk to students and removal aligns with public interest. The bill also requires biennial registry reviews to remove deceased individuals and ensure accuracy, while mandating annual anonymized reporting of removals.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) honoring Melissa A. Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker who served from 2004 to 2025. It formally recognizes her legacy of public service, leadership, and advocacy for issues like healthcare and criminal justice reform, following her tragic assassination in June 2025. The resolution expresses New Hampshire's condolences to her family and affirms support for peaceful political discourse. It has no direct impact on laws, funding, or constituents, as it is solely a statement of respect.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 directs New Hampshire's Department of Transportation to improve Boston express bus service from Nashua, Manchester, and Londonderry. It requires increasing service frequency during peak commuting hours and late nights on Fridays/Saturdays, advocating for consistent federal/state funding, and allocating existing federal funds to expand this service. The bill mandates a report on service frequency, ridership, and impacts on workforce mobility and regional economic development, due November 1. Crucially, the bill does not provide new state funding but directs the use of existing transportation program resources.

Maddy summarySB 554 repeals a law that previously shielded firearm manufacturers from lawsuits related to specific design features of guns. This change directly affects firearm manufacturers by removing their legal protection for certain product designs, making them potentially liable for related claims. The bill does not create new regulations but eliminates an existing exemption in state law (RSA 507-D:6). It takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill focuses solely on removing this liability limitation without altering other firearm regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to study how recent Medicaid changes affect residents' healthcare access. The department must prepare a report detailing impacts on covered individuals, healthcare providers (including hospitals and community clinics), timely care access, waiver program participants, and state budget effects. The report must cover specific areas like the number of affected residents and potential facility closures, with an interim version due November 1, 2026, and a final report by July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects New Hampshire residents relying on Medicaid and healthcare organizations providing services to them. It mandates a factual assessment of existing changes without altering Medicaid policy itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1411 requires New Hampshire's state treasurer to withhold payments owed to the federal government if the state loses federal aid due to a presidential executive order or the federal government violates a court order requiring aid release. The bill mandates the treasurer to calculate the lost aid amount, withhold corresponding state payments (up to that amount), and hold them in escrow until the federal aid is restored. This directly affects the state treasurer's payment obligations to the federal government and applies only when federal aid is unlawfully withheld. The bill does not create new programs or costs, as confirmed by its fiscal note showing $0 impact. It aims to safeguard state resources by linking withheld state payments to restored federal aid.

Maddy summarySB 587, the "Fair Maps Act," establishes new requirements for public input during New Hampshire's redistricting process for congressional, state senate, state house, and executive council districts. The bill mandates at least 10 public hearings before a redistricting plan is proposed and at least 3 additional hearings after a plan is proposed but before voting, with specific rules for scheduling, location, and remote participation. Hearings must occur in convenient times and locations, include at least one per county, prioritize areas with significant population shifts, and allow remote public testimony. All public comments on proposed plans must be made available online for transparency, with duplicative or inappropriate content excluded.

Maddy summarySB 419 expands the "housing champion" designation to include local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing child care centers near jobs (like on commercially zoned land without special permits, meeting health department standards). It allocates $5 million to the housing champion program fund and $10 million to the affordable housing fund for the 2026-2027 biennium, both non-lapsing. These funds will support affordable housing projects and local efforts to improve housing access. The bill directly affects towns and cities that change zoning to integrate childcare with commercial development.

Maddy summaryHB 1557 modifies how New Hampshire allocates state aid for special education costs. It lowers the threshold requiring state aid from 3.5 times the state average per-pupil expenditure to 1.5 times, making it easier for school districts to qualify for assistance. The bill removes the requirement to proportionally reduce funding if state funds are insufficient, ensuring districts receive at least 80% of their entitled aid. This change affects school districts serving students with special needs, redistributing existing funding without new state expenditures.