Sen. Tara Reardon

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 summarySB 468 allows alternative treatment centers (ATCs) that provide medical cannabis to apply for permission to operate greenhouse cultivation facilities, which typically use less energy than indoor growing. ATCs must submit a detailed plan showing how greenhouse cultivation will lower energy costs and reduce prices for registered qualifying patients. The state department must create rules for greenhouse operations - including security, location, and compliance with local zoning - and seek input from patients, caregivers, and community residents before approving new sites. ATCs will also report annually on greenhouse impacts to energy costs and product prices as part of their required state filings.

Maddy summaryHB 1264 modifies the purpose and requirements of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Savings Account (EFA) Oversight Committee. The bill expands the committee's duties to specifically review student data, eligibility rules, and EFA fund expenditures, while requiring monthly meetings that must be live-streamed and recorded on the state website. It also mandates that all committee agendas, minutes, and reports be posted online. These changes aim to increase transparency and oversight of the EFA program, which directly affects students and families using education savings accounts.

Maddy summarySB 520 allows physicians to perform breast surgery on minors for non-medical reasons, expanding existing exceptions. It adds a new provision permitting the procedure "at the election of the minor in consultation with her primary care physician," removing prior restrictions that limited surgery to medical conditions like gynecomastia or congenital deformities. The bill directly affects minors seeking breast reduction or reconstruction surgery who do not qualify under existing medical necessity exceptions. It requires the minor’s consent and physician consultation but does not mandate parental consent. The change modifies New Hampshire law to include this patient-choice option for breast surgeries.

Maddy summaryHB 1578 adds specific definitions (like "program administrator," "applicant," and "vendor") and mandates quarterly reporting for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. It requires program administrators to submit detailed reports to state education officials, including data on applications, approvals, student demographics (race, grade level, prior school type), vendor distributions, and expense categories. These reports, due within 30 days of each quarter-end, must be publicly posted on the state education department's website. The bill directly affects program administrators managing EFAs, parents/guardians applying for accounts, and vendors receiving funds, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in the EFA program.

Maddy summarySB 627 proposes toll increases at specific New Hampshire turnpike plazas to fund projects in the 2027-2036 transportation plan, including $1.00 hikes at Hooksett Main, Hampton Main, and Bedford plazas, and $0.75 increases at Hampton Side Exit, Dover Spaulding, and Rochester plazas. It also establishes a new E-Z Pass discount allowing frequent users to pay for no more than 40 toll transactions per month. The bill authorizes the transfer of a portion of I-93 in Concord to the turnpike bureau for corridor improvements and expansion of the central New Hampshire turnpike. These changes directly affect drivers using NH turnpikes, particularly E-Z Pass users and commuters on I-93 routes.

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 1312 modifies authority for three specific state boards. It allows boards under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to create subcommittees as needed. The bill also removes the Board of Registration in Optometry’s power to update which pharmaceuticals optometrists can use, and eliminates the Board of Accountancy’s ability to set administrative fines through rules. These changes directly affect the professional licensing and regulatory processes managed by these boards.

Maddy summaryHB 1523 requires condominium associations in New Hampshire to maintain specific records, including financial statements, meeting minutes, board member lists, and architectural approval records. Associations must make these records available for inspection by owners upon 5 days' written notice during business hours, with a reasonable fee capped at government record-copying rates. Certain sensitive materials - like attorney communications, ongoing litigation details, or personnel records - are exempt from disclosure. This bill directly affects condominium associations and their owners by increasing transparency in financial and operational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1384 requires commercial litigation financiers to disclose certain information about their funding agreements for civil lawsuits. The bill defines "commercial litigation financing agreements" as third-party funding arrangements that create a financial interest in case proceeds, while excluding contingency fee agreements between lawyers and clients, health insurance arrangements, and standard loans. It also restricts funding from "foreign entities of concern" as defined by U.S. sanctions lists. The legislation aims to increase transparency around who is financing lawsuits and under what terms. This would affect law firms, claimants, and third-party financiers entering into such agreements.