Sen. Tara Reardon

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide domestic violence program within the judicial branch to improve handling of civil domestic violence cases. It requires judges and court staff to complete specialized training on domestic violence dynamics, lethality assessment, and victim safety, and mandates law enforcement to use a standardized lethality assessment form in suspected cases. The bill also allows victims to submit safety affidavits when filing family court petitions, updates stalking laws to include installing electronic devices on a person as a stalking offense, and expands annulment eligibility for violent crimes while requiring courts to notify and seek input from victims before granting annulment. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims, law enforcement, courts, and individuals seeking annulment of criminal records.

Maddy summarySB 563 requires small out-of-state wineries (producing under 5,000 cases yearly) to obtain a New Hampshire license to ship wine directly to consumers and businesses in the state. It mandates a 25% fee on all sales, monthly reporting of sales details, and annual license renewal. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and replaces existing rules for direct wine shippers, with revenue estimated to increase by $10,000-$100,000 annually.

Maddy summarySB 555 creates "critical risk protection orders" to temporarily restrict access to firearms when someone poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. It allows family members, household members, intimate partners, or law enforcement to petition a court for this order, requiring the respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition. The court can issue an emergency order without the respondent's immediate presence, followed by a hearing within 72 hours. This applies only to acute risk situations and excludes cases already covered under domestic violence laws (RSA 173-B or 633:3-a).

Maddy summarySB 458 removes the current restriction that limits toll credits to the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project, allowing any municipal, county, or non-profit transportation project to use toll credits. The bill requires toll credits to be available at a minimum 50% discount (meaning entities pay no more than half the face value) to meet federal matching requirements for eligible highway projects. It also eliminates the need for state department or legislative approval when using toll credits for these projects, streamlining access to federal transportation funding.

Maddy summarySB 185 updates how New Hampshire's Office of Professional Licensure and Certification handles complaints against licensed professionals (like doctors, lawyers, or engineers). It requires the office to review each complaint within 30 days to determine if it alleges valid misconduct, and if not, recommend dismissal to the licensing board. If misconduct is alleged, the office must investigate within 90 days (or the board may decide within 60 days if the investigation is delayed), overriding other conflicting laws. The bill directly affects licensees facing complaints and the office’s process for resolving them, with changes effective March 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 63 would have allocated funding to the Division of Travel and Tourism, directly affecting state tourism promotion and marketing efforts. The bill proposed specific budget provisions for tourism development programs but did not advance beyond committee. On October 30, 2025, the committee voted unanimously (25-0) to report the bill as "Inexpedient to Legislate," effectively halting its progress without further action.

Maddy summarySB 200 is a procedural bill that directs the state to accept and display a portrait of Sylvia Larsen, a former state legislator. The bill would require the relevant state agency (likely the legislature or Capitol office) to formally receive and install the portrait in an official public space, such as the State House. This is a ceremonial gesture honoring Larsen's service, with no policy changes or financial impacts. The bill was tabled as "Inexpedient to Legislate" by committee in October 2025, indicating it did not advance. It directly affects state government operations related to Capitol art displays.

Maddy summarySB 35 proposed a state appropriation to provide matching funds for a specific rail trail project. This bill would have directly affected the project's developers and local communities by enabling them to access state funds to supplement private or federal contributions. However, the bill was deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" under Senate Rule 3-23 on October 31, 2025, meaning it did not advance to become law. As a funding measure, it was procedural in nature with no enacted policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 20 proposed that the state pay a portion of retirement system contributions for political subdivision employers (like cities, towns, or school districts). This would directly affect local governments and their employees by reducing the employers' retirement costs. The bill's key mechanism would have required the state to cover a specified share of these employer contributions. However, the bill was tabled as "Inexpedient to Legislate" on October 31, 2025, meaning it did not advance further and was not enacted.