Sen. Keith Murphy

Maddy summarySB 69 primarily requires New Hampshire school boards to publicly discuss and vote on all charitable gifts, donations, or grants before accepting them, with anonymous donations permitted. It also establishes a statewide virtual early childhood literacy program for preschoolers (ages 4-5) to improve kindergarten readiness through online, evidence-based resources, funded by existing grants or donations. The bill adds public vote requirements for gift acceptance across multiple school funding areas (including medical supplies like epinephrine auto-injectors) and references library user privacy protections in its title, though the text does not detail this provision. These changes affect school districts, local boards, and organizations donating to schools, focusing on transparency in gift acceptance rather than new funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 30 designates the Virginia opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) as New Hampshire’s official state marsupial, amending state law to recognize this species. The bill directly affects New Hampshire residents and state identity by formally naming the opossum as a symbolic representative of the state. Key provisions include updating legal references to identify opossums found in New Hampshire as "New Hampshire opossums." The bill contains no provisions related to fertilizer penalties - the mention of "fertilizers" in the title appears to be an error, as the actual text focuses solely on the marsupial designation. This is a symbolic, non-regulatory change with no practical impact on policy or enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 13 prohibits the renewal or issuance of driver's licenses in New Hampshire to individuals with pending asylum claims, regardless of any temporary work authorization they may hold. It also invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses held by undocumented immigrants. The bill specifically blocks license renewals for people with pending asylum cases and prevents the issuance of new licenses to asylees until they receive permanent residency status, even if they have work permits. These changes directly affect undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers in the state who currently hold or seek driver's licenses.

Maddy summarySB 133 designates emergency medical services provided by ambulance service providers as essential services under state law. This change directly affects ambulance providers and their employees, ensuring these services are recognized as critical during emergencies or labor disputes. The bill establishes that ambulance services must continue operating during strikes or emergencies to maintain public safety. It became law on June 10, 2025, and takes effect on August 9, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 295 creates New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, allowing parents to use public funds for private school tuition or approved educational expenses. It directly affects eligible K-12 students from households earning up to 350% of the federal poverty level (with income verified only at initial application), prioritizing current EFA students, siblings, students with disabilities, and low-income families. The program sets a 10,000-student enrollment cap for 2025-2026, with potential 25% annual increases if prior-year enrollment exceeded 90% of the cap, and reserves spots for renewing students before new enrollments. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, is now effective and replaces prior eligibility rules.

Maddy summarySB 91 allows homeowners living in residences located within commercial zones to request a one-time special property appraisal. This change directly affects residents whose homes are currently taxed at commercial property rates, which are typically higher than residential rates. The bill creates a specific process for these homeowners to apply for a reassessment to a lower residential valuation, reducing their property tax bills once. The law takes effect on April 1, 2026, after being signed by the Governor on June 10, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 163 repeals temporary limits on residential building permits and subdivision approvals, while requiring all residentially zoned areas to permit manufactured housing "as a matter of right." The bill defines manufactured housing (excluding campers and modular homes) and mandates that municipalities amend zoning ordinances within one year to allow it without special permits or unreasonable restrictions. It explicitly prohibits local bans or discriminatory policies against manufactured housing in residential zones. This change directly affects homeowners, developers, and local governments by altering land-use rules for a specific housing type.

Maddy summaryHB 779 legalizes the sale of rabbit meat within New Hampshire for retail and restaurant use, removing current restrictions on intrastate commerce. This directly affects local meat vendors, restaurants, and consumers who can now legally purchase rabbit meat in state stores. The bill removes prior prohibitions, allowing rabbit meat to be sold in the same manner as other livestock meat products. It takes effect on July 29, 2025, after being enacted without the governor's signature on May 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 327 amends state law to clarify who can witness signatures for candidates filing to run for state representative. It specifies that for districts with one town or ward, the town/city clerk or secretary of state must witness filings. For districts with multiple towns or wards, the town clerk where the candidate lives (or a designated town clerk if unincorporated) must witness filings. This change directly affects candidates seeking state representative positions in different district configurations. The bill became law on July 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 376 would have explicitly added library card details and membership status to the list of library user information protected from public disclosure under the state's right-to-know law. This would have directly affected public libraries and their patrons by preventing the release of such sensitive data in response to public records requests. The bill aimed to clarify existing privacy protections by specifically naming these details as exempt, rather than relying on broader interpretations. However, the bill was killed on May 22, 2025, after a committee voted "Inexpedient to Legislate" with a 5-0 vote.