Sen. Howard Pearl

Maddy summaryHB 1796 creates a regulated program allowing the therapeutic use of psilocybin in clinical settings to treat specific medical conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life care. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a regulatory board and license qualified medical providers, cultivation facilities, and testing laboratories. It sets standards for administration sessions (including preparation, the session itself, and integration) and mandates reporting of adverse events. This program will make psilocybin treatment available to eligible patients under medical supervision in approved settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1543 updates the process for transferring state-owned highway, federal, or turnpike-funded property to local municipalities. It requires the state to first offer such property to the local town, city, or county government where it’s located, with municipalities having 90 days to respond or be deemed to have approved. For active road segments (class I/II highways), disposal needs either municipal approval or a rehab agreement before the state can transfer it. Proceeds from sales must go back to the original funding source (highway, federal, or turnpike fund), and the state must provide a "turnback condition report" verifying highway infrastructure is repaired before transfer.

Maddy summarySB 539 reclassifies all eligible biomass technologies under "Class III" for renewable energy compliance, replacing previous subcategories. It specifically affects existing biomass plants (under 25 MW or operating in Coos County by 2026) and landfill methane projects. The bill removes methane gas from Class III eligibility if landfill sites exceed 10 MW total capacity, requiring new landfill projects to meet strict size limits. This change streamlines eligibility rules but restricts certain methane sources from qualifying under the renewable portfolio standards.

Maddy summaryHB 451 establishes a statewide program requiring paint manufacturers to fund the collection and recycling of household paint waste. It mandates manufacturers to submit detailed plans covering architectural paint and aerosol coating products (excluding industrial coatings), including how they will manage waste through approved collection sites and educate consumers. Retailers can voluntarily host collection sites, but manufacturers must ensure all paint sold in New Hampshire is covered by an approved program, prohibiting sales without it. The law aims to reduce paint waste in landfills by creating a structured recycling system managed by manufacturers.

Maddy summarySB 301 proposes creating a new joint legislative oversight committee. This bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on establishing the committee structure rather than implementing policy changes. The bill was recently referred to an interim study (scheduled for January 7, 2026), indicating it is still in the early stages of the legislative process. It does not specify which agencies or programs the committee would oversee or directly affect any particular group.

Maddy summarySB 101 would allow parents to enroll their children in any public school within the state, regardless of their residential address. This directly affects families seeking school options beyond their neighborhood district. The bill’s key provision removes current enrollment restrictions based on geographic boundaries for public schools. The bill is currently pending, having been referred to committee but not yet passed.

Maddy summaryHB 112 would require all students enrolled in New Hampshire's public universities and community colleges to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) civics naturalization test. This policy would directly affect every undergraduate and graduate student at these institutions, as it mandates successful completion of the test typically taken by immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. The bill's description lacks specific mechanisms or exemptions, making its practical implementation unclear given the test's standard purpose. As currently stated, it represents an unusual policy requiring students to meet a requirement designed for naturalization applicants, not general education. The bill remains pending in committee after a majority committee recommended passage with an amendment.

Maddy summarySB 211 requires New Hampshire public schools to establish eligibility rules for female-designated sports programs, directly affecting student athletes in those programs. The bill mandates that schools cannot exclude students solely based on transgender status but sets specific criteria: students must identify as female in daily life, not transfer teams mid-season for competitive advantage, and meet other criteria tied to the sport's educational purpose. It also requires all schools to adopt privacy policies by September 2025, allowing any student needing increased privacy (regardless of reason) to access single-stall restrooms or private changing areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all public school sports programs in the state.

Maddy summarySB 33, titled the "Right To Challenge Act," requires New Hampshire public school districts to establish policies by September 1, 2026, restricting materials deemed "harmful to minors" in schools. It defines such materials as those depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse in a way that appeals to minors' prurient interest, lacks serious value for them, and is inappropriate for their age. School boards must create complaint procedures allowing parents to submit written concerns about materials, requiring schools to investigate within 10 days and respond in writing within 15 days with their decision. The bill directly affects school districts, educators, and parents seeking to challenge materials in school settings.