Sen. Howard Pearl

Maddy summaryThis law updates the rules for renewing lottery licenses in New Hampshire, requiring the state commission to send renewal notices to license holders at least 45 days before their current license expires. The bill also clarifies that renewal applications must be submitted 15 days prior to expiration, unless the commission grants an exception for a valid reason. Additionally, it strengthens penalties for violations by allowing the commission to suspend or revoke licenses and impose fines, ensuring that anyone whose license is revoked cannot apply for a new one for up to one year. These changes aim to improve the administrative process for lottery operators while maintaining stricter enforcement of existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display portraits of former Senator Martha Fuller Clark and Wentworth Cheswell. It also requires that money earned from commemorative bottles sold for the American Revolution's 250th anniversary be placed into a specific trust fund. These actions aim to honor historical figures and manage funds related to a significant historical anniversary.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specific criminal offense for assaulting or harassing sports officials, such as referees, umpires, or timers, while they are working at a sports event. It applies to anyone who commits acts of violence or threats against these officials in designated areas like the field, parking lots, or spectator zones, treating these actions with the same legal penalties as standard assault charges. Additionally, the law allows courts to ban convicted individuals from participating in sports events for a set period, up to life for repeat offenses but no more than 12 months for a first violation. The legislation is designed to protect both paid and volunteer officials who enforce rules during organized amateur or professional athletic contests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefit managers and health insurers in New Hampshire to report detailed information about pharmaceutical rebates they receive and how those funds are used. The legislation mandates that these entities submit annual reports breaking down the total value of rebates collected, the amounts distributed to insurers, and the specific reductions applied to patient costs such as deductibles and copayments. Additionally, insurers must provide actuarial certifications explaining how rebates are remitted to policyholders and detail the methods used to estimate rebate amounts for plan design purposes. These reporting requirements apply to private health plans but explicitly exclude Medicaid, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and self-funded plans like the state employee health benefit plan. The law takes effect on June 30, 2024, and repeals a previous provision that had sought to remove these rebate reporting rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows towns and cities to lower speed limits during specific seasons when pedestrian or bicycle traffic becomes heavy. Local officials can make this change on their own or after receiving a petition from at least ten residents, provided they first conduct an engineering and traffic study. The reduced speed limit must be at least 20 miles per hour, last no longer than four months in a year, and can apply to specific times of day. The municipality is responsible for paying for the new signs, which must be designed and installed with approval from the state Department of Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Personnel Appeals Board within the Department of Administrative Services to handle specific disputes for state employees. The five-member board will be appointed by the governor and must include at least one attorney, one labor relations expert, and one public personnel professional, with no member working full-time for a state agency. The board has the authority to hear appeals regarding classification decisions and adverse actions resulting from performance evaluations, while excluding disputes over unpaid leave refusals and certain aspects of job classification. It will operate with its own budget, issue final decisions within 50 days of a hearing, and submit annual reports to the governor. The board will also have the power to subpoena witnesses, review administrative rules, and hire necessary staff to manage its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private schools in New Hampshire to designate interscholastic sports teams as male, female, or coed based on the biological sex listed on a student's birth certificate. It explicitly prohibits female-designated teams from allowing male students to participate and mandates that schools enforce these rules without fear of legal complaints or investigations from government entities or athletic associations. The legislation also creates a legal pathway for students or schools to sue for damages if they believe these eligibility rules have been violated or if someone faces retaliation for reporting such violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Hampshire veterinary licensing board to issue temporary conditional licenses to veterinarians who graduated from schools not accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. To qualify, these foreign-educated veterinarians must have legal U.S. immigration status and be actively working toward passing the required national clinical proficiency examination. The license permits them to practice only under the direct supervision of a fully licensed veterinarian while they complete their final exam steps. The board retains the authority to revoke this temporary license immediately if necessary. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in New Hampshire to display a poster informing employees about benefits and services available to veterans. The state labor commissioner will create and distribute this notice, which must be placed in a location accessible to all staff. The poster will list resources such as mental health support, education and training options, tax benefits, and contact information for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Employers must comply with this requirement starting 60 days after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new committee to examine how current laws impact the production of beef, pork, and poultry in New Hampshire. The committee will be made up of three representatives and one senator, who will meet to review state laws, conflicts with federal regulations, and various mandates affecting farmers. They are required to submit their findings and any legislative recommendations to state officials by November 1, 2024.