Sen. Victoria Sullivan

Maddy summaryHB 1807 requires school districts to include specific financial information in voting materials for school budget decisions. It mandates that warrant articles and ballots display the previous year's per-pupil cost (calculated using updated formulas), 10-year cost-per-pupil and teacher salary trends in graphs, and the estimated tax impact if all budget articles pass. This affects all New Hampshire school districts and voters participating in school budget votes. The bill repeals the old per-pupil cost calculation method and requires standardized, inflation-adjusted data presentation to improve transparency for voters.

Maddy summaryHB 1735 expands New Hampshire's Right to Try Act to allow patients with "qualifying severe illness" (defined as chronic and debilitating conditions meeting federal standards) to access investigational treatments, in addition to those with terminal illnesses. The bill amends definitions to include this new category, requiring patients to have exhausted standard FDA-approved treatments and be unable to join clinical trials. It maintains existing requirements like physician oversight, patient consent, and no direct manufacturer compensation for providers. This change directly affects patients with severe chronic conditions who currently lack access to investigational therapies under state law. The bill does not alter cost-sharing or data collection requirements for manufacturers.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 allows New Hampshire public and charter school students to have absences excused for attending civic events (like government meetings or community hearings) or career/technical education (CTE) events (such as FFA, SkillsUSA, or DECA competitions). Schools must excuse up to two absences per 45-day period for these activities, requiring parental notice at least two school days in advance (except for election days) and proof of attendance. The bill also directs the state board of education to develop rules for awarding alternative academic credit toward graduation requirements for participation in these events. This applies specifically to students in grades K-12 at public and charter schools.

Maddy summarySB 564 prohibits municipalities from restricting maximum road length (as long as state fire code standards are met) or imposing numerical limits on housing lots in dead-end streets. It also requires municipalities to allow utilities (like septic systems and power lines) in designated open space or buffer areas of subdivisions, excluding wetlands and protected shoreland. The bill directly affects local governments and developers by removing specific development barriers that increase housing costs. It does not override fire code, environmental protections under RSA 482-A or RSA 483-B, or municipal authority to enforce health/safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1576 modernizes New Hampshire's criminal restitution system by requiring annual financial reviews of offenders to ensure payments align with their current ability to pay. It mandates automatic payment increases when offenders gain income (e.g., raises, inheritances) and retroactively applies these changes, with victims notified immediately. The bill adds enforcement tools like wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for nonpayment, plus interest and penalties for intentional avoidance. Victims must receive quarterly payment updates and written notice of any delays or enforcement actions, with restitution funds disbursed within 45 days of receipt. This directly affects offenders ordered to pay restitution, victims awaiting payments, and the Department of Corrections as the enforcement agency.

Maddy summaryHB 1555 modifies New Hampshire’s fire code administration to provide relief for existing buildings and streamline variance processes. It grants property owners a 20-year exemption from retroactively updating construction to meet new fire codes after receiving a certificate of occupancy (for permits issued July 1, 2026, or later). Local fire chiefs can approve variances from fire code requirements if safety is maintained, requiring property owners to provide fire safety engineer certification and sign an indemnification waiver assuming full liability for deviations. The bill also creates a new appeal path: decisions on variances can be reviewed de novo by the state fire marshal, with further appeals to the building code review board.

Maddy summaryHB 1563 adjusts New Hampshire's special education funding formula to better support school districts serving students with high-cost special education needs. It sets a new $60,000 threshold for aid eligibility (replacing the previous 3.5x average per-pupil cost formula), requiring districts to cover the first $60,000 plus 20% of costs up to $200,000 per student, while the state covers 80% of costs between $60,000-$200,000 and 90% above $200,000 - capping total state aid at $160,000 per student. The bill also creates emergency assistance funds ($250,000 annually for districts under 1,000 residents) to address sudden financial strain from special education costs. This directly affects school districts with students requiring costly specialized services, altering how costs are shared between districts and the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 creates a tax credit for New Hampshire businesses that create or expand child care programs. Businesses can claim a credit equal to 50% of qualifying expenses for building new facilities or expanding existing ones by at least 12 child care seats not available before January 1, 2027. The credit applies against business profits or enterprise taxes and can be carried forward for up to four years if not fully used in a given year. To qualify, businesses must create or expand licensed child care seats (either directly or through third parties) and submit an application to the Department of Revenue Administration.

Maddy summarySB 453 allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician associates to certify two specific medical needs currently only permitted for physicians. It extends vehicle equipment waivers for people with disabilities from 2 to 4 years when such nurses or associates certify "lasting medical necessity." It also permits these professionals to exempt children from certain immunizations if they certify that a specific vaccine could harm the child’s health. These changes update existing laws (RSA 266:61-a and RSA 141-C:20-c) to expand who can make these certifications, directly affecting disabled drivers seeking vehicle modifications and parents navigating school immunization requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legislative study committee to examine school bullying prevention strategies. The committee, composed of one Senate member (appointed by the Senate President) and three House members (appointed by the Speaker), will study bullying issues and potential solutions. It must submit findings and recommendations to legislative leaders and the governor by November 1, 2026. The bill does not enact new laws but sets a process for future policy decisions.