Sen. Tim Lang

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts meals provided through the state's restaurant voucher program from the meals and rooms tax. It directly affects elderly and adult services agencies that use vouchers to purchase food for eligible seniors and adults, as well as the restaurants that serve these meals. By removing the tax requirement for these specific transactions, the legislation aims to reduce the cost burden on program participants and the agencies administering the vouchers. The change takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is expected to decrease state tax revenue by an estimated $86,000 annually based on current program usage.

Maddy summaryThis law updates regulations for physician assistants in New Hampshire by adding a specific requirement for continuing medical education for those who hold certification but choose not to maintain it. It also clarifies that physician assistants are exempt from certain licensing rules when performing their professional duties. The changes take effect on September 1, 2024, and were signed into law by the Governor in July 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Hampshire's Business Finance Authority to issue bonds and other financial obligations specifically to fund student loans. By adding the authority to the list of entities permitted to issue such debt, the legislation aims to lower the cost of financing higher education for state residents and their families. The law requires that any bond issuance be approved by the governor and council after confirming that the funds will reduce student loan costs and that repayment and administrative expenses are adequately covered. Additionally, the authority gains the power to design loan programs, enter into contracts for loan servicing, and designate other organizations as agents to manage these financial arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire laws regarding manufacturer service contracts, commonly known as consumer guaranty contracts, to provide greater consumer protection. It requires companies selling these contracts to register with the state, file their contract forms for public review, and stop using misleading marketing tactics such as fake checks or false price increase notices. The legislation also prohibits unfair discrimination, mandates fair handling of claims, and bans contract terms that would prevent consumers from enforcing their rights in court. Effective January 1, 2025, these rules apply to all service contracts covering property located within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire high schools to provide students with information and access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Schools must offer guidance on financial aid eligibility, application deadlines, and the benefits of early submission, while also making the FAFSA form available upon request. The legislation mandates that schools handle any shared personal information in compliance with privacy laws and removes a previous requirement for schools to report on how many students completed the form.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the state to be held for at least 48 hours at a licensed facility or a veterinarian's separate area before they can be transferred. The law allows the state veterinarian to create rules permitting littermates of certain ages to share enclosures during this holding period. Additionally, it sets limits on the daily boarding and care costs for animals that are confiscated by animal control officers. These measures aim to standardize how animals are quarantined and cared for after crossing state lines.

Maddy summaryHB 1155 prohibits life and long-term care insurance companies in New Hampshire from denying coverage, canceling policies, or charging higher premiums to individuals solely because they have donated an organ or tissue. The law also forbids insurers from making organ donation a condition for receiving or keeping an insurance policy. These protections apply to all such policies offered, issued, or renewed in the state on or after July 1, 2024, ensuring that living organ donors are not discriminated against by insurance providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how public agencies charge fees when individuals request government records under the Right-to-Know law. It clarifies that agencies can only charge for copying costs or for employee time spent beyond ten hours, setting a maximum hourly rate of $25 for those additional hours. The legislation also requires agencies to provide clearer explanations when denying requests and mandates that multiple requests made within a 30-day period be treated as a single request to prevent fee stacking. Additionally, it establishes a requirement for agencies to create transparent policies for calculating these costs and allows requesters to file complaints if they believe the estimated fees are unreasonable.

Maddy summarySB 354 requires health insurance companies to apply money from independent charity patient assistance programs toward an enrollee's cost-sharing obligations, such as copayments and deductibles. This rule applies to group accident and health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs, but it excludes drugs that have generic or other covered alternatives available. The law also mandates that insurers receive specific details about assistance payments made on behalf of patients, while exempting high-deductible and catastrophic health plans from these requirements until the enrollee's annual deductible is met. Taking effect on January 1, 2026, the bill aims to streamline how charitable funds interact with insurance billing processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants local governments in New Hampshire the authority to create their own building and fire safety rules, provided these local standards are not less strict than the state's current codes. Municipalities can adopt additional regulations or choose to use nationally recognized codes that are not already part of the state code, as long as they receive approval from the state Building Code Review Board or the State Fire Marshal. To ensure consistency and safety, any new local rules must be submitted for review within 60 days of taking effect, and they cannot be enforced until the state agency confirms they do not conflict with or weaken state requirements. The law also clarifies that all buildings must comply with both state and local codes, while allowing cities to file copies of their adopted codes for public inspection.