Sen. Tim Lang

Maddy summarySB 505 repeals the $34 temporary registration fee for non-resident owners of off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs), such as ATVs or snowmobiles. This change affects non-residents who previously paid the temporary fee for short-term use; they will now need to pay the full regular registration fee ($61-$100, depending on OHRV type and nonprofit club membership). The bill removes the temporary registration option, requiring all non-residents to use the standard registration process. This simplifies the fee structure but eliminates the lower-cost short-term option. The change takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 610 revises New Hampshire's long-term care insurance regulations by moving the insurance commissioner's rulemaking authority for loss ratio standards into a new section of the law. It allows the commissioner to approve innovative long-term care policies if they benefit the public and offer reasonable value relative to premiums, while updating criteria for disapproving insurance forms (e.g., removing unreasonable benefits or deceptive pricing). The bill also permits public hearings on form and rate filings, with the commissioner able to limit disclosure of sensitive details during these hearings. These changes directly affect insurers, the insurance commissioner, and long-term care policyholders by streamlining approvals and clarifying regulatory processes.

Maddy summarySB 598 creates a task force to study sustainable funding options for New Hampshire's cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund, which addresses harmful algal blooms in water bodies. The task force - comprising legislative members, state department directors, and community representatives - will examine specific mechanisms like voluntary watercraft decals, license plate donations, redirecting septic application fees, and reallocating transportation drainage funds. It will not directly create funding but will explore these concrete options to support the existing fund. The task force must report its findings by November 1, 2026, to state leaders. This bill focuses solely on studying funding pathways, not implementing new policies.

Maddy summarySB 594 prohibits the use of devices that prevent natural ice formation (commonly called "agitators") when temporary docks are removed from water bodies. It directly affects property owners and dock managers who previously could use these devices during temporary dock removals. The bill amends state law to remove an exception that allowed such devices for temporary structures, requiring all ice-prevention devices to now comply with restrictions only for permanent structures. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 421 amends New Hampshire's trauma medical review committee membership and adds an annual reporting requirement. The bill specifies that the committee must include representatives from all trauma hospital levels (I-IV), emergency medical services groups, trauma nurses, fire services, and a trauma survivor. It also requires the committee to annually report to the governor on trauma hospital locations and levels, committee recommendations for system improvement, and data on leading causes of injury and death from both intentional and unintentional causes. This bill directly affects trauma hospitals, medical providers, emergency services, and injury prevention stakeholders in New Hampshire.

Maddy summaryHB 1599 removes the current 10-year limit on businesses carrying forward net operating losses (NOLs) after a loss year, allowing these losses to be used indefinitely to offset future profits. This directly affects businesses that incurred losses in prior tax years, particularly those with large NOLs that would have expired under current law. The key change amends state tax code to align with federal rules, eliminating the requirement to use NOLs within a decade. While the fiscal note indicates this could reduce state revenue (as businesses may offset future profits with older losses), the exact impact depends on when businesses generate sufficient profits to utilize these carryforwards.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 would expand eviction grounds under New Hampshire's landlord and tenant law by adding three specific conditions: (1) a tenant or occupant being unlawfully present in the U.S., (2) a recent conviction (within 3 years) for certain violent crimes or drug offenses, or (3) being a registered sexual offender under state law. This bill directly affects tenants who meet these criteria, allowing landlords to seek eviction based on these new grounds. The key provision modifies the existing statute to include these three categories as valid reasons for termination of tenancy. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and does not require new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1323 defines "parental alienation" as a pattern of behavior damaging a child's relationship with a parent - such as disparaging remarks, manipulation, or unjustified interference with parenting time - while excluding protective actions taken in good faith for safety concerns. The bill requires New Hampshire courts to consider parental alienation as a factor in custody, visitation, and parental rights decisions, including joint decision-making and modifications to parenting plans. It establishes a "family access motion" for parents to seek enforcement of parenting plans when alienation occurs and allows courts to order remedies like adjusted schedules. The law also mandates courts to evaluate parental alienation in grandparent visitation cases and requires attorney fee awards in contempt cases involving failure to comply with court orders related to parental alienation.

Maddy summaryHB 1172 expands New Hampshire's definition of "sexual assault counselor" to explicitly include National Guard sexual assault prevention and response personnel, such as coordinators and victim advocates. This change grants these military and civilian staff the same confidentiality protections already provided to other sexual assault counselors under state law, based on military rules of evidence. The bill, requested by the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, amends RSA 173-C:1 to include these personnel in the existing legal framework for confidential communications. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting National Guard staff who support sexual assault victims.

Maddy summarySB 652 limits how much excess tax paid by businesses can be applied as a credit toward future taxes. It caps the credit amount at decreasing percentages of the business's tax owed - starting at 500% for 2022-2029 tax periods, then gradually reducing to 150% by 2041. Any overpayment exceeding these caps must be refunded, not applied as a credit. This directly affects businesses that pay more in business profits tax than owed, changing how they handle excess payments.