Sen. Tim Lang

Maddy summarySB 659 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by listing 11 required subject areas, including English, math, science, civics, arts, health, physical education, and computer science. It establishes that the state must determine the cost of this defined education for each municipality based on student enrollment. The bill directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by setting mandatory curriculum standards for funding and accountability. It replaces previous definitions with specific, measurable learning areas that school districts must provide.

Maddy summarySB 664 requires hospitals in economically distressed communities that accept New Hampshire Medicaid funds to freeze all C-suite executive compensation (including salary, bonuses, and benefits) for 18 months after reducing staff by more than 10 employees in a single department within six months. It applies specifically to hospitals in areas designated as "distressed place-based economies" by state or federal programs. Hospitals must report layoffs to the Charitable Trust Unit within 10 days and certify no compensation increases during the freeze period, with enforcement including fines up to $10,000 per violation. The law aims to prevent executive pay growth during workforce cuts that harm community health access and economic stability.

Maddy summarySB 466 makes it a class A felony to alter, remove, or destroy identifying marks (such as the maker's name, model, or serial number) on any firearm. Possessing a firearm with such altered marks is considered evidence that the possessor made the changes. This law directly affects individuals who modify firearm markings or possess firearms with altered identification, raising penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 566 expands New Hampshire's National Guard recruiting incentives by allowing any current or former Guard member to refer recruits for a $1,000 cash bonus (previously limited to certain ranks), increases reenlistment/reclassification bonuses to $8,000 (from $6,000), and adds up to $4,000 in reimbursement for military job-related credentialing costs when federal reimbursement isn't available. It directly affects New Hampshire National Guard members who refer new recruits, reenlist, or need job-specific training certifications. The bill requires state funding for these expanded incentives, with the Department of Military Affairs estimating an additional $125,000 annually starting in FY 2027 to cover the costs. The bill itself does not provide new funding but modifies existing program parameters.

Maddy summarySB 517 allows New Hampshire school districts to expand free meal eligibility to 200% of the federal poverty level, raising the current standard. Districts opting into this program will receive state reimbursement covering 50% of the cost difference between free meals and reduced-price meals, with the remaining 50% covered by the school district. The bill appropriates $107,000 for administrative support and $250,000 for meal reimbursements and software to enable online application systems for free/reduced-price meals. This directly affects low-income students and school districts that choose to implement the expanded eligibility starting July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1288 allows New Hampshire school administrative units to set annual budget caps for their operations. The cap is calculated using the previous year's overhead cost per student (adjusted for inflation via a standard index) multiplied by average daily student enrollment across all member districts. If a school district's proposed budget exceeds this cap, voters must approve an override with a 3/5 majority vote; otherwise, the cap amount automatically becomes the adopted budget. This applies to any school administrative unit that chooses to adopt the cap, directly affecting how school budgets are set and approved within those units.

Maddy summarySB 583 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a public education funding transparency system tracking how state education dollars are allocated, disbursed, and spent over the past decade at the school, district, and intermediate unit levels. The system must include data visualization dashboards for state officials (like the legislature and governor) and public-facing tools showing aggregate, non-identifiable funding data. Key features require the system to integrate diverse data sources, ensure strict privacy compliance (including de-identified data and small cell suppression), and support advanced analytics for forecasting and program evaluation. The bill appropriates $900,000 for system creation and $500,000 annually for maintenance starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed veterinarians in New Hampshire to provide remote veterinary care using telehealth technology, such as video calls or phone consultations. It establishes specific requirements for creating a vet-client-patient relationship remotely, including real-time observation of the animal or access to electronic medical records, and mandates written client consent acknowledging equal care standards and the option for in-person visits. Veterinarians can prescribe medications remotely but must conduct in-person exams for controlled substances (except in hospice, palliative care, or transport emergencies). The law also requires vets to maintain confidentiality, provide emergency care instructions, and keep detailed telehealth records.

Maddy summaryHB 1050 establishes that parents, educators, and community groups can provide educational instruction (referred to as "learning pods") to voluntarily associated children in any area within a municipality - whether zoned for specific land uses or not. It directly affects those organizing informal educational settings by overriding local zoning ordinances or land use rules that might previously have restricted such activities. The bill adds new provisions to state law stating that no zoning ordinance can restrict or prohibit educational instruction in municipally zoned or non-zoned areas. This creates a statewide right to operate learning pods without needing local government approval for land use. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment would require all voters in New Hampshire to be legal residents aged 18 or older who actually live in the community they claim as their home (domicile). It replaces the current "inhabitant" standard with this new requirement, ensuring voters reside where they register to vote. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election. It does not change existing restrictions like felony convictions or voting accessibility rules.