Sen. Pat Long

Maddy summarySB 639 establishes a committee in New Hampshire to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives (like brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide) in products sold locally. The committee, composed of one senator, three state representatives, and a public health expert, will review scientific evidence, examine other states' policies, and consult with health departments and experts by November 1, 2026. It will assess whether restrictions, labeling requirements, or phase-outs of certain additives might be appropriate for New Hampshire consumers, schools, and businesses. This bill does not enact new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions through a formal study.

Maddy summarySB 513 requires school districts and chartered public schools to hire an owner's project manager (OPM) before submitting applications for school building aid grants, rather than after. This applies specifically to construction, renovation, or reconstruction projects costing $1.25 million or more, unless the commissioner grants a waiver. The bill mandates that the OPM must carry specific insurance coverage and sets requirements for the state board to establish qualification rules. This change shifts the timing of OPM engagement from after application submission to the application phase itself.

Maddy summarySB 656 creates a web-based portal for veterans and military spouses in New Hampshire to apply for occupational licenses or transfer licenses from other states. The bill requires the Veterans Licensing Acceleration Program (VLAP) administrator to establish this online system, which will handle new applications and out-of-state transfers while connecting applicants to resources like mentors and licensing board requirements. It also mandates annual reporting on program outcomes to state legislators and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The portal is set to launch on January 1, 2027, streamlining access to licensing for military-connected individuals.

Maddy summarySB 545 removes the asset limit (resource test) for New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Program, allowing seniors previously denied due to savings or assets to qualify. It also seeks federal approval to extend the low-income Medicare Part D subsidy, helping residents cover prescription drug costs. The bill directly affects approximately 2,033 additional seniors who were previously ineligible under the asset rule. This change would make program eligibility solely based on income, not savings or assets, with estimated annual state costs of $2.3 million from general funds.

Maddy summarySB 543 establishes provisional eligibility for Medicaid nursing facility services in New Hampshire, directly affecting long-term care applicants and nursing facilities. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to grant temporary coverage within 90 days of application submission if a facility agrees to comply with program terms, without waiting for full application completion. This provisional status lasts up to 18 months or until a final eligibility decision, with facilities receiving payments during this period and required to reimburse funds if final approval is denied. The bill appropriates $1 for the 2026-2027 biennium to fund this program and creates two new positions within the department to manage it (per RSA 167:8).

Maddy summarySB 521 prohibits unauthorized camping on private property in New Hampshire municipalities with over 10,000 residents. It requires campers to have either written permission from the property owner or the owner's continuous presence on-site to legally camp. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with offenders liable for property damage costs. The law applies to tents, camping devices, and sleeping on the ground, excluding regulated campgrounds. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 613 requires new health care facilities (like ambulatory surgical centers, walk-in care centers, or dialysis centers) planning to operate within 15 miles of a critical access hospital to provide written notice to that hospital. The notice, sent by certified mail, must describe the facility and its services before opening. This bill adds a notification step to current licensing requirements but does not alter facility approval standards or restrict new facilities. It directly affects health care providers seeking to establish services near existing critical access hospitals.

Maddy summarySB 645 expands New Hampshire's child care scholarship program to include families with gross monthly income at or below 95% of the state median income for their family size, increasing access for low-income households. The bill funds this expansion by redirecting 2% of tobacco tax revenue, liquor sales revenue, and video lottery revenue to the program, avoiding new state appropriations. This change, effective July 1, 2026, will require approximately $10.5 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027. The policy directly affects families seeking child care assistance, expanding eligibility without new taxes or general fund spending.

Maddy summarySB 558 moves the Youth Development Center claims administrator position from the executive branch to the judicial branch, requiring the Supreme Court to appoint the administrator instead of the governor. It reverses specific 2025 changes to the claims process, including rules about attorney fees in periodic payment settlements and the time period for accepting decisions. The administrator, appointed by the Supreme Court after consultation with the attorney general and claimants' counsel, will process claims and settle them based on established guidelines, with decisions being final and non-appealable. This bill directly affects individuals filing claims against the Youth Development Center regarding compensation for injuries or services.

Maddy summarySB 668 directs New Hampshire's Historical Resources Council to create a highway marker acknowledging the abuse suffered by former residents of the New Hampshire Youth Development Center (YDC). The marker will be developed with input from former residents and consider public reports of sexual and physical abuse, aiming to recognize the trauma experienced. The Council must finalize the marker's content in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, with placement required after the YDC property is sold or by June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects former YDC residents by formally acknowledging their experiences and informs the public through a historical marker along a highway.