Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryHB 1726 requires New Hampshire state agencies to identify surplus property suitable for affordable housing development and make it available to qualified developers at below-market rates. The bill mandates that at least 20% of housing units developed on such property must remain affordable to low- and moderate-income households for a minimum of 20 years, with legal restrictions ensuring this use. It also prioritizes municipal grant funding for communities collaborating with state agencies on identifying and rezoning eligible land. The bill does not provide new state funding but allows agencies to retain proceeds from property sales for one additional budget cycle. This directly affects state agencies, qualified housing developers, and low-to-moderate-income households seeking affordable housing.

Maddy summaryHB 1491 regulates two types of pooled risk management programs used by state and local governments. It requires "advance premium pooled risk management programs" (which collect fixed premiums without later assessments) to be licensed by the insurance department and maintain specific reinsurance coverage. The bill also establishes that the secretary of state will regulate "assessment pooled risk management programs" (which can require members to pay extra if funds run low). These programs directly affect political subdivisions like cities, towns, and school districts that use pooled insurance to manage their risk.

Maddy summaryHB 1656 requires all health insurance plans in New Hampshire to cover pelvic-floor physical therapy (PFPT) as a standard benefit for specific conditions, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, postpartum recovery, and pelvic pain. It mandates coverage for up to 12 weeks of supervised therapy, pre-surgery preparation (prehab), and post-surgery rehabilitation without prior authorization for initial evaluations. Insurers must report on this coverage data annually, and the insurance department will publish an annual report on insurer compliance. This directly affects residents with pelvic floor dysfunction, ensuring access to evidence-based treatments currently often excluded from coverage.

Maddy summarySB 526 creates a New Hampshire-Greece trade council to strengthen economic ties between the state and Greece. The council, composed of state officials, business representatives, and academic leaders, will promote trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. It can raise funds through donations and grants, with a dedicated non-lapsing fund in the state treasury to cover administrative costs. The council aims to build on New Hampshire's historic Greek-American connections and its status as a top U.S. trade partner for Greece.

Maddy summarySB 429 requires all public schools in New Hampshire to install trauma kits containing specific emergency supplies (tourniquets, bleeding control bandages, gloves, scissors, and official training materials) by July 2026. The bill establishes a dedicated "trauma kit fund" in the state treasury, appropriating $25,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover kit procurement and distribution. It applies specifically to public schools (excluding vacant or under-construction buildings) and mandates the Department of Administrative Services to determine kit placement priorities. The law does not require school staff to use the kits during emergencies and specifies exact contents based on national emergency response standards.

Maddy summarySB 592 requires New Hampshire municipalities and regional planning commissions to explicitly include habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their regional conservation, land-use, and energy planning. Conservation commissions must now maintain an index of these natural areas within their communities, and regional commissions must consider them in comprehensive regional plans covering land use, transportation, recreation, and infrastructure. The bill uses existing definitions for habitat strongholds (RSA 207:1, XIII-a) and wildlife corridors (RSA 207:1, XXXVI) without creating new protected areas. This change affects all municipalities and regional planning bodies statewide, ensuring these natural features are factored into development decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 prohibits individuals from holding or filing for multiple incompatible school district offices simultaneously. It specifically bars school board members from also serving as district moderator, treasurer, auditor, or elected school budget committee member. The bill also prevents salaried employees (including teachers, administrators, custodians, and bus drivers) from serving on school boards. Additionally, it requires candidates to avoid filing for any office incompatible with their current position or other elected roles. This applies to all New Hampshire school district elections.

Maddy summarySB 538 extends the net metering eligibility term to 20 years for municipal energy projects in New Hampshire, directly affecting cities and towns developing community-based renewable energy systems. The bill ensures these projects can continue receiving compensation under current or future utility tariffs for the longer of 20 years from their start date or until January 1, 2040, addressing delays that previously shortened project viability. Municipalities participating in group net metering under House Bill 315 (2021) can transition to new utility tariffs while maintaining their 20-year eligibility period. This change restores the financial viability of municipal projects by aligning with the original intent of 2021 legislation and preventing premature loss of net metering benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 1651 establishes sexual assault protective orders, allowing survivors to file civil petitions in circuit court to obtain court-issued orders for their safety. These orders, modeled after existing protective orders under RSA 173-B, can last up to one year initially and be extended for up to five years with court approval, requiring annual safety reviews. The bill also updates survivors' rights by guaranteeing free preservation of sexual assault evidence kits for up to 20 years (or the statute of limitations, whichever is longer), disclosure of kit results without compromising investigations, and written information about kit handling procedures. It directly affects sexual assault survivors and defendants facing these orders, while clarifying that attorneys may contact survivors under strict conditions for legitimate legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1328 updates New Hampshire's licensing structure for alcohol and drug use professionals. It changes the board composition to include three master licensed alcohol and drug counselors (down from four) and two licensed alcohol and drug counselors (up from one), while eliminating the "licensed clinical supervisor" license and all related rules. This directly affects the board's membership and the licensing of professionals who previously held or sought the clinical supervisor credential. The bill removes four specific law sections about clinical supervisors and takes effect 60 days after passage.