Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryThis bill would restrict how alcohol is packaged and marketed in New Hampshire to prevent products from appealing to minors or confusing consumers with non-alcohol items. It prohibits using cartoons, toys, or other child-friendly imagery on alcohol packaging and bans designs that mimic trademarked non-alcohol products like logos or brand sounds. Additionally, the bill requires that coupons for alcohol products clearly state they are only for adults of legal drinking age. The state liquor commission would be responsible for creating rules to enforce these new restrictions, and a specific appeal process has been established for disputes regarding these decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Modern Economy Act, would require most group health insurance plans to cover up to six rounds of intrauterine insemination for certificate holders each year, even without a formal infertility diagnosis. It also expands legal protections against sex discrimination to explicitly include pregnancy-related conditions and fertility treatments, mandating that employers allow time off for IVF follow-ups and postpartum care. However, the legislation excludes insurance plans available through the Small Business Health Options Program and those in transition to Affordable Care Act compliance. The measure was ultimately not passed, as it was laid on the table by the House in May 2024 and died when the legislative session ended later that year.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 proposes to update the qualifications required for the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Education. Under this bill, these leaders would need to hold an advanced degree, possess current certification as a teacher or school administrator, and have at least five years of combined experience in public school teaching or administration. The legislation also establishes a four-year term for these positions, allowing for reappointment, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a report detailing how to expand access to the medications mifepristone and misoprostol. The report must identify potential ways to protect and increase access, outline methods for better public education on these drugs, and list any obstacles currently preventing their availability. The legislation requires the report to be submitted to state legislative leaders by November 1, 2024, without using state general funds, and notes that the department must not violate existing state or federal laws while conducting this study.

Maddy summarySB 543 establishes the State Environmental Adaptation, Resilience, and Innovation Advisory Council to help New Hampshire prepare for environmental changes like rising sea levels and extreme weather. The council consists of representatives from various state agencies, local governments, and environmental organizations, and it is required to meet at least twice a year. Its primary tasks include creating maps of vulnerable areas, reviewing state plans to ensure they account for climate risks, and developing strategies to protect public health and infrastructure. The bill also directs the council to consider how environmental shifts might disproportionately affect at-risk populations and to promote the efficient use of public funds. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature overrode the veto, making the council and its duties official law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to double the annual amount of money taken from the real estate transfer tax and sent to the affordable housing fund, increasing the contribution from $5 million to $10 million. The change would directly affect the state's budget by shifting $5 million less from the general fund and education trust fund to the affordable housing fund each year starting July 1, 2025. The legislation does not alter who pays the tax or how the fund is used, but rather changes the specific portion of tax revenue that must be allocated to housing projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the oversight of manufactured housing in New Hampshire by converting the existing Manufactured Housing Installation Standards Board into an advisory body and establishing a new advisory board for massage therapists, reflexologists, structural integrators, and Asian bodywork therapists. The legislation transfers implementation authority to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, which would be responsible for enforcing installation standards, issuing licenses to installers, and conducting inspections to ensure safety and compliance. Key provisions include setting specific experience and training requirements for those who install manufactured homes and creating a formal dispute resolution process for issues between manufacturers, retailers, and installers. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not receive the necessary two-thirds vote to override the veto, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a three-year pilot program allowing recovery centers and community mental health centers to receive free passes to state parks for their clients. Funded through state and federal grants plus donations, the initiative would require these facilities to report annually on how the program is used and its impact. The pilot is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024, with the specific provisions set to expire in 2027. Although the bill was referred for study, it was ultimately not passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a permanent, nonpartisan Independent Redistricting Commission in New Hampshire to draw boundaries for all state and federal election districts. The commission would consist of six members selected from a pool of applicants who are not current or recent political officials, ensuring that no member has held specific elected offices or worked for campaigns in the last decade. Members would serve ten-year terms and must follow strict rules regarding campaign contributions and outside communications to maintain neutrality. The commission is tasked with redrawing maps after every federal census using criteria that prioritize population equality, compliance with laws, and the avoidance of partisan bias.