Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryHB 1722 creates a new regulatory classification for large-energy-use electric facilities (defined as sites using 20+ megawatts at peak demand, such as data centers or processing facilities) and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a separate tariff system for them. The bill mandates that costs for serving these facilities be allocated based on their actual service costs or directly assigned to them, preventing cost-shifting to other ratepayers. It also requires 10-year contracts with specific terms, including minimum usage commitments and provisions to address early termination risks. The law aims to protect all electricity customers by ensuring large facilities pay their fair share for grid services and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1504 prohibits retailers from raising prices unreasonably on necessary goods and services (like food, medicine, or utilities) during declared emergencies or abnormal market disruptions. It defines "unreasonably excessive" pricing as exceeding average pre-emergency prices or not reflecting legitimate cost increases. The law allows government prosecutors to sue violators on behalf of the state and applies to all sellers in the distribution chain. The prohibition lasts 45 days after the emergency declaration unless extended by the governor. It directly affects retailers selling essential items during emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 666 requires 60 days' advance notice for major health care ownership changes (like hospital sales or private equity acquisitions), with detailed disclosure of ownership, debt, and financial plans. The state department reviews these transactions to prevent harm to competition, costs, or care access, and can block deals that threaten consumers. It also prohibits private equity owners from interfering with doctors' clinical decisions. Additionally, a new committee will study how health insurance practices affect costs and care for the public.

Maddy summarySB 509 prevents municipalities from restricting the length of dead-end roads or cul-de-sacs in new subdivisions or building permits, provided the road design meets state fire code requirements. It directly affects developers seeking approval for new residential areas and local governments reviewing subdivision plans or building permits. The bill amends state laws to explicitly prohibit length-based denials when fire access compliance is certified, removing existing municipal restrictions. This creates a clear standard: if a dead-end road passes fire code checks, local governments cannot block development solely due to its length. The policy change applies immediately upon passage, with no additional cost or process for developers.

Maddy summarySB 547 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in New Hampshire to increase transparency and fairness in drug pricing. The bill requires PBMs to act in the best interest of health insurance companies (their clients) and bans them from keeping profits from "spread pricing" - where PBMs charge health plans more than they pay pharmacies for drugs. It defines key terms like "affiliate" and "revenue," and mandates that PBMs pass all rebates from drug manufacturers to health plans rather than retaining them. This directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and pharmacies, aiming to address high drug costs (23% of healthcare spending) and patient cost concerns (25% skip doses due to expense).

Maddy summarySB 551 establishes that every individual in New Hampshire has a fundamental right to reproductive health care services permitted under state law, including abortion, contraception, and pregnancy-related care. The bill prohibits state officials from cooperating with out-of-state investigations into such care, protects health care providers from professional discipline for legally provided services, and bans malpractice insurers from considering protected care when setting premiums. It also blocks enforcement of foreign court judgments related to reproductive health care and prevents extradition for legally protected activities. This law directly affects all residents of New Hampshire, health care providers, licensing boards, and state agencies handling reproductive health services.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 expands the legal definition of "intimate partner" in New Hampshire domestic violence cases to include individuals who were in a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of whether the relationship was sexually consummated. This change directly affects victims and perpetrators in domestic violence proceedings under New Hampshire law. The bill modifies existing statutes (RSA 173-B:1 and RSA 631:2-b) to remove the previous requirement that such relationships must have been sexually consummated. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.

Maddy summarySB 483 provides $15 million in state General Fund money to the Department of Health and Human Services if federal TANF funds cannot be used for child care employer grants. This backup funding would directly support New Hampshire child care employers through recruitment and benefit grants, helping them attract and retain staff. The bill triggers this state appropriation only if the federal government fails to approve or denies the use of TANF funds for this purpose by July 1, 2026. The $15 million is nonlapsing, meaning it remains available for use in fiscal year 2027 without needing annual reapproval.

Maddy summaryHB 1666 requires New Hampshire’s 10-year energy strategy to include two new elements: (1) electric capacity planning for emerging sectors like housing, transportation, technology, and data centers, with expert consultations every 3 years; and (2) analysis of demand-side measures (such as efficiency, conservation, and load management) to cost-effectively meet energy needs. The bill directly affects the state’s energy planning process and the Department of Energy, which must update the strategy accordingly. It does not provide new funding or change existing energy infrastructure requirements. The changes aim to align long-term planning with evolving energy demands without specifying new construction or operational mandates.

Maddy summarySB 635 establishes a tax credit program for New Hampshire employers that use health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) instead of traditional group health insurance. Employers with more than one employee (classified as "qualified taxpayers") can claim a credit of up to $400 per covered employee in the first year (reducing to $200 in the second year), with annual limits of $20,000 per employer in year one and $10,000 in year two. The credit is applied against state tax liability, with a total annual cap of $10 million across all claims, and unused credits may be carried forward for up to three years. This policy directly affects employers transitioning to HRAs and aims to offset costs for covering employee health expenses through tax incentives.