Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryHB 1783 creates new benefits for community-based water and wastewater treatment projects that enable residential construction on smaller lot sizes. The Department of Environmental Services will determine if projects qualify, and qualifying projects may receive priority for housing grants, preferred financing rates from the municipal bond bank, or expedited approvals. These benefits apply specifically to innovative regional water/wastewater systems that reduce minimum lot size requirements for homes, as defined under existing law. The bill does not provide new state funding for these benefits.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) honoring Melissa A. Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker who served from 2004 to 2025. It formally recognizes her legacy of public service, leadership, and advocacy for issues like healthcare and criminal justice reform, following her tragic assassination in June 2025. The resolution expresses New Hampshire's condolences to her family and affirms support for peaceful political discourse. It has no direct impact on laws, funding, or constituents, as it is solely a statement of respect.

Maddy summarySB 554 repeals a law that previously shielded firearm manufacturers from lawsuits related to specific design features of guns. This change directly affects firearm manufacturers by removing their legal protection for certain product designs, making them potentially liable for related claims. The bill does not create new regulations but eliminates an existing exemption in state law (RSA 507-D:6). It takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill focuses solely on removing this liability limitation without altering other firearm regulations.

Maddy summarySB 621 establishes a cold case commission to serve as a middle person between New Hampshire's Department of Justice Cold Case Unit and families of homicide victims in unresolved cases. The commission, made up of two Department of Justice staff, two family members of victims (appointed by the governor), and one representative from a missing/murdered persons coalition, handles communications about case status to families and the public. It cannot investigate cases or access information protected by law, but requires the Department of Justice to share sufficient details to fulfill its communication role. The bill does not create new investigations but aims to improve transparency and support for families in long-unresolved homicide cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to study how recent Medicaid changes affect residents' healthcare access. The department must prepare a report detailing impacts on covered individuals, healthcare providers (including hospitals and community clinics), timely care access, waiver program participants, and state budget effects. The report must cover specific areas like the number of affected residents and potential facility closures, with an interim version due November 1, 2026, and a final report by July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects New Hampshire residents relying on Medicaid and healthcare organizations providing services to them. It mandates a factual assessment of existing changes without altering Medicaid policy itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1411 requires New Hampshire's state treasurer to withhold payments owed to the federal government if the state loses federal aid due to a presidential executive order or the federal government violates a court order requiring aid release. The bill mandates the treasurer to calculate the lost aid amount, withhold corresponding state payments (up to that amount), and hold them in escrow until the federal aid is restored. This directly affects the state treasurer's payment obligations to the federal government and applies only when federal aid is unlawfully withheld. The bill does not create new programs or costs, as confirmed by its fiscal note showing $0 impact. It aims to safeguard state resources by linking withheld state payments to restored federal aid.

Maddy summaryHB 1391 establishes a 9-member commission to study implementing a single ballot primary election in New Hampshire. The commission includes balanced legislative representation (two House members, one from each major party; two Senate members, one from each party), the Secretary of State, and representatives from non-partisan civic groups, local election officials, and municipal associations. The commission will research the feasibility of this system and submit recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2027. This bill creates a study process only - it does not change current election rules or mandate any specific voting system.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 requires individuals subject to a domestic violence protective order in New Hampshire to immediately surrender all firearms, ammunition, and deadly weapons to law enforcement officers. The bill directly affects people ordered to relinquish weapons under protective orders (RSA 173-B:4 or 173-B:5), making surrender mandatory rather than discretionary. Key provisions include replacing "may" with "shall" for weapon relinquishment, prohibiting refusal (with immediate detention for non-compliance), and requiring courts to issue search warrants if weapons remain unturned over. This bill strengthens enforcement of existing protections by ensuring weapons are removed from individuals deemed a threat under domestic violence orders.

Maddy summarySB 587, the "Fair Maps Act," establishes new requirements for public input during New Hampshire's redistricting process for congressional, state senate, state house, and executive council districts. The bill mandates at least 10 public hearings before a redistricting plan is proposed and at least 3 additional hearings after a plan is proposed but before voting, with specific rules for scheduling, location, and remote participation. Hearings must occur in convenient times and locations, include at least one per county, prioritize areas with significant population shifts, and allow remote public testimony. All public comments on proposed plans must be made available online for transparency, with duplicative or inappropriate content excluded.

Maddy summarySB 419 expands the "housing champion" designation to include local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing child care centers near jobs (like on commercially zoned land without special permits, meeting health department standards). It allocates $5 million to the housing champion program fund and $10 million to the affordable housing fund for the 2026-2027 biennium, both non-lapsing. These funds will support affordable housing projects and local efforts to improve housing access. The bill directly affects towns and cities that change zoning to integrate childcare with commercial development.