Sen. Bill Gannon

Maddy summarySB 536 creates a new seven-member Solid Waste Facility Site Evaluation Committee to assess proposed major waste facilities beyond standard regulatory reviews. The committee, appointed by the governor with specific expertise requirements (including local conservation and waste industry knowledge), must evaluate non-regulatory impacts like noise, odor, property values, tourism effects, and economic impacts on affected communities. This applies to facilities accepting over 100,000 tons of waste annually (excluding certain food waste facilities or municipal projects), prioritizing expansions of existing landfills over new greenfield sites. The committee will issue a certificate authorizing construction after its review, replacing the current process for evaluating broader community impacts.

Maddy summarySB 477 requires hospitals and other 340B-covered entities in New Hampshire to submit annual public reports to the Department of Health and Human Services by April 1. These reports must detail patient usage of 340B drugs (by insurance type), financial data including acquisition costs and reimbursements for drugs and other services, net revenue, and charity care costs. The bill mandates separate reporting for hospitals, their practice locations, and contracted pharmacies, along with CEO/CFO attestations confirming accuracy. It aims to increase transparency by making 340B program financial data publicly available and preventing duplicate discounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1237 updates how New Hampshire's state police select and manage contracted tow companies for removing abandoned or obstructive vehicles. It revises procedures to create a rotating list of qualified tow businesses organized by geographic area and vehicle type (class I, II, or III), replacing outdated terms like "wreckers" with "qualified tow businesses." The bill affects state police, tow companies, and property owners dealing with vehicles abandoned on private property or obstructing public spaces. Key changes include requiring the police to use this updated list when practicable, allowing specialized towing for specific vehicle classes, and ensuring tow companies can charge appropriately for equipment used. The Department of Safety requested this change to improve efficiency and safety in vehicle removal operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1346 authorizes the Police Standards and Training Council to assign its law enforcement training specialists to state, county, or local law enforcement agencies for crowd control and law enforcement services at public/private events or extra-duty assignments outside regular hours. It directly affects local law enforcement agencies that request these services, as the council’s specialists can now be detailed to support them. The bill requires the council to establish a reimbursement rate covering officer pay, vehicle use, benefits, and other costs, with agencies paying for these services. This change creates a formal process for sharing the council’s training specialists while ensuring costs are covered through reimbursement, with no expected state expenditure impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 changes how municipalities must notify the public about zoning board appeals. It replaces the current requirement to publish hearing notices in newspapers with a new rule: notices must be posted on the municipality’s public website for at least 5 days before the hearing. This applies to all towns and cities with zoning boards of adjustment. The change aims to reduce costs for municipalities, as they will no longer need to pay for newspaper advertising - estimated savings are under $10,000 per municipality annually.

Maddy summarySB 561 allows applicants for a gaming facility license in New Hampshire to update the proposed location of their facility while their application is pending. To change addresses, applicants must ensure the new location is within the state and in a municipality that hasn't banned gambling under existing law. They must notify the lottery commission in writing with required documentation, and the commission has 90 days to review the new address before finalizing the application decision. This change eliminates the need to submit a completely new application when updating a proposed facility location.

Maddy summaryHB 1294 sets a 45 mph speed limit on Route 125 in Brentwood, specifically between the Epping and Kingston town lines. It amends state law to establish this lower speed limit, requiring new signage and assigning primary enforcement responsibility to local police. The bill directly affects drivers using this segment of Route 125. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 amends New Hampshire law (RSA 265:4) to increase penalties for disobeying law enforcement officers. It reclassifies certain violations as class A misdemeanors (for offenses under subparagraphs I(a), (b), (d), (e), (f)) and upgrades penalties for violations involving motor vehicle accidents: a class B felony if serious injury occurs during pursuit (subparagraph I(c)), and a class A felony if injury or death results. This directly affects individuals who refuse to comply with officers during traffic stops or investigations, particularly when accidents happen while fleeing. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and was requested by the Department of Safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1623 requires charter schools in New Hampshire to use uniform, clear billing practices for special education services, prohibiting varying rates for identical services. It directly affects charter schools and school districts that provide special education, ensuring parents and oversight bodies can easily understand costs. The bill mandates transparent billing by July 1, 2026, with no new state funding or staffing authorized to implement it. This policy change aims to simplify cost structures for families and improve accountability without altering service delivery.

Maddy summaryHB 1327 updates the legal definitions of "commercially-zoned land" and "mixed-use" in New Hampshire law. It clarifies that commercially-zoned land refers to areas where commercial use is permitted under local zoning rules, and defines mixed-use development as projects combining residential or other uses within a single building or area approved by a local planning board. These changes directly affect developers seeking approval for projects that blend residential and commercial spaces, requiring planning board review for such developments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.