Sen. Bill Gannon

Maddy summarySB 430 requires school employees (like teachers) to respond honestly and completely to written requests from parents about their child's education within 10 business days. It directly affects parents seeking information and school staff who must provide it. The bill includes an exception: if full disclosure risks a student's immediate harm, staff must report to child welfare authorities within 48 hours and may withhold only that specific information. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and requires the state board of education to update educator ethics rules by June 2027.

Maddy summarySB 624 prohibits the sale and possession of hemp-derived products containing more than 0.3% THC (including delta-8, delta-9, and other THC variants), effective January 1, 2027. It bans all THC-containing hemp products for anyone under 21 and imposes fines: $100 for a first possession violation (or $300-$1,200 for subsequent offenses), with businesses facing up to $20,000 in fines. Liquor licensees must comply with these restrictions, forfeiting prohibited products upon conviction. The bill directly affects consumers, retailers, and licensed businesses selling hemp products in New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 524 allows restaurants with liquor licenses to deliver alcohol to customers only when the customer has ordered a meal for home delivery. It requires restaurants to obtain a $250 annual "restaurant delivery license" and mandates that all alcohol deliveries must include food ordered by the customer, be made during business hours by employees over 21, and use sealed containers labeled with the restaurant's name. Deliveries cannot occur at schools, parks, or libraries, and must include a signed receipt from the customer. This bill directly affects restaurants seeking to expand delivery services while adding specific safety and operational requirements.

Maddy summarySB 573 establishes certification standards for facility comfort dogs, their handlers, and the teams they form. It defines a "facility comfort dog" as a specifically trained dog providing emotional support in settings like hospitals, schools, and emergency services (distinct from service dogs), and requires handlers to be emergency response or public safety workers (e.g., police, firefighters, EMTs). The bill sets a framework for certification, including training requirements, to ensure these teams can effectively offer comfort and crisis response in high-stress environments. This applies to organizations such as hospitals, schools, and public safety agencies using comfort dogs for emotional support.

Maddy summarySB 562 establishes the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program to provide financial grants to New Hampshire homeowners for weather-related home improvements. The program offers grants of up to $9,500 per residence annually for projects like storm shutters, roof reinforcement, foundation repairs, or tree trimming to reduce damage from severe weather events (e.g., floods, hurricanes, heavy snow). Administered by the New Hampshire Insurance Department, the program uses a dedicated fund financed by federal grants, donations, or other sources, with funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while remaining subject to available funding. It specifically targets owner-occupied single-family homes (excluding mobile homes, condos, or multi-unit properties) and does not guarantee eligibility or create an entitlement to funding.

Maddy summarySB 490 establishes a task force to study the feasibility of building housing on vacant property at Great Bay Community College within the Pease development area. The task force will examine military/student housing models, funding sources, operational plans, and resident needs, specifically for students, faculty, staff, and New Hampshire National Guard personnel. The bill authorizes the college to develop housing on this property, subject to coordination with state agencies. The task force must submit recommendations by December 30, 2026, to the governor and legislature.

Maddy summarySB 586 requires New Hampshire school districts and charter public schools to publish a detailed annual financial audit report by September 1 each year. The report must include receipts, expenditures, assets, liabilities, payroll details, and capital projects. Schools failing to submit the report by the deadline will have state funding withheld until compliance is achieved. This bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends existing law to standardize the submission deadline for all school entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1361 modifies New Hampshire law governing search warrant inventories by requiring law enforcement officers to create inventories in the presence of the person searched (or a neutral witness if they're absent), rather than the warrant applicant. It also allows electronic inventories for digital evidence with officer verification, and specifies a standardized return form for warrant execution. The bill directly affects police officers executing searches and ensures clearer documentation for individuals whose property is seized. It takes effect January 1, 2027, as requested by the Department of Safety.

Maddy summarySB 445 changes the process for enforcing air pollution permits by requiring hearings before suspending permits and establishing a tiered fine system based on violation severity (ranging from $100 to $4,000). It affects businesses holding air pollution permits and the Department of Environmental Services, clarifying when hearings are needed and how fines are calculated. The bill replaces vague references to "hearings" with specific legal procedures under RSA 541-A and RSA 21-O:11. This modifies administrative enforcement without altering environmental standards or permit requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes consumer protections for digital kiosks that allow people to buy, sell, or transfer digital assets (like cryptocurrency) using cash. It requires kiosks to hold first-time transactions for 48 hours (with a cancellation option), limit daily spending to $5,000 for new users and $15,000 for existing users, and display clear warnings about scams (e.g., "no government agency will ever demand payment by crypto"). Operators must verify identities, block transactions to known scam addresses, disclose all fees and reference prices, and provide detailed receipts. These rules directly affect kiosk operators and consumers, particularly older adults targeted by scammers.