Sen. Debra Altschiller

Maddy summarySB 274 establishes a 4-year pilot program (2025-2027) to rehabilitate and maintain 83 miles of rail trails across four routes in New Hampshire, managed by the Bureau of Trails. It creates two dedicated funds: the $250,000 annual "Rail Trails Program Fund" for ongoing rehabilitation and maintenance, and a $1 annual "Emergency Trail Repair Fund" for urgent trail repairs. The program directly affects the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (specifically the Bureau of Trails) and the New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition, using state funds to improve existing and abandoned rail corridors converted to public trails. The bill specifies that funds cannot cover staffing or administrative costs for the emergency repair fund.

Maddy summarySB 132 requires New Hampshire health insurance companies to cover prosthetic devices for residents under 19 and over 19. For children, coverage includes activity-specific devices annually (with no annual limits for medically necessary devices), while adults get one activity-specific device every five years. The bill mandates coverage for all necessary materials, user instruction, and medically necessary repairs or replacements. It excludes Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 595, titled "relative to coastal resilience zones," was referred to committee but was deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the committee on October 22, 2025, with a unanimous 15-0 vote. The bill did not advance beyond the committee stage, as the committee chose not to recommend it for further consideration. No specific policy provisions or affected parties were detailed in the committee report, as the bill was effectively stalled at that stage. This procedural outcome means the bill has not become law and does not currently affect any policies or communities.

Maddy summarySB 136 would require health insurance companies to pay an assessment based on their premiums. The funds collected would create a state fund to cover costs hospitals incur when treating people without insurance. It establishes a committee within the Department of Insurance to manage the fund and oversee its use. This bill directly affects health insurers through new fees and hospitals providing care to uninsured patients.

Maddy summarySB 183 concerns the membership structure of the Pease Development Authority board of directors. The bill's specific provisions or changes to board composition are not described in the provided context. It has undergone committee review, including a hearing and multiple referrals, but was ultimately deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the committee with a 3-2 vote. The context does not detail what the bill would have altered regarding board membership or who it would have affected.

Maddy summaryHB 144 amends New Hampshire law to update dental licensure requirements. It requires dental hygienists to complete specific training and pass an examination before administering local anesthesia. Additionally, the bill mandates that dentists applying for licensure must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited school and hold a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree. These changes directly affect dental hygienists and dentists seeking licensure in New Hampshire by establishing new educational and examination standards.

Maddy summarySB 195 revises the membership structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. The bill specifies who serves on the council (including new stakeholder representation) and defines its key duties, such as advising the state on workforce education programs and curriculum standards. This directly affects the council members, state education officials, and career training programs across New Hampshire. The changes take effect on September 30, 2025, after the bill was signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 99 establishes new funding rules for regional career and technical education programs. It requires school districts sending students to these programs (sending districts) to pay host districts (receiving districts) at least 80% of the sending district's average per-pupil cost, based on state education department data. For part-time students, payments adjust based on credit hours; full-time students use a standard per-pupil rate. The law, effective July 2025, standardizes cost-sharing for career-focused education programs across districts.

Maddy summarySB 143 establishes certification standards for recovery residences serving individuals with substance use disorders. It requires these facilities to meet nationally recognized safety, health, and operational standards - including building inspections, insurance, resident agreements, grievance procedures, and anti-discrimination policies - before accepting residents. The law designates a certifying body (like NARR) to oversee a voluntary certification program, effective July 15, 2025. This directly affects recovery residences seeking to operate under state standards.