Sen. David Watters

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 485 establishes rules for hemp-derived products containing cannabinoids (like delta-8 THC) by defining them and setting a strict limit: products must contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. It creates a licensing system through the Liquor Commission for businesses selling these products, requiring retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers to obtain licenses. The bill also imposes a tax on wholesale sales of these products and prohibits sales of any hemp-derived product exceeding the 0.3% THC threshold. This directly affects hemp product businesses and the Liquor Commission, which will enforce licensing, regulations, and tax collection under existing law.

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 662 appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for repairs and renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam. The funds are non-lapsing, meaning they can be used until June 30, 2029, and become available July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the state agency responsible for managing the dam and its infrastructure. It makes no changes to laws or regulations but allocates specific funding for maintenance work.

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 1303 authorizes New Hampshire municipalities to adopt local zoning rules for protecting, managing, or replacing tree canopy. These rules could require developers to retain existing trees during construction, plant new trees when trees are removed, or set long-term goals for tree coverage in community planning. The bill gives municipalities the option to implement such rules but does not require them to do so. This policy change directly affects development projects and land use decisions in towns or cities that choose to adopt these provisions.

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 summaryHB 1096 establishes a legislative committee to study how to manage the disposal of vapes and e-cigarettes. The committee, composed of three House members (appointed by the Speaker) and one Senate member (appointed by the President), will examine solutions like extended producer responsibility and commercial sales regulations. It must report its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026. This bill does not create new laws but directs a study on disposal management for these products.