Sen. David Watters

Maddy summarySB 106 requires customer generators with facilities between 100 kilowatts and 5 megawatts (operational after January 1, 2023) to consume at least 20% of their own annual electricity generation through net energy metering. This applies to larger residential, commercial, or industrial systems that generate renewable energy but not to low- and moderate-income customers, who are exempt. The bill modifies existing net metering rules to allow these generators to retain their current tariff for up to 20 years or until 2040, whichever is longer. It does not create new funding but may involve utility billing system upgrades to track cross-territory energy data.

Maddy summarySB 150 defines "electric vehicle charging station" as any device that transfers electricity to electric vehicles from an external source, meeting specific technical standards. It requires charging station operators to pay a $175 annual fee per meter for testing and certification by the Division of Weights and Measures. The bill creates a new state position for a "registered electric vehicle service technician" within the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food to handle this testing. The fee revenue and costs for the new position are funded through the Agricultural Products Regulatory Fund, with estimated annual revenue starting at $25,165 in 2026. This directly affects businesses operating electric vehicle charging stations in New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 111 establishes a pilot program allowing New Hampshire electric utilities to buy reliability indexing credits from qualified local energy storage systems (like batteries) to support grid reliability. The program would pay storage providers the difference between a set "strike price" and a daily "reference price" reflecting wholesale market value - paying them when the strike price is higher, and charging them when the reference price is higher. Utilities must get approval from the Public Utilities Commission for multi-year agreements (up to 200 megawatts) and recover costs through customer rates. The Department of Energy must develop program terms by December 2025, with utilities petitioning for approval by February 2026. This pilot aims to incentivize storage participation without direct state funding.

Maddy summarySB 63 changes how the Division of Travel and Tourism in New Hampshire is funded by adjusting the calculation of meals and rooms tax revenue. Currently, the division receives 3.15% of the "net income" from this tax, which excludes transfers to the Municipal Revenue Fund. The bill adds back that transfer amount to the calculation, increasing the funding base. Based on 2024 data, this would raise annual funding from $10.2 million to $14.3 million (a $4.1 million increase). The change applies to future budgets starting with the 2028-2029 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 5-year registration program for commercial fleets of 25 or more vehicles, allowing businesses to register all vehicles under one common expiration date instead of individual annual renewals. It requires annual submission of a "certificate of good standing" from the Secretary of State and mandates upfront payment of state and municipal fees for the full 5-year period. The program excludes off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles, and fees collected are distributed to municipalities within 30 days. The bill has no new revenue impact but requires a one-time $25,000 system update cost for the Division of Motor Vehicles. It takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for natural organic reduction (NOR) of human remains, which converts human remains into soil through a contained, accelerated process. It requires NOR facilities to be licensed by the state board of registration of funeral directors and embalmers, sets detailed requirements for authorization, handling, and disposal of remains, and defines key terms including "authorizing agent" and "NOR facility." The bill affects funeral directors, embalmers, NOR facility operators, and individuals making final disposition decisions for human remains. It establishes procedures for medical examiner certification, facility inspections, and record-keeping while prohibiting certain practices like embalming before NOR.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the joint legislative historical committee to accept a portrait gift of Sylvia Larsen and oversee its display in the New Hampshire State House. It does not change any laws or affect specific groups, as it is a purely procedural measure for accepting a ceremonial gift. The committee would handle the portrait's storage and placement within the statehouse. The bill requires no new funding or policy implementation.

Maddy summarySB 149 adds "wrong-way driving" as an aggravating factor that elevates a standard driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense to an aggravated DWI. This means drivers convicted of DWI who also drive the wrong way on a road (violating RSA 265:26, I) will face harsher penalties. The bill amends New Hampshire's aggravated DWI statute (RSA 265-A:3) to include this specific violation as a new factor for sentencing. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of DWI who engage in wrong-way driving. The change was requested by the Department of Safety to address a specific high-risk behavior.

Maddy summaryHB 619 allocates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to New Hampshire's Solid Waste Management Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium. This non-lapsing appropriation means the funds remain available until spent, with 50% specifically designated to prioritize projects reducing food waste and other organic waste diversion through June 2028. The bill directly affects state waste management programs and local projects focused on organic waste reduction. It does not change existing laws or create new requirements, solely providing funding for established waste management efforts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 155 allows municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations to use toll credits as their local funding match for federally funded highway and road projects, including the Nashua-Manchester-Concord project. This eliminates the need for legislative approval for these specific projects, as long as federal rules permit toll credits. For other uses of toll credits, the bill requires prior approval from the joint legislative capital project committee. The fiscal note estimates this change would reduce annual toll credit balances by approximately $20 million, as toll credits would replace local matching funds previously required for projects.