Sen. David Watters

Maddy summarySB 242 proposes adjusting cost-of-living allowances (COLAs) for certain retirees in New Hampshire's Group II retirement system. It directly affects eligible retirees who are currently receiving benefits under this specific retirement category. The bill does not detail specific adjustment mechanisms or formulas, as the provided context only confirms its purpose and current status. As of the latest action on October 31, 2025, the bill was deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the Senate, halting further progress.

Maddy summarySB 20 proposed that the state pay a portion of retirement system contributions for political subdivision employers (like cities, towns, or school districts). This would directly affect local governments and their employees by reducing the employers' retirement costs. The bill's key mechanism would have required the state to cover a specified share of these employer contributions. However, the bill was tabled as "Inexpedient to Legislate" on October 31, 2025, meaning it did not advance further and was not enacted.

Maddy summarySB 59 creates a recruitment incentive program within New Hampshire's community colleges for public safety communicators and dispatchers. It directs $100,000 from an existing law enforcement fund to the Police Standards and Training Recruitment and Retention Fund, specifically to support career development, recruitment, and retention efforts for these roles. The funds will cover up to $100,000 in police academy cost reimbursements for eligible community college students. This bill directly affects community college students pursuing public safety communication and dispatch careers in New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 304 is a proposed bill directing New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs commissioner to create a report on how tariffs impact both New Hampshire residents and Canadian residents. It does not change laws or impose new requirements but requests a study on tariff effects. The bill was referred to committee, where it received a "Inexpedient to Legislate" recommendation (3-2 vote) before being tabled. This procedural request was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 117 allocates $1 million for the 2025-2027 biennium to fund the state’s existing online tutoring program for K-12 public school students. The funds are non-lapsing (remain available until spent) and require the Department of Education to annually report on program use and effectiveness to key legislative committees starting in 2026. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, ensuring continued access to online tutoring support for students without requiring new program creation.

Maddy summarySB 120 requires health insurers and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing when it has "clinical utility" - meaning the test results directly inform treatment decisions for a patient's condition. The bill specifies that coverage must be based on accepted medical evidence, such as FDA-approved test indications, CMS guidelines, or nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. It also mandates that prior authorization requests for such testing be resolved within 72 hours for urgent cases and 14 days for non-urgent cases. This bill directly affects patients seeking biomarker tests, insurers, and healthcare providers by standardizing coverage criteria and processing timelines.

Maddy summarySB 199 proposes a new program to recruit and retain new New Hampshire state troopers. The bill directly affects the New Hampshire State Police by establishing mechanisms to attract and keep new officers, addressing staffing challenges in law enforcement. Key provisions include creating a structured recruitment initiative and retention strategies, though specific details like bonuses or training programs aren't outlined in the context. The bill passed committee unanimously (6-0) but was later deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" under Senate Rule 3-23 on October 31, 2025. It focuses on practical policy changes to strengthen the state police workforce.

Maddy summarySB 276 proposes to increase the existing research and development tax credit, which would directly affect businesses engaged in R&D activities. The changes outlined in this bill are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The provided text does not specify the exact mechanisms or amounts by which the credit would be raised.

Maddy summarySB 244 creates a Public-Private Health Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Hub managed by the Bi-State Primary Care Association to expand access to primary care in New Hampshire. It funds specific workforce programs including a $500,000 annual initiative to train 500 nursing assistants (covering up to $2,600 in tuition), loan repayment for clinicians working in non-profits, and expanded nursing mentorship programs with area health education centers. The bill appropriates over $2 million total across fiscal years 2026-2027 to support recruitment, training, and retention of health care workers, particularly in rural areas. These provisions directly affect health care organizations, nursing students, and clinicians seeking career development opportunities in New Hampshire.

Maddy summarySB 288 creates an advisory council to improve care services for older adults in New Hampshire. The council will meet quarterly to review and recommend changes to the state's "system of care for healthy aging," focusing on reducing wait times for Medicaid long-term care, streamlining hospital discharges for non-acute patients, and addressing gaps in long-term care access. It will specifically examine data on long-term care bed availability, Medicaid waiver services, and workforce challenges for direct care providers. The council's findings will be included in the State Commission on Aging's annual report, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects older adults, their caregivers, and service providers by shaping how care is delivered and accessed.