Sen. David Watters

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specific criminal offense for assaulting or harassing sports officials, such as referees, umpires, or timers, while they are working at a sports event. It applies to anyone who commits acts of violence or threats against these officials in designated areas like the field, parking lots, or spectator zones, treating these actions with the same legal penalties as standard assault charges. Additionally, the law allows courts to ban convicted individuals from participating in sports events for a set period, up to life for repeat offenses but no more than 12 months for a first violation. The legislation is designed to protect both paid and volunteer officials who enforce rules during organized amateur or professional athletic contests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefit managers and health insurers in New Hampshire to report detailed information about pharmaceutical rebates they receive and how those funds are used. The legislation mandates that these entities submit annual reports breaking down the total value of rebates collected, the amounts distributed to insurers, and the specific reductions applied to patient costs such as deductibles and copayments. Additionally, insurers must provide actuarial certifications explaining how rebates are remitted to policyholders and detail the methods used to estimate rebate amounts for plan design purposes. These reporting requirements apply to private health plans but explicitly exclude Medicaid, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and self-funded plans like the state employee health benefit plan. The law takes effect on June 30, 2024, and repeals a previous provision that had sought to remove these rebate reporting rules.

Maddy summaryThis law authorizes the Department of Environmental Services to receive $6.5 million to improve regional drinking water infrastructure in southern New Hampshire. The funds will be used for Phase 2 of a project that increases water supply capacity by over two million gallons per day for towns affected by PFAS contamination and rising demand. Specific actions include designing necessary support projects, installing chemical treatment systems at water tanks in Derry and Salem, and raising the water level of Lake Massabesic. The money comes from general state funds and existing federal and trust funds, and the governor can access these resources starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows towns and cities to lower speed limits during specific seasons when pedestrian or bicycle traffic becomes heavy. Local officials can make this change on their own or after receiving a petition from at least ten residents, provided they first conduct an engineering and traffic study. The reduced speed limit must be at least 20 miles per hour, last no longer than four months in a year, and can apply to specific times of day. The municipality is responsible for paying for the new signs, which must be designed and installed with approval from the state Department of Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to study the costs of providing ground ambulance services in the state and creates a reporting requirement for all ambulance providers. An independent expert will analyze financial data submitted by these providers to develop a suggested reimbursement rate schedule for commercial insurance payers, ensuring providers can cover costs while maintaining readiness for emergencies. The study, which must be completed by December 31, 2024, will also estimate how these rates might affect insurance premiums and will be funded by a special assessment on health plans. Once finished, the final report detailing these findings will be sent to state officials and legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHB 1103 modifies the penalties under New Hampshire's Shoreland Protection Act by clarifying the conditions under which individuals can be fined for damaging public waterways. Specifically, the bill states that people who harm waterways and fail to make a good faith effort to fix the damage after being notified by the Department of Environmental Services will face penalties. This change aims to streamline the enforcement process by removing barriers that previously made it harder for the department to seek civil fines for proven violations. The law takes effect on January 1, 2025, and does not alter the maximum amount of fines that can be imposed per violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private companies that lease or operate state park and ride facilities for at least five years to install surveillance cameras for safety purposes. Unlike the state Department of Transportation, these private operators are not restricted by specific surveillance rules and may use monitoring equipment as any other private business is legally permitted to do. The law includes a contingency clause that activates different sections depending on whether another related bill from the 2024 session becomes law. Sections of the act take effect 60 days after passage, contingent on the status of the linked legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "development of regional impact" in New Hampshire to explicitly include solid waste landfills. Under the new rules, any proposed landfill must notify all communities located within its watershed or within a 10-mile radius of the site. Local land use boards are required to share meeting minutes and project plans with regional planning commissions and affected municipalities within five business days of making a decision. The law applies to new landfill projects but excludes existing facilities that were fully permitted before December 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Hampshire veterinary licensing board to issue temporary conditional licenses to veterinarians who graduated from schools not accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. To qualify, these foreign-educated veterinarians must have legal U.S. immigration status and be actively working toward passing the required national clinical proficiency examination. The license permits them to practice only under the direct supervision of a fully licensed veterinarian while they complete their final exam steps. The board retains the authority to revoke this temporary license immediately if necessary. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the design and issuance rules for official vehicle cover plates used by state and federal officials in New Hampshire. It mandates that these plates be white with alternating green and red lettering every two years, except for the Governor's Council, which will feature blue lettering. The legislation specifies that plates must display the official's title or district number and allows them to be attached to vehicles registered in the official's name or their spouse's name. Additionally, the bill requires that these plates be manufactured at the state prison at no cost to the state.