Sen. James Gray

Maddy summarySB 503 amends New Hampshire's building code to allow New Hampshire-grown spruce-pine-fir-south (SPFS) lumber - currently graded as a separate, slightly weaker classification - to be used interchangeably with Canadian-sourced spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber in construction. This directly affects local sawmills, loggers, and builders who previously faced higher costs and logistical hurdles when using New Hampshire wood, as it was often exported, regraded as SPF in Canada, and reimported. The key provision requires building codes to accept SPFS lumber (harvested and milled in New Hampshire) wherever SPF is specified, using published SPFS design values for structural calculations. This removes an artificial barrier based on political borders, recognizing that New Hampshire's climate and wood quality are comparable to Canadian SPF. The bill does not change grading standards but ensures local wood meets code requirements without requiring re-importation.

Maddy summarySB 495 increases the threshold for formal approval needed when Carroll County transfers funds between budget items. It raises the limit from $1,000 to $10,000 per transfer or cumulative total before requiring written requests and county commissioner review. This change applies specifically to Carroll County departments and commissioners handling budget adjustments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, streamlining small transfers without additional procedural steps.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (CACR 12) would require a two-thirds vote in both the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives to pass new broad-based taxes, such as income, sales, or capital gains taxes. It directly affects the legislative process for enacting new taxes that broadly impact many residents or businesses, not existing tax laws. The key mechanism is changing the constitutional requirement for such taxes from a simple majority to a supermajority vote. If approved by voters in 2026, this would apply to all new broad-based tax legislation moving forward.

Maddy summarySB 433, the "Seizure Safe Schools Act," requires New Hampshire public, charter, and private schools to train at least two staff members per school (by the 2026-27 school year) to recognize seizures and administer FDA-approved seizure rescue medication. It mandates parental consent for medication use, including written authorization, healthcare provider documentation, and individualized "seizure action plans" for students with seizure disorders. Schools must store medication securely and provide 75 minutes of training every two years for relevant staff on seizure recognition and first aid. The law applies only to schools with students requiring FDA-approved seizure medication, ensuring protocols align with medical guidelines while protecting trained staff from liability.

Maddy summarySB 401 removes two outdated reporting requirements. It ends the annual requirement for municipal overseers of public welfare to report to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the number of people assisted and support costs. It also repeals DHHS’s requirement to submit 10-year demographic cost projections to the legislature. These changes simplify administrative tasks for local officials and DHHS, with minimal fiscal impact (under $10,000 annually). The bill was requested by DHHS as the requirements were deemed obsolete.

Maddy summaryHB 1597 raises the maximum deductible amount for business property purchases from $500,000 to $2.5 million for property placed in service on or after January 1, 2027. This directly affects businesses making significant capital investments in equipment or property, aligning New Hampshire’s tax code with federal deduction limits. The key provision modifies the expense deduction cap under the Business Profits Tax statute, allowing larger upfront deductions for qualifying assets. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage, with potential revenue impacts noted as indeterminable starting in fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1624 eliminates three state special funds: the radiation long-term care fund, mosquito control fund, and New Hampshire recovery monument special account. It repeals the legal references establishing these funds and transfers the remaining balance from the recovery monument account to the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund. The bill has a minor fiscal impact, costing less than $10,000 annually through 2029. This procedural bill directly affects state fund management by redirecting unused balances to a related public health fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1160 amends the structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's county-state finance commission, which oversees shared funding between counties and the state for programs like Medicaid long-term care. The bill changes commission membership to include specific state agency representatives, county government appointees, and legislative members, while adding six new duties. Key provisions require the commission to review and recommend changes to Medicaid plans, state rate settings for long-term care services, county billing systems, and funding options before they are finalized. This directly affects counties and state agencies managing shared financial obligations for healthcare and social services programs.

Maddy summarySB 659 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by listing 11 required subject areas, including English, math, science, civics, arts, health, physical education, and computer science. It establishes that the state must determine the cost of this defined education for each municipality based on student enrollment. The bill directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by setting mandatory curriculum standards for funding and accountability. It replaces previous definitions with specific, measurable learning areas that school districts must provide.

Maddy summarySB 404 modifies New Hampshire's economic revitalization zone tax credit program. It increases the annual credit limit from $825,000 to $1,000,000 and raises the maximum credit per business from $40,000 to $50,000. Businesses creating new jobs in designated zones qualify for tax credits: 4-5% of wages for jobs paying up to 2.5x the state minimum wage, plus 5% of facility renovation costs (capped at $20,000 per job). The bill also extends zone reevaluation from every 5 to 8 years and adjusts carry-forward rules for unused credits. These changes directly affect businesses seeking tax incentives for job creation and facility investments in revitalization zones.