Sen. Dan Innis

Maddy summarySB 14 increases penalties for fentanyl-related offenses, imposing mandatory minimum sentences of 3.5 years for 20 grams or more and 7 years for 50 grams or more of fentanyl class drugs. It also creates strict liability for drug distributors causing death (including fentanyl), requiring at least 7 years imprisonment for such cases, while allowing judges to reduce sentences under specific conditions like no prior violent crimes, completion of treatment programs, and providing law enforcement assistance. Additionally, the bill amends penalties to legalize possession and use of psilocybin for adults 18 and older, removing criminal penalties for these activities. These changes directly affect drug offenders, distributors, and individuals using psilocybin, with the fentanyl provisions targeting severe sentencing and the psilocybin provision decriminalizing adult use.

Maddy summarySB 286 would create a new New Hampshire Office of Film and Creative Media within the state government. This office would directly support film production companies, creative businesses, and artists in the state by providing resources, promotion, and potentially grant programs. The bill’s key mechanism is establishing this dedicated state entity to coordinate and advance the film and creative media industry. However, the bill was declared "inexpedient to legislate" by the Senate on October 31, 2025, meaning it did not advance to become law.

Maddy summarySB 81 would increase the real estate transfer tax paid when buying or selling property, directing the additional revenue to the state's affordable housing fund. This bill directly affects homebuyers and sellers by raising their transaction costs, while the new funding would support affordable housing programs. The key mechanism is a tax rate adjustment that automatically allocates the extra revenue to the housing fund without requiring new legislation for each appropriation. It aims to expand resources for developing or preserving low- and moderate-income housing units.

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 17 requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to count third-party charity payments (like patient assistance programs) toward a patient’s out-of-pocket cost-sharing (such as copays or deductibles) for prescription drugs. It applies to all plans covering prescriptions, except when a generic or interchangeable biological drug is available. Pharmacies must disclose details of such assistance to insurers if payments aren’t processed at the point of sale. High-deductible and catastrophic health plans are exempt until the patient meets their deductible. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

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 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 90 would allow developers to build high-density residential housing (like apartment complexes) on land currently zoned exclusively for commercial uses, such as retail stores or offices. This change would directly affect property owners in commercial zones, developers seeking to build housing, and residents in those areas who might see new housing options. The key provision modifies zoning regulations to permit residential development in zones previously restricted to business use, without requiring separate land-use approvals. The bill was referred to committees but was recently deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by a committee vote, halting further progress.

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.