Sen. Dan Innis

Maddy summarySB 282 amends New Hampshire's building code to allow residential buildings up to four stories (four floors above ground level) to have only one stairway, instead of the usual requirement for two, under specific conditions set by the state building code review board. This change directly affects developers and builders constructing new or renovated multi-family residential buildings in this size range. The bill overrides standard International Building Code requirements for stairway provisions in these buildings, with the review board establishing the exact conditions for when a single stairway is permitted. The law became effective July 15, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 271 expands eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans who received a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. This change directly affects veterans whose military service ended with this specific discharge type, allowing them to qualify for the plates they previously could not. The bill amends existing law to add this discharge category to the list of qualifying discharges for the plates. The law took effect on September 13, 2025, after being signed by the governor on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 99 establishes new funding rules for regional career and technical education programs. It requires school districts sending students to these programs (sending districts) to pay host districts (receiving districts) at least 80% of the sending district's average per-pupil cost, based on state education department data. For part-time students, payments adjust based on credit hours; full-time students use a standard per-pupil rate. The law, effective July 2025, standardizes cost-sharing for career-focused education programs across districts.

Maddy summarySB 188, the "Speeding Development Act," allows licensed private professionals (like engineers or architects) to review construction documents and inspect buildings for compliance with New Hampshire's building code, instead of relying solely on local government inspectors. This directly affects property developers, construction firms, and local building departments by shifting certain certification and inspection tasks to private "approved agencies" who must meet insurance requirements ($2M/$4M minimum coverage) and submit sworn affidavits. Key mechanisms include mandatory random audits by local agencies, strict conflict-of-interest rules for private providers, and an owner indemnification agreement covering liability for private inspections. The law aims to speed up development while maintaining safety standards through third-party oversight, effective July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 24 allows students under age 21 to taste wine during approved educational programs, such as culinary or viticulture classes at schools or colleges. It directly affects students enrolled in these specific educational settings and requires participating institutions to follow state guidelines for wine tasting activities. The bill amends state alcohol laws to create an exception for supervised educational tasting, prohibiting consumption beyond tasting and requiring educational context. The law takes effect on September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 79 allows businesses with liquor licenses (such as bars and restaurants) to use self-pour automated systems, where customers pour their own drinks from dispensers. The bill amends licensing rules to permit these systems under the Liquor Commission's oversight, replacing previous restrictions. It becomes effective September 13, 2025, after being signed by the governor on July 15, 2025. This directly affects licensed establishments seeking to offer self-pour options to patrons.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends its own title to clarify it concerns record requests by health care providers and sets an effective date of September 13, 2025. It does not establish new requirements or alter how health care providers handle records; it only modifies the bill's title and timing. The bill is procedural in nature, with no substantive policy changes described in the provided text. It passed both chambers and was signed by the governor on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 52 updates New Hampshire's default rules for trusts that lack specific instructions. It replaces the previous automatic inheritance rule with a new requirement: distributions to minors or incapacitated beneficiaries now need a court order, rather than being automatic. This directly affects trust creators, trustees, and beneficiaries in New Hampshire who establish or manage trusts without detailed provisions. The law takes effect on September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 156 allows the state motor vehicle division to contract with third-party vendors for secure digital processing of vehicle title applications and information transfers. This change directly affects vehicle owners and dealers who submit title applications, streamlining the process through secure online platforms. The key provision replaces manual or internal systems with vendor-managed digital tools to handle title data securely. The law takes effect on September 13, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on July 15, 2025. It does not alter vehicle ownership requirements or fees, only the administrative method for title transfers.