Photo of Ruth Ward
R New Hampshire Senate · District 8

Sen. Ruth Ward

Compare
Total votes
1,775
all sessions
Attendance
100%
1 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
96%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
4%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
472
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
4
assignments
472 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
472
Primary
42
Co-sponsor
430
This page
472
matching current filters
Co-sponsor SB 664
In committee · New Hampshire Senate · Co-sponsor
limiting hospital executive compensation in communities designated as distressed place-based economies under certain circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 664 requires hospitals in economically distressed communities that accept New Hampshire Medicaid funds to freeze all C-suite executive compensation (including salary, bonuses, and benefits) for 18 months after reducing staff by more than 10 employees in a single department within six months. It applies specifically to hospitals in areas designated as "distressed place-based economies" by state or federal programs. Hospitals must report layoffs to the Charitable Trust Unit within 10 days and certify no compensation increases during the freeze period, with enforcement including fines up to $10,000 per violation. The law aims to prevent executive pay growth during workforce cuts that harm community health access and economic stability.

In committee Mar 12, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 446
Passed · New Hampshire Senate · Lead sponsor
requiring animal care center operators to notify dog owners when a dog will be left unattended and to report injuries to animals or people which occur on the premises of the animal care center.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires animal care centers (like boarding kennels, veterinary facilities, and humane societies) that board five or more dogs to notify owners in writing when a dog will be left unattended without an employee present and to disclose if the facility lacks a functioning fire sprinkler system. Centers must also report any injuries to animals or people occurring on their premises to local law enforcement within a specified timeframe. Additionally, the bill mandates annual unannounced inspections by local authorities between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to verify sanitation and care standards, with penalties including temporary closures (up to 5 days) for first violations and permanent closure after a third infraction. The requirements apply to commercial centers but exclude private residences caring for five or fewer dogs at a time.

Passed Mar 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 1658
Failed · New Hampshire House · Co-sponsor
relative to parental consent and age verification for digital application platforms.

Maddy summaryHB 1658 requires app stores operating in New Hampshire to verify users' age categories (e.g., child, teenager) and obtain parental consent for minors under 18. It mandates that app stores create "minor accounts" (for users under 18) linked to "parent accounts" (for adults), and disclose key information like an app's age rating, content description, data collection practices, and data protection methods to parents before consent. The bill also requires re-obtaining parental consent for significant app changes, such as new in-app purchases or altered data collection. This law directly affects app store providers (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play), app developers, and parents of minors in New Hampshire.

Failed Mar 11, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 1644
In committee · New Hampshire House · Co-sponsor
permitting towns to unilaterally withdraw from a cooperative school district.

Maddy summaryHB 1644 allows any single town within a cooperative school district to initiate withdrawal from the district without needing approval from the entire district. Previously, a 3/5 supermajority vote of all district voters could block a town's withdrawal; this bill removes that requirement. The process now begins when a town's voters approve withdrawal by a 3/5 majority at a town meeting, after which the state board reviews the withdrawal plan. This change directly affects towns in cooperative school districts by giving them unilateral authority to leave the arrangement.

In committee Mar 11, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 662
Passed · New Hampshire Senate · Co-sponsor
making an appropriation to the department of natural and cultural resources for renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam.

Maddy summarySB 662 appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for repairs and renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam. The funds are non-lapsing, meaning they can be used until June 30, 2029, and become available July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the state agency responsible for managing the dam and its infrastructure. It makes no changes to laws or regulations but allocates specific funding for maintenance work.

Passed Mar 5, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 1183
Failed · New Hampshire House · Co-sponsor
relative to the mathematics requirement for high school graduation.

Maddy summaryHB 1183 changes New Hampshire's high school graduation requirements by mandating that students complete four mathematics courses to meet the state's math competency standard for career and college readiness. This replaces the current option allowing students to fulfill the requirement with three math courses plus one non-math course that applied math skills (e.g., in career-technical education). The bill applies to all public high school students graduating after July 1, 2027, and requires school boards to approve the specific math courses. The change eliminates the flexibility of combining math with other subjects to meet the graduation standard.

Failed Mar 5, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 1623
Failed · New Hampshire House · Co-sponsor
requiring charter schools to have uniform and transparent billing costs and practices for special education services.

Maddy summaryHB 1623 requires charter schools in New Hampshire to use uniform, clear billing practices for special education services, prohibiting varying rates for identical services. It directly affects charter schools and school districts that provide special education, ensuring parents and oversight bodies can easily understand costs. The bill mandates transparent billing by July 1, 2026, with no new state funding or staffing authorized to implement it. This policy change aims to simplify cost structures for families and improve accountability without altering service delivery.

Failed Mar 5, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 1804
In committee · New Hampshire House · Co-sponsor
consolidating school administrative units, making chief school administrator jobs an elected position, and defining education roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1804 consolidates school administrative units (merging smaller school districts) and makes the position of chief school administrator an elected role rather than an appointed one. It defines specific education roles for school administrators and requires school boards to develop and evaluate curricula. The bill amends several state laws to update compensation structures, reporting requirements, and duties for county-level school officials. These changes directly affect school districts, county school conventions, and chief administrators across New Hampshire. The policy focuses on restructuring school governance and increasing local community input through elections.

In committee Mar 4, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 1401
In committee · New Hampshire House · Co-sponsor
amending the meaning of scholarship organization as it pertains to education freedom accounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1401 expands the definition of "scholarship organization" for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) to include for-profit entities approved by the Department of Education. This change directly affects families using EFAs, as it allows for-profit organizations - not just non-profits - to administer and implement the program. The key provision amends RSA 194-F:1 by adding "a qualified entity approved by the department of education" to the definition of eligible scholarship organizations. The bill does not alter eligibility for EFA funds but changes who can manage the scholarship distribution process. It takes effect 60 days after passage.

In committee Mar 4, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 609
In committee · New Hampshire Senate · Co-sponsor
relative to improving screening for and treatment of blood clots, or venous thromboembolism, and establishing a statewide venous thromboembolism registry.

Maddy summarySB 609 requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency medical care centers to develop evidence-based screening and treatment plans for venous thromboembolism (VTE), including annual training for nonphysician staff. It mandates these facilities to report specific patient data - such as age, race, zip code, diagnosis method, and treatment - to a statewide VTE registry starting July 2027. The Department of Health must contract with a qualified nonprofit entity to maintain the registry, using nationally recognized data collection standards. The registry will track VTE incidence, outcomes, and treatment patterns to improve care systems and ensure compliance with national guidelines. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities and patients treated for blood clots, focusing on standardized screening and data-driven care improvements.

In committee Feb 26, 2026 1 co-sponsor
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