Sen. Denise Ricciardi

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 416 replaces New Hampshire's state rule on tip pooling with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules governing how tipped employees can share tips. It directly affects workers in service industries like restaurants and bars who rely on tips, such as servers and bartenders. The bill removes state restrictions and aligns the state with federal regulations, including specific FLSA provisions (29 C.F.R. §§ 531.42, 531.50, 531.54) that allow tip pooling among eligible employees. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 522 re-establishes a commission to study the economic impact of arts and culture in New Hampshire. The commission, composed of appointed members from the legislature, state arts agencies, cultural organizations, and the governor’s office, will analyze how this sector contributes to the state economy. It will gather input from artists and groups, then recommend ways to grow the arts and culture industry. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1043 allows employers to create their own pay policies for employees who report to work at the employer's request, making the existing statutory minimum pay requirement (2 hours' pay at regular rate) apply only if the employer has no alternative policy. It directly affects most private-sector employees who report to work, excluding county/municipal employees and ski resort instructors who receive equivalent alternative compensation. The bill does not change the minimum pay standard but gives employers flexibility to set higher or different policies that meet or exceed the baseline. Employers who make a good-faith effort to notify employees not to report to work are not liable for pay under this section. The bill amends RSA 275:43-a and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1478 requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services to revise rules for new landfills to better protect public health and the environment. The bill mandates that new landfills must maintain a minimum 1,500-foot setback from drinking water wells, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, calculated using a specific groundwater travel distance method. This method requires applicants to hire independent hydrogeologists to test groundwater velocity and ensure contamination cannot reach water sources within five years. The rule changes directly affect landfill applicants and the Department, replacing current rules deemed insufficiently protective of water resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services (DES) to inventory all operating and closed landfills (including those needing remediation) and assess available acreage for expansion while considering current regulations like setbacks from water bodies and homes. It prohibits DES from accepting new landfill applications in undeveloped "greenfield" areas unless applicants prove existing landfills cannot be expanded. The state must fund this through its existing Solid Waste Management Fund, with estimated annual costs of $4.2 million starting in fiscal year 2027 for staff and consultant work. The bill directly affects DES and future landfill developers seeking permits, mandating a comprehensive review before new disposal sites can be approved.

Maddy summarySB 559 lowers the minimum speed limit on locally controlled roads from 25 mph to 20 mph in certain areas, including outside urban districts and within business or urban residential zones. Local authorities must base any speed limit reduction on engineering or traffic studies before implementing it. The bill does not require new funding or change existing enforcement, as it only modifies the minimum limit threshold in state law. This affects municipalities and town officials responsible for setting speed limits on local roads.

Maddy summaryHB 1602 creates a statewide program requiring battery manufacturers and brands (producers) to fund and manage the safe collection and recycling of covered batteries. It applies to portable batteries (under 4.4 lbs primary or 11 lbs rechargeable) and medium-format batteries (11-25 lbs), excluding medical device batteries, vehicle batteries, and lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds. Producers must join a "battery stewardship organization" that meets annual collection targets and follows environmental safety rules, with the Department of Environmental Services overseeing compliance. The program shifts recycling responsibility from consumers to producers, ensuring covered batteries are handled safely through a structured, industry-funded system.

Maddy summarySB 449 requires commercial or industrial entities with solar or wind systems between 1 and 5 megawatts (called "industrial hosts") to consume at least 33% of their own electricity generation annually. This applies to new systems installed after January 1, 2027, that participate in net metering. The rule does not apply to low-income customers as defined by utility regulations. The bill modifies New Hampshire's net metering rules to ensure larger systems primarily offset their own electricity use, rather than exporting excess power.

Maddy summarySB 521 prohibits unauthorized camping on private property in New Hampshire municipalities with over 10,000 residents. It requires campers to have either written permission from the property owner or the owner's continuous presence on-site to legally camp. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with offenders liable for property damage costs. The law applies to tents, camping devices, and sleeping on the ground, excluding regulated campgrounds. It takes effect January 1, 2027.