Rep. Lee Ann Kluger

Maddy summaryHB 1798 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by November 1, 2026, to add diaper coverage under Medicaid for infants' first year of life. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible infants (approximately 4,000 annually) and their families, providing coverage for 100 diapers per month during the child's first 12 months. It appropriates $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the program, with federal matching funds expected to cover most costs. Implementation depends on federal CMS approval, with a target start date of May 1, 2027, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 1559 increases the percentage of New Hampshire's video lottery revenue allocated to problem gambling services from 0.25% to 1%. Specifically, it requires video lottery terminal (VLT) licensees to distribute 1% of their gross revenue to the state's addiction, treatment, and prevention fund. This fund directly supports services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, including counseling and prevention programs. The change becomes effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 allows school superintendents or their designees to approve students' limited use of personal laptops and tablets for specific educational activities during school hours, under direct teacher supervision. This use would be exempt from existing school policies that typically prohibit personal electronic devices like cell phones. The bill does not change the general rule banning personal devices but creates a clear exception for learning purposes when approved by school leadership. It directly affects students and schools in New Hampshire by modifying cell phone policy frameworks to support educational technology use.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 directs New Hampshire's Department of Transportation to improve Boston express bus service from Nashua, Manchester, and Londonderry. It requires increasing service frequency during peak commuting hours and late nights on Fridays/Saturdays, advocating for consistent federal/state funding, and allocating existing federal funds to expand this service. The bill mandates a report on service frequency, ridership, and impacts on workforce mobility and regional economic development, due November 1. Crucially, the bill does not provide new state funding but directs the use of existing transportation program resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1739 creates incentives to attract large data-center campuses to New Hampshire while modernizing the electric grid. It offers developers phased property tax breaks over 12 years and transferable tax credits covering up to 20% of construction costs, contingent on signing binding Grid Modernization Agreements. These agreements require developers to source non-gas electricity (like solar or wind) matching their energy use, fund grid-stabilizing programs, and partner with community colleges for workforce training in data-center operations. The bill also establishes fast-track permitting for eligible sites and mandates community benefits like noise limits, environmental screening, and resident bill credits from exported power.

Maddy summaryHB 1716 requires students in New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program to demonstrate academic progress through one of three methods: taking standardized tests (national or state), or maintaining a portfolio evaluated by a certified teacher using a Department of Education-developed rubric. The bill directs the Department of Education's Division of Learner Support to create and publish this rubric annually, then compile data from all student reports to analyze academic proficiency rates. This data must include metrics like graduation rates, grade level, gender, race, and aid categories. The bill does not provide new funding but estimates annual costs of $300,000-$350,000 for staff and system upgrades to implement the reporting and analysis requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 641 allows individuals harmed by civil rights violations to sue for damages and injunctive relief. It sets a minimum recovery of $10,000 or actual damages, triples damages for willful violations, and requires courts to award attorney fees to successful plaintiffs. The bill directly affects people who experience unlawful discrimination, harassment, or other civil rights violations covered under RSA 354-B. It creates a private legal remedy without requiring bond for injunctive relief, making it easier for affected individuals to seek redress.

Maddy summaryHB 646 requires all school districts to establish an online application system for students to apply for free or reduced-price school meals. This directly affects public school districts by mandating a digital replacement for paper applications. The bill allocates $200,000 in state funding (ending June 30, 2027) to the Department of Education to provide grants of up to $7,500 per district for purchasing the necessary software. The key mechanism is the state-funded grant program to help districts implement the online application process.