Rep. Tracy Bricchi

Maddy summaryHB 1403 establishes new certification requirements for school business administrators in New Hampshire. To qualify, candidates must either complete a state-approved business administration program (at bachelor's or master's level) or hold a business degree with equivalent experience and a professional development plan. They must submit documentation including work history, education records, and three professional references to the bureau of credentialing. The bill specifies required skills in key areas like financial management, human resources, and legal compliance for school business operations. This directly affects all individuals seeking certification for the position in New Hampshire school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1834 sets a fixed enrollment cap of 10,000 students for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, instead of allowing the cap to increase to 12,500 under current law. This directly affects families applying for EFA funds to cover private school costs and participating private schools. The bill freezes the cap until 2028, requiring any future increase only if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior year's cap. The fiscal note estimates this change would save approximately $6.3 million in state spending for fiscal year 2027 by limiting enrollment to 11,250 students instead of 12,500. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or funding per student.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 establishes new certification requirements for school superintendents in New Hampshire. It mandates that candidates must have at least 3 years of K-12 administrative experience, complete a graduate-level education administration program, and demonstrate specific leadership competencies related to student success, instructional programs, and district management. The bill requires applicants to submit work records, education documentation, and references to the Bureau of Credentialing for review. This directly affects individuals seeking their first superintendent certification in New Hampshire schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1578 adds specific definitions (like "program administrator," "applicant," and "vendor") and mandates quarterly reporting for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. It requires program administrators to submit detailed reports to state education officials, including data on applications, approvals, student demographics (race, grade level, prior school type), vendor distributions, and expense categories. These reports, due within 30 days of each quarter-end, must be publicly posted on the state education department's website. The bill directly affects program administrators managing EFAs, parents/guardians applying for accounts, and vendors receiving funds, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in the EFA program.

Maddy summaryHB 1820 shifts administration of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program from scholarship organizations to the Department of Education. It requires the Department to directly transfer funds to parents for qualifying education expenses (like tuition, materials, or tutoring) for eligible students, replacing the previous system where scholarship organizations managed distributions. Parents must apply through the Department, agree to educational requirements (including assessments or portfolio reviews), and use funds only for approved expenses. Unused EFA funds roll over annually but revert to the education trust fund if not used by graduation or after misuse. This bill directly affects parents of K-12 students participating in the EFA program.

Maddy summaryHB 1514 requires the New Hampshire Department of Education and Department of Revenue Administration to annually send all school compliance and financial reports directly to school board officials, superintendents, and business administrators. It mandates that these departments also provide yearly notifications about which reports will be sent each year. The bill affects all public school districts by ensuring school leadership receives timely, centralized financial and compliance data directly from state agencies. This change streamlines reporting without altering school funding or operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides financial assistance to school districts in financial distress, defined as those where annual expenditures exceed available funding. It authorizes the state education commissioner to offer loans to such districts (with approval from a joint legislative committee) and establishes a revolving loan fund to help districts manage cash flow before receiving state adequacy payments. Municipalities can also provide emergency aid from existing funds, with repayment terms and oversight requirements, and the bill increases the maximum contingency fund contribution from 5% to 10% of a district's net assessment. These provisions aim to stabilize school district finances without altering special education funding exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1805 changes physical fitness testing requirements for New Hampshire certified law enforcement officers. It extends the required testing frequency from every 3 years to every 5 years and creates a permanent fitness waiver for officers with 19 or more years of service who request it. The bill directly affects all certified police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers hired after January 1, 2001. These changes modify existing law by adjusting the testing schedule and establishing the long-term waiver option. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 632 authorizes the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce (or its successor nonprofit) to install and maintain one advertising sign near Exit 12 on I-93 in Concord. The sign must promote nonprofit events and downtown destinations between I-93 exits 13-15, comply with Concord's zoning rules (up to the largest permitted size), and display no more than 20% for-profit content to offset costs. It cannot promote the city of Concord itself or events outside the specified downtown area. The bill has minimal fiscal impact, costing under $10,000 annually.

Maddy summaryHB 1171 creates a 90-day grace period for renters who miss rent payments due to an unexpected interruption in their monthly Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects residential tenants in New Hampshire whose Social Security payments are halted unexpectedly, providing time to secure alternative housing or funding without facing immediate eviction. It amends state law to require landlords to grant this 90-day extension when rent is missed specifically because of disrupted Social Security payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.