Rep. Mike Bordes

Maddy summaryHB 1208 would require anyone conducting timber harvesting in wetlands to verify they have all necessary state and local permits before starting work. The bill also mandates that these operators keep copies of their permits available for inspection by enforcement officials throughout the harvesting process. Failure to follow these rules could result in penalties under existing environmental laws. Although the bill was introduced, it was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis law expands food assistance programs by ensuring eligible families receive summer benefits on EBT cards and simplifying the application process for elderly SNAP recipients. To support these efforts, the state allocates specific funds for administrative, technology, and outreach costs related to the summer programs. Additionally, the bill establishes a new emergency recovery fund to help municipalities quickly access cash after natural disasters, allowing them to secure federal aid and repair infrastructure. The governor is also granted the authority to declare disasters in affected municipalities to trigger these relief measures.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 updates the composition and operational rules of New Hampshire's Commission on Native American Affairs to better represent indigenous communities. The bill reduces the number of public members from eleven to ten and clarifies that each representative must come from a specific tribe, band, or community rather than a broad social group, while also adjusting the voting quorum requirement. It outlines the commission's duties to study issues affecting Native Americans, preserve cultural artifacts and burial grounds, and recognize indigenous contributions without granting special legal rights or privileges to any individual. The legislation also mandates that the commission meet at least four times annually and publishes its meeting notices and minutes online for public transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the requirements for individuals seeking licensure as licensed nursing assistants in New Hampshire. It mandates that applicants demonstrate sufficient aptitude in the English language, a change from the previous strict requirement to read and write in English. The legislation also clarifies that applicants must report pending criminal charges or convictions and meet continuing competence standards set by the state board. These rules apply to all new applicants and are designed to ensure a consistent baseline of communication skills and professional conduct for nursing assistants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program in New Hampshire to help school districts buy local food by reimbursing them for purchases from New Hampshire and New England producers. Only schools participating in the National School Lunch Program can apply, and the state aims to award grants to one district in each county to support buying dairy, meat, produce, and other eligible items. The program provides a 33.3% reimbursement on food costs, with funds managed through a selection committee that ensures diverse participation across different school sizes and regions. Any leftover money after the pilot ends will return to the state's general fund, and the program will be evaluated annually to track its impact on local farms and school nutrition.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians from being fired or disciplined if they miss work to respond to an emergency they witness or encounter while driving to their job. It requires employers to accept a signed statement from the fire or ambulance department chief confirming the employee's response time and return time, though no pay is owed for the missed hours. If an employer violates these rules by terminating or punishing an employee, the law mandates immediate reinstatement with full pay, seniority, and benefits restored. The protection applies to all volunteer, reserve, and intermittent personnel who have not worked more than 975 hours in the previous six months.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire school districts to create written policies for managing their library collections and handling requests to remove materials. The new rules mandate that these policies cannot ban or remove books based on specific personal characteristics such as race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, nor can they restrict materials based on the viewpoint expressed within them. Under the proposed guidelines, parents and guardians would have a formal process to request a review of library items they find unsuitable, but the material must remain accessible to students while the review is pending. The legislation defines "library materials" broadly to include books, digital resources, and other educational or entertainment items available in school libraries. These policies must be in place and effective by January 1, 2025.