Rep. Paul Terry

Maddy summaryHB 1605 establishes a new State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office within New Hampshire's Department of Safety. The office, staffed by 3-5 analysts and 2-5 investigators (requiring military or equivalent intelligence training), will identify and counter threats from foreign adversaries like China and Russia, cartels, and terrorist groups targeting critical infrastructure, elite capture, or societal disruption. It requires quarterly briefings to the legislature, mandates independent verification of intelligence (not sharing personal data without corroboration), and appropriates $6 million for salaries, secure equipment, and operations through 2027. This office directly affects state government operations and focuses on enhancing New Hampshire's ability to assess and respond to specific external threats.

Maddy summaryHB 1012 repeals existing state laws that defined and permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) in New Hampshire. The bill removes specific legal provisions (RSA 674:71, 674:72, and 674:73) that allowed these secondary housing units on single-family properties. This repeal would directly affect property owners who previously could build ADUs or DADUs as independent living spaces on their lots. The bill does not create new rules but eliminates the legal framework that enabled these unit types, taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a concurrent resolution (not a bill), not a law. It urges Congress to create a "Charlie Kirk Act" to hold media accountable for spreading misinformation about Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist. The resolution incorrectly references a "Charlie Kirk shooting" (Kirk is a living activist), and cites the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 as a concern, though it has no legal effect. As a symbolic gesture, it directs New Hampshire's legislature to send this resolution to federal officials but does not propose any actual policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 would allow consenting adults to form legally binding private agreements, called "contract marriages," as an alternative to obtaining a state marriage license. These agreements would be governed solely by civil contract law, not family law, meaning they would not provide protections or processes related to divorce, child custody, or spousal support. Parties could optionally file a "Certificate of Contract Marriage" with the state for administrative purposes, but this filing would not create a public record or subject the agreement to family court. The bill explicitly states that contract marriages do not affect child welfare laws or change the existing requirement for a marriage license for couples seeking state-recognized marriage.

Maddy summaryHB 741 would allow New Hampshire parents to send their children to any public school district in the state, not just their resident district. The bill creates "open enrollment" schools that can accept students from outside their district, with the student's resident district paying 80% of the average cost per pupil to the receiving district. School districts may deny enrollment only for specific reasons including expulsion, documented disciplinary issues, chronic absenteeism, or lack of available space. This policy would take effect January 1, 2026, and apply to all public schools in New Hampshire, though school districts would not be required to participate in open enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 697 changes witness fee rules for civilian witnesses in criminal court. It specifies that witnesses only qualify for daily fees and mileage reimbursement if they must return to court for a second or subsequent day - due to no fault of their own - after their initial appearance. The bill aligns these fees with federal standards (28 U.S.C. §1821) and does not cover payment for the first day of testimony. This rule applies to criminal cases starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 676 modifies the composition and duties of the Parent and Education Service Provider Advisory Commission. It requires the commission to conduct two specific surveys: an "education freedom account impact survey" and a "parent satisfaction survey" about education options. The parent satisfaction survey must include a question asking if parents are satisfied with their child's current education option compared to what they used before the education freedom account program. This bill directly affects parents utilizing education freedom accounts and aims to collect data on program effectiveness and parental experience.

Maddy summaryHB 741 would allow parents to enroll their children in any public school district within the state, regardless of the family's residence. This directly affects families with school-aged children and school districts, removing current residency requirements for enrollment. The bill's key mechanism would require districts to accept students from outside their geographic boundaries without additional fees or restrictions. The bill was introduced in March 2025 and is currently under review by education committees, with no votes taken on passage as of the latest update. It remains a proposed measure, not yet law.

Maddy summaryHB 232 seeks to protect medical professionals' rights to refuse providing certain medical services based on personal beliefs, such as specific procedures or treatments. It directly affects doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who may object to participating in services conflicting with their conscience. The bill would establish legal protections preventing employers or institutions from forcing such professionals to provide those services, while requiring referrals to other providers. This is a policy change focused on expanding professional autonomy in healthcare decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 121 requires every local school district to establish a parent advisory council for special education. These councils must include parents of students with disabilities and provide input on district special education programs and services. The bill mandates that districts create these councils within 12 months of the law taking effect, ensuring parents directly affected by special education decisions have a formal role in shaping policies. The legislation does not specify council size or meeting frequency but requires districts to adopt procedures for council operations.