Rep. Douglas Trottier

Maddy summaryHB 1105 changes the term length for certain Belknap County elected officials (including county attorney, sheriff, treasurer, register of deeds, and register of probate) from two years to four years. It directly affects voters in Belknap County and those officials by altering when they are elected, effective starting with the 2026 general election. The bill amends existing state law to specify that Belknap County voters will elect these officials for four-year terms instead of two-year terms.

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 summaryHB 1510 clarifies that county departments of corrections, not law enforcement agencies, are solely responsible for the custody and control of individuals ordered to a county correctional facility. This applies from the moment a court orders confinement, including during transport to the facility or for unforeseen circumstances. The bill removes ambiguity by stating no other agency or officer may manage custody beyond delivering the person to the facility. While the fiscal note indicates potential significant costs for counties (e.g., overtime or healthcare during transport), the exact financial impact is described as "indeterminable" by the New Hampshire Association of Counties.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 amends New Hampshire law (RSA 265:4) to increase penalties for disobeying law enforcement officers. It reclassifies certain violations as class A misdemeanors (for offenses under subparagraphs I(a), (b), (d), (e), (f)) and upgrades penalties for violations involving motor vehicle accidents: a class B felony if serious injury occurs during pursuit (subparagraph I(c)), and a class A felony if injury or death results. This directly affects individuals who refuse to comply with officers during traffic stops or investigations, particularly when accidents happen while fleeing. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and was requested by the Department of Safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1413 would reinstate the death penalty as a sentencing option for individuals convicted of capital murder in New Hampshire, replacing the current requirement of life imprisonment without parole. The bill amends RSA 630:1, III to allow courts to impose the death penalty in such cases, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects defendants found guilty of capital murder, who would now face the possibility of execution instead of mandatory life without parole. The bill does not alter the definition of capital murder but modifies sentencing authority for these specific offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1170 provides a permanent supplemental retirement stipend for certain retired New Hampshire state employees (Group II, primarily police and fire) and their beneficiaries. Retirees who were retired for 10-19 years (120-239 months) as of July 1, 2025, receive $500 per year of retirement added to their monthly pension, while those retired 20+ years (240+ months) receive a one-time $5,000 addition. The stipend becomes part of the retiree’s permanent base annuity, paid monthly from the state general fund, with an estimated FY 2027 cost of $269.6 million. This policy directly affects current retirees and beneficiaries who meet the retirement duration criteria, with no impact on employer contributions or the retirement system’s unfunded liability.

Maddy summaryHB 1509 would remove judicial immunity for judges who make bail decisions under specific circumstances. It allows civil lawsuits against judges if they release a defendant for certain offenses (like violations of RSA 631:2-b, felonies, or crimes committed while on prior bail), the released defendant then commits a new crime or intentional tort, and another person suffers physical or financial injury as a result. Injured parties or their estates could sue, and courts would not apply judicial immunity in these cases. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not change bail standards but creates a new legal pathway for accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 533 would have allowed state agencies to use civilian employees (non-law enforcement personnel) for commercial truck inspections instead of requiring police officers. This change would directly affect commercial trucking companies, state transportation departments, and inspection facilities by altering who conducts mandatory safety checks. The bill did not advance, as the committee voted unanimously (16-0) on November 18, 2025, to report it as "Inexpedient to Legislate," effectively halting further progress. No policy changes were enacted, as the bill never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 282 increases the maximum retirement benefits for first responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) critically injured in the line of duty. It adjusts how these benefits are calculated within the state retirement system by linking them to the formula used for education adequacy grants. The bill phases in these benefit increases over time, with full implementation starting January 1, 2026, and subsequent adjustments through 2034. This change directly affects eligible first responders and modifies retirement benefit calculations without altering education funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 110 allows New Hampshire counties to create revolving funds specifically for public safety services, such as covering costs for special events, highway construction, or other safety-related activities performed by county employees. Counties can replenish these funds using fees or income from the services they support, with any excess funds deposited into the county’s general fund. The county treasurer manages the fund, and spending requires approval from county commissioners, while the county convention can set limits on how the money is spent. This law takes effect August 23, 2025, and applies directly to county governments seeking to manage public safety expenses more flexibly.