Rep. David Paige

Maddy summaryHB 1034 allows towns and cities in New Hampshire to create their own homestead property tax exemptions for residents who own their primary home. Under this bill, municipalities would set a fixed dollar amount for the exemption each year, but the total discount cannot exceed 35% of the average assessed value of residential property in that town. The law defines eligible properties as those owned by a resident or their spouse and includes specific rules for how applications are filed and how disputes are handled through appeals. Additionally, the bill updates existing tax laws to clarify that people who hold property in a revocable trust are considered owners for the purpose of claiming these exemptions. The changes would officially take effect on April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 proposes creating a temporary commission to study how public schools in New Hampshire teach information literacy and media literacy. The commission would be made up of legislators, educators, and representatives from youth media organizations to review current curriculum standards and identify barriers to effective instruction. Its main tasks include evaluating available resources for teachers, comparing the state's efforts with those of other states, and gathering input from students, parents, and experts. The group is required to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, though the bill was not enacted during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Hampshire's child care scholarship program to families where at least one parent is a verified child care professional working at a licensed center. To qualify, the household must have an income at or below the local median, and the child care professional must work at least 25 hours per week at a certified facility. The legislation appropriates $1.1 million to fund these scholarships and establish a temporary project running from January to June 2025 to assess how the expansion helps recruit and retain child care staff. The state Department of Health and Human Services will manage the program and submit a final report by November 2025 detailing the number of new participants and recommendations for future funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to increase payment rates for shelter programs. The funds are intended to be used first for any available federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act, with any remaining balance coming from general state funds. Recipients of this money must prioritize services for veterans and are prohibited from assisting individuals who are not legally present in the United States. Additionally, organizations receiving these funds must provide financial projections and ongoing statements to demonstrate their financial stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study the creation of a civilian corps in New Hampshire focused on clean energy, community resilience, and conservation efforts. The committee will analyze the feasibility and costs of programs designed to deploy clean energy, rebuild coastal wetlands, manage forests, and protect public lands while seeking funding that does not rely on taxpayer money. Additionally, the group will explore partnerships with educational institutions and employers to provide workforce training and career pathways for participants. The committee is required to submit its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, without enacting any new laws itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates zoning laws in New Hampshire to make it easier for families to operate home-based child care businesses. It allows family and group family child care to be used as an accessory to any residential property without needing a special site plan review, provided they meet state health and safety standards. Local governments must permit these facilities by right or through a conditional use permit, and providers can start operating immediately if their state permit is pending while waiting for local approval. The changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 updates the requirements for submitting excavating and dredging permit applications to include both a paper version and a digital copy in PDF or an approved format. Local town or city clerks must receive these copies and distribute the digital version to local governing bodies, planning boards, and conservation commissions while keeping a paper record. The bill also allows state agencies to file their applications directly with the department, streamlining the process for government projects. These changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for medical assistance in dying, allowing qualified adults with terminal illnesses to request prescriptions for medications they can self-administer to end their lives peacefully. To access this option, an individual must be at least 18 years old, have a terminal condition expected to cause death within six months, possess the mental capacity to understand the decision, and voluntarily make the request without coercion. The process requires two independent medical evaluations where providers confirm the patient's diagnosis, capacity, and understanding of all available treatment alternatives, including hospice and palliative care. Additionally, the law mandates that the patient sign a formal request form and allows them to withdraw their request or change their mind at any time.