Rep. Nick Germana

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "development of regional impact" in New Hampshire to explicitly include solid waste landfills. Under the new rules, any proposed landfill must notify all communities located within its watershed or within a 10-mile radius of the site. Local land use boards are required to share meeting minutes and project plans with regional planning commissions and affected municipalities within five business days of making a decision. The law applies to new landfill projects but excludes existing facilities that were fully permitted before December 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 updates the Solid Waste Management Act by clarifying legal definitions and strengthening permit oversight for solid waste facilities. The bill explicitly defines "abutters" as property owners adjacent to or across from waste facilities and specifies which vehicles count as "end-of-life" for disposal purposes. It grants the state department authority to terminate permits when a facility closes and requires that all permits be continuous in duration unless revoked for cause. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department must wait 30 days after a public hearing before issuing final permit decisions to ensure public concerns are fully considered.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state laws to clarify what constitutes a recovery house and ensures these facilities are treated the same as regular homes in local zoning rules. It defines a recovery house as a substance-free residence centered on peer support for people recovering from addiction, while explicitly excluding licensed boarding or halfway houses. Under the new provisions, these homes would not need special permits or site plan reviews if they are located in existing single-family, two-family, or multi-family buildings. To operate legally, the homes must either be certified or actively pursuing certification within one year of opening, and operators must notify local officials at least 30 days before starting.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for a state commission studying environmentally triggered chronic illnesses from 2024 to 2029. The commission, which investigates how environmental factors contribute to long-term health conditions, will continue to submit annual progress reports and a final summary to state officials and the public. By delaying the final report date, the legislation gives the commission more time to gather data and formulate recommendations for potential laws. The change applies specifically to the existing commission's timeline without altering its core mission or the groups it studies.

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 summaryThis bill prohibits private individuals or companies from owning new landfills in New Hampshire, requiring that any future facilities be owned by the state or a local municipality. While the state or local governments would own these sites, they could still hire private companies to manage and operate the daily functions of the landfills. Existing private landfills that were fully permitted and actively accepting waste as of December 1, 2023, are allowed to remain under private ownership and may expand or modify their operations. The law is designed to shift ownership of new waste disposal sites to public entities while ensuring private expertise is utilized for operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1620 would have paused the issuance of permits for new landfills in New Hampshire until July 1, 2031, to ensure future sites are chosen carefully and align with state waste management goals. While the bill would stop approvals for entirely new facilities, it allowed existing landfills permitted before December 1, 2022, to expand or modify their operations on the same property. The Department of Environmental Services would have continued to review applications but would not have been required to make final decisions within standard time limits during the suspension. Ultimately, the bill did not become law because the House voted to kill it on May 15, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 updates the requirements for New Hampshire's Comprehensive State Development Plan to include specific sections on smart growth, affordable housing, economic development, and environmental protection. The bill mandates that the plan address critical topics such as land use, transportation, natural hazards, and threats from chemical or biological contamination. It also requires the inclusion of policies for preserving cultural resources, managing regional concerns, and ensuring adequate public utilities and recreation services. By adding these detailed components, the legislation aims to create a more structured framework for guiding the state's long-term growth and resource management.

Maddy summaryHB 1632 proposed a limit on out-of-state solid waste by capping the amount accepted at facilities receiving new permits at 15 percent. The bill specifically excluded facilities that were fully permitted before the law would have taken effect or those seeking to expand existing permits. It was designed to prioritize local waste management over imported materials but was ultimately killed by the legislature in May 2024.