Rep. Lucius Parshall

Maddy summaryHB 1098 allows New Hampshire municipalities to deny building or occupancy permits for properties adjacent to class VI highways if specific conditions aren't met. It requires towns to first vote to permit construction after planning board review, explicitly state they won’t maintain the road or assume liability for damages, and ensure applicants record this notice in property records. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to build near class VI roads and local governments managing land use. It becomes effective July 2, 2026, clarifying when municipalities may consider road safety and maintenance in permit decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 requires New Hampshire electric utilities to create programs that coordinate customer-owned distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar panels, batteries, and smart thermostats to support the grid. Utilities must file proposals with the Public Utilities Commission for enrollment programs offering upfront payments and performance-based payments during grid events, with special incentives for low-income customers. The bill establishes rules for aggregators (third-party coordinators) and direct customer participation, including payment structures, equipment requirements, and restrictions on penalties. It aims to reduce peak demand, lower costs for ratepayers, and improve grid reliability by integrating existing DERs into utility-managed systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 prohibits the state from approving new large groundwater permits for commercial bottling of water in plastic bottles made with hydrocarbon-derived plastic. It directly affects companies seeking to establish new bottling operations using plastic containers, preventing them from obtaining permits for groundwater extraction. The bill requires the department to deny all new permits for this specific purpose, but does not impact existing bottling operations or non-plastic containers. This is a concrete policy change targeting the environmental impact of plastic-bottled water production at the permit stage.

Maddy summaryHB 1282 creates the Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission within New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services. The commission, composed of 15 members representing legislators, environmental groups, waste management, businesses (grocers, hospitals), municipalities, and academia, will advise the department on developing food waste diversion programs. Key duties include recommending rules, timelines, business support strategies, and educational outreach to help businesses and communities reduce food waste. The commission must submit its first report by November 1, 2027, and annual reports thereafter. This bill directly affects the Department of Environmental Services, businesses generating food waste, municipalities, and waste management facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1327 updates the legal definitions of "commercially-zoned land" and "mixed-use" in New Hampshire law. It clarifies that commercially-zoned land refers to areas where commercial use is permitted under local zoning rules, and defines mixed-use development as projects combining residential or other uses within a single building or area approved by a local planning board. These changes directly affect developers seeking approval for projects that blend residential and commercial spaces, requiring planning board review for such developments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1789 establishes a program requiring producers of packaged goods to cover the cost of managing their product packaging after consumer use. This applies to manufacturers, brands, and importers selling products in New Hampshire under their brand, excluding medical packaging, certain agricultural products, and beverage containers under existing deposit programs. Producers will pay fees to a non-profit organization (managed by the Department of Environmental Services) to fund packaging reduction initiatives, reusable/refillable systems, recycling infrastructure, and reimbursements to local governments for recycling costs. The bill defines key terms like "packaging" and "producer" to clarify responsibilities under this extended producer responsibility framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1487 creates an independent commission to draw New Hampshire's legislative and congressional district maps after each federal census, starting in 2031. The commission must hold public hearings, follow specific non-partisan criteria for drawing district lines, and operate with transparency to limit partisan gerrymandering (where districts are drawn to favor one political party). It directly affects how state legislative districts for representatives, senators, executive councilors, and U.S. congressional seats are redrawn, replacing the current process where legislators draw their own maps. The commission requires balanced political representation (20 Republicans, 20 Democrats, 20 undeclared voters) and excludes current or recent elected officials from serving.

Maddy summaryHB 246 establishes a state-funded grant program to help local conservation districts implement climate resilience projects. It directs the state conservation committee to manage the program and allocates specific funding for initiatives like flood control, soil health improvements, and habitat restoration. The bill directly affects conservation districts across the state, providing them with financial resources to address climate-related challenges on local lands. This program creates a concrete mechanism for state support of community-level climate adaptation efforts.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 140 establishes a voluntary "Blue Envelope Program" to improve communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum or trauma and stressor-related disorders. The Division of Motor Vehicles will design and provide these free envelopes, which include written guidance for effective communication during traffic stops. The envelopes also offer space for a driver's license, registration, emergency contact information, and optional health details. Drivers or their guardians can request an envelope with proof of diagnosis, and it is designed to be displayed on the vehicle's visor for easy access.