Rep. Mike Ouellet

Maddy summaryHB 127 extends the closing date for off-highway vehicle (OHRV) trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property. The bill changes the specific date when these trails must close each year, directly affecting OHRV users and operators on that property. It does not create new rules or restrictions but simply adjusts the existing seasonal closure deadline. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 31, 2025, effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 123 establishes a temporary moratorium on new carbon sequestration projects in New Hampshire forests and creates a commission to study how carbon sequestration affects state/local tax revenue, forest management, and the logging industry. The bill also grants the Pasquaney School District an exception to standard tax assessment rules, allowing member towns to adjust tax rates for the 2025 partial payment to align with the district’s budget needs. The commission will examine impacts on timber tax revenue (defined as revenue before carbon sequestration projects began), forest health, and the logging industry’s economic health. These provisions directly affect New Hampshire’s forestry sector, local tax calculations for the Pasquaney School District, and state policy regarding carbon sequestration.

Maddy summaryHB 655 requires nonresidents who want to commercially sell marine species caught in New Hampshire waters to obtain a specific license from the state executive director. It applies directly to out-of-state commercial fishers selling species like cod or haddock, but excludes northern shrimp (covered under separate rules), lobsters, and crabs. The bill also prohibits nonresidents from harvesting certain species - such as sea urchins, clam worms, or river herring - unless their home state offers reciprocal licensing for New Hampshire residents. The law takes effect September 13, 2025, for key provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 591 modifies the operating hours for keno gaming in New Hampshire, allowing keno venues to operate later in the evening. The bill directly affects licensed keno gaming facilities by extending their permitted operating hours beyond previous limits. It became law on July 1, 2025, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025. This change represents a specific adjustment to gaming regulations without altering broader licensing or tax structures.

Maddy summaryHB 124 allows municipal forest committees or conservation commissions to transfer any surplus funds they hold directly to the municipality's general unreserved fund balance. This affects local committees managing forest or conservation funds and the municipalities receiving those funds. The key provision removes barriers to moving leftover money from these specialized committees into the main municipal account, streamlining fund management. The bill became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 235 allows New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department to use federal Pitman-Robertson conservation funds specifically for protecting threatened and endangered species, and permits the department to collect donations at approved sites without needing governor or council approval. It establishes that donation funds must go into the Fish and Game Fund and can only be used for conservation, restoration, management, or educational efforts related to fish, game, and wildlife. The bill directly affects the Fish and Game Department by expanding its funding sources and flexibility for species conservation programs. Key mechanisms include setting up donation collection points through the executive director's approval and explicitly restricting fund use to conservation purposes. The bill was signed into law on June 24, 2025, and takes effect August 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 180 repeals the current designation of Coos County as a distressed place-based economy and requires the Department of Environmental Services to revise rules for new landfills. This bill directly affects local officials in Coos County and landfill operators by changing how landfill regulations are developed. The key mechanism is ending the existing economic designation system and mandating updated landfill rules. The bill does not create new taxes or funding but shifts regulatory oversight for landfills. (Note: This bill is pending further legislative action as of June 2025.)