Rep. David Fracht

Maddy summaryHB 1103 expands tax relief credits for municipalities by allowing them to apply community revitalization tax credits to more property types. Specifically, it enables tax credits for converting existing office, commercial, or industrial buildings to residential use, and for new residential construction meeting affordability standards. Properties must be located in designated housing opportunity or residential conversion zones, with tax relief lasting up to 11 years if workforce housing is created. This directly affects property owners and municipalities seeking to incentivize housing development in targeted areas. The bill amends New Hampshire’s tax code to broaden eligibility beyond current standards, effective April 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1758 allows school bus drivers currently certified in Vermont to obtain a New Hampshire school bus driver's certificate without retaking the state's special driving exam. It directly affects Vermont-certified drivers seeking to work as school bus drivers in New Hampshire. The bill amends state law to permit drivers to submit proof of their Vermont certification as valid proof of qualification, instead of requiring a separate New Hampshire examination. This creates a streamlined process for Vermont-certified drivers to work in New Hampshire school transportation without additional testing.

Maddy summaryHB 1540 establishes statewide rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allowing one ADU per single-family home as a matter of right in most zoning districts without extra lot size or design requirements beyond those for the main home. In protected shoreland areas, municipalities may permit ADUs as a matter of right or through conditional permits, and they can choose to allow detached units if they meet specific environmental and zoning standards. The bill prohibits multiple ADUs per home, ADUs in townhouses (attached multi-family properties), ADUs on rented land, and separate sales of ADUs from the main house without municipal approval. It provides municipalities with clear guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections related to ADUs while standardizing requirements across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1161 removes a mandatory requirement for New Hampshire municipalities to establish advisory boards for development districts. Currently, local governments must create these boards; the bill changes the law to make them optional. Municipalities can now decide whether to form such boards based on their specific community needs. This directly affects all cities and towns operating development districts under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1246 limits conflicts of interest for planning board members who serve on other local boards. It prohibits a planning board member from voting on both a planning board and a zoning board when reviewing the same development project, requiring them to recuse from voting on matters they've already decided as a zoning board member. The bill directly affects planning board members holding dual roles on zoning boards or other boards like conservation commissions, with the key provision mandating single-board voting for overlapping matters. This change aims to clarify voting responsibilities in land use decisions under New Hampshire law.

Maddy summaryHB 1711 requires state, county, town, city, school district, or university entities to provide 60 days' written notice to local governing bodies before changing or starting a new public land use on government-owned or occupied property. The notice must include project plans, a schedule, and a statement confirming the use is "governmental" (as defined in the bill). Local governing bodies must then hold a public hearing within 45 days to review the proposal, after which they may issue nonbinding comments on whether the project aligns with local land use rules. This applies to all government land uses, including construction or development, but does not affect non-governmental uses on public property, which remain subject to local regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1759 changes the process for disqualifying local land use board members by making the board's vote on disqualification binding, not advisory. If a majority of board members vote that a member should be disqualified due to a conflict of interest, that member must step aside from the matter. The bill requires such votes to occur before or at the start of public hearings and limits who can request a disqualification vote to board members (or as allowed by local rules). This directly affects local land use board members facing potential conflicts during zoning or development decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1135 prohibits the creation of prescriptive rights (such as easements) in private roads, driveways, or trails through long-term, unauthorized use. It directly affects landowners of private roads and the public who may have used these properties without permission for extended periods. The law explicitly states that any use of such private properties, regardless of duration, cannot establish a legal right or easement. It does not apply to claims already resolved by court before its effective date, which is 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 repeals the commission established to study New Hampshire's zoning enabling act under RSA 674:23-a. The bill dissolves this specific statutory commission without altering any zoning laws or affecting residents, businesses, or local governments. This is a procedural change that removes the commission's legal existence, with no new policies or regulations implemented.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to collect and publish detailed data on the costs of special education services for all K-12 schools, including public, charter, private, trade, and other schools. It mandates the department to break down costs by school district and provider type (such as private special education providers or joint agreements) and include related transportation expenses. The data must be published online and reported to the legislature annually. The bill does not provide funding for data collection or reporting, though the department notes it may need additional staff to implement the requirement.