Rep. David Fracht

Maddy summaryHB 1434 allows New Hampshire towns and cities to hold votes on whether to permit keno gambling within their borders. It replaces a prior law that only let municipalities vote to *ban* keno with a system where they can vote to *allow* it. The bill requires a public hearing and a ballot vote (via town meeting or municipal election) with a majority "yes" vote needed to authorize keno operations. It also repeals outdated keno administration laws from 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1027 requires local conservation commissions in New Hampshire towns and cities to obtain approval from their local governing bodies (like town councils or boards) before using funds for specific purposes. It specifically mandates this approval for contributions to "qualified organizations" under IRS rules or for purchasing property interests to protect natural resources. The bill does not affect routine fund management but adds a review step before significant expenditures or property transactions. Conservation commissions must still hold public hearings for such purchases or contributions, as required by existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1139 clarifies the legal definition of "secured premises" for criminal trespass laws in New Hampshire. It requires property owners to post clear, durable signs (with owner name/address, 2-inch block letters) every 100 yards and at entrances to establish a "secured premises," making unauthorized entry a trespass offense. The bill also mandates signs be visible from public roads and clearly state "private property" restrictions, while requiring landowners to provide reasonable alternative access for public recreational areas like trails. This directly affects property owners (especially rural landowners and those with hunting/trail access) and law enforcement handling trespass cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1012 repeals existing state laws that defined and permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) in New Hampshire. The bill removes specific legal provisions (RSA 674:71, 674:72, and 674:73) that allowed these secondary housing units on single-family properties. This repeal would directly affect property owners who previously could build ADUs or DADUs as independent living spaces on their lots. The bill does not create new rules but eliminates the legal framework that enabled these unit types, taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1057 establishes clear rules for landowners who jointly own private roads without existing agreements. It requires owners to share maintenance costs either equally or equitably (based on road use and benefit), mandates 30 days' written notice before major repairs, and allows emergency access fixes without prior consent. The bill excludes roads governed by easements or deeded access, and provides dispute resolution through mediation or court, with the option to recover legal costs. It directly affects private road owners in New Hampshire who lack formal agreements, ensuring transparent cost-sharing and access maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 1016 repeals RSA 674:32, which currently requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow manufactured housing development opportunities. This bill removes a legal mandate forcing towns and cities to permit such housing. After passage, municipalities will no longer be obligated to provide space for manufactured housing developments. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1802 requires all members of New Hampshire's planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to complete annual training and pass a web-based, open-book competency test with a 65% score to maintain certification. It mandates that new members complete training within 60 days of joining and annually thereafter, with certificates to be shared publicly via board records. The bill establishes minimum qualifications for board membership, requires public reporting of certified members, and appropriates $25,000 for the Office of Planning and Development to develop the training platform and manage certification. This applies directly to local land use board members across all municipalities, aiming to standardize knowledge and transparency in quasi-judicial land use decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 572 establishes the "Partners in Housing" program under the Housing Champions Fund to help cities, counties, and developers build workforce housing. The bill allocates state funding to support these projects, directly aiding local governments and developers in creating housing for essential workers like teachers and nurses. It focuses on increasing affordable housing supply through financial assistance rather than new regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 138 requires towns and cities to clearly state "multi-year tax impact" in warrant articles when a proposed tax measure affects budgets across multiple years. This applies directly to local governments preparing town meeting ballots, ensuring voters understand if a tax vote will impact future budgets. The key provision mandates adding this specific notation to warrant articles, making the long-term financial effect transparent. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 1, 2025, and takes effect August 30, 2025. It does not change tax rates or policies, only the required disclosure language for multi-year tax proposals.

Maddy summaryHB 373 establishes new regulations for how towns manage and regulate their owned real property, including land and buildings. It directly affects municipal governments by requiring standardized procedures for property transactions, maintenance, and record-keeping. The bill sets clear guidelines for town officials to follow when acquiring, selling, or leasing public property. Signed into law by Governor Ayotte on June 23, 2025, it takes effect August 23, 2025.