Rep. Susan Almy

Maddy summaryHB 1531 requires applicants for new or renewed licenses to operate gaming facilities (including "games of chance" facilities and game operator employer licenses) to negotiate and sign agreements with the local municipality where the facility will operate. These "host community agreements" must address specific impacts like infrastructure, emergency response, security, public inquiries, and local hiring, negotiated in good faith. Before finalizing, the municipality must provide public notice and allow a 14-day comment period, with the agreement submitted to the licensing commission as a prerequisite for approval. Existing license holders are exempt until their licenses expire and they renew.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new state tax on interest and dividend income for New Hampshire residents starting in 2025. It would impose a 5 percent tax on individuals, partnerships, and other entities that earn more than $7,500 annually from sources like bonds, corporate dividends, and mutual funds, while excluding interest from state government debt and income held in retirement accounts. The legislation includes a provision to automatically adjust the $7,500 income threshold every two years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, the bill clarifies how the tax applies to partnerships and limited liability companies, ensuring that only the portion of income attributable to residents of the state is taxed.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new Condominium Dispute Resolution Board to handle complaints from unit owners regarding issues like bylaw violations or improper voting procedures. The board would be composed of representatives from the legislature, condominium owners, association boards, management companies, and the legal profession, with members serving staggered terms to ensure stability. To resolve disputes, the board would review complaints filed with a $250 fee, conduct hearings with relaxed evidence rules, and issue written decisions that can be enforced as court judgments if no appeal is filed. The legislation also establishes procedures for member disqualification due to conflicts of interest, requires annual reporting of complaint statistics, and designates the Department of Justice to provide legal counsel to the board.

Maddy summaryHB 1148 proposes changes to how members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission are appointed and qualified. The bill would increase the commission size to 11 members, requiring the governor to publish nominee names and wait at least 30 days before the council can approve an appointment. It also expands the ability for hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations to nominate candidates and updates member qualifications to include specific experience in fields like forestry, ecology, and wildlife management. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the process for removing commissioners and disqualifying those who no longer meet the required qualifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1208 would require anyone conducting timber harvesting in wetlands to verify they have all necessary state and local permits before starting work. The bill also mandates that these operators keep copies of their permits available for inspection by enforcement officials throughout the harvesting process. Failure to follow these rules could result in penalties under existing environmental laws. Although the bill was introduced, it was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the state's Condominium Act to formally establish the legal framework for unit owners to vote by proxy in condominium associations. It defines two types of proxies: directed proxies, where the owner specifies how their votes should be cast, and undirected proxies, which allow a designated holder to vote on their behalf without specific instructions. The law sets limits on how many proxies a single person can hold, such as capping it at 10 percent of votes in associations with more than 20 units, and requires the board to use standardized forms to verify and record these votes. Additionally, the bill mandates that the board retain all proxy documents for at least three years to ensure transparency and accountability during meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how dog license fees are collected and allocated in New Hampshire while repealing several older designated funds. It establishes a new $1.75 companion animal population control fee for dog owners, which must be deposited into a specific fund for animal neutering, and reduces the standard license fee to $1.75 for owners aged 65 or older who license only one dog. Additionally, the legislation redirects remaining money from the pesticides training program fund to the pesticides control fund and officially repeals multiple previous laws that created separate funds for items like body-worn camera equipment, emergency vehicle warning signs, and state heating system savings. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, for the dog fee provisions, with the rest of the bill becoming active 60 days after passage.