Rep. Michael O'Brien

Maddy summaryHB 1059 updates the New Hampshire state building code by officially adopting the 2021 editions of seven major international codes, such as those for plumbing and energy conservation, along with the 2020 National Electrical Code. This change directly affects construction professionals, building owners, and inspectors who must now follow these new standards for new and existing structures. The bill also establishes that any future updates to these codes will only become part of the state law if they are reviewed by the state board and approved by the legislature before taking effect. These updated rules will officially go into force on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers and sellers of firefighting gear to inform buyers whether the equipment contains PFAS chemicals, a specific class of fluorinated compounds. Starting in 2020, these notices must be included in employee files and given directly to firefighters, while records of the disclosure must be kept for three years. The state safety department is tasked with encouraging the purchase of PFAS-free gear, and fire departments are directed to prioritize safer alternatives when they become available. By 2025, the law prohibits departments from offering or allowing the use of firefighter uniforms that include intentionally added PFAS chemicals.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's state building code by establishing new certification requirements for public building contractors and adjusting the structure of the State Building Code Review Board. Key changes include setting the board member terms to three years, requiring the board to review code updates for cost impacts and public safety, and creating a simplified electronic form to verify residential energy compliance. The legislation also expands the board's authority to hear appeals from specific professional licensing boards while repealing older provisions related to local code amendments and specific building types. These measures are designed to streamline code enforcement, improve consistency in building standards, and clarify the roles of various state agencies and professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to continue paying health insurance premiums for emergency response and public safety workers who are appealing a denial of a workers' compensation claim based on a presumptive condition. The coverage must be maintained at the value of a single employee premium for up to 18 months while the claim is being reviewed. Eligibility for this benefit begins at the start of employment and lasts for 20 years after the worker separates from service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to offer free early cancer screening tests to active and retired firefighters in New Hampshire. The state will provide $5 million to cover costs for optional screenings that may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and lung CT scans, with a preference for vendors capable of detecting multiple cancer types. A committee of firefighter representatives and officials will create a plan to organize these screenings, track results, and report findings to the legislature after 12 and 24 months. Additionally, firefighters who paid for their own screenings after January 1, 2024, may receive reimbursement of up to $1,300. The program is designed to run for up to two years starting July 1, 2024, with all personal data kept confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for selling pari-mutuel pools in New Hampshire, specifically regarding historic horse racing and charitable gaming. It establishes new eligibility requirements for operators to sell tickets on historic races, restricts where these sales can occur, and strictly prohibits the transfer or sale of gaming licenses. Additionally, the legislation changes how charitable organizations are compensated by ensuring they receive at least 35 percent of gross revenue and removing certain fees, while also repealing old rules about employee residency and financial reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have changed how the New Hampshire Retirement System calculates the base compensation for certain public employees who were not yet fully vested before 2012. Under the proposed rules, the system would have included mandatory overtime pay in the base rate used to determine retirement benefits, while keeping other types of extra pay separate. The legislation also specified that the employer defines what counts as mandatory overtime for this calculation. Although the bill passed initial committee stages, it was ultimately killed by the legislature on May 23, 2024, and will not take effect.