Rep. Will Darby

Maddy summaryHB 1534 clarifies how electric utilities recover costs related to default service - the safety-net option for customers who don’t choose a provider. It requires utilities to recover costs (including those from renewable energy compliance) through approved default service rates, ensuring past under- or over-collections are addressed in future rates for the same service tier. The bill also allows the utility commission to implement measures discouraging long-term use of default service, with any revenue from such measures used to offset stranded costs. This directly affects customers on default service plans and utilities managing these rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 directs New Hampshire's Department of Transportation to improve Boston express bus service from Nashua, Manchester, and Londonderry. It requires increasing service frequency during peak commuting hours and late nights on Fridays/Saturdays, advocating for consistent federal/state funding, and allocating existing federal funds to expand this service. The bill mandates a report on service frequency, ridership, and impacts on workforce mobility and regional economic development, due November 1. Crucially, the bill does not provide new state funding but directs the use of existing transportation program resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1018 prohibits the use of four specific rat poisons (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone) in New Hampshire, primarily affecting pest control businesses, property owners, and general commercial users. The ban takes effect January 1, 2027, with key exceptions allowing these products for public health activities (like protecting drinking water or controlling documented infestations), medical waste facilities, and certain agricultural settings including food storage warehouses, slaughterhouses, and breweries. The law does not ban all rodenticides, only these four second-generation anticoagulant types. It directly changes pesticide regulations under RSA 430:41.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 creates "Flood Resilience Incentive Zones" (FRIZ) to help homeowners in flood-prone areas make resilience improvements. It allows municipalities to offer tax credits (minimum $100 annually), property tax relief, and low-cost loans for qualifying projects like elevating homes, installing flood barriers, using natural water management systems (e.g., bioswales), or upgrading electrical systems to reduce flood damage. Municipalities can also collect a fee of up to $0.50 per $1,000 property value to fund these initiatives through revolving funds. The bill directly affects residential property owners in designated FRIZ areas and gives local governments new tools to support flood mitigation.

Maddy summaryHB 1530 requires landowners to notify neighbors and hold a public meeting before removing beaver dams or significantly lowering water levels in "shared" beaver impoundments (ponds or wetlands affecting multiple properties) outside emergency situations. It applies directly to landowners, municipalities, and property managers who want to disturb such dams for non-urgent reasons, like protecting property or infrastructure. The bill mandates 30 days' written notice to affected neighbors and a public informational meeting 15 days before action, published in local media or online. Exceptions include immediate threats to life/property, or installing flow devices (which require no notice). This aims to balance property protection with community input on shared water resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1810 imposes a $4 fee per ton (or equivalent) on bulk road salt, road salt mix, and brine sold in New Hampshire to fund certified winter road maintenance practices. The fee is collected annually by bulk sellers (e.g., suppliers to municipalities, businesses, or state agencies) and deposited into a dedicated road salt mitigation fund. Sellers must file annual returns with the Department of Revenue Administration, maintain sales records for three years, and provide receipts showing the fee paid. This policy directly affects road salt bulk sellers and ensures funds support certified winter road maintenance programs across the state.

Maddy summarySB 239 allocates $400,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the General Fund to the Fish and Game Department to continue environmental reviews for threatened and endangered species. It also allocates $2 million from the Fish and Game Fund in 2026 to cover a deficit from past salary increases for department staff. The funds are non-lapsing (meaning unused funds carry over) and take effect July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects the Fish and Game Department's budget for specific operational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 105 creates a new conservation-themed vehicle license plate option. Vehicle owners who choose this plate would pay an additional fee beyond standard registration. The extra revenue generated would be directed exclusively to the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund. This fund supports projects aimed at reducing harmful algae blooms in waterways. The bill directly affects vehicle owners who select the new plate and funds local efforts to address water quality issues.

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 404 requires the state to provide clear, accessible information about the "Hike Safe Card" program. The bill does not specify what the card entails or who receives it, as the provided context lacks details on the card's purpose or beneficiaries. It passed all legislative stages and was signed into law by Governor Ayotte, becoming effective August 30, 2025. No specific policy changes or mechanisms are described in the available information.