Rep. Bill Boyd

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local planning boards to include specific rules in their subdivision regulations regarding water supply and costs. It requires developers to conduct water supply studies and ensure enough water exists for current and future land uses, while also setting minimum testing standards for private wells. These requirements apply to new subdivisions but exclude large community water systems and major groundwater withdrawals already regulated by state law. Additionally, the bill permits planning boards to charge reasonable fees to cover administrative expenses and notification costs associated with reviewing subdivision applications.

Maddy summaryHB 1269 strengthens safety and accountability measures for schools by requiring that any use of seclusion or restraint be continuously monitored by trained staff. The bill mandates that these incidents be recorded with audio and video if the student's individualized education plan includes such accommodations, and it ensures parents or guardians are notified promptly after an incident occurs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that recordings made for disciplinary purposes must be preserved as part of the official record. These changes aim to increase transparency and oversight regarding how schools handle student behavioral interventions.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 updates New Hampshire laws to regulate the sale and application of fertilizers specifically for urban lawns and turf. The bill establishes strict limits on nitrogen content, capping application rates at 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet per use, and defines specific categories for low-phosphate and no-phosphate products intended for new or established urban grass. It also introduces new definitions for terms like "enhanced efficiency fertilizer" and "plant biostimulant" to clarify what products fall under regulatory oversight. Although the governor initially vetoed the measure, the legislature overrode the veto, and the law is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize the New Hampshire Department of Education commissioner to issue subpoenas to investigate specific serious misconduct allegations against licensed educators. The commissioner could use these legal orders to compel individuals to appear for questioning or to produce documents and other items in cases involving sexual or physical assault, drug possession, failure to report abuse, and other violations of educator codes of conduct. The legislation also adds a provision stating that records from these investigations and related closed hearings would be exempt from public access under state open records laws. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for how subpoenas must be served, including different timeframes for compliance depending on whether the recipient is a licensee or a non-licensee.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits the sale of new consumer products that contain intentionally added chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly used for stain and water resistance. The ban covers a wide range of household items, including mattresses, carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, and furniture, while excluding products made with high percentages of recycled content or those regulated by federal law. Manufacturers and distributors must stop producing or importing these items, and the state can also pursue civil lawsuits against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for settling legal claims related to the impacts of these chemicals on water supplies.