Rep. Jeanine Notter

Maddy summarySB 579 modifies New Hampshire's school transfer rules to allow parents to request transfers to any school within their school administrative unit (SAU), not just within their immediate district. It directly affects parents or guardians seeking to move their children to another public school within the same SAU or to schools outside the SAU. Key provisions include giving superintendents or service providers authority to approve transfers based on student needs (e.g., academic or social factors) and requiring them to consider school capacity for within-SAU requests. The bill also clarifies tuition arrangements for out-of-SAU transfers and specifies that parents are responsible for transportation. This change streamlines intra-SAU transfers while maintaining existing processes for district-wide moves.

Maddy summaryHB 1104 changes how New Hampshire school districts and chartered public schools are ranked for building aid grants. It removes the previous rule that automatically prioritized applications from the prior year that didn't receive funding due to budget limits, as well as applications with "critical needs" (like unsafe conditions). Instead, all applications will now be ranked solely based on the standard scoring criteria outlined in the law, including factors like unsafe facilities, overcrowding, ADA compliance, and school district fiscal capacity. This change affects every school district applying for building aid grants by altering the ranking process used to determine funding order.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a first-degree murder charge for anyone who administers medication intended to terminate a pregnancy without the pregnant woman's knowledge or consent. It also changes when a fetus can be considered a homicide victim, removing the previous 20-week gestation limit and instead defining a "fetus" from conception (or implantation for IVF) until birth. These changes mean that nonconsensual administration of pregnancy-termination medication could now be prosecuted as murder, and killing a fetus at any stage would be treated as homicide under the new definition. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 clarifies that small-scale gardening and minor repairs do not count as "excavation" under New Hampshire's underground utility damage prevention laws. Specifically, it exempts hand-planting of flowers or small shrubs (in 3-gallon pots or smaller) and shallow irrigation repairs done by hand from requiring utility damage prevention permits or notifications. This directly affects homeowners, gardeners, and small landscaping businesses performing these routine tasks without heavy equipment. The bill has no fiscal impact, as confirmed by the legislative budget office, and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1543 updates the process for transferring state-owned highway, federal, or turnpike-funded property to local municipalities. It requires the state to first offer such property to the local town, city, or county government where it’s located, with municipalities having 90 days to respond or be deemed to have approved. For active road segments (class I/II highways), disposal needs either municipal approval or a rehab agreement before the state can transfer it. Proceeds from sales must go back to the original funding source (highway, federal, or turnpike fund), and the state must provide a "turnback condition report" verifying highway infrastructure is repaired before transfer.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a fee structure for New Hampshire state parks that provides financial discounts to state residents compared to nonresidents. It mandates that entry fees for residents collected online or at park entrances must be no more than 50% of the fees charged to nonresidents. Additionally, the law allows park officials to set separate rates for specific services like camping or parking, requiring resident fees to be capped at 90% of nonresident rates. Residency for these purposes can be verified through various documents such as state ID cards, utility bills, or vehicle registrations. The changes are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protection of Women's Sports Act, establishes rules for interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic teams in New Hampshire by categorizing them based on the biological sex listed on athletes' birth certificates. It mandates that teams designated for females be open only to students identified as female at birth, while teams for males may include students of any sex, and requires separate locker room facilities for each group. The legislation also creates a legal pathway for athletes to sue schools or organizations if they experience harm or retaliation related to these sex-based designations, though it explicitly excludes K-5 schools and intramural or club sports from its requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the Condominium Act in New Hampshire to regulate how special assessments for capital improvements are handled. It requires condominium management contracts and budgets to explicitly state whether funds are set aside for major maintenance or capital projects. Under the proposed rules, a condominium association cannot impose special assessments for capital improvements that exceed 5% of the budgeted gross expenses without first obtaining approval from the unit owners. The legislation aims to increase transparency and ensure that significant financial burdens on residents are collectively authorized before being levied.