Rep. Rosemarie Rung

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most charitable organizations to file an annual financial statement with their local municipality by June 1 to maintain their property tax exemption. The statement must detail the organization's financial condition and include any other information needed to prove its eligibility for the tax break. While religious and educational groups already have specific exemptions, this rule applies to other charities and allows for late filings only if the delay was due to an accident, mistake, or misfortune, provided the local tax rate has not yet been approved. The law takes effect on April 1, 2025, and will change how these organizations must document their status to qualify for reduced property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's wastewater engineering laws to clarify how the state funds sewage treatment projects and regulates professional certifications. It expands state financial support to cover engineering services and allows municipalities to receive state contributions for construction costs even without federal grants. The legislation also adjusts fees for reviewing engineering plans and renewing professional certificates, while establishing new rules for prequalifying consulting engineering firms. These changes directly affect local governments, wastewater treatment facilities, and licensed engineering professionals in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Matthew Brown Act, requires public schools and charter schools in New Hampshire to print the phone number for the National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline on student identification cards. The law applies to cards issued for the first time or replaced after the bill takes effect, ensuring that students in grades 6 through 12 have immediate access to eating disorder support resources. Schools must also verify annually that the helpline number on these cards is accurate and up to date before each new school year. The legislation aims to integrate mental health resources directly into the daily materials students carry, rather than relying on them to find help information elsewhere.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires powerboat operators to wear an engine cut-off switch lanyard while operating specific vessels at speeds higher than the minimum needed to maintain steerage. The rule applies to powerboats that are at least 26 feet long or have outboard engines with more than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, unless the boat has an enclosed cabin or was manufactured before 2020 without such a device. The law defines an engine cut-off switch as a safety device that disables the engine if the operator falls off the helm and sets the requirement to take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1046 requires boat owners who are not the vessel operator to notify law enforcement and file an accident report if the operator fails to do so after an incident involving death, injury, or property damage exceeding $2,000. The bill mandates that the operator must immediately stop, assist those involved, and exchange information, while also submitting a written report to the Department of Safety within 15 days. If the operator is unable or unwilling to comply with these duties, the owner must take over the responsibility to report the accident to police and the state department. Failure to meet these notification and reporting requirements can result in criminal penalties, ranging from a class A misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity of the incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for a state commission studying environmentally triggered chronic illnesses from 2024 to 2029. The commission, which investigates how environmental factors contribute to long-term health conditions, will continue to submit annual progress reports and a final summary to state officials and the public. By delaying the final report date, the legislation gives the commission more time to gather data and formulate recommendations for potential laws. The change applies specifically to the existing commission's timeline without altering its core mission or the groups it studies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have required state construction contracts to mandate the separation of hazardous materials from general construction and demolition debris at the job site before transport. The provision aimed to clarify that "construction and demolition debris" carries the same legal definition found in existing environmental statutes. Although the bill introduced a specific requirement for waste management protocols, it was ultimately killed by the legislature on May 15, 2024, due to a determination that it was inexpedient to legislate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Department of Environmental Services to create a two-step permitting process for new solid waste landfills. The first step is a preliminary screening where applicants must provide enough information to show their proposed site does not violate specific location rules, such as being near permeable soils or sensitive habitats. If a site fails this initial check, the department will reject the application without prejudice, allowing the applicant to choose a different location and resubmit. The department will establish these prohibitive criteria through public hearings and written comments, focusing on factors like soil quality, distance from waste sources, and environmental preservation. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill passes, with existing rules remaining in place until July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 updates the requirements for New Hampshire's Comprehensive State Development Plan to include specific sections on smart growth, affordable housing, economic development, and environmental protection. The bill mandates that the plan address critical topics such as land use, transportation, natural hazards, and threats from chemical or biological contamination. It also requires the inclusion of policies for preserving cultural resources, managing regional concerns, and ensuring adequate public utilities and recreation services. By adding these detailed components, the legislation aims to create a more structured framework for guiding the state's long-term growth and resource management.