Rep. Robert Wherry

Maddy summaryHB 1419 establishes a 14-member commission to study whether New Hampshire should create a specialized court for business-related legal matters, such as corporate disputes, commercial contracts, and equity cases. The commission, including legislators, judges, business leaders, law school representatives, and legal experts, will assess the feasibility, costs, benefits, and necessary legal reforms - like modernizing corporate laws and creating judicial recruitment pathways - and evaluate fiscal impacts on state revenue. The commission must submit annual reports starting November 2026, with recommendations aimed at positioning New Hampshire as a competitive hub for business law, similar to Delaware’s court system. This bill does not create a court or change laws directly but sets up a study to inform future legislative decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1335 requires physicians to disclose to patients any financial incentives exceeding $5,000 received from a single source (like drug manufacturers) for preferential promotions related to specific treatments. It directly affects patients receiving care from providers who receive such payments, ensuring they learn about potential conflicts before prescriptions. The law mandates written disclosure as part of informed consent, including the source, amount, and a statement that the recommendation is based on clinical judgment. This applies only to incentives tied to the treatment being prescribed, not general practice income. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1071 repeals a legal immunity that previously protected healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) when they followed rules or orders issued during New Hampshire's COVID-19 state of emergency. This bill specifically removes the immunity provision found in RSA 21-P:42-a, meaning facilities could now face legal liability for actions taken under those emergency directives. The repeal takes effect upon the bill's passage, directly affecting healthcare providers that operated under pandemic-era mandates. It makes no new rules but changes the legal landscape for facilities complying with past emergency orders.

Maddy summaryHB 1022 standardizes the form parents or guardians must use to claim a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools or childcare. The form must include a specific statement: "I, [parent/guardian name], hereby attest that I sincerely hold religious beliefs that dictate the refusal to accept the required vaccination(s)," followed by their signature and date. This bill directly affects parents or guardians seeking to exempt their children from immunization mandates based on religious beliefs. It specifies the exact wording for the exemption form without changing the existing policy on religious exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1286 allows dentists to treat patients who decline recommended x-rays, provided the treatment doesn't violate dental standards of care. Dentists must obtain a signed waiver from patients acknowledging they waive the right to sue if injury occurs due to missing x-rays. The bill protects dentists from license penalties or disciplinary action when following this process. It amends New Hampshire's dental practice law to clarify these procedures and takes effect 60 days after passage. This directly affects dentists and patients in clinical decisions about x-ray requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 modifies how New Hampshire towns determine the number, selection method (elected or appointed), and term lengths (1-3 years) for local highway agents. Towns must vote at annual meetings using specific ballot questions to approve changes, which take effect after the next meeting. Current highway agents continue serving their existing terms without interruption. The bill repeals outdated rules about highway agent selection and ensures changes don’t require immediate local action.

Maddy summaryHB 1719 removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which childhood immunization is required in New Hampshire. This change directly affects children enrolled in schools or childcare programs, as parents will no longer be required to ensure their children receive the Hepatitis B vaccine for enrollment. The bill amends state law by deleting "Hepatitis B" from the mandated immunization list, which includes diseases like measles and polio. This policy shift is expected to reduce state vaccine purchase costs by approximately $20,000 in the first year and $82,000 annually thereafter, as the requirement is eliminated. The Hepatitis B vaccine would remain available on a voluntary basis for parents who choose to use it.

Maddy summaryHB 1604 requires towns and cities to make suitable public facilities - such as schools, town halls, and fire stations - available as polling places for all elections when requested by local election officials (selectmen or ward officers). The bill specifies that facilities must meet size and accessibility standards under existing law and must remain accessible to voters while allowing normal operations like education or emergency services to continue. Municipalities would cover reasonable costs for custodial services, utilities, and security related to the polling place use, unless otherwise agreed. This change aims to expand polling location options without imposing new requirements on voters or election processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1066 amends New Hampshire municipal laws to clarify and expand how lease agreements are defined and managed. It defines "lease" to include lease-purchase, sale-lease-back, and similar agreements for property, equipment, or facilities under RSA 33:7-e/f. The bill requires public hearings for municipal leases exceeding $100,000 (aligning with existing bond hearing rules) and ensures lease funds remain available until projects are completed, preventing premature budget lapsing. This directly affects towns, cities, and unincorporated areas in New Hampshire that use lease financing for infrastructure or equipment.

Maddy summaryHB 1526 modifies procedures for New Hampshire towns and school districts that use a municipal budget committee. It standardizes the wording of town meeting votes about establishing or changing the committee (e.g., "Shall we change the number of members from X to Y?") and adjusts the timeframe for appointing initial members in cooperative school districts from 15 to 30 days. The bill also clarifies how committees can be rescinded or how membership size or election method can be changed, requiring votes to take effect after the next annual meeting. This affects all towns and school districts operating under RSA 32:14 or 195:12-a.