Rep. Robert Wherry

Maddy summaryHB 1671 prohibits New Hampshire Medicaid-funded healthcare facilities from discriminating against employees, students, or trainees who have valid medical or religious vaccine exemptions. Specifically, it bans facilities from firing, threatening, or otherwise punishing these individuals for exercising their lawful exemptions. If the Department of Health and Human Services finds a violation, it must withhold Medicaid payments to the facility and may suspend or terminate the facility from the Medicaid program. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1520 redefines "citizen of New Hampshire" for voting purposes as either a native-born resident or someone who has taken an oath of allegiance to the state. It requires voters to provide proof of New Hampshire citizenship (such as a birth certificate, New Hampshire citizenship card, or sworn oath) and U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) when registering to vote. The bill also mandates that the secretary of state issue New Hampshire citizenship cards to eligible residents who qualify as native-born or through oath of allegiance. This legislation establishes new verification steps for voter registration in New Hampshire, clarifying state citizenship requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1778 bars public schools in New Hampshire from teaching any approach that prioritizes personal identity factors (like race, gender, or sexual orientation) over individual merit in curriculum or policies. It requires school districts to create policies banning DEI-related curriculum, trainings, and programs, while prohibiting staff or students from being required to declare gender identity or pronouns. The law also mandates schools to promote equal opportunities for all students regardless of identity, with violations subject to civil action or educator disciplinary measures. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not provide new state funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1811 repeals all state-mandated vaccination requirements for children in New Hampshire, removing legal obligations for schools and childcare agencies to require immunizations or maintain related records. The bill eliminates provisions for religious and medical exemptions, attendance rules during outbreaks, and reporting requirements to health authorities. It replaces mandatory vaccination with advisory recommendations from health officials, stating schools and agencies cannot deny enrollment based on vaccination status. This directly affects parents, schools, childcare providers, and public health officials by ending the state’s enforcement of childhood immunization rules. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1626 requires the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs to measure and report the return on investment (ROI) for tourism promotional programs exceeding $10,000. The bill mandates that the department calculate ROI for these programs and explain the methodology used. This data must be included in the department’s annual report to the governor, legislature, and state officials, detailing program effectiveness. The bill does not provide new funding, with the department estimating annual costs of $350,000-$500,000 for the required research and analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 1122 requires all New Hampshire high school students aged 16 and older to take courses covering hunting, wildlife management, and responsible firearms usage as part of their curriculum. The bill mandates school districts to implement these courses in collaboration with the fish and game commission, with an exemption for students whose parents or guardians provide written religious or conscientious objections - allowing alternative instruction in forestry management or community service instead. This policy aims to integrate New Hampshire's hunting heritage and conservation practices into education standards, aligning with state constitutional references to hunting as a cultural tradition. The requirement applies to all public high schools and is structured as a new component of the state's educational framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1382 requires non-military overseas voters in New Hampshire who qualify under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to submit proof of U.S. citizenship once to maintain voter eligibility. It directly affects U.S. citizens living abroad who are not active-duty military members or their families, mandating submission of documents like passports, birth certificates, or citizenship certificates by January 1, 2027. Military members and their families are exempt from this requirement, as specified in federal UOCAVA law. The New Hampshire Secretary of State will verify submissions through a secure portal or mail, update voter records upon confirmation, and provide education materials to affected voters. This bill aims to verify voter eligibility under state law while maintaining federal voting rights protections for military voters.

Maddy summaryHB 289 clarifies New Hampshire's voting domicile rules by preventing legal dependents (e.g., minors under parental custody) from claiming a voting residence if their custodian lives outside the state. It also states that obtaining a New Hampshire driver's license or registering a vehicle demonstrates a voter's intent to maintain continuous presence in the state for voting purposes. The bill amends election law to define "domicile" more precisely, affecting voters who might otherwise claim residency based on temporary ties like student status or dependency. These changes aim to align voting eligibility with physical presence and intent, without altering existing student voting rights. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all New Hampshire elections to use hand-counted, serial-numbered ballots with perforated voter receipts matching ballot numbers. It mandates strict ballot handling procedures, including 24/7 monitored storage for 60 months, dual-signature chain-of-custody logs, and random county audits by citizen reviewers after each election. The bill directly affects all local election officials (moderators, clerks) and voters, limiting polling locations to 5,000 voters and requiring annual training for election staff. This amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires election officials to provide electronic voter checklists in a sortable format, directly affecting local and state election offices that manage voter registration and check-in systems. The key provision mandates that these digital checklists be structured so they can be sorted by criteria like voter last name, precinct, or voting status. This change aims to improve efficiency during election administration by allowing officials to quickly organize and access voter data. The bill is currently pending in committee after passing a committee report with amendments.