Rep. David Preece

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 30) formally reaffirms that local municipalities - not the state - hold primary responsibility for planning, zoning, and related regulations, citing New Hampshire’s RSA 672:1 as the legal basis. It specifically references the state’s "Declaration of Purpose" law, which states that zoning and land-use rules have historically been and should remain a municipal function. The resolution does not change any laws but symbolically opposes state efforts to override local zoning authority under the guise of "property rights." It directly affects municipal governments, which retain control over land-use decisions for their communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1009 limits municipal parking requirements for specific housing types. It prohibits cities and towns from mandating more than 1.5 parking spaces per unit for: (1) studio and one-bedroom units under 1,000 square feet that qualify as workforce housing, and (2) multi-family buildings with 10 or more units. This directly affects local governments that previously enforced stricter parking rules and developers building qualifying housing projects. The bill updates state law to standardize these parking limits, aiming to reduce construction costs for affordable housing developments.

Maddy summaryHB 1006 changes parking rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by requiring parking to be provided either on-site or at a legally dedicated off-site location only with municipal approval. This removes property owners' previous discretion to choose parking locations without local government permission. Municipalities may require up to one additional parking space per ADU if they require parking for the main house. The bill amends existing law to eliminate owner choice in parking placement for ADUs.

Maddy summaryHB 1016 repeals RSA 674:32, which currently requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow manufactured housing development opportunities. This bill removes a legal mandate forcing towns and cities to permit such housing. After passage, municipalities will no longer be obligated to provide space for manufactured housing developments. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 519 allocates state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) specifically to support the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter, directly benefiting homeless or at-risk youth in need of housing and services. The bill also adds a new provision prohibiting DHHS from entering contracts with any hospital found violating the Patients' Bill of Rights (RSA 151:21). This means DHHS must ensure hospitals it partners with fully comply with patient rights protections before approving contracts. The measure combines direct funding for youth shelter services with a safeguard to uphold healthcare consumer rights.

Maddy summaryHB 97 allocates $50 million in state funding to the Department of Environmental Services for upgrading aging wastewater treatment infrastructure in communities across the state. The bill directly affects municipal governments and residents in areas with outdated sewer systems by providing resources to improve water quality and prevent environmental harm. Key provisions include direct budget transfers for specific infrastructure projects, prioritizing communities with the most urgent needs as identified by the department. The bill remains pending after committee review, with the majority committee recommending it be tabled ("inexpedient to legislate") and the minority advocating for passage with amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 138 requires towns and cities to clearly state "multi-year tax impact" in warrant articles when a proposed tax measure affects budgets across multiple years. This applies directly to local governments preparing town meeting ballots, ensuring voters understand if a tax vote will impact future budgets. The key provision mandates adding this specific notation to warrant articles, making the long-term financial effect transparent. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 1, 2025, and takes effect August 30, 2025. It does not change tax rates or policies, only the required disclosure language for multi-year tax proposals.

Maddy summaryHB 569 establishes unified county-wide communication districts to replace fragmented local systems, directly affecting all counties in the state and their residents who rely on emergency alerts and public safety communications. The bill requires counties to create single, county-level districts for managing communication infrastructure, eliminating separate municipal or regional districts. Key provisions mandate counties to develop and maintain these unified systems by the effective date (August 1, 2025), streamlining coordination for emergency response and public notifications. This policy change shifts administrative responsibility from smaller subdivisions to county governments, creating a more centralized communication framework.