Rep. John Schneller

Maddy summaryHB 1718 authorizes residential and commercial customers with renewable energy systems (like solar panels) to add battery storage without affecting their eligibility for net metering. The bill updates definitions to clarify that energy storage charged solely from renewable sources does not count toward the 1-megawatt size limit for net metering eligibility. It grants the Department of Energy rulemaking authority for customer energy storage systems and gives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the power to set compensation terms for energy exported from storage systems. This bill directly affects homeowners and businesses using renewable energy who want to install battery storage to use more of their own generated power. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment with no state funding impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1723 requires all electric utilities and grid operators in New Hampshire to assess and report vulnerabilities of high-voltage transformers (100 kV+ and 25 MVA+) to geomagnetic disturbances (like solar storms) and electromagnetic pulses. By January 2027, covered entities must conduct technical assessments using specific international standards, evaluating risks like transformer saturation and insulation damage. They must then submit detailed reports to state agencies by 180 days after enactment, including transformer specifications, manufacturing origins, and recommended protection measures. This aims to safeguard critical grid infrastructure from potential widespread power outages caused by natural or man-made electromagnetic events.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 restricts weather modification activities like cloud seeding to only situations where the governor declares a state of emergency for a catastrophic drought. This requires the drought to pose significant risks to water supply, agriculture, public health, or economic stability, with the declaration published publicly per state law. Before any weather modification occurs, the state must complete a 14-day environmental review and provide public notice in at least four newspapers and online, disclosing the chemicals used, potential health/wildlife impacts, and funding sources. The bill ensures such activities are limited to extreme emergencies with transparency and environmental safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Hampshire electric utilities to recover storm-related repair costs by issuing special bonds (rated AAA) to finance infrastructure resilience. Utilities would apply to the Public Utilities Commission for approval to issue these bonds, which would be repaid through a small fee added to customers' electricity bills. The bill defines "storm costs" as prudently incurred expenses for storm preparation, restoration, and response, requiring Commission approval within 60 days. This mechanism aims to provide faster cost recovery while potentially keeping overall electricity rates lower than traditional rate-based recovery methods.

Maddy summaryHB 1516 requires New Hampshire municipalities to include visual aids and digital links on property tax bills showing how tax dollars are spent. Specifically, tax bills must feature a pie chart breaking down tax categories (state education, school, city/town, county, and precincts), a 10-year line graph of spending trends, and QR codes linking to detailed budget information online. Municipalities must post this data annually on their websites (or in physical locations if no website exists), including links to budget adoption minutes, reports, and tax cap details. The bill takes effect April 1, 2027, with estimated costs under $10,000 per municipality for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1704, the "Public Employee Choice Act," would allow most state and local government workers in New Hampshire to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions directly with their employers without union representation. It specifically exempts law enforcement officers, firefighters (with specific certification requirements), emergency medical personnel, and corrections officers, who would remain under existing collective bargaining rules. The bill defines "independent bargaining" as direct negotiation and prohibits employers from forcing eligible employees to use a union. Violations of these new rights would be subject to penalties under the law.

Maddy summaryHR 35 is a New Hampshire House Resolution urging the prohibition of intentional releases of polluting emissions, such as cloud seeding and weather modification, within the state. It declares that activities like stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) or solar radiation modification (SRM) harm human health, the environment, agriculture, and state security. The resolution requires the state's Environmental Services Commissioner to notify 27 federal agencies - including NOAA, NASA, and the EPA - within 30 days and post the resolution online. This resolution does not create binding law but expresses the legislature's position and urges federal action to protect New Hampshire's atmosphere.

Maddy summaryHB 1455 establishes new criteria for energy sources used in New Hampshire state programs, requiring them to be affordable, reliable, dispatchable, and include hydrocarbons. It defines "reliable" energy as sources available on demand (dispatchable), maintaining grid stability, and including hydrocarbon-based generation like natural gas. The bill redefines "green energy" to explicitly include nuclear power and natural gas combustion, aligning with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. These standards apply to all energy serving New Hampshire customers through state-funded programs, prioritizing domestic sources and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.

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.