Rep. Keith Erf

Maddy summaryHB 195 establishes new protections for personal information held by third-party service providers (such as phone companies, banks, social media platforms, and internet providers). It requires these companies to obtain explicit, affirmative consent from users before disclosing non-public personal information (like names, SSNs, location data, or biometrics), except in specific circumstances like emergencies, crime prevention, legal requests, or to provide a requested service. The bill defines "personal information" broadly and mandates clear, separate consent procedures requiring users to actively "opt in" rather than passively accepting terms. This directly affects how companies collect and share user data, aiming to strengthen privacy expectations for individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes moving any leftover money in New Hampshire's education trust fund to the state's general fund at the end of each fiscal year. The change would allow the general fund to access these surplus funds, which are currently restricted to education purposes. The legislation does not alter how the education trust fund is collected or spent, but rather changes the destination of any excess balance. Although the bill was introduced, it was ultimately removed from consideration before the legislative session ended.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 sought to update state laws regarding how local municipalities can lease equipment for their buildings and facilities. The bill would have clarified that lease agreements containing nonappropriation clauses are not considered debt and would have allowed the costs of building improvements that become fixtures for the equipment to also be financed through these leases. This change would have directly affected local town councils and city governments by expanding their options for funding equipment purchases without increasing their official debt load. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and the veto was sustained, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1059 updates the New Hampshire state building code by officially adopting the 2021 editions of seven major international codes, such as those for plumbing and energy conservation, along with the 2020 National Electrical Code. This change directly affects construction professionals, building owners, and inspectors who must now follow these new standards for new and existing structures. The bill also establishes that any future updates to these codes will only become part of the state law if they are reviewed by the state board and approved by the legislature before taking effect. These updated rules will officially go into force on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's state building code by establishing new certification requirements for public building contractors and adjusting the structure of the State Building Code Review Board. Key changes include setting the board member terms to three years, requiring the board to review code updates for cost impacts and public safety, and creating a simplified electronic form to verify residential energy compliance. The legislation also expands the board's authority to hear appeals from specific professional licensing boards while repealing older provisions related to local code amendments and specific building types. These measures are designed to streamline code enforcement, improve consistency in building standards, and clarify the roles of various state agencies and professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definition of New Hampshire's state fire code and officially ratifies amendments approved by the state board of fire control as of September 20, 2023. It changes the required edition of the National Fire Protection Association codes from 2018 to 2021 for both the Life Safety Code and the Uniform Fire Code. The law ensures that any other national standards referenced within these codes are also included unless specifically amended by the state board. These changes apply to all individuals and entities subject to the state fire code, including building owners, managers, and safety inspectors. The new requirements will become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for requesting a vote recount in New Hampshire state general elections. It allows any candidate to ask for a recount if the vote difference is less than 20% of the total votes in the relevant towns or if the total number of ballots cast exceeds the number of registered voters on election day. Candidates must submit a written request to the secretary of state by the Friday following the election and pay the required fees. The law will not take effect until 60 days after it is passed.