Rep. Joe Alexander

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for the Department of Environmental Services to transfer ownership of state-owned dams to local municipalities or other interested groups before removing them. Under the new rules, the department must offer the dam and its associated rights to the local municipality at least one year in advance, providing detailed information on the dam's condition and repair costs. If the municipality declines or cannot afford the necessary debt, the offer extends to associations of landowners or other public entities capable of maintaining the structure. The department may only proceed with dam removal if no party accepts the transfer, provided the dam is not in imminent danger of failure or removal does not serve a compelling environmental interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new state laws to protect freedom of speech and association at public colleges and universities in New Hampshire. It designates outdoor campus areas as public forums where students and staff can engage in peaceful expression without being forced into designated "free speech zones." The legislation prohibits institutions from discriminating against student groups based on their religious, political, or ideological views and defines specific limits on when speech can be restricted, such as during unlawful fights or harassment. Additionally, the bill creates a legal remedy allowing individuals or groups to sue schools for violations, with a monetary cap on damages adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the existing penalty for selling kegs of malt beverages without a receipt, effectively removing that specific enforcement measure. It simultaneously updates the rules for junk and scrap metal dealers by clarifying that they may only purchase metal kegs if the seller is the original brewer whose name or marking is still visible on the container. The legislation defines a keg as a sealed container holding more than seven gallons and sets the changes to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the right to appeal zoning decisions in New Hampshire by allowing property owners who directly border or are directly across a street or stream from a proposed development to file appeals, rather than limiting this right only to the original applicant. It clarifies the definition of an "abutter" to include specific distances and scenarios, such as condominiums and manufactured housing parks, while also permitting these neighbors to request a rehearing of decisions made by zoning boards or town meetings within 30 days. The legislation also mandates that officials immediately forward all relevant documents to the board when an appeal is filed and sets a 60-day period after passage before the changes take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the responsibilities of the Interbranch Criminal and Juvenile Justice Council, a group that includes members from both the legislative and executive branches. The primary change involves adding new duties to the council's existing mandate, though the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided text. By reorganizing the bill's sections, the legislation formally updates the council's role to ensure it can better coordinate on criminal and juvenile justice issues. Once signed into law, the council will operate under these revised guidelines to fulfill its updated functions.

Maddy summaryHB 1648 would have updated wage payment rules to allow employers to pay employees via debit cards, provided the employer covers all associated fees and ensures free access to funds. The bill required employers to offer clear written disclosures about any potential charges, obtain voluntary consent before using payroll cards, and give employees the option to switch to direct deposit without penalty. It also mandated that employers replace lost or stolen cards within 24 hours and provide a list of fee-free withdrawal locations. Although the legislation outlined these consumer protections, it was ultimately not enacted after the House voted to take no action on the measure.

Maddy summaryThis law allows non-lawyer paraprofessionals to provide legal services in New Hampshire courts, removing previous restrictions that limited their practice to specific judicial settings. It establishes a pilot program that begins on January 1, 2030, during which the state Supreme Court must submit interim and final reports to legislative leaders assessing how well the program works. The legislation also sets the effective date for these changes to start immediately upon signing, ensuring the new rules are in place before the pilot program commences.

Maddy summaryHB 1215 updates state laws to provide greater stability for land developers and clarifies how building code appeals are handled. The bill extends the time period during which approved land subdivisions are protected from new zoning or fee changes from five to ten years, provided the project begins construction within five years and stays compliant with health standards. It also establishes a higher-level review board to hear appeals against local building code decisions, ensuring consistency across the state. Additionally, the law requires the Register of Deeds to record land plats even if they do not meet regulations adopted after the project was approved. These changes aim to reduce uncertainty for property owners and streamline the approval process for construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 115 moves the date of New Hampshire's state primary election from the second Tuesday in September to the second Tuesday in June. It also shifts the deadline for changing party registration and filing candidacy declarations from June to March, allowing voters and candidates more time to prepare earlier in the year. The bill updates related forms and hearing schedules for election officials to align with these new dates, ensuring that all primary election activities occur in the spring rather than the fall. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and directly impact voters, political parties, and candidates participating in the state's primary process.