Rep. Joe Alexander

Maddy summaryHB 1667 establishes New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation security task force to coordinate planning for presidential campaign events during the 2028 election cycle. The task force, chaired by the safety commissioner and including members from state agencies, universities, police associations, and both major political committees, must develop statewide security guidance that protects free speech while ensuring public safety. Key provisions require the task force to create coordination protocols for law enforcement, identify resource needs like communication tools, and produce a comprehensive security plan by September 2027. This bill directly affects all presidential campaign events in New Hampshire and requires reports to state leaders by 2026-2028, with minimal fiscal impact ($10,000/year).

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (CACR 18) would cap annual increases in New Hampshire state and local government spending and tax rates based on inflation and population growth. Specifically, it limits annual spending increases to a four-year average inflation rate (capped at 2.5%) plus the prior year's population change, with excess revenues up to 10% directed to a rainy day fund. It also grants citizens the right to sue the state or local governments for violations, including recovery of attorney fees and up to 20x those costs if successful. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHB 1357 permits the placement of new manufactured homes on individual lots in all residentially zoned areas across New Hampshire without requiring special local permits. The bill defines "new manufactured homes" as those built after 1976 under federal safety standards and not previously placed, and requires all municipalities to update zoning ordinances to allow these homes within one year. Municipalities must apply the same general lot size and design standards to manufactured homes as to traditional homes but may set more flexible requirements, such as smaller lot sizes, for manufactured housing. This law directly affects homeowners seeking affordable housing options and municipalities responsible for zoning enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1050 establishes that parents, educators, and community groups can provide educational instruction (referred to as "learning pods") to voluntarily associated children in any area within a municipality - whether zoned for specific land uses or not. It directly affects those organizing informal educational settings by overriding local zoning ordinances or land use rules that might previously have restricted such activities. The bill adds new provisions to state law stating that no zoning ordinance can restrict or prohibit educational instruction in municipally zoned or non-zoned areas. This creates a statewide right to operate learning pods without needing local government approval for land use. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1404 establishes a study committee to examine how property is divided during divorce proceedings in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of five House members (including two from the Children and Family Law Committee) and two Senate members (including one from the same committee), will review state laws and other states' approaches to equitable property division. It must report its findings and any proposed legislative changes to state leaders by November 1, 2026. This bill does not change current divorce laws but sets up a review process to potentially inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1149 would require New Hampshire to stop observing daylight saving time once four neighboring states - Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine - have each passed laws to adopt permanent year-round Eastern Standard Time. The bill amends state law by removing current provisions that adjust clocks forward in March and back in November, meaning New Hampshire would remain on Eastern Standard Time year-round if the condition is met. This change would take effect on January 1 of the first year after New Hampshire's secretary of state certifies that all four states have enacted similar legislation. The bill does not set a specific date for implementation but depends entirely on other states' actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents municipalities from reducing residential density (downzoning) in ways that conflict with existing neighborhood patterns. It requires local governments to approve building permits for residential construction if a licensed architect certifies the proposed density matches surrounding homes. Property owners must provide this certification, and municipalities must issue permits without discretionary review. The law does not affect building codes, safety regulations, or uniform zoning rules already in place.

Maddy summaryHB 1023 authorizes small, neighborhood-scale businesses like coffee shops, bakeries, home-based daycares, and craft studios to operate as accessory commercial units on residential or commercial properties without requiring special local permits. The bill sets clear limits: units must be under 1,000 square feet (or 25% of the main building's size), operate between 6 AM and 10 PM (unless a municipality allows extended hours), and not require extra parking or large signage. It applies statewide, prohibiting municipalities from banning these units or imposing stricter rules than the state law. This law standardizes access for small businesses to operate from existing properties while maintaining neighborhood compatibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1713 establishes new standards for affordable housing development in New Hampshire by revising zoning laws. It defines "eligible housing" for low-income (80% or less of median area income) and moderate-income (80%-140% of median area income) residents, and authorizes the transfer of surplus state-owned property to the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority for affordable housing projects. The bill requires affordability restrictions on housing developed on transferred properties, including rules for occupancy, resale, and mixed-income housing. This directly affects state agencies managing surplus property, the Housing Finance Authority, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 expands the legal definition of "intimate partner" in New Hampshire domestic violence cases to include individuals who were in a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of whether the relationship was sexually consummated. This change directly affects victims and perpetrators in domestic violence proceedings under New Hampshire law. The bill modifies existing statutes (RSA 173-B:1 and RSA 631:2-b) to remove the previous requirement that such relationships must have been sexually consummated. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.