Rep. Jim Creighton

Maddy summaryHB 1025 updates the statutory designation of the chief financial officer (CFO) responsible for identifying eligible agency income for deposit into the New Hampshire Armories Fund. It changes the reference from "CFO of the New Hampshire National Guard" to "CFO of the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services," clarifying which department manages this fund. This fund supplements general funds for operating military facilities (excluding federal program income), with the CFO identifying eligible income for deposit. The bill was requested by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the size of New Hampshire's State Veterans Council from 4 to 5 members. The council will now consist of 4 veterans (as defined by state law) and 1 family member of a veteran or currently serving military member, all appointed by the governor. Council members must meet at least twice yearly to provide guidance on veterans' programs, make recommendations for improvements, and oversee the "New Hampshire first for veterans" initiative. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and align with the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services' organizational structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 designates all donations and bequests received by New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services as non-lapsing funds. This means these funds will automatically carry over year-to-year without expiring, rather than requiring annual reappropriation. The bill directly affects the department’s ability to manage and use donor contributions for military/veteran programs without needing new budget approvals each year. It clarifies existing law (RSA 110-B:1, III) to ensure continuous funding for veteran support initiatives. The bill was requested by the department itself and will take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 establishes a program to manage paint consumers no longer want (postconsumer paint) by requiring paint manufacturers to create and fund a stewardship plan. The plan must detail how to collect, recycle, or responsibly dispose of unused paint, include a fee added to each paint purchase, and cover consumer education. Manufacturers must submit their approved plans to the state environmental agency within 12 months, and retailers can only sell paint if the manufacturer has an approved plan. This directly affects paint manufacturers, retailers, and voluntary collection sites that participate.

Maddy summaryHB 1488 establishes a new Municipal Hazard Mitigation Funding Program to help New Hampshire towns repair infrastructure and prevent damage from future natural disasters. The bill authorizes an initial $2 million transfer from state funds to support municipalities that have existing hazard mitigation plans but lack the money to implement them. To receive grants, towns must apply once per year for up to $50,000, providing details on specific projects and proving they cannot afford the work themselves. The program requires the state to review applications within 60 days and mandates that recipients complete their projects within three months of receiving funds. Additionally, the bill modifies the state disaster relief fund to allow it to be used for hazard mitigation projects and creates a committee to oversee individual and municipal assistance requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire state park admission rules to allow retired military members and their spouses to enter day-use areas for free. To qualify, these individuals must show a valid military ID and provide proof that they live in New Hampshire. The law also clarifies that while general admission is waived, fees for specific enterprise activities like boat rentals or campsite reservations still apply. Changes to the statute take effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Hampshire veterinary licensing board to issue temporary conditional licenses to veterinarians who graduated from schools not accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. To qualify, these foreign-educated veterinarians must have legal U.S. immigration status and be actively working toward passing the required national clinical proficiency examination. The license permits them to practice only under the direct supervision of a fully licensed veterinarian while they complete their final exam steps. The board retains the authority to revoke this temporary license immediately if necessary. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property owners to remove woody debris and blockages from waterways and structures like culverts without needing a special permit. The exemption applies only if the work minimizes sediment disturbance and does not create any new permanent changes to the riverbed. It is designed to help communities clear flood debris after natural disasters or flooding events. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 updates the Solid Waste Management Act by clarifying legal definitions and strengthening permit oversight for solid waste facilities. The bill explicitly defines "abutters" as property owners adjacent to or across from waste facilities and specifies which vehicles count as "end-of-life" for disposal purposes. It grants the state department authority to terminate permits when a facility closes and requires that all permits be continuous in duration unless revoked for cause. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department must wait 30 days after a public hearing before issuing final permit decisions to ensure public concerns are fully considered.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates pesticide laws to allow licensed agricultural pilots to use drones for spraying chemicals at heights of 20 feet or less. It specifically exempts these drone operations from certain notification requirements that would otherwise apply to aerial pesticide use. The law takes effect on September 1, 2024, and only covers applications conducted by individuals holding valid state registration or permits.