Rep. Jonah Wheeler

Maddy summaryHB 1243 requires all New Hampshire executive branch agencies (like departments and commissions) to base every contracting and investment decision solely on directly benefiting state citizens. The bill mandates that agencies certify contracts meet this standard and prohibits considering any purpose unrelated to providing citizens with goods, services, or benefits - except for federal law compliance or multistate programs that directly help residents. It has minimal fiscal impact, costing less than $10,000 annually through 2029, and applies to all state agencies making purchasing or investment choices.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow municipalities to provide temporary shelter and aid to homeless individuals on public property without fear of being sued for negligence. It establishes a legal shield for government employees and units, stating they will not be held liable for injuries or damages occurring in designated homeless aid areas unless the harm was caused by intentional misconduct. Additionally, the bill exempts these government entities from standard landlord-tenant laws when operating such shelters. The legislation aims to encourage local governments to create homeless assistance programs by clarifying their legal protections regarding liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change how New Hampshire calculates and funds special education costs by including them directly in the state's education tax and grant formulas. It would require the state to pay 95 percent of the costs for services listed in a student's Individualized Education Plan, whether provided by the school district or contracted outside providers. Additionally, the legislation removes a separate line item for special education funding from the general "adequate education" calculation, aiming to streamline how schools receive financial support for these students. The bill also updates state statutes to clarify that special education is part of the state's duty to provide an adequate education and outlines procedures for reimbursing districts and prorating funds when students transfer between districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1702 removes the separate "liquor commission fund" and places all revenue from liquor sales and license fees directly into the state's general fund. This change gives the state legislature full budgeting authority over the liquor commission's finances, ending the commission's ability to retain surplus earnings. The bill also directs a portion of the commission's gross profits to the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund, with specific amounts determined by the state budget. Additionally, it allows the commissioner to transfer funds for employee benefits and operational needs, subject to approval from the fiscal committee and the governor and council. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1706, known as the Circumcision Transparency Act, would require health care providers in New Hampshire to obtain written informed consent from parents before performing a non-therapeutic circumcision on a child under 18. The bill mandates that providers use a specific consent form detailing the procedure's risks, lack of proven medical benefits, and available alternatives, while also prohibiting solicitation or coercion of parents. Additionally, the law would require two parental signatures for the procedure, provide an educational guide for parents who choose not to circumcise, and mandate that consent forms be retained for 25 years. Although the bill includes provisions to protect religious ceremonies and allow for tissue donation opt-ins, it was ultimately not recommended for future legislation by the state committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the distribution of artificial intelligence-generated media that falsely depicts a specific person without their consent and without a clear label indicating the content is synthetic. It applies to anyone who shares such misleading text, images, videos, or audio with the intent to deceive others about what the person actually did. The law creates a stricter penalty for content used near elections or intended to harm a candidate, classifying those offenses as felonies in repeat cases or when violence is provoked. Violations of the general rule are punishable as misdemeanors, while election-related violations carry heavier penalties under specific circumstances. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1597 proposes to change how a person's weekly unemployment benefit is calculated by adjusting the amount of earned wages that are subtracted from the maximum benefit. Under the bill, the reduction applied to a claimant's benefit would increase from 30 percent to 40 percent of their weekly earnings, meaning they would receive a smaller portion of their previous wages while unemployed. The legislation also clarifies which types of payments count as wages for this calculation and sets a 60-day period after passage for the law to take effect. This change directly affects individuals filing for unemployment benefits in the state by altering the formula used to determine their weekly payment.

Maddy summaryHB 1633 would have legalized and regulated the sale of cannabis in New Hampshire by creating a new state framework similar to the existing alcohol industry. The bill proposed establishing a licensing system for various businesses, including growers, manufacturers, distributors, and retail stores, while mandating age verification and prohibiting marketing directed at minors. It also included provisions to fund education and treatment programs using tax revenue from legal sales and to ensure all products are tested for safety and contaminants. Although the bill passed a conference committee, it ultimately failed to become law after being removed from the table and the legislative session ended.