Rep. Diane Pauer

Maddy summaryThis bill redefines the term "homestead foods" to "artisan foods" and creates a new exemption from standard food service licensing and inspection for small-scale producers selling these products. It establishes specific rules for where artisan food can be sold, including farm roadside stands, residential stands, and temporary sales venues like festivals, while allowing the production and sale of items that require refrigeration. The legislation also clarifies definitions for occasional food service events and third-party vendors to ensure these smaller operations are not subject to the same regulations as large commercial restaurants.

Maddy summaryHB 1383 updates the rules for how members of cooperative school boards are selected in New Hampshire. The bill requires these boards to choose one of five specific methods for electing members, such as dividing the district into equal population areas, ensuring proportional representation, or having members represent their original local districts. It also sets a maximum term limit of three years for board members and mandates the use of an official non-partisan ballot system for these elections. This legislation directly affects cooperative school districts by standardizing their election processes and limiting how long individual board members can serve.

Maddy summarySB 458 would allow licensed health care professionals to dispense up to a 60-day supply of noncontrolled oral anti-cancer medications under a provider's supervision. This change expands the current rules that generally limit pharmacy dispensing to 30-day supplies for such drugs. The bill specifically targets patients requiring long-term cancer treatment by permitting authorized professionals to provide these medications directly. Although the legislation was recently reviewed by committees, it was ultimately not recommended for further action in the 2024 session.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to align the rules for filing for office and conducting school district elections with the existing systems used in town elections. It allows school districts to choose between a non-partisan ballot system, which currently applies to most districts, or a new partisan ballot system where candidates run with party labels and a plurality vote wins. Under the new partisan option, school districts would vote to adopt the system at a meeting, and the rules for preparing ballots and managing candidates would mirror those used for partisan town elections. The legislation clarifies that references to town clerks in current laws should instead refer to school district clerks when applying these election procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent local governments from enforcing rules that limit the number of people living in a rental unit based on whether they are related or restrict occupancy to only family members. Specifically, it bans ordinances that cap residents at fewer than two people per bedroom or that require occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The law applies to cities, towns, and counties that contain unincorporated areas or unorganized places. If passed, these restrictions would take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

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.