Maddy summaryHB 1640 proposes creating a new cause of action that allows individuals to sue the state or local government when a government employee violates their constitutional rights, such as through excessive force. The bill explicitly removes federal and common law doctrines like qualified immunity and sovereign immunity from these specific claims, ensuring that courts can determine liability without those legal barriers. Under this plan, the government employer would be the only defendant and would bear financial responsibility, while the individual employee would be protected from personal liability and given the right to intervene in the lawsuit. The legislation also establishes a three-year deadline for filing such claims and requires courts to evaluate the reasonableness of an employee's actions based on the facts known at the time of the incident. Although the bill includes provisions to protect judges and legislators from liability for their official duties, it was ultimately laid on the table by the House and did not become law.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1410 sought to update the rules and powers of New Hampshire's Board of Nursing to better regulate the practice of nursing and the education of nursing students. The bill proposed changes such as requiring board members to have five years of nursing experience, establishing new standards for nursing programs, and giving the board authority to limit out-of-state licensure privileges to protect local residents. It also included provisions for criminal background checks for applicants, the creation of modified licenses for those with limited practice scopes, and the ability to issue medication administration certificates to nursing assistants. Although the bill contained specific policy updates, it was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 legislative session.
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 summaryThis bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to conduct ongoing studies on nuclear energy technologies, including advanced reactors, and to evaluate how these developments might impact state laws, infrastructure, and public safety. It requires the department to publish a report on these findings at least once every three years, starting in December 2025, and to consult with various state agencies on issues such as health, transportation, and environmental protection. Additionally, the bill officially renames the Office of Offshore Wind Industry Development to better reflect its broader role in coordinating state activities related to both nuclear and offshore wind energy. The legislation establishes the Commissioner of Energy as the primary state adviser to the Governor on matters concerning the industrial and commercial use of nuclear energy.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the list of state positions eligible for special salary adjustments to help recruit or retain qualified staff. It removes several existing roles, such as the financial data administrator and deputy director of information services, while adding new positions like a right-to-know ombudsperson and a chief forensic investigator. The legislation also sets specific salary ranges for certain roles, including the state epidemiologist and pharmacy inspectors, to ensure competitive compensation. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed into law.
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 summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire hunting laws to allow lever-action carbines in areas where only handguns or pistols are typically permitted for game. The legislation specifically authorizes the use of rifles chambered in .357, .44 Magnum, or .45 Colt, as well as straight-walled pistol cartridges of .38 or .357 caliber and greater. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to all hunters operating within the state's designated handgun-only hunting zones.
Maddy summaryThis law allows employees to legally store a locked, non-visible firearm or ammunition in their personal vehicle while on employer property without facing discipline. It prohibits employers from forcing employees to reveal if they have a gun in their car and bars workplace searches for firearms unless conducted by law enforcement with a warrant or valid exception. Additionally, the bill shields employers from civil lawsuits regarding injuries or thefts involving these stored weapons, provided the employer did not intentionally encourage the harm. These protections apply to private businesses, the state, and municipalities, effective January 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new privacy protections for firearm purchasers by prohibiting payment processors and networks from requiring gun stores to use a specific "firearms code" for credit or debit card transactions. Instead, the law mandates that retailers selling guns, ammunition, and accessories must use the same general merchant codes applied to other retail stores to prevent their purchase history from being separately flagged in financial data. The Attorney General is empowered to investigate violations, issue notices to correct errors within 30 days, and pursue civil penalties or court injunctions against entities that intentionally fail to comply. These rules take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to keep firearm purchase records separate from other consumer spending data in electronic payment systems.
Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill updates state hunting laws to allow hunters to use a wider range of pistol calibers, including any caliber .38 or .357 Magnum and larger, for taking deer. The law specifically limits the ammunition capacity in these hunting pistols to no more than six rounds at any time. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to individuals hunting deer under existing regulations.