Rep. Benjamin Baroody

Maddy summaryHB 1602 would expand the authority of the Housing Appeals Board to review and modify final decisions made by state agencies and municipal boards regarding housing permits, fees, and licenses. The bill allows applicants and other aggrieved parties with legal standing to appeal these decisions directly to the board, while also requiring municipalities to be parties in such cases. A key provision is that appeals of local decisions can only proceed after all local remedies have been exhausted. Although the bill was referred for an interim study, the committee ultimately did not recommend it for future legislation.

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 updates driveway construction rules to limit new driveways to a maximum width of 50 feet and restricts the number of driveways allowed per property unless the land frontage is over 500 feet. It also mandates that local planning boards issue driveway permits within 60 days for residential projects and grants them authority to regulate stone walls and fences near public roads. Separately, the legislation expands eligibility for the state's child care scholarship program by including children with delays in social or emotional development, even without a formal medical diagnosis. To support these changes, the bill appropriates $375,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services for rulemaking and program administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates zoning laws in New Hampshire to make it easier for families to operate home-based child care businesses. It allows family and group family child care to be used as an accessory to any residential property without needing a special site plan review, provided they meet state health and safety standards. Local governments must permit these facilities by right or through a conditional use permit, and providers can start operating immediately if their state permit is pending while waiting for local approval. The changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a study committee to examine how the housing crisis specifically impacts people with disabilities in New Hampshire. The committee will be composed of five legislators and tasked with gathering testimony from various state agencies and disability advocacy groups to understand the scope of the problem and identify potential solutions. Over the course of at least six meetings, the group will research housing availability and affordability before submitting interim and final reports with recommendations to state officials by late 2024 and 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the responsibilities of the Interbranch Criminal and Juvenile Justice Council, a group that includes members from both the legislative and executive branches. The primary change involves adding new duties to the council's existing mandate, though the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided text. By reorganizing the bill's sections, the legislation formally updates the council's role to ensure it can better coordinate on criminal and juvenile justice issues. Once signed into law, the council will operate under these revised guidelines to fulfill its updated functions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow homeowners to build one accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage conversion or an addition, on their single-family property without needing special approval. It defines these units as separate living spaces with their own kitchen and bathroom and sets minimum size limits of 1,000 square feet for at least one unit. While towns can still require owner occupancy and enforce parking or aesthetic rules, they cannot mandate familial relationships between residents or restrict units to a single bedroom. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that municipalities must permit the conversion of existing structures like detached garages into these units even if they do not currently meet setback or lot coverage standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities to provide reasonable opportunities for placing manufactured housing and subdivisions, prohibiting them from completely banning these structures through zoning or other regulations. It mandates that if a town allows residential development, it must permit manufactured homes on individual lots in most residential zones, subject to the same lot size and spacing rules as conventional single-family homes. The law also ensures that manufactured housing parks can expand and that their lot sizes and density requirements remain reasonable, while eliminating the need for special permits that are not also required for traditional single-family housing.