Rep. Ross Berry

Maddy summaryHB 1381 extends the filing deadline for political organizations to nominate candidates for state offices by 10 business days after the regular candidate filing period ends. The regular filing period runs from the first Wednesday in June to the Friday of the following week, and this extension allows a political organization's chairperson to file nominations for any office where no candidate filed during the regular period. All filings during this 10-day extension must be submitted to the Secretary of State. This bill directly affects political parties and candidates seeking nomination for state offices.

Maddy summaryHB 1709 requires residential rental applicants in New Hampshire to disclose in writing if they are not U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States. Applicants can prove lawful presence using specific documents like a New Hampshire driver's license, tribal ID, or federal identification, and landlords cannot independently verify immigration status. Violating this disclosure requirement is classified as a class B felony. The bill directly affects renters applying for housing and landlords managing residential properties in New Hampshire.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 would expand eviction grounds under New Hampshire's landlord and tenant law by adding three specific conditions: (1) a tenant or occupant being unlawfully present in the U.S., (2) a recent conviction (within 3 years) for certain violent crimes or drug offenses, or (3) being a registered sexual offender under state law. This bill directly affects tenants who meet these criteria, allowing landlords to seek eviction based on these new grounds. The key provision modifies the existing statute to include these three categories as valid reasons for termination of tenancy. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and does not require new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 requires New Hampshire towns to clearly state the "intent and effect" of every item on town meeting warrants, eliminating deceptive or ambiguous language. This directly affects all towns holding meetings by mandating that each warrant article explicitly explains what the proposal does and its expected outcome. The bill amends RSA 39:2 to require that "the intent and effect of each warrant article shall be stated without deception or deliberate ambiguity," ensuring voters understand what they are voting on. It applies to all town meeting business, including budget items, though it allows towns to adjust specific funding amounts within existing budget constraints. This change aims to improve transparency in local governance without altering voting procedures or creating new financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1730 would make all sexual penetration or contact offenses against minors under age 16 punishable by death, raising the age threshold from 13 to 16 in existing law. It amends New Hampshire statutes to classify these crimes as aggravated felonious sexual assault, adding a death penalty option (RSA 632-A:10-a I-a) and updating legal procedures for capital cases. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of sexual offenses against minors under 16, including those with authority over the victim or with significant age differences. Key mechanisms include changing age thresholds in multiple statutes, inserting death penalty provisions, and revising the chapter heading to "HOMICIDE AND CAPITAL OFFENSES." This proposal would significantly increase penalties for these offenses compared to current law.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 sets all renewable energy fund compliance payments (the fees electric providers pay if they can't meet renewable energy requirements) to $0, effective January 1, 2027. This eliminates the primary revenue source for New Hampshire's Renewable Energy Fund (REF), which currently funds programs like low-income solar initiatives, non-residential renewable grants, and community solar projects. The fiscal note states this change would reduce annual REF revenue by approximately $6.7 million starting in 2028, causing all REF-funded programs and nine state positions supporting renewable energy compliance to cease without new legislative funding. The bill directly affects electric service providers (by removing compliance penalties), state programs, and low-income communities relying on REF-funded solar projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1748 establishes the New Hampshire Energy Efficiency and Resource Development Authority, a new independent nonprofit body separate from state government. The authority will coordinate all state energy efficiency programs (like home heating improvements and business energy upgrades) to reduce costs for residents and businesses, while also promoting nuclear power development and related industries. It will be governed by a 10-member board including state energy officials, utility regulators, consumer advocates, and four governor-appointed public members. The bill directly affects all New Hampshire residents and businesses by consolidating scattered energy efficiency programs under one agency and advancing nuclear power initiatives as part of the state's energy strategy.

Maddy summaryHB 1696 allows police to issue a written summons instead of arresting someone for certain misdemeanors or violations (excluding abuse, protective order breaches, or stalking cases). It requires people released on summons to "remain of good behavior" - meaning they cannot commit any new felony, misdemeanor, or major traffic offense while awaiting court. Failing to appear or violating this condition becomes a separate misdemeanor offense, punishable by fines and potentially consecutive jail time. This directly affects individuals charged with minor offenses who are released with a summons instead of being jailed.

Maddy summaryHB 1601 requires New Hampshire's Secretary of State to create a voter education program using $50,000 in existing federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds. The program must provide voters with clear information about recent changes to voting laws in the state. It directly affects all New Hampshire voters by ensuring they receive updated, accessible information about voting procedures. The bill specifies the program will develop and distribute educational materials but does not alter voting laws or create new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1355 eliminates the automatic "default budget" option for New Hampshire towns that use official ballot referenda to vote on budgets. If a town's operating budget vote fails, the bill requires the governing body to hold a special meeting to create a new budget instead of automatically adopting the previous year's budget (adjusted for certain changes). This directly affects towns using the official ballot voting method for budget decisions. The key change removes the default budget from ballot language and procedures, mandating a new budget process through a special meeting when the initial vote fails. The bill focuses on procedural changes to budget approval, not on budget content or funding levels.