Rep. Clayton Wood

Maddy summaryThis bill grants election moderators in New Hampshire the authority to conduct a hand count of ballots to verify machine-tabulated vote totals for any election race. If the hand count differs from the machine count, the hand count results must be used for certification, and the moderator must report the discrepancy to the city or town clerk. The clerk is then required to publicly post both the machine count, hand count, and the difference within 7 days on municipal websites and social media. The bill directly affects local election officials and the verification process for municipal election results.

Maddy summarySB 566 expands New Hampshire's National Guard recruiting incentives by allowing any current or former Guard member to refer recruits for a $1,000 cash bonus (previously limited to certain ranks), increases reenlistment/reclassification bonuses to $8,000 (from $6,000), and adds up to $4,000 in reimbursement for military job-related credentialing costs when federal reimbursement isn't available. It directly affects New Hampshire National Guard members who refer new recruits, reenlist, or need job-specific training certifications. The bill requires state funding for these expanded incentives, with the Department of Military Affairs estimating an additional $125,000 annually starting in FY 2027 to cover the costs. The bill itself does not provide new funding but modifies existing program parameters.

Maddy summaryHB 1313 repeals New Hampshire's current law (RSA 132:37-40) that prohibited people from entering or remaining on public sidewalks adjacent to reproductive health care facilities. This directly affects individuals and groups seeking to engage in free speech activities - such as handing out literature or speaking - near clinic entrances. The key provision removes the buffer zone restriction, allowing people to approach sidewalks without legal penalty. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and has no estimated fiscal impact on state or local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 1281 establishes certification standards for "facility comfort dogs" used by public agencies like hospitals, schools, and emergency services to provide emotional support. It requires these dogs to earn an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate by 18 months and complete quarterly training, while banning prong/electronic collars during deployment. Handlers must obtain specific certifications including Mental Health First Aid and Emergency First Aid for Dogs, and agencies must maintain detailed training records. The bill also sets care standards, such as prohibiting raw diets, requiring spaying/neutering, and mandating retirement policies for the dogs. These requirements directly affect public safety agencies, their handlers, and the comfort dogs they deploy.

Maddy summaryNew Hampshire's CACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all ballots (including absentee) to be hand-counted, serial-numbered, and accompanied by a dated perforated tab for voter receipt. It mandates 60-month retention of all ballots and election records in securely monitored storage, with dual-signature chain-of-custody logs and public annual reporting by the Secretary of State. Registered voters may view ballots during retention periods with election officials upon one week's notice, and unused ballots must remain labeled with their printed lot. The amendment directly affects voters (through ballot tracking), election officials (through new counting/storage procedures), and municipalities (through storage requirements and reporting).

Maddy summaryHB 1291 would make it a class A misdemeanor to operate a small drone without permission over large public gatherings (like sports events, concerts, or festivals) or over critical infrastructure, such as power plants, water treatment facilities, military sites, or government buildings. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" to include specific facilities like petroleum refineries, electric substations, and public safety buildings. This law would take effect on January 1, 2027, and applies to all drone users who fly without prior authorization in these scenarios. The bill does not require new funding but may impact law enforcement and court processes if violations occur.

Maddy summaryHB 1754 repeals the statewide requirement for New Hampshire schools to use the multi-tiered system of supports for behavioral health and wellness (MTSS-B), a tiered approach to student mental health support. The bill directly affects public schools across New Hampshire by removing this mandated framework from state law. It eliminates the legal obligation under RSA 135-F:3, III(l) for schools to implement MTSS-B as part of their mental health care systems for students. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment, shifting oversight of student mental health support to local school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1386 allows residents of a school district to petition for a financial audit if the district has a budget deficit. Specifically, citizens domiciled in the district can submit a petition with signatures from 1% of registered voters to their school board. If the petition qualifies, the school board must hold a vote on conducting a forensic audit within 90 days to identify the cause of the deficit. The audit results must then be shared at the next school board meeting. This bill directly affects school district residents and school boards in New Hampshire municipalities.

Maddy summaryHB 1533 regulates electric bicycles and alternative electric micromobility devices (like e-scooters) by prohibiting their operation on sidewalks and restricting class 3 devices from bicycle paths. It requires annual registration, speedometers, headlights, and learner's permits for riders aged 16-18 operating class 3 devices. The bill also establishes penalties including device impoundment for violations and clarifies that non-compliant devices will be treated as off-highway recreational vehicles. These rules directly affect e-bike and micromobility users, particularly those operating higher-speed class 3 devices in public spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 1289 makes it illegal to use small drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to secretly record people engaging in private activities - like at home, with family, or in other settings where they reasonably expect privacy - without permission. It creates a class A misdemeanor for capturing such images and a class B felony for sharing them publicly. Law enforcement can still use drones for investigations into suspected illegal activity, as specified in the bill. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with no expected state or local costs.