Rep. Greg Hill

Maddy summaryHB 504 establishes New Hampshire's official state energy policy, directly affecting utilities, energy providers, and all state residents by setting new guidelines for energy planning. The bill declares that the state must prioritize meeting energy needs at the lowest reasonable cost while ensuring reliability, diversity of sources, environmental protection, and public health - using market mechanisms rather than government favoritism toward specific technologies. Key provisions include requiring utilities to develop resources that support energy independence, removing regulatory barriers for innovation, and balancing cost, reliability, and environmental goals through market-based approaches. It also mandates that state regulations avoid unnecessary costs while protecting consumer prices and utility financial stability.

Maddy summarySB 241 establishes a dedicated "Hampton Beach State Park Pier Fund" in the state treasury to finance the construction and maintenance of an accessible public pier at Hampton Beach State Park. The fund will cover engineering, design, construction, and ongoing upkeep, requiring the Parks Division to follow a 2022 feasibility study and prioritize accessibility for people with disabilities. It allows the division to accept donations and grants, and any remaining funds after July 1, 2035, will transfer to a broader state park accessibility account. The bill appropriates $1 for the 2025-2027 biennium to start the fund, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 280 requires New Hampshire employers to pay weekly workers within 8 days and biweekly workers within 15 days of the work week ending. It specifies acceptable payment methods including cash, direct deposit, electronic transfer, or payroll cards, with strict rules for payroll cards: employers must provide clear fee disclosures, obtain voluntary written consent, allow employees to switch methods anytime without penalty, and cover all card-related costs. The bill also mandates that health and pension fund contributions be paid within 30 days of a demand. This directly affects all employees and employers covered under New Hampshire's wage payment laws (RSA 275:43).

Maddy summaryHB 461 requires all driver's license examinations and related materials in New Hampshire to be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting all translation assistance during the test. It specifically bans in-person translators, mobile translation apps, and translation software on personal or desktop devices for non-English or non-American Sign Language speakers. The bill allows only devices designed for hearing or vision impairments (like screen readers), not translation tools. This directly affects non-English and non-ASL speakers attempting to pass driver's license tests. The Department of Safety must create implementing rules under RSA 541-A.

Maddy summarySB 225 requires municipalities with a population over 10,000 that conduct annual property appraisals to hold two public hearings before authorizing the appraisal. It mandates that these municipalities provide property owners with at least 45 days' notice of changes to their assessed valuation before the final tax bill is issued. For all municipalities performing five-year property reappraisals, the bill also requires a 45-day notification period for valuation changes. Notices must be distributed through various methods, including individual mail, local newspapers, municipal websites, and public postings.