Rep. Karen Ebel

Maddy summaryHB 1487 creates an independent commission to draw New Hampshire's legislative and congressional district maps after each federal census, starting in 2031. The commission must hold public hearings, follow specific non-partisan criteria for drawing district lines, and operate with transparency to limit partisan gerrymandering (where districts are drawn to favor one political party). It directly affects how state legislative districts for representatives, senators, executive councilors, and U.S. congressional seats are redrawn, replacing the current process where legislators draw their own maps. The commission requires balanced political representation (20 Republicans, 20 Democrats, 20 undeclared voters) and excludes current or recent elected officials from serving.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all properly noticed meetings and hearings of municipal agencies to be livestreamed for public viewing or, if technology fails, video recorded and made accessible online. Local governments must post these recordings on their websites within 72 hours and keep them archived for at least five years. To fund this requirement, municipalities must vote to raise money at their annual town meetings, except those already livestreaming their meetings. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, and explicitly states that it does not change existing rules about emergency meetings or allow officials to attend meetings remotely.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Attorney General to immediately inform legislative leaders if they have probable cause to believe a state legislator no longer lives in the district they represent. The law requires the Attorney General to notify the presiding officer, minority leader, and clerk of the relevant chamber but explicitly prohibits them from sharing details of any ongoing criminal investigation beyond the residency issue. It applies specifically to legislators and aims to establish a formal process for verifying district residency without revealing sensitive investigative information. The measure would take effect 60 days after passing, though it did not become law in the 2024 session.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new article to the New Hampshire constitution to explicitly guarantee a fundamental right to abortion. It would protect this right for all individuals up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, allowing restrictions only if there is a compelling state interest addressed by the least restrictive means. After 24 weeks, the bill permits abortion if an attending physician judges it necessary based on applicable standards of care. The legislation also outlines the process for submitting this constitutional amendment to voters for a decision at the November 2024 general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the disposal of wet-cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and electronic devices in New Hampshire's solid waste landfills, incinerators, and composting facilities. To help facilities comply, the law requires them to post informational signs or notify customers about the ban, while also mandating that local governments and waste operators provide educational materials and recycling opportunities. The legislation further clarifies legal definitions for terms like "computer" and "electronic device" to specify which items are covered and which are excluded, such as those built into household appliances. These changes are designed to reduce hazardous waste and promote recycling, with the rules taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 547 updates the rules for New Hampshire's Land and Community Heritage Investment Authority, which manages state funds to protect natural, historic, and cultural resources. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like "resource asset" and "stewardship," ensuring that protected lands and buildings are managed according to specific legal obligations. It also adjusts financial requirements by mandating that applicants provide at least 50 percent of project costs through a combination of cash, in-kind services, donated property, or endowment funds. Additionally, the law establishes new criteria for awarding grants, prioritizing projects in areas with high development threats and those with strong local community support. These changes aim to improve how the state evaluates and funds conservation efforts while ensuring long-term maintenance and protection of acquired properties.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits the sale of new consumer products that contain intentionally added chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly used for stain and water resistance. The ban covers a wide range of household items, including mattresses, carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, and furniture, while excluding products made with high percentages of recycled content or those regulated by federal law. Manufacturers and distributors must stop producing or importing these items, and the state can also pursue civil lawsuits against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for settling legal claims related to the impacts of these chemicals on water supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities to add a specific section to their land use master plans dedicated to waste reduction. The new provision requires these plans to outline strategies for lowering solid waste disposal through methods like recycling, composting, and managing hazardous or electronic waste. Communities can implement these strategies by conducting needs analyses, organizing town waste committees, seeking grant funding, and collaborating with neighboring regions. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed, giving towns time to update their existing planning documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows towns and cities to lower speed limits during specific seasons when pedestrian or bicycle traffic becomes heavy. Local officials can make this change on their own or after receiving a petition from at least ten residents, provided they first conduct an engineering and traffic study. The reduced speed limit must be at least 20 miles per hour, last no longer than four months in a year, and can apply to specific times of day. The municipality is responsible for paying for the new signs, which must be designed and installed with approval from the state Department of Transportation.