Rep. Tony Caplan

Maddy summaryHB 1098 allows New Hampshire municipalities to deny building or occupancy permits for properties adjacent to class VI highways if specific conditions aren't met. It requires towns to first vote to permit construction after planning board review, explicitly state they won’t maintain the road or assume liability for damages, and ensure applicants record this notice in property records. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to build near class VI roads and local governments managing land use. It becomes effective July 2, 2026, clarifying when municipalities may consider road safety and maintenance in permit decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 requires New Hampshire electric utilities to create programs that coordinate customer-owned distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar panels, batteries, and smart thermostats to support the grid. Utilities must file proposals with the Public Utilities Commission for enrollment programs offering upfront payments and performance-based payments during grid events, with special incentives for low-income customers. The bill establishes rules for aggregators (third-party coordinators) and direct customer participation, including payment structures, equipment requirements, and restrictions on penalties. It aims to reduce peak demand, lower costs for ratepayers, and improve grid reliability by integrating existing DERs into utility-managed systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 prohibits the state from approving new large groundwater permits for commercial bottling of water in plastic bottles made with hydrocarbon-derived plastic. It directly affects companies seeking to establish new bottling operations using plastic containers, preventing them from obtaining permits for groundwater extraction. The bill requires the department to deny all new permits for this specific purpose, but does not impact existing bottling operations or non-plastic containers. This is a concrete policy change targeting the environmental impact of plastic-bottled water production at the permit stage.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides financial assistance to school districts in financial distress, defined as those where annual expenditures exceed available funding. It authorizes the state education commissioner to offer loans to such districts (with approval from a joint legislative committee) and establishes a revolving loan fund to help districts manage cash flow before receiving state adequacy payments. Municipalities can also provide emergency aid from existing funds, with repayment terms and oversight requirements, and the bill increases the maximum contingency fund contribution from 5% to 10% of a district's net assessment. These provisions aim to stabilize school district finances without altering special education funding exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1296 raises the income and asset thresholds for New Hampshire's elderly property tax exemption, directly affecting residents aged 65+ who own their homes. It increases the maximum allowable annual income for single seniors from $13,400 to $23,300 (and for married couples from $20,400 to $35,500), while raising the asset limit from $35,000 to $60,900. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these thresholds based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, starting in 2026. Municipalities must apply these updated minimums automatically, though they may set higher limits if desired.

Maddy summaryHB 1722 creates a new regulatory classification for large-energy-use electric facilities (defined as sites using 20+ megawatts at peak demand, such as data centers or processing facilities) and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a separate tariff system for them. The bill mandates that costs for serving these facilities be allocated based on their actual service costs or directly assigned to them, preventing cost-shifting to other ratepayers. It also requires 10-year contracts with specific terms, including minimum usage commitments and provisions to address early termination risks. The law aims to protect all electricity customers by ensuring large facilities pay their fair share for grid services and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 establishes a commission to study how reinsurance (insurance that insurers buy to cover large losses) affects property insurance costs and availability in New Hampshire. The commission, composed of 4 House members, 2 Senate members, the Insurance Commissioner, and two industry representatives (one from large insurers, one from small local carriers), will examine how extreme weather events influence reinsurance rates and translate to higher premiums for homeowners and businesses. It will also assess risks to small insurers and the state if reinsurers become insolvent or stop providing coverage. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the legislature within a set timeframe.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 prohibits the construction of new data centers in New Hampshire for one year from its effective date, affecting developers and businesses planning such facilities. It establishes a four-member committee (three House members appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the President) to study the environmental impact of data centers. The committee must submit interim findings by November 1, 2025, and a final report by November 1, 2026, to legislative leaders and the governor. The bill does not ban existing data centers or address operational impacts, only pausing new construction while studying environmental effects.

Maddy summaryHB 1303 authorizes New Hampshire municipalities to adopt local zoning rules for protecting, managing, or replacing tree canopy. These rules could require developers to retain existing trees during construction, plant new trees when trees are removed, or set long-term goals for tree coverage in community planning. The bill gives municipalities the option to implement such rules but does not require them to do so. This policy change directly affects development projects and land use decisions in towns or cities that choose to adopt these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1282 creates the Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission within New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services. The commission, composed of 15 members representing legislators, environmental groups, waste management, businesses (grocers, hospitals), municipalities, and academia, will advise the department on developing food waste diversion programs. Key duties include recommending rules, timelines, business support strategies, and educational outreach to help businesses and communities reduce food waste. The commission must submit its first report by November 1, 2027, and annual reports thereafter. This bill directly affects the Department of Environmental Services, businesses generating food waste, municipalities, and waste management facilities.