Rep. John Potucek

Maddy summaryThis resolution proposes renaming a specific peak in Bethlehem, New Hampshire (coordinates 44°13'22" N; 71°33'42" W) to "Mount Shepard" in honor of Alan Shepard, a New Hampshire native and the first American in space. The resolution cites Shepard's achievements as a NASA astronaut, moonwalker, and naval officer, noting his connection to the state. It does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally changes the peak's official name to commemorate Shepard's legacy. The resolution was introduced by multiple state legislators and referred to the Resources committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1749 reinstates the death penalty as a sentencing option for capital murder, first-degree murder, and second-degree murder in New Hampshire, replacing mandatory life imprisonment without parole. The bill amends statutes (RSA 630:1, 630:1-a, and 630:1-b) to allow courts to impose death instead of life sentences for these offenses. It also establishes a formal process requiring prosecutors to file notice of intent to seek the death penalty, specify aggravating factors, and hold a separate sentencing hearing where juries weigh aggravating and mitigating evidence. This bill directly affects defendants convicted of the specified murder charges in New Hampshire courts.

Maddy summaryHB 1104 changes how New Hampshire school districts and chartered public schools are ranked for building aid grants. It removes the previous rule that automatically prioritized applications from the prior year that didn't receive funding due to budget limits, as well as applications with "critical needs" (like unsafe conditions). Instead, all applications will now be ranked solely based on the standard scoring criteria outlined in the law, including factors like unsafe facilities, overcrowding, ADA compliance, and school district fiscal capacity. This change affects every school district applying for building aid grants by altering the ranking process used to determine funding order.

Maddy summaryHB 1169 shortens the required notice period for excavators to contact utility damage prevention systems from 72 to 48 hours (excluding weekends and 6 specified holidays), and extends the validity of excavation notifications from 30 days to one year if site conditions remain unchanged. This directly affects construction companies, contractors, and anyone planning underground excavation work in New Hampshire. The key changes streamline notification timing for excavators while allowing longer validity for unchanged sites, reducing repeated notice requirements. The bill modifies existing laws in RSA 374:51 regarding excavation notifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 aims to expand access to midwifery care by preventing state rules from denying or transferring patients based on specific pregnancy factors. The bill directly affects midwives and pregnant individuals by prohibiting restrictions related to carrying multiple fetuses, fetal malpresentation, or having fewer than three prior cesarean sections. Additionally, it stops regulations from refusing midwifery services simply because a patient lives far from a hospital. If passed, the law would take effect 60 days after enactment and would require further study before becoming permanent.

Maddy summaryHB 1595 updates the state's child support guidelines to more accurately reflect parenting time, medical expenses, and child care costs. The bill defines "parenting time" as the total number of days a child spends with each parent and introduces a calculation factor that adjusts support amounts based on how much time each parent has, capping the adjustment at a maximum value. It also modifies how income is calculated by allowing parents to deduct actual child care and medical support payments from their gross income before determining their share of the support obligation. These changes apply to new child support orders issued on or after January 1, 2025, while existing orders remain unchanged until their next scheduled review.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new privacy protections for firearm purchasers by prohibiting payment processors and networks from requiring gun stores to use a specific "firearms code" for credit or debit card transactions. Instead, the law mandates that retailers selling guns, ammunition, and accessories must use the same general merchant codes applied to other retail stores to prevent their purchase history from being separately flagged in financial data. The Attorney General is empowered to investigate violations, issue notices to correct errors within 30 days, and pursue civil penalties or court injunctions against entities that intentionally fail to comply. These rules take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to keep firearm purchase records separate from other consumer spending data in electronic payment systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Hampshire's Business Finance Authority to issue bonds and other financial obligations specifically to fund student loans. By adding the authority to the list of entities permitted to issue such debt, the legislation aims to lower the cost of financing higher education for state residents and their families. The law requires that any bond issuance be approved by the governor and council after confirming that the funds will reduce student loan costs and that repayment and administrative expenses are adequately covered. Additionally, the authority gains the power to design loan programs, enter into contracts for loan servicing, and designate other organizations as agents to manage these financial arrangements.