Rep. Deb Hobson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for transporting marijuana and alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles and off-highway recreational vehicles within the state. It requires that these items be kept in their original, sealed containers and stored in the trunk or the least accessible area of the vehicle, with an exception for the glove compartment if a trunk is unavailable. Drivers and passengers who violate these storage requirements face a $150 fine and potential suspension of their driving privileges. The law also specifically restricts drivers under the age of 21 from transporting these substances unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other specified adult relative. These regulations take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for state school building aid to explicitly include chartered public schools alongside traditional school districts. It establishes that these independent schools must own any buildings they construct with state funds and outlines how the aid is disbursed, providing an initial 30 percent of the eligible cost followed by annual payments over 20 years. The legislation also sets a requirement that facilities built with this assistance must be used for K-12 instruction for at least two decades or the school must repay the full grant amount. Additionally, the bill clarifies eligibility criteria, such as excluding office space and temporary structures from funding, and sets a new deadline for submitting construction applications starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens privacy protections for student data by requiring schools to obtain written parental consent before sharing personally identifiable information with third parties. It mandates that parents be notified at least 14 days in advance whenever their child's data is released, specifying who received the data, what information was shared, and the educational purpose for its use. The law explicitly excludes internal transfers between state departments and local schools from these notification requirements while ensuring that third parties cannot further share the data without additional parental permission.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commission to organize and rewrite New Hampshire's education laws, specifically those found in Chapters 186 through 200-N. The commission will be made up of legislators, education officials, and representatives from various school and teacher organizations, who will meet to review the current laws for duplicates, conflicts, or areas that can be combined. After their review, the group will draft a new set of proposed legislation to be submitted to the legislature by September 2026. To support this work, the bill provides $200,000 in funding to hire legal experts for both the Department of Education and the Office of Legislative Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Hampshire elementary schools to provide specific, evidence-based literacy and math instruction to every student through fifth grade. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, the law mandates that teachers follow a structured approach covering reading skills like phonics and comprehension, as well as writing, speaking, listening, and mathematics. The goal is to ensure every child receives support tailored to their individual learning needs while meeting state educational standards. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summarySB 419 updates the state's medical cannabis program by requiring the health department to publish an annual report containing detailed statistics on patients, caregivers, medical conditions, and enforcement actions. The bill also permits qualifying patients and their designated caregivers to grow cannabis at home under specific conditions, such as keeping plants in a locked, enclosed area with a canopy limit of 50 square feet per person. To support this, the law clarifies definitions for plant maturity and establishes that caregivers may receive up to $500 annually for their assistance without it being considered illegal sales. Additionally, the legislation provides legal protections for patients and caregivers who cultivate within the allowed limits and for laboratories testing cannabis samples.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits undocumented immigrants from driving in New Hampshire if they hold out-of-state driver's licenses issued specifically to individuals without lawful presence in the United States. Under the new law, anyone caught driving with such a license commits a class B misdemeanor, and the Department of Safety must maintain a public list of these invalid license types on its website. The measure also updates the state's driver license compact to explicitly exclude recognition of these specific foreign licenses, while requiring the department to update its systems and potentially hire staff to manage the new list.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for drivers who refuse chemical testing when arrested for driving while intoxicated or aggravated driving while intoxicated. It mandates that first-time testers who refuse consent face a one-year license suspension, while those with prior convictions or previous refusals face a three-year suspension. Additionally, the legislation imposes stricter punishments for aggravated driving while intoxicated offenses, including mandatory jail time, fines, and the requirement to install an ignition interlock device. The law also introduces a new condition where individuals convicted of aggravated driving while intoxicated must undergo a substance use disorder evaluation and follow a service plan developed by the state. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to both residents and non-residents operating vehicles in the state.

Maddy summarySB 517 seeks to clarify the employment status of university students working as residence hall assistants or dormitory counselors who are part of a bona fide educational program. The bill proposes amending multiple state laws to explicitly exclude these specific students from being classified as employees under regulations covering wages, workers' compensation, and workplace protections. By redefining their status, the legislation aims to ensure that such students are not subject to the same legal requirements and benefits as other workers. Although the bill outlines these specific changes, it was ultimately deemed inexpedient to legislate and did not become law.