Rep. Bob Lynn

Maddy summaryHB 621 allows birth mothers to choose not to share specific information from their birth worksheet with state agencies. The bill directly affects individuals who have given birth and are interacting with state services related to their birth records. It provides a mechanism for birth mothers to withhold certain details contained in the worksheet, though the exact information covered is not specified in the title. This change modifies how state agencies may access or use that particular documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 206 clarifies legal standards for government agents (like law enforcement) entering private property. It defines "secured premises" as privately-owned land that is posted, fenced, or otherwise marked to indicate exclusion of intruders. The bill also defines "probable cause" and specifies that warrantless entries into secured premises require individualized probable cause. This directly affects law enforcement procedures and property owners' rights regarding access to their premises. The bill focuses on refining existing legal definitions, not creating new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 348 requires all New Hampshire towns and cities to create written guidelines for their general assistance programs. These guidelines must cover application processes, eligibility criteria (including requiring residency proof like leases or utility bills, with special provisions for victims of domestic violence or trafficking), appeal procedures, and a minimum local assistance limit of 50% of the federal poverty level. The bill directly affects local governments, which must adopt these rules, and residents seeking local assistance who must meet the new residency and documentation requirements. It does not change state-level assistance programs but sets standards for how municipalities administer local aid.

Maddy summaryHB 312 would allow college student-athletes in the state to earn compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL), such as through endorsements or personal branding deals. It directly affects student-athletes at public and private colleges within the state by removing current restrictions that prevent them from monetizing their personal brand. The key provision requires athletic departments and institutions to establish clear, transparent processes for student-athletes to secure and manage NIL agreements without penalty. This policy change aligns with similar laws in other states, aiming to provide athletes with direct financial opportunities tied to their public identity.

Maddy summaryHB 480 establishes a 2-year pilot program in one New Hampshire county (Merrimack or Strafford) to improve competency restoration for criminal defendants declared incompetent to stand trial. It creates neutral "forensic liaison" roles to coordinate between courts, attorneys, and mental health providers, helping defendants access evaluations, treatment, and reduce barriers to care. The program aims to address New Hampshire’s low restoration rate (44% in 2019) by formalizing a system that currently lacks structured support, unlike national averages showing 81% success. The liaisons will track progress, share updates with the court, and report outcomes to improve the state’s competency restoration process.

Maddy summarySB 270 would allow vehicle owners to retrieve essential work-related items (like tools or documents) from vehicles that have been impounded by authorities, without requiring the full release of the vehicle. It directly affects individuals whose vehicles were seized, particularly those needing immediate access to items for employment. The bill establishes a new procedure for owners to request and collect these specific items during the impoundment period. This policy change aims to reduce work disruptions caused by vehicle impoundment while maintaining existing legal processes for vehicle release.

Maddy summaryHB 365 provides $50,000 in state funding to reimburse local municipalities for costs incurred when indigent voters need to obtain birth certificates or equivalent proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. The bill directly affects low-income voters who face financial barriers to proving citizenship and local election offices that process these requests. Key provision: the state will cover voucher costs under RSA 654:12, II-a(b), ensuring municipalities aren't burdened by these expenses. This is a funding mechanism, not a new voting requirement, and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 164 allocates $150,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to create and maintain a public website for local governments to store and share electronic records. It funds a dedicated local government records manager position (LG 21) within the secretary of state’s office to oversee this system. Local governments directly benefit by gaining a centralized, accessible platform for managing their electronic records retention. The bill focuses on implementing a new records management system through funding, not changing existing record retention requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 111 extends the term of New Hampshire's right-to-know ombudsman by two years and creates a clear exemption for individuals who provide free assistance in preparing public records complaints. Specifically, it states that people helping others with these complaints without charging any fee cannot be considered practicing law without a license under state law. The bill also clarifies that the ombudsman cannot award reimbursement for attorney fees when resolving such complaints. This directly affects the ombudsman's office, public records requesters, and volunteers or community members who assist others with complaint preparation at no cost.

Maddy summaryHB 74 clarifies the definition of "citizen" under the state's right-to-know law and requires public bodies to disclose preliminary drafts of documents shared with a quorum or majority of the body. This means government agencies must make early versions of proposed documents public if circulated to at least half the members of the body. The bill directly affects citizens seeking government records and public bodies responsible for creating and sharing those documents. If passed, it would expand transparency by making more draft materials accessible before final decisions are made. The bill was recently reported as "Inexpedient to Legislate" by committee with a 15-0 vote.