Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller

Maddy summaryHB 1665 would amend New Hampshire's Administrative Procedure Act to grant all parties in administrative hearings (such as regulatory or licensing cases) equal authority to subpoena witnesses and documents. This change directly affects individuals, businesses, and organizations participating in state agency proceedings by giving them the same subpoena powers currently available to government agencies under RSA 516:2-516:4. The bill requires administrative hearings to follow the same subpoena rules as court proceedings, ensuring consistent evidence-gathering procedures. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not alter substantive policies but standardizes procedural rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1631 requires the New Hampshire Attorney General to publish a detailed annual report on the state's property forfeiture activities within 120 days after each fiscal year ends. The report must include specific data for each seizure, such as the law enforcement agency involved, date and location, type and value of property (excluding contraband like drugs), related criminal case details, and outcomes (e.g., conviction or dismissal). Law enforcement agencies must provide this information in disaggregated form to the Attorney General's office. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office (which must compile and publish the report) and local law enforcement agencies (which must supply the data). This expands reporting requirements beyond current law to increase transparency about how seized property is handled.

Maddy summaryHB 1633 requires health care providers, law enforcement, and other designated entities to provide sexual assault survivors with clear, written information about their existing rights regarding medical examinations and evidence preservation. The bill defines "sexual assault survivor" broadly to include individuals reporting non-penetrative assault, attempted rape (even without legal terminology), and deceased victims. It mandates the attorney general to post a simplified summary online detailing evidence collection timelines, preservation periods (up to 20 years or the statute of limitations), and survivors' right to request extended preservation of evidence kits. This ensures consistent, accessible information without creating new rights, focusing on transparency in how evidence is handled.

Maddy summaryHB 1503 allows New Hampshire's Department of Education to use existing funds to create a centralized database of detailed maps for all public schools. This database would include site-specific details like building layouts and grounds features to help emergency responders and school staff during crises. The bill amends education funding law to add a new provision requiring this mapping technology for unified emergency response coordination. It directly affects public schools and emergency personnel by providing standardized, location-specific information during incidents. The bill does not change funding levels but specifies a new use for current education funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1202 sets funding limits for high school students taking college courses through New Hampshire's community college system. It restricts state-funded enrollment to a maximum of four dual or concurrent enrollment courses per grade (10th, 11th, and 12th), with each funded course limited to four credits. Students may take additional courses beyond these limits at their own expense. The bill amends existing law to implement these requirements, directly affecting high school students enrolled in such programs within the state's community college system.

Maddy summaryHB 1836 requires New Hampshire public schools and districts to submit annual input-based accountability reports by January 15 of even-numbered years. The bill mandates that school principals and superintendents certify the accuracy of these reports, and the state education commissioner must verify compliance before releasing grant funds. Schools failing to submit the required reports will have grant funds withheld until they comply. This replaces a previous requirement for NEASC-certified schools to file separate reports. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1808 creates a new position for an "academic research and improvement performance data analyst" within the New Hampshire Department of Education. This state employee, at the administrator III level, will collect and analyze education data to measure student progress, evaluate programs, guide curriculum decisions, and support school improvement efforts. The bill appropriates $160,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund this position, with subsequent years' costs estimated at $103,000-$108,000. The role directly affects the Department of Education’s internal operations and indirectly supports schools and educators through data-driven insights.

Maddy summaryHB 1108 revises New Hampshire's criminal threatening law to clarify that individuals displaying a firearm or other lawful self-defense tool in response to specific threats (like potential serious injury, death, property damage, or unlawful intrusion) will not be considered to have committed criminal threatening. It applies directly to people using defensive measures against these defined threats. The key provision creates a legal exception for reasonable defensive actions, specifying that the response must be to conduct a reasonable person would view as likely to cause the listed harms. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.

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 1420 creates a temporary tax credit for businesses that advertise in qualifying local newspapers. The credit reduces a business's state tax liability based on the cost of local newspaper ads, with unused portions refundable without interest. To qualify, a newspaper must focus on local news (covering New Hampshire towns, cities, or counties), employ local journalists, and meet audience requirements - excluding political groups, large corporations, and non-local media. The credit applies to small businesses advertising in these local publications, aiming to support community journalism by lowering advertising costs for businesses.