Rep. Jason Osborne

Maddy summarySB 103 requires towns and cities in New Hampshire to maintain at least one polling station for every 20,000 registered voters during presidential election general elections, unless they obtain prior approval from the Secretary of State for fewer locations. This directly affects municipalities with over 20,000 registered voters as of January 1, 2026 - including Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and others listed in the bill's analysis. The bill mandates this minimum polling station ratio for presidential elections only, with no impact on the Secretary of State's budget. Local governments unable to secure approval may face additional costs between $10,000 and $100,000 for setting up new polling locations.

Maddy summaryHB 1704, the "Public Employee Choice Act," would allow most state and local government workers in New Hampshire to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions directly with their employers without union representation. It specifically exempts law enforcement officers, firefighters (with specific certification requirements), emergency medical personnel, and corrections officers, who would remain under existing collective bargaining rules. The bill defines "independent bargaining" as direct negotiation and prohibits employers from forcing eligible employees to use a union. Violations of these new rights would be subject to penalties under the law.

Maddy summaryHB 1357 permits the placement of new manufactured homes on individual lots in all residentially zoned areas across New Hampshire without requiring special local permits. The bill defines "new manufactured homes" as those built after 1976 under federal safety standards and not previously placed, and requires all municipalities to update zoning ordinances to allow these homes within one year. Municipalities must apply the same general lot size and design standards to manufactured homes as to traditional homes but may set more flexible requirements, such as smaller lot sizes, for manufactured housing. This law directly affects homeowners seeking affordable housing options and municipalities responsible for zoning enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 clarifies that students using education freedom accounts (voucher programs) are not considered "home educated" under New Hampshire law. It amends the definition in RSA 193-A:4 to explicitly exclude children receiving funding from such accounts from the home education category. This change directly affects families utilizing education freedom accounts, separating their status from traditional home education. The bill makes a specific statutory adjustment to prevent overlap in how these educational options are classified. It does not alter home education requirements for other families.

Maddy summaryHB 1351 establishes statewide standards for home-based businesses in New Hampshire, directly affecting homeowners operating such businesses and local municipalities that regulate them. The bill defines "no-impact" businesses (e.g., invisible, no customer visits) as allowed without permits in all zoning districts, while "low-impact" businesses (with up to 4 non-resident employees and ≤20 daily customer visits) require only ministerial registration. It preempts local rules that conflict with these standards, such as banning outdoor storage compliant with the bill, imposing stricter employee limits, or requiring special permits. Municipalities can no longer enforce categorical bans on home businesses unrelated to health/safety, like 2-client caps or blanket signage prohibitions. The law aims to standardize regulations while preserving residential character and neutral nuisance standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1804 consolidates school administrative units (merging smaller school districts) and makes the position of chief school administrator an elected role rather than an appointed one. It defines specific education roles for school administrators and requires school boards to develop and evaluate curricula. The bill amends several state laws to update compensation structures, reporting requirements, and duties for county-level school officials. These changes directly affect school districts, county school conventions, and chief administrators across New Hampshire. The policy focuses on restructuring school governance and increasing local community input through elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1359 requires cities, towns, village districts, and school districts in New Hampshire to obtain a recorded vote (roll call or ballot) from their governing body before using public funds for membership in municipal associations like the New Hampshire Municipal Association. It mandates that associations provide members with an itemized breakdown of lobbying expenses and separate dues for lobbying versus non-lobbying services, 60 days before dues payment. Municipalities must secure a separate two-thirds vote approval for any funding allocated specifically to lobbying activities. The bill also prohibits associations from withholding non-lobbying services from members who decline to fund lobbying. This applies to all public funds spent on association memberships, with the law taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1360 establishes a 7-member legislative commission to oversee the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA), a nonprofit funded by municipal dues. The commission requires NHMA to submit annual financial reports detailing lobbying expenses, salaries, legal costs, and other expenditures, and hold public hearings on its activities. If NHMA fails to file reports within 90 days of its fiscal year-end, it loses the ability to lobby or engage in legislative advocacy until compliance is achieved. This bill directly affects NHMA and its member municipalities by imposing transparency and accountability requirements on how public funds are used for lobbying and advocacy.

Maddy summaryHB 1668 updates New Hampshire's business profits tax to automatically align with federal Internal Revenue Code changes starting in 2027, replacing the current system that uses a fixed 2018 tax code. It requires businesses to calculate deductions under the current federal code (with a $500,000 cap on certain property deductions for assets placed in service after 2026) and mandates the state tax commissioner to report biennially on federal tax changes affecting New Hampshire. This bill directly affects businesses subject to New Hampshire's business profits tax by changing how their tax calculations integrate with federal law. The policy shift eliminates the need for annual state legislative adjustments to match federal changes, though it may require faster state tax department responses to federal updates. The changes take effect for taxable periods beginning January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1380, the "Replacement Value Property Assessment Act," changes how property taxes are calculated in New Hampshire by requiring assessments to be based on replacement or cost-based value (not current market value) for both buildings and land. It affects all property owners and municipalities, implementing a phased transition: 2026 assessments use a 50/50 blend of old and new methods, shifting to 25% market value/75% cost-based value in 2027, and fully adopting cost-based assessments starting in 2028. The bill includes revenue neutrality rules (municipalities cannot raise total tax revenue solely from this change) and establishes appeal processes for property owners. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with annual reporting on assessment impacts required starting in 2028.