Rep. Jason Osborne

Maddy summarySB 90 allows municipalities to permit high-density residential housing (defined as at least 20 units per acre) on land currently zoned for commercial use like retail or offices. It directly affects local governments, which must permit such development if adequate infrastructure (roads, water, sewage) is available or provided. The bill amends zoning rules to remove barriers for mixed-use projects combining residential and commercial space, requiring only that infrastructure supports the new housing. This policy change aims to increase housing options in areas currently limited to business uses, without mandating new construction. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 84 sets maximum lot sizes for single-family homes based on water and sewage infrastructure availability. For lots without municipal sewer, the cap is 66,000 square feet; with municipal water, 44,000 square feet; and with municipal sewage, 22,000 square feet. Municipalities must provide empirical evidence if they seek to exceed these limits due to infrastructure capacity concerns. The bill directly affects local zoning regulations in New Hampshire municipalities with single-family residential zoning.

Maddy summarySB 231 would limit local zoning requirements for road frontage and setbacks near wetlands to a maximum of 50 feet, aiming to increase housing density by reducing the minimum distance properties must be from wetlands. The bill ensures these limits remain consistent with existing shoreland protection standards (RSA 483-B:9) and do not override broader environmental regulations (RSA 489:2). It directly affects local governments creating zoning rules and developers building near wetlands, allowing more compact development while maintaining current environmental safeguards. The bill amends state law to add this purpose to zoning ordinances and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 261 requires that all custodial interrogations (questioning of individuals in police custody) be electronically recorded with audio and/or video, with exceptions for equipment failure or specific requests by the person being questioned. The bill establishes a $50,000 fund to help state law enforcement agencies purchase recording equipment, prioritizing departments without any recording capability. It creates a presumption that unrecorded statements cannot be used as evidence in court, though this can be overcome with reasonable justification. The law applies to all state law enforcement agencies conducting interrogations at police stations, jails, or other detention facilities and would take effect 9 months after passage.

Maddy summarySB 39 establishes an alternative driver education program for New Hampshire teens under 18 seeking a license. Instead of traditional classroom and driving school, participants must complete 40 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night), pass a vision and knowledge test, and finish a state-approved driver training program. The commissioner of safety will develop rules for this program, which takes effect January 1, 2026. This option provides a new pathway to license eligibility for young drivers, directly affecting those choosing this alternative over standard requirements.

Maddy summarySB 101 would allow parents to enroll their children in any public school within the state, regardless of their residential address. This directly affects families seeking school options beyond their neighborhood district. The bill’s key provision removes current enrollment restrictions based on geographic boundaries for public schools. The bill is currently pending, having been referred to committee but not yet passed.

Maddy summaryHB 748 would create a state-funded program allowing families in participating school districts to use public education funds for private school tuition, educational materials, or other approved learning expenses through individual "freedom accounts." It directly affects families with school-age children in districts where the program is implemented, redirecting state education funding from public schools to these private options. The bill establishes a mechanism for allocating state funds per student to these accounts, with specific eligibility rules and spending limits outlined in the legislation. The program would operate under state oversight, requiring participating schools to meet certain educational standards. The bill remains pending in committee after a majority committee recommended it with amendments.

Maddy summarySB 134 requires New Hampshire Medicaid applicants (specifically those subject to federal work requirements under Public Law 119-21) to provide documentary evidence proving they meet work or community engagement standards at application and quarterly thereafter. It prohibits self-attestation for verification and mandates strict medical exemptions only for conditions certified by healthcare providers (e.g., physical/mental disabilities significantly impacting daily living). Individuals failing to comply face a 30-day notice period before potential disenrollment from Medicaid. The bill aligns state implementation with federal requirements, explicitly stating federal law supersedes state provisions if conflicts arise.

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.