Rep. Jim Maggiore

Maddy summaryHB 1285 creates a multi-agency task force to study whether New Hampshire could implement an R-PACER program, which would allow homeowners to finance property resilience improvements (like flood mitigation) through property taxes. The task force, including state finance and housing authorities, must review lessons from New Hampshire’s existing C-PACER program for businesses, examine other states’ R-PACER models, and recommend if and how such a program should be adopted. It will assess key elements like eligible improvements, consumer protections, lender oversight, and required administrative authority. The task force must report its findings and legislative recommendations to state leaders by June 2027, with no immediate policy changes enacted by this bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1602 creates a statewide program requiring battery manufacturers and brands (producers) to fund and manage the safe collection and recycling of covered batteries. It applies to portable batteries (under 4.4 lbs primary or 11 lbs rechargeable) and medium-format batteries (11-25 lbs), excluding medical device batteries, vehicle batteries, and lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds. Producers must join a "battery stewardship organization" that meets annual collection targets and follows environmental safety rules, with the Department of Environmental Services overseeing compliance. The program shifts recycling responsibility from consumers to producers, ensuring covered batteries are handled safely through a structured, industry-funded system.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 bans the sale of corn, wheat, and soybean seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, directly affecting farmers and seed sellers in New Hampshire. The bill prohibits selling or using these treated seeds but allows sellers to request a written waiver from the Agriculture Commissioner. It takes effect January 1, 2029, with no estimated state or local costs identified. The measure focuses on restricting specific agricultural seed treatments without altering other farming practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1431 restricts the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (containing ingredients like imidacloprid and clothianidin) in New Hampshire. It bans non-agricultural applications (e.g., for lawns, gardens, or ornamental plants) and requires these pesticides to be sold only to licensed dealers and used by state-certified applicators. The bill also prohibits their use on state property (like parks and highways) except for invasive species control, structural pest management, or approved exceptions, and bans applications during bloom periods on flowering plants to protect pollinators. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture must create an educational program about pollinator-friendly alternatives and integrated pest management. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1156 requires estate administrators to record probate court notices about real estate inherited through wills or similar means in their county's registry of deeds, in addition to notifying local town/city officials. This directly affects estate administrators handling inheritance cases and county registries of deeds, which may charge a fee (e.g., $12 for the first page) for recording these notices. The bill modifies RSA 554:18-a to mandate this recording before final court accounts are filed, applying to most inherited property except when sold with court approval. It creates a new administrative step for estates but does not change inheritance rules or tax obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1068 clarifies tax definitions for short-term rentals in New Hampshire. It updates the legal meaning of "hotel" to explicitly include apartments and rooms rented via online platforms (like Airbnb), and defines "occupancy" to cover short-term stays under 185 days. The bill also specifies that "occupant" includes renters for less than 185 days (excluding permanent residents) and expands "operator" to include rental facilitators like online platforms. This change ensures these short-term rentals are subject to the existing meals and rooms tax, directly affecting hosts, platforms, and property managers who rent rooms temporarily.

Maddy summaryHB 1263 clarifies that disposable military retirement pay (defined as retirement pay after tax and mandatory deductions) is excluded from gross income calculations for alimony and cannot be divided as marital property in divorce settlements. The bill requires alimony payments sourced from this pay to automatically terminate or suspend when the payor retires, unless federal law or regulations require otherwise. It specifically distinguishes disposable military retirement pay from other military benefits and ensures alimony orders based on this pay follow the same rules as civilian retirement pay. This law takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting divorcing couples where military retirement pay is used to fund alimony.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 repeals the commission established to study New Hampshire's zoning enabling act under RSA 674:23-a. The bill dissolves this specific statutory commission without altering any zoning laws or affecting residents, businesses, or local governments. This is a procedural change that removes the commission's legal existence, with no new policies or regulations implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how towns regulate manufactured homes. It requires municipalities to allow siting on residential lots with the same zoning rules as single-family homes (not just in parks), and mandates "reasonable efforts" to accommodate them. Existing manufactured housing parks must follow NFPA 501A fire safety standards for expansions. It also allows disaster victims to temporarily live in manufactured homes on their property for 30 days after a building permit is issued, while rebuilding their primary residence.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 modifies penalties for New Hampshire retirement system retirees who exceed part-time work hour limits. It replaces full annuity suspensions with proportional reductions based on excess earnings, spread over 12 months. Retirees may avoid penalties by demonstrating good faith (e.g., relying on employer reporting errors), and full suspension is limited to willful, repeated violations or failure to cooperate with system inquiries. The bill directly affects retirees working part-time while receiving state retirement benefits.