Rep. Joe Sweeney

Maddy summaryHB 1505 requires towns, cities, and municipalities that have adopted local tax caps or budget caps to submit detailed documentation to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration annually. This documentation must include calculations of the tax or budget cap for the year, proposed and voted appropriations, estimated revenues, and counts of any ballot votes taken to override the cap. The bill amends existing laws to clarify how these caps are calculated (e.g., adjusting for estimated revenues reported to the Department) and ensures transparency by mandating formal submission of compliance evidence. It directly affects all local governments with adopted caps, requiring them to verify adherence to these financial limits through standardized reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 1667 establishes New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation security task force to coordinate planning for presidential campaign events during the 2028 election cycle. The task force, chaired by the safety commissioner and including members from state agencies, universities, police associations, and both major political committees, must develop statewide security guidance that protects free speech while ensuring public safety. Key provisions require the task force to create coordination protocols for law enforcement, identify resource needs like communication tools, and produce a comprehensive security plan by September 2027. This bill directly affects all presidential campaign events in New Hampshire and requires reports to state leaders by 2026-2028, with minimal fiscal impact ($10,000/year).

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 41) directs the New Hampshire House of Representatives to investigate whether grounds exist to impeach Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill. It specifically cites her alleged use of official resources - like government email and office authority - to recruit plaintiffs and refer them to a partisan law firm opposing the state's election laws, potentially breaching her duty to act as a fiscal watchdog. The resolution authorizes the Judiciary Committee to subpoena witnesses and documents to examine if her conduct constitutes "malpractice" or "maladministration" under the state constitution. This is a procedural step to determine if formal impeachment proceedings should begin, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1023 authorizes small, neighborhood-scale businesses like coffee shops, bakeries, home-based daycares, and craft studios to operate as accessory commercial units on residential or commercial properties without requiring special local permits. The bill sets clear limits: units must be under 1,000 square feet (or 25% of the main building's size), operate between 6 AM and 10 PM (unless a municipality allows extended hours), and not require extra parking or large signage. It applies statewide, prohibiting municipalities from banning these units or imposing stricter rules than the state law. This law standardizes access for small businesses to operate from existing properties while maintaining neighborhood compatibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 allows municipal officers (like mayors and town councils) to directly place proposed charter amendments changing a municipality's government structure on the ballot, bypassing signature petition requirements. It requires a two-thirds vote by municipal officers to initiate such a ballot measure, covering changes like adopting a town council form, switching to a city government, or transitioning between council-manager and mayor-council systems. Any such amendment must address a single topic and be approved by a majority of voters. The bill also prohibits multiple alternative versions of the same amendment. This change streamlines the process for communities seeking to reorganize their local government operations.

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 1736 repeals a provision (RSA 374:3-a) that allowed New Hampshire's Public Utilities Commission to approve alternative regulatory approaches for investor-owned electric and gas utilities. The bill removes the commission's authority to implement non-traditional methods, forcing these utilities to return to standard cost-of-service regulation, which sets rates based on utility costs and a fixed profit margin. This directly affects investor-owned electric and gas utility companies by limiting regulatory flexibility and requiring adherence to traditional rate-setting processes. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment, eliminating an existing option for customized utility regulation.

Maddy summaryHB 1372 establishes a commission to study whether New Hampshire should reestablish a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe mental illness. The commission - comprised of legislative members, health department representatives, and corrections officials - will examine current mental health resources, assess individuals cycling through jails or emergency rooms due to untreated conditions, and evaluate costs, staffing, and potential locations for a new facility. It will also review best practices from other states and gather input from mental health professionals and families. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026. This bill does not fund or create a hospital but sets up a study to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1652 streamlines permitting for minor home improvements (projects under $100,000) by allowing third-party inspectors to use automated software for document reviews, reducing approval timelines to 2 business days for these projects. It defines "minor home improvement" as residential renovations under $100,000, sets minimum insurance requirements for inspection agencies ($500,000 per occurrence for minor projects), and mandates building officials to issue permits or provide written deficiency notices within strict deadlines (14 days for standard projects, 2 business days for minor improvements). Homeowners, contractors, and approved inspection agencies directly benefit from faster approvals and clearer regulatory requirements. The bill also requires agencies to provide insurance certificates to building officials before starting work.

Maddy summaryHB 1069 allows towns and school districts in New Hampshire to hold their local elections for officers on the same day as the state primary election, starting with the 2028 primary. Local governments must first approve this option by majority vote at a meeting and notify the secretary of state by December 31 of the prior year. The state will reimburse municipalities and school districts for direct election costs like ballot printing, staffing, and polling place expenses. This applies to all local elections for town or school district officers, while other required meetings continue on their usual dates. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage, with the first aligned elections occurring in September 2028.