Rep. Mary Ford

Maddy summaryHB 1374 modifies the procedure for school districts withdrawing from cooperative school districts. It requires only a 3/5 supermajority of voters in the withdrawing district to approve withdrawal, replacing the prior requirement that also needed majority support from the entire cooperative district. This simplifies the process by focusing approval solely on the district seeking to leave. The bill directly affects school districts considering separation from cooperative arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 1763 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to pay municipalities compensation equal to the lost property tax revenue from nonprofit residential facilities (like nursing homes or shelters) that are tax-exempt under state law. This compensation is calculated based on each facility's assessed property value and the municipality's tax rate, paid to the municipality before DHHS funds are disbursed to the nonprofit. The bill mandates nonprofits to provide property assessment verification, and DHHS must pay this compensation no later than 30 days prior to funding the facility. The fiscal note estimates annual costs of $11.5 million+ starting in 2027, funded from existing appropriations without new revenue or positions.

Maddy summaryHB 1356 extends the statute of limitations for minors to sue providers for violating laws prohibiting gender-altering medical procedures. It changes the deadline from 2 years to 10 years after a minor turns 18 to file a private lawsuit. This directly affects minors who received such medical treatments before age 18 and wish to pursue legal action. The bill modifies RSA 332-N:3, II, which governs when claims for violations of the gender-procedure ban must be filed. The fiscal note indicates no state or local cost impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 would require public schools and public charter schools in New Hampshire to remove all flags except the U.S. flag, New Hampshire state flag, and POW/MIA flag from school buildings and grounds. Exceptions allow for flags used in specific educational contexts (like foreign language or U.S. history classes), U.S. military branch flags, and official city or town flags. Violations would trigger escalating penalties: a warning for the first offense, disciplinary action for the second, and potential state-imposed fines up to $1,000 for third or subsequent violations. The law would take effect on September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1581 requires New Hampshire municipalities to mail property owners a notice within 14 days if their property's assessed value changes, unless the change is part of a town-wide revaluation. The notice must include the town hall's contact information and details on accessing assessment data online, if available. This applies to all property owners affected by individual assessment adjustments, not just those in municipal-wide revaluations. The bill has minimal fiscal impact, with estimated costs under $10,000 per municipality for printing and mailing notices.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 would allow New Hampshire towns and school districts to choose whether to print candidates' party affiliations on local ballots, after voters approve the change at a town meeting. If approved, party affiliations (using the first three letters of the party name, like "DEM," or "UND" for unaffiliated candidates) would appear after each candidate's name. This applies only to town and school district elections, not state-level races, and requires voter approval each time the policy is adopted or rescinded. The bill does not mandate this change but gives communities an option to implement it.

Maddy summaryHB 1617 requires New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs to include domestic and international corporate relocation logistics and investment tracking in its annual reports and strategic planning. The bill amends existing statutes to mandate that the department report on business relocation opportunities, investment pledges, and the effectiveness of recruitment programs as part of its annual strategy. This directly affects the department's reporting obligations and aims to help the state better track and pursue economic investment opportunities, particularly following national business investment pledges exceeding $7.4 trillion. The key change is making relocation logistics and investment data a formal requirement in the department's annual reports and economic development plans.

Maddy summaryHB 1579 establishes a legislative committee to study potential revenue sources for increasing education funding in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of 10 members (four from each legislative party with revenue expertise, plus two Senate appointees), will analyze options like new taxes or modified existing ones to boost education aid while reducing property taxes. It must examine factors including revenue reliability, implementation costs, economic impacts on businesses, and effects on different income groups and housing types. The committee is prohibited from recommending specific options and must report findings by November 1, 2026, to state leaders. This bill creates a study process only, with no immediate policy changes or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (CACR 29) would remove language from New Hampshire's constitution stating that rules created by the Supreme Court "have the force and effect of law." Currently, such rules are treated as legally binding, but the amendment would prevent the Supreme Court from issuing rules with that legal authority. The change would affect how court procedures and administrative rules are enforced, shifting authority away from judicial rulemaking. If approved, it would require voters to decide on this constitutional change in the 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 1520 redefines "citizen of New Hampshire" for voting purposes as either a native-born resident or someone who has taken an oath of allegiance to the state. It requires voters to provide proof of New Hampshire citizenship (such as a birth certificate, New Hampshire citizenship card, or sworn oath) and U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) when registering to vote. The bill also mandates that the secretary of state issue New Hampshire citizenship cards to eligible residents who qualify as native-born or through oath of allegiance. This legislation establishes new verification steps for voter registration in New Hampshire, clarifying state citizenship requirements.