Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière

Maddy summaryHB 1279 modifies New Hampshire's self-defense law to clarify when physical force can be used against someone committing a felony. It specifies that force is justified if a person reasonably believes another is "likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony" against them or a third person within their vehicle, dwelling, or immediate property (curtilage). The bill expands the legal standard by focusing on the likelihood of a felony occurring, not just an immediate threat. This change directly affects individuals defending themselves or others in their home, car, or nearby property during potential felony crimes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1365 limits the information that New Hampshire license applications for carrying a loaded pistol or revolver can request. The bill requires that application forms only collect details included in the state's December 2009 form (DSSP 85), banning questions about employment, employer address, personal references, or consent to disclose medical, psychiatric, or other personal records beyond that standard. This affects all applicants seeking such licenses and the cities/towns processing applications, ensuring forms don’t demand unnecessary disclosures. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and aims to restrict data collection to what was legally required in 2009.

Maddy summaryHB 1723 requires all electric utilities and grid operators in New Hampshire to assess and report vulnerabilities of high-voltage transformers (100 kV+ and 25 MVA+) to geomagnetic disturbances (like solar storms) and electromagnetic pulses. By January 2027, covered entities must conduct technical assessments using specific international standards, evaluating risks like transformer saturation and insulation damage. They must then submit detailed reports to state agencies by 180 days after enactment, including transformer specifications, manufacturing origins, and recommended protection measures. This aims to safeguard critical grid infrastructure from potential widespread power outages caused by natural or man-made electromagnetic events.

Maddy summaryHB 1555 modifies New Hampshire’s fire code administration to provide relief for existing buildings and streamline variance processes. It grants property owners a 20-year exemption from retroactively updating construction to meet new fire codes after receiving a certificate of occupancy (for permits issued July 1, 2026, or later). Local fire chiefs can approve variances from fire code requirements if safety is maintained, requiring property owners to provide fire safety engineer certification and sign an indemnification waiver assuming full liability for deviations. The bill also creates a new appeal path: decisions on variances can be reviewed de novo by the state fire marshal, with further appeals to the building code review board.

Maddy summaryHB 1603 requires state agencies to provide current, verifiable proof of an endangered or threatened species' presence - such as GPS coordinates, timestamped photos, and official credentials - before restricting land use for that species' habitat. It directly affects landowners whose property may face restrictions and state agencies like Fish and Game. The bill mandates that any evidence used must include written landowner permission or an administrative warrant for data collection. It also prohibits agencies from requiring new biodiversity surveys as a condition for land use applications. This policy change aims to ensure land use decisions are based on recent, documented evidence rather than outdated data.

Maddy summaryHB 1252 requires New Hampshire's Department of Motor Vehicles to administer commercial driver's license (CDL) skills tests only in English, prohibiting the use of interpreters during these practical driving tests. It directly affects individuals applying for CDLs in New Hampshire who must understand and respond to examiner instructions in English. The bill codifies existing federal requirements (49 C.F.R. part 383) into state law, specifying that neither applicants nor examiners may communicate in any language other than English during the skills test. This applies specifically to the driving test portion, not the written knowledge exam.

Maddy summaryHB 1115 adds a clear legal definition to New Hampshire state law: "citizen of New Hampshire" means a U.S. citizen who lives in New Hampshire. This definition will apply consistently across all state statutes where the term is used. The bill does not change voting rights, residency requirements, or other policies - it only standardizes the meaning of the term for legal clarity. The definition takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits municipalities from requiring licenses for the production and sale of homegrown food products that are already exempt from certain regulations under state law. It directly affects small-scale food producers (like those selling homemade goods) and local governments that previously could impose such licensing rules. The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban municipal license requirements for these exempt products. The change applies statewide and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1308 increases penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus in New Hampshire. It makes sworn testimony from bus drivers or witnesses sufficient evidence for violations, allows bus camera footage to be used as proof (but only for legal proceedings), and adds specific penalties: a $300 fine plus a 7-day license suspension for a first offense, escalating to a $750 fine plus 15 days in jail and indefinite license revocation for a third offense. This bill directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses, particularly those with prior violations. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1388 requires that each constitutional amendment appear as a single ballot question, preventing voters from casting a single vote on multiple amendments. The bill mandates specific wording above amendment questions (e.g., "Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments Proposed by the Legislature") and requires the ballot to include the full text of the proposed amendment and the vote history on the amendment’s passage. This applies to all ballots containing constitutional amendment questions in New Hampshire. The law takes effect upon passage.