Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière

Maddy summaryHB 1770 establishes a legal presumption of equal parenting time (50% of overnights annually) for New Hampshire family courts, replacing the current "best interest" standard. It defines equal parenting as a 50/50 overnight split with no more than a three-night difference in any year, requiring courts to correct imbalances the following year. The presumption can only be overridden by clear and convincing evidence of specific harm - such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or a parent's incapacity - and courts must provide written findings for any deviation. This applies to all custody cases, including initial rulings, temporary orders, and modifications, and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 requires New Hampshire election officials to publicly share basic voter information for absentee and UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) voters, including names, addresses, and ballot status. However, it prohibits releasing overseas mailing addresses and electronic contact details (like email or phone numbers) for UOCAVA voters who are members of the uniformed services. The bill also bans disclosure of how ballots were voted and mandates that records be made available within one business day of a request. Officials who fail to comply face civil fines up to $1,000 for the first offense or misdemeanor charges for repeated violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1619 establishes new protections for property owners by prohibiting rent controls, limiting municipal zoning authority to basic health/safety needs, and requiring prompt permit processing. It repeals the InvestNH Program (which provided grants for affordable housing) and the New Hampshire Housing Champion designation. The bill prohibits government takings for private development without just compensation and bans municipal subsidies for specific housing types. These changes directly affect property owners, municipalities, and housing developers by reducing government regulation in housing markets.

Maddy summaryNew Hampshire's CACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all ballots (including absentee) to be hand-counted, serial-numbered, and accompanied by a dated perforated tab for voter receipt. It mandates 60-month retention of all ballots and election records in securely monitored storage, with dual-signature chain-of-custody logs and public annual reporting by the Secretary of State. Registered voters may view ballots during retention periods with election officials upon one week's notice, and unused ballots must remain labeled with their printed lot. The amendment directly affects voters (through ballot tracking), election officials (through new counting/storage procedures), and municipalities (through storage requirements and reporting).

Maddy summaryHB 1106 requires New Hampshire candidates for public office to publicly disclose whether they hold citizenship in any country other than the United States. Candidates must declare this information under oath or affirmation to the Secretary of State, including details like the specific country, basis for citizenship, date acquired (if known), and other relevant facts. This disclosure will be made publicly available, increasing transparency for voters. The bill does not change the existing requirement that candidates must be U.S. citizens (by birth or naturalization) but mandates this additional transparency measure regarding dual citizenship.

Maddy summaryCACR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Hampshire's Article 6, granting towns, parishes, religious societies, and other groups the right to elect and contract with their own teachers for religious and moral instruction within Christian denominations. It would prohibit compelling individuals to pay for teachers of a different Christian denomination and ensure all Christian groups receive equal legal protection without establishing religious hierarchies. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHR 35 is a New Hampshire House Resolution urging the prohibition of intentional releases of polluting emissions, such as cloud seeding and weather modification, within the state. It declares that activities like stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) or solar radiation modification (SRM) harm human health, the environment, agriculture, and state security. The resolution requires the state's Environmental Services Commissioner to notify 27 federal agencies - including NOAA, NASA, and the EPA - within 30 days and post the resolution online. This resolution does not create binding law but expresses the legislature's position and urges federal action to protect New Hampshire's atmosphere.

Maddy summaryHR 20 is a New Hampshire House resolution (not a law) that formally reaffirms support for the Second Amendment and New Hampshire's state constitutional right to bear arms. It specifically urges Congress and the President to stop potential federal restrictions on firearm ownership based on characteristics like sexual orientation or religion, referencing reports of internal DOJ discussions about such rules. The resolution also calls for advancing the SHORT Act to address existing constitutional infringements, though it has no legal force and serves as a symbolic statement to federal leaders.

Maddy summaryHB 1769 prohibits publicly funded medical facilities (including state-funded hospitals and clinics) from referring patients for abortions, except in medical emergencies or when referring to a pregnancy resource center (a nonprofit facility offering counseling/support but not abortion services). The bill requires these facilities to submit compliance affidavits and allows taxpayers or affected mothers/family members to sue the facility or state for violations. It also voids contracts with organizations that violate the referral ban. This law directly affects state-funded healthcare providers and creates new legal avenues for challenging abortion referrals. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1292 expands New Hampshire's Right to Try Act to allow patients with "qualifying severe illness" access to unapproved treatments. The bill adds new rules for regenerative stem cell therapies, requiring patient consent, facility accreditation, and clear advertising disclosures. It specifically prohibits the use of stem cells derived from fetal or embryonic sources after an abortion. This policy change directly affects New Hampshire residents with severe illnesses who seek experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA.