Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière

Maddy summaryHB 1717 reorganizes New Hampshire's family court system by establishing the "judicial branch family division" as a statutory court (not constitutional), replacing "marital masters" with administrative law judges. It requires all family matters for a single family to be handled by one administrative law judge in a geographically accessible court, mandates full judicial review of all recommendations, and ensures constitutional protections for children's rights in all proceedings. The bill directly affects families involved in divorce, custody, child support, and other family law cases handled in the state's family courts. Key mechanisms include standardized training for administrative law judges, mandatory consent acknowledgments before hearings, and explicit requirements for judicial review to prevent infringement of fundamental rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1605 establishes a new State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office within New Hampshire's Department of Safety. The office, staffed by 3-5 analysts and 2-5 investigators (requiring military or equivalent intelligence training), will identify and counter threats from foreign adversaries like China and Russia, cartels, and terrorist groups targeting critical infrastructure, elite capture, or societal disruption. It requires quarterly briefings to the legislature, mandates independent verification of intelligence (not sharing personal data without corroboration), and appropriates $6 million for salaries, secure equipment, and operations through 2027. This office directly affects state government operations and focuses on enhancing New Hampshire's ability to assess and respond to specific external threats.

Maddy summaryHB 1501 limits judicial immunity in New Hampshire, allowing criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits against judges and other judicial staff for misconduct. It specifically removes immunity when actions exceed judicial duties, involve criminal conduct, intentional harm, or malicious abuse of authority. The bill affects judges, clerks, and administrative staff within the judicial branch who commit such acts. It does not change immunity for routine judicial decisions but creates new pathways for accountability in clear cases of overreach. The law takes effect upon passage and may require additional legal resources for the Judicial Branch.

Maddy summaryHB 1122 requires all New Hampshire high school students aged 16 and older to take courses covering hunting, wildlife management, and responsible firearms usage as part of their curriculum. The bill mandates school districts to implement these courses in collaboration with the fish and game commission, with an exemption for students whose parents or guardians provide written religious or conscientious objections - allowing alternative instruction in forestry management or community service instead. This policy aims to integrate New Hampshire's hunting heritage and conservation practices into education standards, aligning with state constitutional references to hunting as a cultural tradition. The requirement applies to all public high schools and is structured as a new component of the state's educational framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 requires defendants charged with specific misdemeanors - including misdemeanor sexual assault involving minors, class A misdemeanor assault, and misdemeanor stalking - to choose within 30 days of arraignment: either appeal to superior court for a jury trial or proceed in circuit court with a waived right to a jury trial. Circuit courts cannot move forward with a trial under the waiver option without confirming the defendant knowingly and voluntarily gave up their jury trial right through a court discussion. The bill applies only to these three offense types and modifies existing appeal rules to clarify that superior courts handle jury trial appeals for these cases. It does not change sentencing or create new costs, as noted in the fiscal impact statement.

Maddy summaryHB 1497 establishes clear procedures for removing members of local land use boards (including planning and zoning boards) who engage in serious misconduct or neglect duties. It specifies grounds for removal, such as chronic absenteeism (missing 3+ consecutive meetings or 25% of meetings in a year), violating conflict-of-interest rules, or failing to review materials. The bill requires governing bodies to hold public hearings within 45-60 days of a petition, with removal needing "clear and convincing evidence," and mandates written notice and findings. This directly affects board members and ensures transparent, evidence-based removal processes.

Maddy summaryThis is a concurrent resolution (not a bill), not a law. It urges Congress to create a "Charlie Kirk Act" to hold media accountable for spreading misinformation about Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist. The resolution incorrectly references a "Charlie Kirk shooting" (Kirk is a living activist), and cites the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 as a concern, though it has no legal effect. As a symbolic gesture, it directs New Hampshire's legislature to send this resolution to federal officials but does not propose any actual policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 would allow consenting adults to form legally binding private agreements, called "contract marriages," as an alternative to obtaining a state marriage license. These agreements would be governed solely by civil contract law, not family law, meaning they would not provide protections or processes related to divorce, child custody, or spousal support. Parties could optionally file a "Certificate of Contract Marriage" with the state for administrative purposes, but this filing would not create a public record or subject the agreement to family court. The bill explicitly states that contract marriages do not affect child welfare laws or change the existing requirement for a marriage license for couples seeking state-recognized marriage.

Maddy summaryHB 1243 requires all New Hampshire executive branch agencies (like departments and commissions) to base every contracting and investment decision solely on directly benefiting state citizens. The bill mandates that agencies certify contracts meet this standard and prohibits considering any purpose unrelated to providing citizens with goods, services, or benefits - except for federal law compliance or multistate programs that directly help residents. It has minimal fiscal impact, costing less than $10,000 annually through 2029, and applies to all state agencies making purchasing or investment choices.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the federal government to release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities, including flight logs, correspondence, and evidence. It specifically requests the release of files concerning Epstein and his associates, with redactions only to protect minor victims' identities and ongoing legal cases. The resolution, introduced by New Hampshire representatives, directs the state's congressional delegation to deliver it to the President, Senate majority leader, and House Speaker. It does not create new laws but calls for transparency regarding Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case and his subsequent death in custody. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on existing federal records, not new policy changes.