Rep. Jess Edwards

Maddy summaryThis bill allows election officials to deliver absentee ballots directly to residents of nursing homes and elder care facilities to make voting more convenient for them. It requires these officials to ensure the process remains fair, private, and properly handled while reporting any suspicious activities to the secretary of state. The law takes effect ninety days after its signing, providing a clear timeline for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill updates state hunting laws to allow hunters to use a wider range of pistol calibers, including any caliber .38 or .357 Magnum and larger, for taking deer. The law specifically limits the ammunition capacity in these hunting pistols to no more than six rounds at any time. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to individuals hunting deer under existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules and funding for the Youth Development Center settlement fund, which provides compensation to former residents who experienced abuse while in state care. It updates legal definitions to clearly specify what counts as sexual, physical, or other abuse and introduces a new category for "egregious sexual abuse" that may qualify for additional compensation. The legislation establishes an independent, neutral attorney as the administrator to oversee the claims process, while ensuring the fund remains separate and is continually funded until 2032.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how public agencies charge fees when individuals request government records under the Right-to-Know law. It clarifies that agencies can only charge for copying costs or for employee time spent beyond ten hours, setting a maximum hourly rate of $25 for those additional hours. The legislation also requires agencies to provide clearer explanations when denying requests and mandates that multiple requests made within a 30-day period be treated as a single request to prevent fee stacking. Additionally, it establishes a requirement for agencies to create transparent policies for calculating these costs and allows requesters to file complaints if they believe the estimated fees are unreasonable.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund recreational activities for adults with developmental disabilities who have left the school system. The funding addresses a gap where Medicaid no longer covers these recreational services, allowing individuals to participate in community activities that support their health, socialization, and safety goals. To receive these funds, eligible individuals must be enrolled in a specific state waiver program, and the department will contract with organizations to administer the services, limiting payments to $600 per person. The department is required to submit interim and final reports to the fiscal committee by April and September 2025 to track how the money is used.

Maddy summaryHB 1069 expands access to public records and meeting materials by allowing any person, not just citizens, to inspect and copy documents during regular business hours. The bill permits individuals to request records electronically or by mail without visiting government offices in person, while agencies retain flexibility to provide records in their existing formats if electronic conversion is unduly burdensome or insecure. It also removes filing fees for appeals against ombudsman rulings and clarifies that the public body must cover service costs if they refuse to accept them. Finally, the law defines governmental proceedings more broadly to include any functions affecting any person and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Energy to conduct a study on establishing a framework for electricity microgrids within the state. The department must consult with various stakeholders, including utility companies, technology firms, and local governments, to examine definitions, security standards, and potential benefits like improved grid reliability and cost savings. The study will also look at regulatory barriers and how microgrids can support economic growth and clean energy innovation. Finally, the department is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature and the public utilities commission within one year to guide future pilot programs.