Rep. Julius Soti

Maddy summaryHB 1041 repeals a law that previously prohibited car manufacturers from operating dealerships in the same market areas as their franchised dealers. This change allows manufacturers to directly own and operate dealerships competing with franchise dealers in the same geographic regions. The bill directly affects car manufacturers, existing franchise dealers, and consumers who purchase vehicles in New Hampshire. It takes effect on June 30, 2026, removing a long-standing restriction on manufacturer dealership operations.

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 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 summaryHB 1821 requires election officials to publicly post ballot images and cast vote records (voter selections captured by electronic machines) within 48 hours after an election, making this data accessible online. It mandates secure backups at both state and municipal levels, standardized formats for counting devices, and audit logs tracking access to prevent tampering. The bill exempts records involving fewer than 10 absentee ballots or specific ballot designs from standard public access rules but requires all other records to be posted publicly. Officials face civil fines of $250-$1,000 per violation for failing to meet the 48-hour deadline. This applies directly to local election clerks and the secretary of state’s office, ensuring transparency in election results.

Maddy summaryHB 1706, known as the Circumcision Transparency Act, would require health care providers in New Hampshire to obtain written informed consent from parents before performing a non-therapeutic circumcision on a child under 18. The bill mandates that providers use a specific consent form detailing the procedure's risks, lack of proven medical benefits, and available alternatives, while also prohibiting solicitation or coercion of parents. Additionally, the law would require two parental signatures for the procedure, provide an educational guide for parents who choose not to circumcise, and mandate that consent forms be retained for 25 years. Although the bill includes provisions to protect religious ceremonies and allow for tissue donation opt-ins, it was ultimately not recommended for future legislation by the state committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1683, titled the Children's Body Autonomy Act, would have restricted coverage of circumcision under New Hampshire's Medicaid plan to cases deemed medically necessary. The bill defines specific medical conditions for newborns and minors that would qualify for coverage, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, certain congenital anomalies, and specific infections or obstructions. Additionally, it requires health care providers to obtain pre-authorization before performing any covered circumcision. Although the bill included definitions for health care providers and children, it did not become law as it died on the table when the legislative session ended in October 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that vote counting and tabulation occur openly in public at polling places and central locations, ensuring the process is not paused or delayed until finished. It mandates that election officials keep all ballots at least four feet away from the guardrail during this public viewing and makes all generated documents available for public inspection once results are announced. Additionally, the law specifies that printed results from voting machines must be posted for public review within 60 minutes of the final ballot being processed if applicable. These changes directly affect election administrators and observers by enforcing transparency and immediate access to election data.

Maddy summaryHB 1665 raises the annual household income limit for students to qualify for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program from 350 percent to 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. This change directly affects families with higher incomes who currently do not meet the eligibility requirements to use these accounts for private or home schooling options. The bill also adjusts the definitions of average daily membership in attendance and residence to align with the updated eligibility criteria. By expanding the income threshold, the legislation allows more students to access state-funded education vouchers, while excluding students in the special school district within the Department of Corrections.