Rep. Peggy Balboni

Maddy summaryHB 1285 creates a multi-agency task force to study whether New Hampshire could implement an R-PACER program, which would allow homeowners to finance property resilience improvements (like flood mitigation) through property taxes. The task force, including state finance and housing authorities, must review lessons from New Hampshire’s existing C-PACER program for businesses, examine other states’ R-PACER models, and recommend if and how such a program should be adopted. It will assess key elements like eligible improvements, consumer protections, lender oversight, and required administrative authority. The task force must report its findings and legislative recommendations to state leaders by June 2027, with no immediate policy changes enacted by this bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 designates Lake Winnipesaukee as New Hampshire's official state lake. This symbolic recognition formally honors the lake's cultural and recreational significance to the state without changing any laws, regulations, or policies. The bill was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Resources, Recreation and Development committee. It has no direct impact on residents, businesses, or government operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 allows school superintendents or their designees to approve students' limited use of personal laptops and tablets for specific educational activities during school hours, under direct teacher supervision. This use would be exempt from existing school policies that typically prohibit personal electronic devices like cell phones. The bill does not change the general rule banning personal devices but creates a clear exception for learning purposes when approved by school leadership. It directly affects students and schools in New Hampshire by modifying cell phone policy frameworks to support educational technology use.

Maddy summaryHB 1280 establishes a 19-member commission to study public school open enrollment in New Hampshire. The commission, including school superintendents, local school board members, legislators, parents, and business administrators, will develop a system for open enrollment that addresses state funding, equitable access, transportation, special education responsibilities, and budget documentation. It must propose revisions to existing law (RSA 194-D) covering enrollment processes, timelines, and funding mechanisms to prevent direct invoicing between schools. The bill suspends current RSA 194-D rules until the commission submits its final report to the legislature. This directly affects New Hampshire public schools, students, and families by shaping future enrollment policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 codifies Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into New Hampshire law, prohibiting disability discrimination in programs receiving state or federal funding. It applies directly to state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, housing services, and other entities that receive public funds, requiring them to ensure accessibility without mandating major structural changes for small providers if alternatives exist. The bill establishes legal remedies including lawsuits, injunctions, and reasonable attorney's fees for successful claims, but excludes compensatory damages. It references the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for employment discrimination and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 creates "Flood Resilience Incentive Zones" (FRIZ) to help homeowners in flood-prone areas make resilience improvements. It allows municipalities to offer tax credits (minimum $100 annually), property tax relief, and low-cost loans for qualifying projects like elevating homes, installing flood barriers, using natural water management systems (e.g., bioswales), or upgrading electrical systems to reduce flood damage. Municipalities can also collect a fee of up to $0.50 per $1,000 property value to fund these initiatives through revolving funds. The bill directly affects residential property owners in designated FRIZ areas and gives local governments new tools to support flood mitigation.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 establishes a 18-member commission to review draft rules for minimum standards in public school approval and state academic standards before they are submitted to the New Hampshire state board of education or legislature. The commission includes representatives from school administrators, principals, curriculum specialists, teachers (elementary, middle, and high school), and a competency-based education expert, appointed through specific educational organizations. It requires the commission to provide written recommendations within 120 days of receiving draft rules, ensuring reviews incorporate competency-based education principles, research-based practices, and accountability measures outlined in existing law. This bill directly affects the New Hampshire Department of Education and state board of education when developing or revising school standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1498 requires all agendas, minutes, and reports from state government study committees and statutory commissions to be posted online within 5 days of their meetings. The documents must be available on both the general court website and the relevant state agency websites. This bill directly affects the public by improving access to government meeting materials, making it easier for citizens to review committee work. It creates a clear, time-bound requirement for transparency without changing existing rules about other public records.

Maddy summarySB 582 increases New Hampshire's base cost for an adequate education from $4,100 to $7,356.01 per student for the 2027-2028 school year, directly affecting public schools receiving state funding. It expands the definition of "adequate education" to include specific resources like teachers, counselors, technology, and facilities maintenance. The bill requires the state to update this cost every two years using actual school data and adjusts funding formulas accordingly. The fiscal note estimates this change will cost approximately $500 million annually starting in 2028, funded through the Education Trust Fund.