Rep. Mike Drago

Maddy summaryHB 1169 shortens the required notice period for excavators to contact utility damage prevention systems from 72 to 48 hours (excluding weekends and 6 specified holidays), and extends the validity of excavation notifications from 30 days to one year if site conditions remain unchanged. This directly affects construction companies, contractors, and anyone planning underground excavation work in New Hampshire. The key changes streamline notification timing for excavators while allowing longer validity for unchanged sites, reducing repeated notice requirements. The bill modifies existing laws in RSA 374:51 regarding excavation notifications.

Maddy summaryHB 656 clarifies that local school districts in our state have the authority to accept federal grants without needing additional state approval. This bill directly affects school districts by streamlining their ability to access federal funding for educational programs. The key provision removes potential barriers, ensuring districts can independently accept eligible federal grants as permitted by federal law. The bill does not change existing grant requirements but explicitly affirms districts' authority to do so.

Maddy summaryHB 133 modifies the process for new residents moving to the state who need to transfer their out-of-state driver's licenses. It specifies clear timelines for the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to send violation notices to drivers and allocates funds to the DMV for technology upgrades needed to meet state legal requirements. The bill directly affects new residents required to obtain a state license and the DMV, which must implement these changes. Key provisions include updated license transfer rules, standardized violation notice procedures, and dedicated funding for necessary technological improvements to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 697 is a proposed bill that would adjust the payment rates for witnesses testifying in criminal court cases. It directly affects individuals who are subpoenaed to testify, ensuring they receive updated compensation for their time and expenses. The bill's key provision modifies the current fee schedule to align with current cost-of-living standards, increasing the daily payment amount. This change aims to improve witness participation in criminal proceedings by providing fairer reimbursement. The bill is currently under review in committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 273 grants parents the right to access their minor child's library records at public libraries. The bill directly affects parents of minors and public libraries that maintain such records. It requires libraries to provide parents with access to their child's borrowing history and other library records upon request. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 677 allows schools, recreation camps, and colleges to possess and use epinephrine for severe allergic reactions without requiring individual prescriptions for each student or staff member. Trained personnel at these facilities can administer the treatment during emergencies. The law directly affects these institutions by updating their policies to support immediate response to allergic reactions. It became effective on July 1, 2025, after the governor signed it into law.

Maddy summaryHB 230 amends state law to restrict town health officers' authority to adopt public health regulations. The bill removes language allowing regulations beyond "prevention and removal of nuisances" (like unsanitary conditions), limiting health officers to only these specific measures. For any regulation to take effect, it must still be approved by selectmen, recorded by the town clerk, and published in a local newspaper or posted in public places. This directly affects towns and their health officers by narrowing the scope of public health rules they can implement without broader municipal approval.