Rep. Scott Wallace

Maddy summaryHB 1602 would expand the authority of the Housing Appeals Board to review and modify final decisions made by state agencies and municipal boards regarding housing permits, fees, and licenses. The bill allows applicants and other aggrieved parties with legal standing to appeal these decisions directly to the board, while also requiring municipalities to be parties in such cases. A key provision is that appeals of local decisions can only proceed after all local remedies have been exhausted. Although the bill was referred for an interim study, the committee ultimately did not recommend it for future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all conservation officers in New Hampshire to wear body-worn cameras and mandates that these devices be used according to specific policies. It restricts who can access or alter the video footage, prohibiting editing, sharing, or using facial recognition technology except for identifying suspects in crimes. The law also sets rules for how long recordings must be kept, generally requiring destruction within 180 days unless the footage involves serious incidents like the use of deadly force, complaints filed against officers, or interactions with hunters and fishermen. Finally, the bill allows conservation officers to apply for grants from the Public Safety Enhancement Fund to help cover the costs associated with these cameras.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent local governments from enforcing rules that limit the number of people living in a rental unit based on whether they are related or restrict occupancy to only family members. Specifically, it bans ordinances that cap residents at fewer than two people per bedroom or that require occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The law applies to cities, towns, and counties that contain unincorporated areas or unorganized places. If passed, these restrictions would take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes veterans treatment courts in New Hampshire to help military members facing criminal charges by connecting them with specialized support services. The program is designed for veterans with service-related mental health conditions, traumatic brain injuries, substance use disorders, or those who have experienced military sexual trauma. Key features include a non-adversarial approach, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, and access to mental health and rehabilitation programs. If a participant successfully completes the court requirements, the judge may reduce their sentence, dismiss charges, or grant annulment of their conviction after one year. The legislation also creates a coordinator position to oversee the courts and provides state funding to help counties cover operational costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property owners to remove woody debris and blockages from waterways and structures like culverts without needing a special permit. The exemption applies only if the work minimizes sediment disturbance and does not create any new permanent changes to the riverbed. It is designed to help communities clear flood debris after natural disasters or flooding events. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1624 allows individuals over the age of 21 to distill liquor at home for personal or family use, provided the product is not sold. The law sets specific production limits, permitting households with two or more producers to make up to 200 gallons of beer or wine annually, while single-person households are limited to 100 gallons. Any liquor distilled from these amounts must remain for personal consumption and cannot be offered for sale. This change takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for sewage and waste disposal systems in New Hampshire to allow stone and pipe systems to be installed up to 24 inches above the seasonal high water table, provided there is at least 6 inches of sand beneath them. It requires property owners subdividing land or building new systems to submit detailed plans that include specific data on burial sites and soil conditions for department review. The law also streamlines the approval process for larger lots of five acres or more by reducing the need for extensive soil testing unless hydric soils are present, while still mandating final inspections before any system goes into operation. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for construction while maintaining safety standards for wastewater management.

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 summaryHB 1215 updates state laws to provide greater stability for land developers and clarifies how building code appeals are handled. The bill extends the time period during which approved land subdivisions are protected from new zoning or fee changes from five to ten years, provided the project begins construction within five years and stays compliant with health standards. It also establishes a higher-level review board to hear appeals against local building code decisions, ensuring consistency across the state. Additionally, the law requires the Register of Deeds to record land plats even if they do not meet regulations adopted after the project was approved. These changes aim to reduce uncertainty for property owners and streamline the approval process for construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill has two main parts: it allocates $40 million in state funds to design and construct a replacement for the New Hampshire State Prison for Men, and it establishes a system to share mental health court records with federal firearms background check databases. The prison funding is intended for architectural planning, engineering, and construction documents to build a new correctional facility. The second part, known as "Bradley's Law," allows courts and the Department of Safety to report specific mental health adjudications to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which can lead to a person being prohibited from buying or possessing firearms. Additionally, the bill creates a process for individuals to petition the court for relief from these firearm disabilities if their mental health status has improved.