Rep. Timothy Horrigan

Maddy summaryHB 1387 repeals a law (RSA 507-D:6) that previously limited legal liability for firearm manufacturers and sellers related to certain firearm design features. This bill removes a legal exemption, meaning manufacturers could potentially face lawsuits if design choices in firearms cause injury or harm. The change directly affects firearm manufacturers and sellers by restoring their potential liability for design-related issues. The bill does not create new safety requirements but alters the existing legal framework governing liability. It is sponsored by multiple legislators and referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1149 would require New Hampshire to stop observing daylight saving time once four neighboring states - Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine - have each passed laws to adopt permanent year-round Eastern Standard Time. The bill amends state law by removing current provisions that adjust clocks forward in March and back in November, meaning New Hampshire would remain on Eastern Standard Time year-round if the condition is met. This change would take effect on January 1 of the first year after New Hampshire's secretary of state certifies that all four states have enacted similar legislation. The bill does not set a specific date for implementation but depends entirely on other states' actions.

Maddy summaryHB 1208 requires telemarketers calling New Hampshire residents to display a valid, returnable phone number that connects directly to the business or its agent. It prohibits businesses from showing caller ID numbers that are disconnected or listed in the federal Reassigned Numbers Database. The bill directly affects telemarketing companies operating in New Hampshire, ensuring recipients can verify and contact the caller. This aims to reduce scams involving fake or outdated phone numbers. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1107 allows New Hampshire towns and school districts to appoint 1-3 alternate members to their municipal budget committees. These alternates, appointed annually by the committee itself, have the same authority as regular members during meetings. The bill amends existing law to formally permit this structure, which previously required committees to operate without alternates. It directly affects all municipalities that establish budget committees under RSA 32:14-15.

Maddy summaryHB 1412 requires all public schools, public charter schools, and public academies in New Hampshire to display both a U.S. flag and a New Hampshire state flag outside each school building, with specific size requirements (5 feet long, 31 inches wide). Private schools must also display a U.S. flag but may opt out of these requirements for religious or political reasons if approved by their governing board. The bill permits local school boards to accept donations for purchasing flags and related equipment and mandates that flags be displayed prominently on separate staffs of equal height or with the U.S. flag above the state flag. It applies to all public school buildings and includes new provisions for public charter schools and academies.

Maddy summaryHB 1343 allows condominium associations' governing bodies (like boards of directors) to hold meetings remotely or in hybrid formats, including via video or phone. It explicitly states that electronic participation counts toward quorum requirements, meaning meetings can proceed if enough members join online. The bill requires associations to provide access information for remote attendees and ensure they can hear proceedings and ask questions. It also permits electronic voting on association matters, with results counted using standard ballot procedures. This change directly affects condo associations and their unit owners by modernizing meeting protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 prohibits individuals from knowingly possessing firearms on public school property, including buildings, grounds, and school buses, with violations classified as class A misdemeanors. Exceptions include parents transporting firearms in vehicles while dropping off/delivering students, law enforcement officers, and personnel specifically authorized by a school board after a public hearing and background check. The bill also bans public schools from hiring "armed guards" whose sole role is security, requiring any armed personnel to meet standard employment background checks. This affects all public schools and charter schools in New Hampshire, directly impacting school staff, parents, and security personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 1032 modifies New Hampshire's right-to-know law to allow individuals with disabilities or those caring for a disabled household member to participate in public meetings remotely without affecting quorum requirements. The bill adds a specific exception stating that such individuals, when unable to attend in person due to disability (as defined by the ADA) or caregiving responsibilities, may join meetings virtually and still count as "in person" for establishing a quorum. This change ensures their participation does not disrupt meeting legality or decision-making processes. The policy directly affects disabled residents and their caregivers who face barriers to physical attendance at public meetings. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 requires all firearm owners in New Hampshire to securely store firearms when not in use to prevent unauthorized access by minors or prohibited individuals. The bill mandates that firearms be kept in locked containers, equipped with approved safety devices (like trigger locks or lockboxes), or stored via personalized firearm safety features. It also expands criminal penalties for negligent storage and requires safety devices to accompany all private and commercial firearm transactions. This applies to all firearm owners, including private sellers and licensed dealers, but excludes antique firearms. The law aims to reduce incidents of firearms falling into unauthorized hands, particularly minors.

Maddy summaryHB 1679 establishes a refundable $0.10 deposit on most beverage containers sold in New Hampshire, requiring distributors to collect the deposit and consumers to return empty containers to redemption centers or retailers for a refund. It exempts containers larger than 3 liters, milk, plant-based milk, infant formula, and beverages sold on airlines or trains. Distributors reimburse redemption centers $0.035 per container for processing, and unclaimed deposits after one year fund recycling infrastructure and litter prevention programs. The program, effective January 2027, directly affects distributors, retailers, redemption centers, and consumers purchasing eligible beverages.