Rep. Claudine Burnham

Maddy summaryHB 1076 allows towns and cities in New Hampshire to decide whether to use electronic ballot counting devices for elections, directly affecting local governments and voters. Municipalities must hold a vote on the issue using specific ballot language approved by the Ballot Law Commission, with voters choosing to authorize or stop using these devices. The law requires local officials to notify the Secretary of State after making this decision, and the use of such devices remains in effect until rescinded by another voter vote. This bill does not mandate electronic counting but gives communities the option to adopt or eliminate it through a formal ballot process.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 requires scholarship organizations (which manage education freedom accounts) to provide parents with a written explanation of their obligation to notify school districts in writing when ending a home education program. This applies specifically to parents using scholarship programs for home education under New Hampshire law. The bill adds a new requirement for scholarship organizations to ensure parents understand this termination notice duty, which is currently mandated by law but not clearly explained to families. The change aims to clarify parental responsibilities without altering the underlying notice requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 clarifies that students using education freedom accounts (voucher programs) are not considered "home educated" under New Hampshire law. It amends the definition in RSA 193-A:4 to explicitly exclude children receiving funding from such accounts from the home education category. This change directly affects families utilizing education freedom accounts, separating their status from traditional home education. The bill makes a specific statutory adjustment to prevent overlap in how these educational options are classified. It does not alter home education requirements for other families.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment would require all voters in New Hampshire to be legal residents aged 18 or older who actually live in the community they claim as their home (domicile). It replaces the current "inhabitant" standard with this new requirement, ensuring voters reside where they register to vote. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election. It does not change existing restrictions like felony convictions or voting accessibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1464 defines "political affiliation or opinion" to include First Amendment-protected activities like supporting political parties or candidates. It prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on political views, and bans politically motivated harassment or economic interference (such as doxxing to cause job loss). The bill creates new criminal penalties: class A misdemeanors for harassment targeting political views, and class B felonies if economic harm or threats of violence occur. It directly affects workers, businesses, and anyone facing political harassment, expanding existing anti-discrimination laws to cover political expression.

Maddy summaryNew Hampshire's CACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all ballots (including absentee) to be hand-counted, serial-numbered, and accompanied by a dated perforated tab for voter receipt. It mandates 60-month retention of all ballots and election records in securely monitored storage, with dual-signature chain-of-custody logs and public annual reporting by the Secretary of State. Registered voters may view ballots during retention periods with election officials upon one week's notice, and unused ballots must remain labeled with their printed lot. The amendment directly affects voters (through ballot tracking), election officials (through new counting/storage procedures), and municipalities (through storage requirements and reporting).

Maddy summaryHB 1462 creates a standardized complaint form for alleging that voters wrongfully claimed New Hampshire domicile to vote. The Department of Justice must provide this form (available online, at their office, or the Secretary of State's office) and investigate only complaints filed using it. Investigators may ask specific questions about voting history, domicile changes, or false information at registration, but are strictly prohibited from inquiring about unrelated private matters like medical care, utility bills, or family relationships. This procedural bill establishes clear limits on election complaint investigations without changing voter eligibility or voting rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish legislative oversight of New Hampshire's judicial branch. It would create a commission (primarily composed of state legislators) with authority to investigate complaints against judges, hold hearings, recommend disciplinary actions (including censure, suspension, or removal), and publish annual performance reports. The measure directly affects judges and the judicial branch by shifting oversight from the current system (where the judiciary self-regulates, with impeachment as the sole remedy) to legislative authority. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, it would amend the state constitution to grant the general court this new power. The amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote in the election to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill harmonizes New Hampshire's criminal code and the Fetal Life Protection Act by setting the gestational age limit for abortion restrictions at 20 weeks instead of 24 weeks. It amends the homicide statute to exempt pregnancy terminations performed before 20 weeks and updates the Fetal Life Protection Act to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks (except in medical emergencies or for fatal fetal abnormalities). Health care providers performing abortions after 20 weeks without meeting these conditions would face class B felony charges. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, correcting an inconsistency between existing statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1520 redefines "citizen of New Hampshire" for voting purposes as either a native-born resident or someone who has taken an oath of allegiance to the state. It requires voters to provide proof of New Hampshire citizenship (such as a birth certificate, New Hampshire citizenship card, or sworn oath) and U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) when registering to vote. The bill also mandates that the secretary of state issue New Hampshire citizenship cards to eligible residents who qualify as native-born or through oath of allegiance. This legislation establishes new verification steps for voter registration in New Hampshire, clarifying state citizenship requirements.