Rep. Heath Howard

Maddy summaryHB 1081 requires political committees in New Hampshire to electronically certify with the Secretary of State whether they had less than $1,000 in campaign receipts or expenditures during the prior election cycle. This directly affects small political committees handling minimal campaign funds, as it determines whether their registration expires or continues automatically. The bill adds this certification step to existing reporting requirements, replacing the previous system where committees with zero activity automatically renewed. It does not change campaign finance limits or penalties but clarifies when low-activity committees must formally confirm their status to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1694 requires data brokers operating in New Hampshire to register with the Secretary of State and pay a $300 fee, creating a searchable online registry of these entities. It gives consumers the right to opt out of data processing for targeted advertising or sale, and mandates that data brokers notify consumers within 15 days when their data is deleted or opt-out requests are processed. The bill specifically protects minors by requiring data brokers to disclose child data practices and comply with child privacy laws, with special rules for "known minors" (children under 18 whom a website knows are minors). This directly affects data brokers, website operators, and all New Hampshire residents whose personal data is collected or sold.

Maddy summaryHB 1123 requires companies with 50 or more employees in New Hampshire to list both the minimum and maximum annual salary ranges, along with a general description of benefits, in all public job postings. Employers must provide concrete salary figures (not vague terms like "competitive") and cannot use open-ended ranges. If an employer does not negotiate salaries for a position, they must state a fixed pay rate. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 431 establishes a commission to study the costs associated with special education programs in the state. The commission would examine funding requirements and operational expenses affecting school districts and students with disabilities. The bill was referred to the Education Committee but was later deemed "inexpedient to legislate" by the committee on May 15, 2025, effectively halting its progress. This procedural bill does not create new programs or funding but would have directed a study into existing special education cost structures.

Maddy summaryHB 209 would allow owners of newly purchased vehicles to delay their first required safety inspection until the second year after purchase, instead of the typical first year. This change directly affects new vehicle owners who would gain an extra year before needing an inspection, applying to vehicles purchased in the model year or earlier. The bill proposes modifying inspection timing requirements for new vehicles, shifting the first inspection from year one to year two of ownership. (Note: The bill was referred to committee and deemed "inexpedient to legislate" as of November 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 186 proposes legalizing recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older, establishing a state-regulated market with business licensing requirements, and imposing taxes to fund state programs like public health initiatives. It would replace criminal penalties for possession with civil fines, create a regulatory framework for cultivation and sales, and allocate funds for social equity programs. The bill is currently pending in committee after a majority committee report recommended passage (10-7), but it has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 104 would require the U.S. Congress to formally declare war before the New Hampshire National Guard can be activated for service in a foreign country. This bill directly affects the New Hampshire National Guard and the governor, who would need congressional authorization to deploy troops overseas. The key provision mandates that the governor cannot activate the Guard for foreign military operations without an official declaration of war from Congress. The bill does not apply to domestic emergencies or humanitarian missions within the United States.

Maddy summaryHB 190 would have increased the legal possession limit for therapeutic cannabis for qualifying patients. It directly affected patients certified under the state's medical cannabis program by allowing them to possess larger quantities. The bill was referred to committee but was deemed "inexpedient to legislate" by a 3-2 vote on May 8, 2025, and subsequently tabled without further action. The bill has not advanced beyond the committee stage and remains inactive.

Maddy summaryHB 198 proposed to legalize the possession of small quantities of cannabis for adults while establishing fines for smoking or vaping cannabis in public spaces. It would have directly affected adult residents who use cannabis, creating new legal allowances for personal use and penalties for public consumption. Key provisions included setting specific quantity limits for legal possession and defining public use violations with monetary penalties. The bill failed committee review on May 1, 2025, with a 3-2 vote declaring it "inexpedient to legislate," and was subsequently tabled, halting further progress. As a result, the proposed changes to cannabis laws were not enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 53 would permit qualifying patients and their designated caregivers to legally cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use at home. The bill requires the state department to establish a system by December 1, 2025, allowing these individuals to report their cultivation locations. This change directly affects patients with medical conditions approved under current law and their legally designated caregivers. The provision shifts cultivation from an unregulated activity to a permitted, reportable practice under state oversight, without altering existing patient eligibility criteria.