Rep. Steven Smith

Maddy summaryHB 1488 establishes a new Municipal Hazard Mitigation Funding Program to help New Hampshire towns repair infrastructure and prevent damage from future natural disasters. The bill authorizes an initial $2 million transfer from state funds to support municipalities that have existing hazard mitigation plans but lack the money to implement them. To receive grants, towns must apply once per year for up to $50,000, providing details on specific projects and proving they cannot afford the work themselves. The program requires the state to review applications within 60 days and mandates that recipients complete their projects within three months of receiving funds. Additionally, the bill modifies the state disaster relief fund to allow it to be used for hazard mitigation projects and creates a committee to oversee individual and municipal assistance requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Hampshire's Administrative Procedure Act to improve how government agencies create and enforce new rules. It requires agencies to send earlier and broader notices to affected occupational licensees and legislators before holding public hearings on proposed regulations. Additionally, the bill shifts the burden of proof to agencies in court challenges, requiring them to demonstrate that a contested rule is legal, consistent with legislative intent, and in the public interest. If an agency cannot meet this burden, a court may invalidate the rule and order the agency to pay the challenger's legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the state constitution to require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers before passing laws that create new taxes, increase existing taxes, or issue state bonds. It also mandates that the legislature must set aside funds from the general budget to pay interest and principal on any state debt. If approved by voters, these changes would make it more difficult to raise revenue through taxation and would ensure that debt payments are prioritized in the state budget. The bill is currently procedural, as it was submitted for a vote but did not pass before the legislative session ended.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require municipalities to send any excess money collected from the statewide education property tax to the state's education trust fund instead of keeping it locally. It also prohibits the state revenue commissioner from setting negative tax rates on real property to offset other taxes. These changes aim to ensure that surplus education funds are directed toward the state education trust while preventing specific tax rate adjustments. Although the bill was introduced, it was laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure New Hampshire's presidential primary is the first such contest held in the nation. It requires the state's primary to take place at least one week before any other similar nominating events, directly affecting how presidential candidates compete for support early in election cycles. The measure would be voted on by New Hampshire residents during the November 2024 general election, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass and become law. If approved, this change would permanently alter the state constitution to codify New Hampshire's current status as the first primary state.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private companies that lease or operate state park and ride facilities for at least five years to install surveillance cameras for safety purposes. Unlike the state Department of Transportation, these private operators are not restricted by specific surveillance rules and may use monitoring equipment as any other private business is legally permitted to do. The law includes a contingency clause that activates different sections depending on whether another related bill from the 2024 session becomes law. Sections of the act take effect 60 days after passage, contingent on the status of the linked legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new privacy protections for firearm purchasers by prohibiting payment processors and networks from requiring gun stores to use a specific "firearms code" for credit or debit card transactions. Instead, the law mandates that retailers selling guns, ammunition, and accessories must use the same general merchant codes applied to other retail stores to prevent their purchase history from being separately flagged in financial data. The Attorney General is empowered to investigate violations, issue notices to correct errors within 30 days, and pursue civil penalties or court injunctions against entities that intentionally fail to comply. These rules take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to keep firearm purchase records separate from other consumer spending data in electronic payment systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for a specific local tax cap in New Hampshire towns and districts that have already chosen to use it. It clarifies that the estimated tax amount for the upcoming year must include both the operating budget and all other approved spending, ensuring the total does not rise by more than the previously set cap unless adjusted for specific factors. The law applies automatically to existing tax cap programs without requiring towns to pass new local amendments to adopt it. It became effective on September 1, 2024, after being signed into law by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1648 would have updated wage payment rules to allow employers to pay employees via debit cards, provided the employer covers all associated fees and ensures free access to funds. The bill required employers to offer clear written disclosures about any potential charges, obtain voluntary consent before using payroll cards, and give employees the option to switch to direct deposit without penalty. It also mandated that employers replace lost or stolen cards within 24 hours and provide a list of fee-free withdrawal locations. Although the legislation outlined these consumer protections, it was ultimately not enacted after the House voted to take no action on the measure.