Rep. Margaret Drye

Maddy summaryHB 1047 amends New Hampshire law to define killing certain state officials as capital murder. It specifically targets the governor, governor-elect, executive council members, and state legislators (including those in office or nominated in primaries for the New Hampshire Senate or House of Representatives). The bill requires that the killing must be motivated by the perpetrator’s knowledge of the victim’s official capacity. This change takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not involve new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1804 consolidates school administrative units (merging smaller school districts) and makes the position of chief school administrator an elected role rather than an appointed one. It defines specific education roles for school administrators and requires school boards to develop and evaluate curricula. The bill amends several state laws to update compensation structures, reporting requirements, and duties for county-level school officials. These changes directly affect school districts, county school conventions, and chief administrators across New Hampshire. The policy focuses on restructuring school governance and increasing local community input through elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1731 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to create an online system cataloging all public schools, charter schools, non-public schools, and "learn everywhere" programs across the state. The system must include detailed profiles, searchable maps, and allow schools to update their own data, enabling families to easily find educational options. It appropriates $1 for fiscal year 2027 but the fiscal note estimates actual costs at $250,000-$300,000 for development and $98,000-$105,000 annually for ongoing maintenance. This bill directly affects all New Hampshire schools and families seeking educational resources by centralizing location and program information in one accessible platform.

Maddy summaryHB 1493 requires all New Hampshire public school districts to incorporate a specific, scientifically accurate video into health education curricula. The video must demonstrate the gestational development of the heart, brain, and other vital organs during embryonic and fetal stages. This applies to all students in the health curriculum, with the requirement effective September 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the video be age-appropriate and medically verified, but does not specify which video or impose direct costs on schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1691 updates the legal definition of an adequate public education by establishing specific subject areas that schools must cover to meet state standards. The bill requires instruction in core subjects like English, math, and science, while also mandating attention to arts, world languages, health, technology, and personal finance. It further directs teachers to integrate essential skills such as digital literacy and logic into their curriculum. Although the bill was referred for an interim study in 2024, the committee ultimately decided not to recommend it for future legislation.

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 allows children of school district employees to enroll in the schools where their parents work, provided there is available space and no need for new classrooms or staff. It clarifies that these employees' children are considered non-resident students, meaning their home school districts are not required to pay for their transportation to the school district where the parent works. The bill also establishes that the employee's home district must pay at least 80 percent of the average cost per pupil for these students attending open enrollment schools in their resident district, while the remaining costs are covered by the parents through payroll deductions or district policy. Additionally, the bill specifies that if an employee leaves their job, their child can finish the current school year before returning to their home district.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of State to provide copies of the state constitution to the general public as needed. It authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for bulk orders requested by government branches and members of the public to cover the cost of producing these copies. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring that the state constitution is more readily available to citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new penalties for drivers who exceed posted weight, height, or size limits on covered wooden bridges in New Hampshire. It creates a two-tier fine system where drivers face a $500 penalty for violating size limits without causing damage, and a $1,000 fine if their vehicle damages the bridge, with higher fines up to $2,000 if the violation blocks traffic. Additionally, vehicle owners must pay the full cost of any repairs to the bridge, plus a $100 civil penalty if they fail to pay within 30 days. The law also clarifies that towing a trailer on a bridge marked "nothing in tow" counts as a violation of dimensional limits. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2025, and all fines collected go to the municipality or agency responsible for maintaining the bridge.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the licensing rules for home day care providers in New Hampshire by increasing the number of additional children they can care for without a license from three to four. The change applies to individuals operating care in their own private homes who look after their biological or adopted children along with a limited number of other children for part of the day. Under the new provision, providers can care for up to four extra children without needing to go through the full licensing process, though they retain the option to choose full licensing if they prefer. The amendment also clarifies that these exemptions apply only when care is provided for less than 24 hours.