Sen. Keith Murphy

Maddy summaryHB 374 modifies voting procedures for local tax cap adjustments in New Hampshire. It requires a 3/5 majority vote (not a simple majority) for tax cap changes to take effect in towns, cities, and school districts. The bill mandates that voting occurs via ballot after discussion, with ballots accepted for at least one hour post-discussion. These changes apply starting the next fiscal year and remain in effect until amended or rescinded. The bill directly affects local governments and school districts seeking to adjust their tax levy limits.

Maddy summaryHB 200 creates a new process for local governments to exceed their legally established tax caps. It directly affects cities and towns that hit their tax limits, allowing them to raise taxes above those caps through a specific procedure. The key mechanism requires a two-thirds vote by a local governing body (like a city council) to request an override from the state, followed by a state review. This law, signed by Governor Ayotte and effective September 13, 2025, replaces previous ad-hoc approaches with a standardized state-level review process.

Maddy summaryHB 413 requires developers to complete specified construction improvements (such as roads and utilities) before receiving building permits for new subdivisions. This directly affects residential developers and local governments that issue building permits. The bill changes current practice by mandating that these improvements must be finished and approved prior to permit issuance, rather than allowing permits to be granted before completion. The law took effect on July 1, 2025, after being signed by Governor Ayotte.

Maddy summarySB 95 requires the state building code review board and fire control board to update their codes to comply with existing laws (RSA 153:5, VII and RSA 155-A:14) regarding youth recreation camp cabins. This bill directly affects youth recreation camps operating in cabins by mandating that building and fire safety codes align with these specific legal requirements. The law became effective September 13, 2025, after passing the legislature and receiving the governor's signature. It is a procedural code amendment, not a new policy for camps.

Maddy summarySB 282 amends New Hampshire's building code to allow residential buildings up to four stories (four floors above ground level) to have only one stairway, instead of the usual requirement for two, under specific conditions set by the state building code review board. This change directly affects developers and builders constructing new or renovated multi-family residential buildings in this size range. The bill overrides standard International Building Code requirements for stairway provisions in these buildings, with the review board establishing the exact conditions for when a single stairway is permitted. The law became effective July 15, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 271 expands eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans who received a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. This change directly affects veterans whose military service ended with this specific discharge type, allowing them to qualify for the plates they previously could not. The bill amends existing law to add this discharge category to the list of qualifying discharges for the plates. The law took effect on September 13, 2025, after being signed by the governor on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 99 establishes new funding rules for regional career and technical education programs. It requires school districts sending students to these programs (sending districts) to pay host districts (receiving districts) at least 80% of the sending district's average per-pupil cost, based on state education department data. For part-time students, payments adjust based on credit hours; full-time students use a standard per-pupil rate. The law, effective July 2025, standardizes cost-sharing for career-focused education programs across districts.

Maddy summarySB 188, the "Speeding Development Act," allows licensed private professionals (like engineers or architects) to review construction documents and inspect buildings for compliance with New Hampshire's building code, instead of relying solely on local government inspectors. This directly affects property developers, construction firms, and local building departments by shifting certain certification and inspection tasks to private "approved agencies" who must meet insurance requirements ($2M/$4M minimum coverage) and submit sworn affidavits. Key mechanisms include mandatory random audits by local agencies, strict conflict-of-interest rules for private providers, and an owner indemnification agreement covering liability for private inspections. The law aims to speed up development while maintaining safety standards through third-party oversight, effective July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 24 allows students under age 21 to taste wine during approved educational programs, such as culinary or viticulture classes at schools or colleges. It directly affects students enrolled in these specific educational settings and requires participating institutions to follow state guidelines for wine tasting activities. The bill amends state alcohol laws to create an exception for supervised educational tasting, prohibiting consumption beyond tasting and requiring educational context. The law takes effect on September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 79 allows businesses with liquor licenses (such as bars and restaurants) to use self-pour automated systems, where customers pour their own drinks from dispensers. The bill amends licensing rules to permit these systems under the Liquor Commission's oversight, replacing previous restrictions. It becomes effective September 13, 2025, after being signed by the governor on July 15, 2025. This directly affects licensed establishments seeking to offer self-pour options to patrons.