Sen. Keith Murphy

Maddy summaryHB 1125 allows New Hampshire school districts to choose whether to hold partisan elections for school board seats, meaning candidates would run under political party labels (like "Democratic" or "Republican"). Currently, most school elections are non-partisan; this bill gives districts the option to adopt a partisan system through a vote at a school meeting. If adopted, the system would require candidates to be nominated by political parties, combine votes across towns in cooperative districts, and elect winners by plurality (simple majority of votes cast). The bill directly affects school districts deciding to switch election systems, with the change taking effect after the next election following the adoption vote.

Maddy summaryHB 1505 requires towns, cities, and municipalities that have adopted local tax caps or budget caps to submit detailed documentation to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration annually. This documentation must include calculations of the tax or budget cap for the year, proposed and voted appropriations, estimated revenues, and counts of any ballot votes taken to override the cap. The bill amends existing laws to clarify how these caps are calculated (e.g., adjusting for estimated revenues reported to the Department) and ensures transparency by mandating formal submission of compliance evidence. It directly affects all local governments with adopted caps, requiring them to verify adherence to these financial limits through standardized reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 1137 changes municipal budget committee membership by requiring appointed members from the governing body, school board, and village districts to serve in an ex-officio, non-voting capacity. This bill directly affects all New Hampshire municipalities with budget committees, as it removes voting rights from these appointed members while maintaining their appointment process. Key provisions specify that these members (and their designated alternates) may participate in meetings but cannot vote on budget decisions. The change takes effect 60 days after the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1108 revises New Hampshire's criminal threatening law to clarify that individuals displaying a firearm or other lawful self-defense tool in response to specific threats (like potential serious injury, death, property damage, or unlawful intrusion) will not be considered to have committed criminal threatening. It applies directly to people using defensive measures against these defined threats. The key provision creates a legal exception for reasonable defensive actions, specifying that the response must be to conduct a reasonable person would view as likely to cause the listed harms. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1134 clarifies how town meeting budget items are counted for tax and budget cap calculations. It requires that total appropriations in warrant articles (budget items) be accumulated in the order they are voted on during annual town meetings, rather than by their position on the agenda. This directly affects towns operating under the town meeting form of government, ensuring consistent application when determining if a budget exceeds the 10% expenditure limit or triggers a tax cap override. The bill makes this procedural change to prevent ambiguity in budget voting outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 659 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by listing 11 required subject areas, including English, math, science, civics, arts, health, physical education, and computer science. It establishes that the state must determine the cost of this defined education for each municipality based on student enrollment. The bill directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by setting mandatory curriculum standards for funding and accountability. It replaces previous definitions with specific, measurable learning areas that school districts must provide.

Maddy summarySB 650 allows New Hampshire alternative treatment centers to use CBD and other nonintoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids (like CBD) in therapeutic products, while requiring these products to undergo contaminant and cannabinoid testing. It specifically prohibits centers from using any hemp-derived products containing natural THC over 0.3% (including delta-8, delta-9, or synthetic THC variants). The bill directly affects licensed alternative treatment centers by expanding permitted ingredients for therapeutic products under strict safety testing rules. It does not change recreational cannabis laws or allow intoxicating THC products. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1048 repeals the general prohibition on possessing or selling blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles for adults, while maintaining a ban on these items for people under 18. The bill specifically makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to carry these weapons and prohibits selling them to minors. This change allows adults to possess and sell these weapons to other adults, but continues to prohibit minors from having them or being sold to them. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that qualifying patients using therapeutic cannabis under New Hampshire law retain their state-legal right to purchase, possess, and transfer firearms. It directly affects medical cannabis patients who might otherwise face firearm restrictions due to state cannabis use. The key provision amends state law (RSA 126-X:2) by adding a specific clause stating that therapeutic cannabis use does not impact firearm rights under New Hampshire law. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 566 expands New Hampshire's National Guard recruiting incentives by allowing any current or former Guard member to refer recruits for a $1,000 cash bonus (previously limited to certain ranks), increases reenlistment/reclassification bonuses to $8,000 (from $6,000), and adds up to $4,000 in reimbursement for military job-related credentialing costs when federal reimbursement isn't available. It directly affects New Hampshire National Guard members who refer new recruits, reenlist, or need job-specific training certifications. The bill requires state funding for these expanded incentives, with the Department of Military Affairs estimating an additional $125,000 annually starting in FY 2027 to cover the costs. The bill itself does not provide new funding but modifies existing program parameters.