Sen. Howard Pearl

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the oversight of manufactured housing in New Hampshire by converting the existing Manufactured Housing Installation Standards Board into an advisory body and establishing a new advisory board for massage therapists, reflexologists, structural integrators, and Asian bodywork therapists. The legislation transfers implementation authority to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, which would be responsible for enforcing installation standards, issuing licenses to installers, and conducting inspections to ensure safety and compliance. Key provisions include setting specific experience and training requirements for those who install manufactured homes and creating a formal dispute resolution process for issues between manufacturers, retailers, and installers. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not receive the necessary two-thirds vote to override the veto, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years to life for anyone convicted of distributing specific controlled drugs, such as methamphetamine or PCP, when the recipient dies as a result. Under the new law, prosecutors must prove that the drug distribution directly caused the death, but the accused cannot use the victim's own reckless behavior or consent as a defense. The legislation applies strictly to the sale, manufacture, or dispensing of these substances and does not prevent separate charges for homicide or drug enterprise leadership. If passed, the changes would take effect on January 1, 2025, and could increase costs for the state and local governments related to the judicial and correctional systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study power generation, transmission, distribution, and storage within the state. The committee would be composed of one senator and three representatives, who would meet to identify energy sources, assess the need for infrastructure upgrades, estimate future costs, and research storage capacity. The group is required to submit its findings and any legislative recommendations to state officials by November 1, 2024. Although the bill was introduced, it was later laid on the table and did not become law before the session ended.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Farm Energy Systems and Infrastructure Design Advisory Program to help qualifying New Hampshire farms improve their energy efficiency and infrastructure. The program will provide unbiased, research-based educational assistance on energy systems and connect farms with available financial resources like grants and loans. To implement this, the state will hire one field specialist and sign an agreement with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to deliver the support. The initiative is funded by a $100,000 appropriation for the 2025 fiscal year and will begin on July 1, 2024.

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 updates regulations for the New Hampshire Board of Optometry by expanding the types of pharmaceutical agents that licensed optometrists can dispense to patients, including specific oral pain relievers and certain vaccines. It establishes a dedicated funding source to support health professional licensing boards and clarifies that pharmacy inspections will be conducted by trained pharmacists rather than the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Additionally, the legislation amends the legal definition of the practice of optometry to explicitly include the diagnosis and treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma while listing specific surgical procedures that remain outside the scope of optometric practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Anti-Sanctuary Act, would require state and local law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. It explicitly prohibits any government entity from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration requests, such as honoring detainers or withholding inmate information. While the law mandates efforts to support federal enforcement, it includes specific exceptions that prevent the use of immigration status information against victims or witnesses of certain serious crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault. If a local agency violates these requirements, the state attorney general could file a lawsuit to stop the policy and seek court orders to enforce compliance.

Maddy summaryThis law requires boards under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to notify the public of meetings at least 14 days in advance and make related documents available for review seven days before the meeting. It also mandates that these boards offer opportunities for both spoken and written public comments at their gatherings, with specific exceptions for emergency or disciplinary hearings. To support these new transparency requirements, the bill creates a new attorney position within the office and provides funding for it. The changes will take effect 60 days after the law is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the Department of Energy's authority to enforce compliance orders against public utilities and their agents by establishing a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for violations, with funds directed toward ratepayer credits or low-income assistance programs. It expands community solar opportunities by allowing developers to designate projects for low- and moderate-income households, subject to a 6-megawatt annual capacity limit, while also updating reporting requirements for the state's renewable energy fund and net metering data. The legislation clarifies definitions for useful thermal energy in renewable portfolio standards and streamlines the process for municipalities to receive information regarding personal wireless service facility applications. Additionally, it exempts small utilities with less than $10,000 in annual revenue from certain assessments and repeals older statutes related to wireless tower mapping and departmental guidance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the disposal of wet-cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and electronic devices in New Hampshire's solid waste landfills, incinerators, and composting facilities. To help facilities comply, the law requires them to post informational signs or notify customers about the ban, while also mandating that local governments and waste operators provide educational materials and recycling opportunities. The legislation further clarifies legal definitions for terms like "computer" and "electronic device" to specify which items are covered and which are excluded, such as those built into household appliances. These changes are designed to reduce hazardous waste and promote recycling, with the rules taking effect on July 1, 2025.