Sen. Daryl Abbas

Maddy summaryHB 1225 establishes stricter rules for conflicts of interest for members, staff, and contractors of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and its advisory council. The bill requires individuals to recuse themselves from decisions if they or their close associates have financial ties to drug manufacturers or could personally benefit from the board's work, while also mandating public disclosure of any such conflicts. It further prohibits accepting gifts that could create an appearance of bias and allows for the immediate removal of board members who violate these rules. Although the bill was referred for an interim study, the committee ultimately recommended against pursuing it as future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Hampshire's drug laws to impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of trafficking specific quantities of fentanyl class drugs. It requires a minimum of three and a half years in prison for selling five grams or more of fentanyl, and raises that minimum to seven years for sales of 28 grams or more, while also increasing the maximum possible sentence to life imprisonment for repeat offenders. The law includes exceptions for minors, people with significant mental impairments, and those with minor roles in the crime, and it takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commission to evaluate how New Hampshire supports technology-based start-up businesses. The commission will include representatives from the state legislature, the governor's office, and private industry sectors such as venture capital and tech alliances. Its main task is to assess the current business ecosystem, compare it with other states, and propose ways to improve funding, tax incentives, and job training opportunities. The group must submit its findings and legislative recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2024. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing, similar commission to prevent duplication of efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates rules regarding tree stands, observation blinds, and game cameras on private land in New Hampshire. It extends the season for placing portable tree stands and observation blinds from April 25 to June 1 and from August 1 to December 31, while requiring their removal by June 1 unless the property owner grants permission. The legislation also mandates that all such equipment be labeled with the owner's contact information and clarifies that property owners may contact law enforcement to remove unauthorized items. Additionally, the bill adjusts the expiration dates for property owner permits and explicitly allows state officials to use electronic tracking devices on private land only with written landowner consent or a scientific permit.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protection of Women's Sports Act, establishes rules for interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic teams in New Hampshire by categorizing them based on the biological sex listed on athletes' birth certificates. It mandates that teams designated for females be open only to students identified as female at birth, while teams for males may include students of any sex, and requires separate locker room facilities for each group. The legislation also creates a legal pathway for athletes to sue schools or organizations if they experience harm or retaliation related to these sex-based designations, though it explicitly excludes K-5 schools and intramural or club sports from its requirements.

Maddy summarySB 321 establishes a rule requiring courts to detain defendants who have failed to appear in court three or more times for serious offenses within the past three years, or twice on the current charge. Under this provision, a judge must presume that releasing such individuals would not ensure they return for their trial, though the defendant still has the right to present evidence to try to overcome this presumption. The law applies specifically to cases involving felonies, class A misdemeanors, and driving under the influence charges, both in New Hampshire and equivalent out-of-state crimes. If a defendant successfully rebuts the presumption during a bail hearing, the court may then decide whether to release them pending trial. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines biological sex as male or female and clarifies that separating people by this classification is not considered unlawful discrimination. It specifically allows organizations to maintain single-sex spaces for bathrooms, locker rooms, and athletic competitions where physical strength provides an advantage. The law also permits the use of biological sex distinctions in the operation of prisons, mental health facilities, and other secure institutions. While the bill establishes these definitions, it explicitly states that no entity is required to separate individuals based on biological sex.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a right-to-work law in New Hampshire that prohibits employers and labor unions from requiring employees to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. It directly affects all workers in the state, including those employed by government agencies and private companies, by making any collective bargaining agreement that mandates union membership or financial support null and void. The legislation ensures that employees can freely choose whether to participate in a union without fear of penalty, while also protecting voluntary deductions only if employees provide written authorization that can be revoked with 30 days' notice. Additionally, the bill bans strikes or other actions taken solely to force an employer to agree to these prohibited requirements and mandates that employers post notices informing workers of their new freedom of choice.