Sen. Mark McConkey

Maddy summaryThis bill allows towns and cities to lower speed limits during specific seasons when pedestrian or bicycle traffic becomes heavy. Local officials can make this change on their own or after receiving a petition from at least ten residents, provided they first conduct an engineering and traffic study. The reduced speed limit must be at least 20 miles per hour, last no longer than four months in a year, and can apply to specific times of day. The municipality is responsible for paying for the new signs, which must be designed and installed with approval from the state Department of Transportation.

Maddy summaryHB 1144 requires sellers of residential homes, food service establishments, and other dwellings to provide written disclosures about their private sewage disposal systems during real estate transactions. This disclosure must include details such as the system's location, history of malfunctions, recent service dates, contractor information, and official state approvals. The buyer is required to sign an acknowledgment confirming they have received this information. The law takes effect on September 17, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Transportation to create a master plan for the Conway Branch rail line, focusing on the section from north of Route 28 to Conway, with a completion deadline of December 31, 2024. The state will provide funding from the general fund for this planning effort, though the department must first use any available money from other sources such as federal grants or public donations. The governor is authorized to issue warrants to access these general funds from the state treasury to support the project. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and was signed into law by the Governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts homeowners from needing a state installer's permit when they install or repair their own septic systems for their primary residence. Instead of requiring a license, the law mandates that these DIY projects must follow specific rules set by the state department. The change is designed to reduce regulatory burdens for property owners while still ensuring that work is done according to established safety and environmental standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for sewage and waste disposal systems in New Hampshire to allow stone and pipe systems to be installed up to 24 inches above the seasonal high water table, provided there is at least 6 inches of sand beneath them. It requires property owners subdividing land or building new systems to submit detailed plans that include specific data on burial sites and soil conditions for department review. The law also streamlines the approval process for larger lots of five acres or more by reducing the need for extensive soil testing unless hydric soils are present, while still mandating final inspections before any system goes into operation. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for construction while maintaining safety standards for wastewater management.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.4 million in state funding to the Legislative Branch for specific capital improvements. The money is designated for designing the Legislative Parking Garage and making paint repairs to the ceiling in the State House Representatives Hall. These funds will become available for use starting on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires property owners to submit an application to the state department before expanding a structure or changing its use in a way that would increase the load on a sewage disposal system. The law specifically affects owners of lots that are five acres or larger and are served by a sewage system with an off-lot disposal area, mandating that these systems have received prior construction and operational approval. By adding this requirement to existing statutes, the bill aims to ensure that increased usage of sewage infrastructure is properly reviewed and authorized before it occurs. The changes will become effective ninety days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for inspecting state dams and creates a new committee to study how to better fund their upkeep. It requires the Department of Environmental Services to regularly inspect dams that could threaten public safety and sets specific conditions under which a dam previously classified as safe must be re-evaluated. The legislation also directs that money earned from leasing or selling state dams be used to pay off existing debt and repair other dams, while establishing a committee of legislators to review current funding methods and propose new solutions by November 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow homeowners to build one accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage conversion or an addition, on their single-family property without needing special approval. It defines these units as separate living spaces with their own kitchen and bathroom and sets minimum size limits of 1,000 square feet for at least one unit. While towns can still require owner occupancy and enforce parking or aesthetic rules, they cannot mandate familial relationships between residents or restrict units to a single bedroom. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that municipalities must permit the conversion of existing structures like detached garages into these units even if they do not currently meet setback or lot coverage standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to study ways to replace the current road toll and vehicle registration fees as sources of funding for highway and bridge improvements. The commission will be composed of legislators, state agency representatives, and members from the automotive and non-profit sectors, with the specific goal of examining how electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles should contribute to infrastructure costs. The group is tasked with analyzing the environmental impact of these technologies, reviewing past studies, and recommending new revenue methods by December 2026. Once the commission completes its work, it will submit a final report to state officials with any proposed legislation to replace the existing toll system.