Sen. David Watters

Maddy summaryHB 1415 establishes strict liability for owners or operators of facilities where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been released into groundwater or surface water at concentrations of 100 parts per trillion or higher. The bill defines specific chemical terms and designates any site where PFAS are used, stored, or disposed of as a PFAS facility. Under this law, responsible parties would be required to follow federal regulations for the closure, removal, or decommissioning of tanks, pipes, equipment, and building surfaces associated with PFAS management. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature overrode the veto to make it effective law.

Maddy summarySB 543 establishes the State Environmental Adaptation, Resilience, and Innovation Advisory Council to help New Hampshire prepare for environmental changes like rising sea levels and extreme weather. The council consists of representatives from various state agencies, local governments, and environmental organizations, and it is required to meet at least twice a year. Its primary tasks include creating maps of vulnerable areas, reviewing state plans to ensure they account for climate risks, and developing strategies to protect public health and infrastructure. The bill also directs the council to consider how environmental shifts might disproportionately affect at-risk populations and to promote the efficient use of public funds. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature overrode the veto, making the council and its duties official law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to double the annual amount of money taken from the real estate transfer tax and sent to the affordable housing fund, increasing the contribution from $5 million to $10 million. The change would directly affect the state's budget by shifting $5 million less from the general fund and education trust fund to the affordable housing fund each year starting July 1, 2025. The legislation does not alter who pays the tax or how the fund is used, but rather changes the specific portion of tax revenue that must be allocated to housing projects.

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 proposes a three-year pilot program allowing recovery centers and community mental health centers to receive free passes to state parks for their clients. Funded through state and federal grants plus donations, the initiative would require these facilities to report annually on how the program is used and its impact. The pilot is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024, with the specific provisions set to expire in 2027. Although the bill was referred for study, it was ultimately not passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent local governments from enforcing rules that limit the number of people living in a rental unit based on whether they are related or restrict occupancy to only family members. Specifically, it bans ordinances that cap residents at fewer than two people per bedroom or that require occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The law applies to cities, towns, and counties that contain unincorporated areas or unorganized places. If passed, these restrictions would take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

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 proposes to set a new speed limit of 45 miles per hour on unimproved rural highways, which are defined as areas adjacent to two-lane roads that lack paved shoulders and have low-density driveway access. The legislation directly affects drivers traveling on these specific roadways by establishing a maximum speed that is lower than the current 55 miles per hour limit applicable to other locations. It also creates a new legal definition for "unimproved rural highway" to clarify which roads fall under this restriction and updates the fine schedule for speeding violations to align with the new limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal preference for keeping children in New Hampshire and placing them with their siblings whenever possible, unless doing so would endanger them. It modifies custody rules for parents not charged with abuse or neglect by creating a rebuttable presumption that they are fit to care for their children, requiring the state to prove unfitness with specific evidence. The legislation also sets a clear order of preference for out-of-home placements, prioritizing relatives, community-based foster homes, and schools of origin over group or residential care. Additionally, it mandates that psychological evaluations be conducted by trauma-specialized psychologists and clarifies that firearm ownership alone does not make a home unsafe if federal and state laws are followed.