Rep. Tom Buco

Maddy summarySB 443 gives New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services new authority to create rules for reviewing and approving wastewater infrastructure plans, including sewer connection permits. It directly affects municipalities and sewer utility districts that must submit plans for new or upgraded sewage systems. Key provisions require the department to review industrial discharge permits (if not under EPA-approved programs) and set standards for sewer connection permits. The bill updates existing law to formalize these review processes and ensure proper design and operation of wastewater facilities. It does not change funding or impose new costs but establishes a structured permitting framework for wastewater projects.

Maddy summarySB 629 renames the roundabout at the Route 302 and East Conway Road intersection in Conway to "Oliveira Circle" in memory of Catherine and David Oliveira. The bill specifies that the state will not cover the cost of signage for the new name and requires the Department of Transportation to approve all signage design and installation. This is a procedural bill with no broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 allows towns and cities in New Hampshire to create their own homestead property tax exemptions for residents who own their primary home. Under this bill, municipalities would set a fixed dollar amount for the exemption each year, but the total discount cannot exceed 35% of the average assessed value of residential property in that town. The law defines eligible properties as those owned by a resident or their spouse and includes specific rules for how applications are filed and how disputes are handled through appeals. Additionally, the bill updates existing tax laws to clarify that people who hold property in a revocable trust are considered owners for the purpose of claiming these exemptions. The changes would officially take effect on April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property owners to remove woody debris and blockages from waterways and structures like culverts without needing a special permit. The exemption applies only if the work minimizes sediment disturbance and does not create any new permanent changes to the riverbed. It is designed to help communities clear flood debris after natural disasters or flooding events. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's wastewater engineering laws to clarify how the state funds sewage treatment projects and regulates professional certifications. It expands state financial support to cover engineering services and allows municipalities to receive state contributions for construction costs even without federal grants. The legislation also adjusts fees for reviewing engineering plans and renewing professional certificates, while establishing new rules for prequalifying consulting engineering firms. These changes directly affect local governments, wastewater treatment facilities, and licensed engineering professionals in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-level disaster relief program in New Hampshire to help municipalities repair roads and bridges after natural disasters, even without a federal declaration. It allows the state to declare emergencies based on local damage assessments and provides up to $5 million per municipality per year for critical infrastructure repairs when local funds are insufficient. To qualify, a town must show that damage costs at least half of its annual budget and that it cannot wait for federal aid, while accepting state money means forfeiting future FEMA reimbursement for those specific repairs. The legislation also creates and consolidates two state funds to finance these emergency responses and sets up a committee to review requests for individual assistance.