Rep. Richard Brown

Maddy summaryHB 1002 repeals the property tax exemption for solar energy systems, meaning homeowners and businesses with solar installations will no longer be excluded from taxable property assessments. The bill removes specific tax code provisions (RSA 72:62 and related sections) that previously allowed solar systems to be valued separately for tax purposes. Starting April 1, 2027, solar energy systems will be included in standard property tax valuations, requiring owners to pay taxes on these systems as part of their property assessment. This change directly affects property owners who currently benefit from the exemption, shifting their tax obligation to align with standard property valuation practices.

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 1515 repeals the child care grant program that provided recruitment and retention grants to New Hampshire child care employers through the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill removes the $7.5 million annual appropriation (from federal TANF funds) that was intended to support these grants, though the program was already unworkable due to federal restrictions. This change directly affects child care providers who previously could have accessed these grants. The repeal has no fiscal impact as the program could not operate under federal guidelines, and no new funding or changes to services are enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1131 updates New Hampshire town meeting procedures for referendums by requiring that referendum questions be placed on the official ballot used for electing town officers, rather than on a separate ballot. The bill removes a previous restriction that kept referendum questions off this ballot and integrates them into the standard voting process governed by state election laws. It also establishes a 3/5 majority vote requirement for towns to rescind their use of this ballot system, with specific wording for the rescission question. This change directly affects all New Hampshire towns that have adopted the official ballot system for referendums, which is the current standard practice in many communities.

Maddy summarySB 495 increases the threshold for formal approval needed when Carroll County transfers funds between budget items. It raises the limit from $1,000 to $10,000 per transfer or cumulative total before requiring written requests and county commissioner review. This change applies specifically to Carroll County departments and commissioners handling budget adjustments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, streamlining small transfers without additional procedural steps.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 modifies how New Hampshire towns determine the number, selection method (elected or appointed), and term lengths (1-3 years) for local highway agents. Towns must vote at annual meetings using specific ballot questions to approve changes, which take effect after the next meeting. Current highway agents continue serving their existing terms without interruption. The bill repeals outdated rules about highway agent selection and ensures changes don’t require immediate local action.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 bans the sale of corn, wheat, and soybean seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, directly affecting farmers and seed sellers in New Hampshire. The bill prohibits selling or using these treated seeds but allows sellers to request a written waiver from the Agriculture Commissioner. It takes effect January 1, 2029, with no estimated state or local costs identified. The measure focuses on restricting specific agricultural seed treatments without altering other farming practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1301 increases the annual fee for moorings not located in designated mooring areas from $25 to $50, with $25 of each fee directed to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. This primarily affects boat owners with individual moorings on New Hampshire's inland waterways who pay annual registration fees. The funds will support competitive grants or loans to municipalities and nonprofit lake/watershed groups for projects preventing or mitigating harmful cyanobacteria blooms. The bill generates an estimated $68,750-$80,000 annually for the fund starting in fiscal year 2027. It modifies RSA 270:62, V to establish this fee allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 1066 amends New Hampshire municipal laws to clarify and expand how lease agreements are defined and managed. It defines "lease" to include lease-purchase, sale-lease-back, and similar agreements for property, equipment, or facilities under RSA 33:7-e/f. The bill requires public hearings for municipal leases exceeding $100,000 (aligning with existing bond hearing rules) and ensures lease funds remain available until projects are completed, preventing premature budget lapsing. This directly affects towns, cities, and unincorporated areas in New Hampshire that use lease financing for infrastructure or equipment.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 would allow New Hampshire towns and school districts to choose whether to print candidates' party affiliations on local ballots, after voters approve the change at a town meeting. If approved, party affiliations (using the first three letters of the party name, like "DEM," or "UND" for unaffiliated candidates) would appear after each candidate's name. This applies only to town and school district elections, not state-level races, and requires voter approval each time the policy is adopted or rescinded. The bill does not mandate this change but gives communities an option to implement it.