Rep. Nick Germana

Maddy summaryHB 1098 allows New Hampshire municipalities to deny building or occupancy permits for properties adjacent to class VI highways if specific conditions aren't met. It requires towns to first vote to permit construction after planning board review, explicitly state they won’t maintain the road or assume liability for damages, and ensure applicants record this notice in property records. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to build near class VI roads and local governments managing land use. It becomes effective July 2, 2026, clarifying when municipalities may consider road safety and maintenance in permit decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1317 strengthens patient privacy protections in New Hampshire by prohibiting state agencies, contractors, vendors, and grant recipients from sharing personally identifiable medical, disability, or mental health data with the federal government or third parties - unless specific conditions apply. These exceptions include obtaining an individual’s written consent, complying with existing law or court orders, or disclosing data to provide necessary health care services. The bill also requires that any permitted disclosure share only the minimum necessary data and prioritize de-identified information when possible. It explicitly affirms that these state rules do not override federal privacy laws like HIPAA or the ADA, and violations could result in civil penalties enforced by the attorney general.

Maddy summarySB 475 amends New Hampshire law to update the definition of "foster home" for animals, requiring that a licensed veterinarian must determine placement is in the animal's best interest for health, safety, and wellbeing - including for pregnant or lactating animals. Foster homes must be associated with and inspected by an animal shelter facility. This change directly affects animal shelters and foster home providers, who will now need to obtain a veterinarian's written determination for each animal placed in foster care. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 prohibits the state from approving new large groundwater permits for commercial bottling of water in plastic bottles made with hydrocarbon-derived plastic. It directly affects companies seeking to establish new bottling operations using plastic containers, preventing them from obtaining permits for groundwater extraction. The bill requires the department to deny all new permits for this specific purpose, but does not impact existing bottling operations or non-plastic containers. This is a concrete policy change targeting the environmental impact of plastic-bottled water production at the permit stage.

Maddy summaryHB 1511 removes a representative from the Granite State Dairy Promotion from the Agriculture in the Classroom committee. The bill amends state law by repealing the specific provision that required this dairy industry representative to serve on the committee. This change directly affects the committee's membership composition but does not alter the committee's duties, funding, or other operational aspects. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 increases annual dog license fees from $4.50 to $4.75 for unspayed/unneutered dogs 7 months or older and for certain younger dogs, directly affecting dog owners in New Hampshire municipalities. It also establishes a legislative committee to review the state’s dog and cat statutes (RSA 466), focusing on whether current laws match regulatory needs and are clearly organized. The committee, composed of three House members and one Senate member, must submit findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026. The fee change is expected to generate minimal additional revenue for municipalities - less than $10,000 per town - without altering existing animal regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for businesses repeatedly violating laws governing the sale of seeds, plants, and nursery stock in New Hampshire. It establishes a three-tier penalty system for "habitual offenders": a six-month sales ban at the violation location for a second offense, a one-year ban for a third offense, and permanent prohibition for a fourth violation. The Department of Agriculture will define "habitual violation" through rules, and penalties apply specifically to the business location where violations occur. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting sellers of agricultural products who face repeated enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryHB 1192 exempts properly collected household pharmaceutical wastes (like unused medications) from being classified as hazardous waste under New Hampshire law. This change directly affects households that use designated collection programs for medications, removing the need for special hazardous waste disposal. The bill amends key definitions in hazardous waste management statutes to explicitly exclude these wastes, which are collected under RSA 318-E. This simplifies disposal for residents while maintaining existing collection requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1157 requires anyone operating a physical facility to transfer 30 or more dogs, cats, ferrets, or 50 or more birds (or other common household pets) to obtain a license as a pet vendor. It directly affects commercial pet sellers or breeders handling large volumes of animals through physical locations. The key provision adds a new licensing requirement to state law, prohibiting unlicensed operation when combined animal transfers exceed these thresholds. The bill has minimal fiscal impact (under $10,000 annually) and takes effect 45 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1189 establishes a new committee to evaluate proposed major solid waste disposal facilities that accept over 100,000 tons of waste annually. The committee will assess impacts beyond current regulations - including noise, odor, economic effects, property values, tourism, and traffic - and issue a Certificate authorizing construction. It consists of seven members appointed by the governor, including environmental and business representatives, plus a local conservation expert and waste industry specialists. This process directly affects facility applicants and nearby municipalities, requiring them to be considered in the evaluation before new sites can proceed. The bill aims to ensure a more comprehensive review of community and environmental impacts for large waste facilities.