Rep. Mary Hakken-Phillips

Maddy summaryHB 1787 modifies New Hampshire's statewide education property tax system by requiring all tax revenues to be collected by local officials and deposited directly into the state education trust fund, rather than being handled by municipalities. It updates the low- and moderate-income homeowners property tax relief program and establishes a committee to study this program's effectiveness. The bill also mandates that tax bills include clear information about available relief programs, including the low-income homeowner program. These changes affect homeowners (particularly those eligible for tax relief) and ensure education funding flows through a centralized state trust fund for grants and tax relief payments. The tax rate is set to generate $378 million annually, increasing by 2% each year.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 requires New Hampshire legislative committees to preserve all written public comments received on bills - including those submitted via in-person hearings, written submissions, and the state's remote sign-in system - and to create reports explaining how these comments influenced their recommendations. Committees must detail in these reports why specific arguments from public comments were or were not considered when forming their bill recommendations. The reports, overseen by committee leadership, must be submitted to the legislative clerk and retained in the bill’s permanent record, with exclusions allowed for duplicate, out-of-state, lobbyist-submitted, or erroneous comments. This bill increases transparency in how public input shapes legislative decisions without altering policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 changes how video lottery terminal (VLT) revenue is distributed after covering administrative costs. It shifts the allocation from the current 75% to the General Fund and 25% to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to 100% to the ETF. This directly affects public schools by increasing funding through the Education Trust Fund, which supports public school aid. The bill modifies RSA 287-J:6 to require all remaining VLT revenue (after costs) to flow entirely to the ETF, eliminating General Fund deposits. The fiscal note confirms this would decrease General Fund revenue (e.g., ~$45M in FY2026) while increasing ETF revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 1777 restricts New Hampshire's Enhanced 911 (E911) system fund to only direct 911 operations, including call delivery, dispatch, and related technology. It prohibits using the fund for commercial wireless infrastructure, unrelated public safety costs, or administrative overhead not tied to 911 services. The bill requires separate accounting for the fund, mandates repayment of misused funds within one year, and adds penalties for agencies that divert funds. Citizens can file complaints about misuse, which may lead to civil action if unresolved after 90 days.

Maddy summaryHB 1103 expands tax relief credits for municipalities by allowing them to apply community revitalization tax credits to more property types. Specifically, it enables tax credits for converting existing office, commercial, or industrial buildings to residential use, and for new residential construction meeting affordability standards. Properties must be located in designated housing opportunity or residential conversion zones, with tax relief lasting up to 11 years if workforce housing is created. This directly affects property owners and municipalities seeking to incentivize housing development in targeted areas. The bill amends New Hampshire’s tax code to broaden eligibility beyond current standards, effective April 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 545 removes the asset limit (resource test) for New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Program, allowing seniors previously denied due to savings or assets to qualify. It also seeks federal approval to extend the low-income Medicare Part D subsidy, helping residents cover prescription drug costs. The bill directly affects approximately 2,033 additional seniors who were previously ineligible under the asset rule. This change would make program eligibility solely based on income, not savings or assets, with estimated annual state costs of $2.3 million from general funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1296 raises the income and asset thresholds for New Hampshire's elderly property tax exemption, directly affecting residents aged 65+ who own their homes. It increases the maximum allowable annual income for single seniors from $13,400 to $23,300 (and for married couples from $20,400 to $35,500), while raising the asset limit from $35,000 to $60,900. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these thresholds based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, starting in 2026. Municipalities must apply these updated minimums automatically, though they may set higher limits if desired.

Maddy summaryHB 1504 prohibits retailers from raising prices unreasonably on necessary goods and services (like food, medicine, or utilities) during declared emergencies or abnormal market disruptions. It defines "unreasonably excessive" pricing as exceeding average pre-emergency prices or not reflecting legitimate cost increases. The law allows government prosecutors to sue violators on behalf of the state and applies to all sellers in the distribution chain. The prohibition lasts 45 days after the emergency declaration unless extended by the governor. It directly affects retailers selling essential items during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) honoring Melissa A. Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker who served from 2004 to 2025. It formally recognizes her legacy of public service, leadership, and advocacy for issues like healthcare and criminal justice reform, following her tragic assassination in June 2025. The resolution expresses New Hampshire's condolences to her family and affirms support for peaceful political discourse. It has no direct impact on laws, funding, or constituents, as it is solely a statement of respect.

Maddy summaryHB 1411 requires New Hampshire's state treasurer to withhold payments owed to the federal government if the state loses federal aid due to a presidential executive order or the federal government violates a court order requiring aid release. The bill mandates the treasurer to calculate the lost aid amount, withhold corresponding state payments (up to that amount), and hold them in escrow until the federal aid is restored. This directly affects the state treasurer's payment obligations to the federal government and applies only when federal aid is unlawfully withheld. The bill does not create new programs or costs, as confirmed by its fiscal note showing $0 impact. It aims to safeguard state resources by linking withheld state payments to restored federal aid.