Rep. Donald McFarlane

Maddy summaryHB 1046 modifies New Hampshire law to allow a person to carry a loaded firearm on a snowmobile operated on private property when the operator has the landowner's permission (express or implied). It specifically excludes public trails, corridors, or rights-of-way. The bill maintains existing definitions for "unloaded" firearms but removes the prior prohibition on carrying loaded firearms on snowmobiles in permitted private settings. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1565 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally file false reports of child abuse or neglect with New Hampshire's Division for Children, Youth, and Families. It directly affects individuals who submit false reports (subject to criminal penalties) and people harmed by such reports (who can sue for civil damages). The bill clarifies that reports may include the reporter's name and creates a legal pathway for victims to seek monetary compensation through civil court. This changes existing law by adding specific criminal penalties for false reports and establishing a private right to sue, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1279 modifies New Hampshire's self-defense law to clarify when physical force can be used against someone committing a felony. It specifies that force is justified if a person reasonably believes another is "likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony" against them or a third person within their vehicle, dwelling, or immediate property (curtilage). The bill expands the legal standard by focusing on the likelihood of a felony occurring, not just an immediate threat. This change directly affects individuals defending themselves or others in their home, car, or nearby property during potential felony crimes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1365 limits the information that New Hampshire license applications for carrying a loaded pistol or revolver can request. The bill requires that application forms only collect details included in the state's December 2009 form (DSSP 85), banning questions about employment, employer address, personal references, or consent to disclose medical, psychiatric, or other personal records beyond that standard. This affects all applicants seeking such licenses and the cities/towns processing applications, ensuring forms don’t demand unnecessary disclosures. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and aims to restrict data collection to what was legally required in 2009.

Maddy summaryHB 1115 adds a clear legal definition to New Hampshire state law: "citizen of New Hampshire" means a U.S. citizen who lives in New Hampshire. This definition will apply consistently across all state statutes where the term is used. The bill does not change voting rights, residency requirements, or other policies - it only standardizes the meaning of the term for legal clarity. The definition takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1549 clarifies that New Hampshire vehicle owners only need to provide titles, bills of sale, or identification documents at initial registration or when ownership changes - not for annual registration renewals. The bill explicitly states that a current registration certificate is sufficient for renewals, removing ambiguity about recurring document requirements. It also allows town/city clerks to accept personal recognizance as identification and specifies required details for bills of sale during transfers. This change affects all New Hampshire vehicle owners who renew registrations annually, aligning statutory language with current practice to reduce confusion for residents and clerks.

Maddy summaryHB 1388 requires that each constitutional amendment appear as a single ballot question, preventing voters from casting a single vote on multiple amendments. The bill mandates specific wording above amendment questions (e.g., "Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments Proposed by the Legislature") and requires the ballot to include the full text of the proposed amendment and the vote history on the amendment’s passage. This applies to all ballots containing constitutional amendment questions in New Hampshire. The law takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1003 prohibits Grafton County Attorney from engaging in private legal practice for compensation, except when providing free legal services to family members without conflicts of interest. The bill adds a new section (7:34-h) to New Hampshire law, explicitly banning the county attorney from accepting fees for private legal work beyond their official salary. This directly affects the Grafton County Attorney position, requiring them to focus solely on public duties without outside legal engagements. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 requires New Hampshire's Secretary of State to create and distribute clear notices about proposed constitutional amendments. The bill mandates that town and city clerks prominently display these notices (including specific header wording and vote dates) for at least 60 days before a statewide vote, and the Secretary of State must maintain a dedicated webpage with the same information. This directly affects voters who need to understand amendment proposals before voting, as well as local clerks responsible for posting the notices. The key mechanism is standardizing and centralizing information about constitutional amendments to improve voter access to details. The bill focuses on procedural transparency without changing amendment content or voting rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 prohibits vaccination clinics from operating at public elementary or secondary schools during school hours and requires a parent or legal guardian to be present with their child during any vaccination administered at such a clinic. The bill directly affects students receiving school-based vaccines, parents/guardians, and school staff coordinating these clinics. Key provisions include banning school-hour clinics and mandating parental accompaniment for immunizations, while exempting school nurses' existing duties under RSA 200:38. This policy change modifies how school vaccination events are scheduled and administered, without altering vaccine requirements or eligibility.