Rep. Larry Gagne

Maddy summaryHB 1753 establishes the New Hampshire First for Veterans Program and Authority to support veterans, service members, and their families across the state. The program will provide funding to address key priorities like ending veteran homelessness, matching veterans with veteran-friendly jobs, improving access to mental and physical healthcare (including suicide prevention and substance use treatment), and supporting military skills transfer and education opportunities. The New Hampshire First for Veterans Authority, governed by a 22-member board appointed by state leaders, will coordinate these efforts through public-private partnerships. This program directly affects veterans and their families by creating structured support systems for housing, employment, healthcare, and career transition.

Maddy summaryHB 1576 modernizes New Hampshire's criminal restitution system by requiring annual financial reviews of offenders to ensure payments align with their current ability to pay. It mandates automatic payment increases when offenders gain income (e.g., raises, inheritances) and retroactively applies these changes, with victims notified immediately. The bill adds enforcement tools like wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for nonpayment, plus interest and penalties for intentional avoidance. Victims must receive quarterly payment updates and written notice of any delays or enforcement actions, with restitution funds disbursed within 45 days of receipt. This directly affects offenders ordered to pay restitution, victims awaiting payments, and the Department of Corrections as the enforcement agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the size of New Hampshire's State Veterans Council from 4 to 5 members. The council will now consist of 4 veterans (as defined by state law) and 1 family member of a veteran or currently serving military member, all appointed by the governor. Council members must meet at least twice yearly to provide guidance on veterans' programs, make recommendations for improvements, and oversee the "New Hampshire first for veterans" initiative. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and align with the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services' organizational structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 designates all donations and bequests received by New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services as non-lapsing funds. This means these funds will automatically carry over year-to-year without expiring, rather than requiring annual reappropriation. The bill directly affects the department’s ability to manage and use donor contributions for military/veteran programs without needing new budget approvals each year. It clarifies existing law (RSA 110-B:1, III) to ensure continuous funding for veteran support initiatives. The bill was requested by the department itself and will take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 27) urges New Hampshire's U.S. congressional representatives to seek a new investigation into the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy ship attacked by Israeli forces in international waters during the Six-Day War. It specifically requests an investigation into four areas: whether survivors were pressured to stay silent about the attack, the prolonged duration of the attack (42-60 minutes), whether the ship was clearly marked with U.S. identification, and the declassification of all related government documents. The resolution does not create new law but is a symbolic request for transparency and accountability regarding an incident that killed 34 U.S. personnel. It is addressed to New Hampshire's congressional delegation and reflects the New Hampshire House's position on this historical event.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for conducting election recounts and audits in New Hampshire. It requires the Secretary of State to publish all recount and audit procedures and timelines before any such process begins. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State must review all election materials certified by local officials before announcing recount results or declaring a candidate elected. These changes aim to increase transparency and clarify the steps taken during the recount process.