Rep. Matt Wilhelm

Maddy summaryHB 197 would require the state to pay a portion of retirement system contributions for local government employers (such as cities, counties, and school districts). This directly affects political subdivisions that administer retirement systems for their employees. The bill's key provision is shifting a share of these employer contribution costs from local entities to the state treasury. This would reduce financial burdens on local governments managing retirement plans. The bill is currently stalled in committee after a majority committee report deemed it "inexpedient to legislate."

Maddy summaryHB 519 allocates state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) specifically to support the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter, directly benefiting homeless or at-risk youth in need of housing and services. The bill also adds a new provision prohibiting DHHS from entering contracts with any hospital found violating the Patients' Bill of Rights (RSA 151:21). This means DHHS must ensure hospitals it partners with fully comply with patient rights protections before approving contracts. The measure combines direct funding for youth shelter services with a safeguard to uphold healthcare consumer rights.

Maddy summaryHB 477 would establish a commission to study current safety and security procedures at the New Hampshire State House, directly affecting state house staff and visitors. The commission would examine existing protocols and recommend improvements to safety measures. However, the committee voted 11-0 on October 8, 2025, to report the bill as "inexpedient to legislate," effectively halting its progress. The bill remains inactive and has not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends workers' compensation rules to define a "tobacco free lifestyle" for eligibility purposes. Specifically, it states a person lives tobacco-free if they haven't used tobacco or vaping products (including cigarettes, cigars, or snuff) more than four times weekly in the past six months, excluding religious or ceremonial use. The bill does not address cancer treatment or firefighters directly; it sets a standard for tobacco use that would affect any workers' compensation claim under this section. The title referencing "firefighters with cancer" appears inconsistent with the actual bill text, which focuses solely on tobacco use definitions. Recent actions show committee support but no direct link to cancer-related provisions was found in the bill language.

Maddy summarySB 148 prevents individuals convicted of murder from inheriting money, property, or life insurance benefits from their victim. If convicted, the murderer automatically loses all inheritance rights, and any will, trust, or life insurance beneficiary designation naming them is canceled. The law also severs joint property ownership with the victim, converting it into equal ownership without survivorship rights. This applies to both criminal convictions and civil court findings of murder, ensuring victims' estates pass to other heirs as if the murderer predeceased them. The bill, now law in New Hampshire effective July 15, 2025, directly affects convicted murderers named in a victim’s estate plans.

Maddy summaryHB 50 prohibits educators in New Hampshire public schools from intentionally teaching discrimination targeting specific racial groups, including white people, Black people, or Hispanic/Latino people. It defines "educator" to include certified teachers, administrators, and specialists, and states that violating this rule constitutes a breach of the educator code of conduct, potentially leading to disciplinary action by the state board of education. The bill allows affected individuals or the attorney general to file civil lawsuits against schools or districts for violations, seeking remedies in court or through the human rights commission. It explicitly states that discrimination cannot be justified by special considerations for any racial group and aims to equally protect all citizens from discrimination based on race.

Maddy summaryHB 363 establishes six specific criteria that New Hampshire legislators must follow when redrawing state legislative districts. The bill requires districts to comply with federal and state constitutions, be based on total population, maintain geographic integrity of communities, and consider "communities of interest" (like shared cultural or economic ties) without favoring political parties or racial groups. It explicitly prohibits plans that intentionally favor or disfavor any political party, incumbent, or racial/ethnic group. This bill directly affects how New Hampshire's state senate and house districts are drawn, ensuring the process prioritizes fairness and legal compliance over partisan or demographic manipulation.