Rep. Joe Alexander

Maddy summaryHB 1176 removes New Hampshire's requirement for vehicles to display a front license plate, affecting all registered vehicles in the state. The bill amends RSA 261:75, II to eliminate the language requiring plates to be displayed "on the rear of the vehicle" (previously mandating both front and rear plates). This change directly impacts approximately 194,000 vehicles registered annually with new plate types, reducing state revenue by about $776,000 and expenditures by $679,000 yearly based on current plate production costs. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire resolution requests Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose term limits for members of both the House of Representatives and Senate. It specifically aims to establish a limit on the number of terms a person may serve in either chamber. The resolution is part of a state-level effort to gather support from two-thirds of states, as required by the Constitution, to trigger such a convention. It does not create term limits itself but seeks to initiate the process for proposing them through a constitutional amendment.

Maddy summarySB 431 amends New Hampshire law to require that a public school teacher must have intentionally or knowingly taught discriminatory content for it to violate the prohibition on teaching discrimination. This change adds a mental state requirement, meaning accidental or unintentional teaching of discriminatory material would not be considered a violation. The bill applies to all public schools in New Hampshire and directly affects teachers and students by clarifying when the prohibition triggers. The key mechanism is modifying the existing law to specify that the teaching must be done with intent or knowledge of its discriminatory nature.

Maddy summaryHB 1336 allows landlords to charge a security deposit of up to two months' rent for rental applicants who don't meet standard approval criteria (like low credit scores under 650, insufficient income below 3x rent, eviction history, unpaid judgments, or no rental history). It directly affects landlords setting rental terms and tenants who may be denied standard housing due to these factors. Key provisions require landlords to disclose unmet criteria upfront, provide written notice of the higher deposit reason, and allow tenants to request a re-screening at their expense once every six months to potentially remove the extra deposit. The bill clarifies that landlords aren't forced to accept higher deposits or approve applicants who still don't meet standards, and it has no estimated state or local cost impact.

Maddy summaryHB 340 prohibits public employees in New Hampshire from campaigning or influencing elections while performing their official duties or using government resources like phones, computers, or vehicles. It defines "electioneering" broadly to include distributing campaign materials, making political statements, or organizing political events during work hours. The bill includes specific exemptions, such as neutral voter registration drives, sharing factual election information (e.g., dates/locations), and displaying campaign materials at public events without favoring any candidate. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, and the law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1523 requires condominium associations in New Hampshire to maintain specific records, including financial statements, meeting minutes, board member lists, and architectural approval records. Associations must make these records available for inspection by owners upon 5 days' written notice during business hours, with a reasonable fee capped at government record-copying rates. Certain sensitive materials - like attorney communications, ongoing litigation details, or personnel records - are exempt from disclosure. This bill directly affects condominium associations and their owners by increasing transparency in financial and operational decisions.

Maddy summarySB 564 prohibits municipalities from restricting maximum road length (as long as state fire code standards are met) or imposing numerical limits on housing lots in dead-end streets. It also requires municipalities to allow utilities (like septic systems and power lines) in designated open space or buffer areas of subdivisions, excluding wetlands and protected shoreland. The bill directly affects local governments and developers by removing specific development barriers that increase housing costs. It does not override fire code, environmental protections under RSA 482-A or RSA 483-B, or municipal authority to enforce health/safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 allows disabled individuals with specific physical conditions - such as paraplegia, loss of both lower extremities, or other disabilities approved by the executive director - to hunt from motor vehicles with a special permit. To qualify, hunters must hold a current hunting license, apply for the permit (with a $10 fee), and carry it while hunting. The permit permits hunting from motor vehicles, including off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and terrain vehicles, but prohibits carrying loaded firearms while the vehicle is moving. This change modifies existing hunting regulations to accommodate certain disabled hunters under strict safety and licensing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 619 establishes a 14-day deadline for courts to hold status hearings after animals are confiscated due to alleged cruelty, prioritizing these cases on court calendars. It requires courts to limit hearings to whether the confiscation was authorized, allows bonds up to $1,000 per animal (or equitable transfer if co-owned), and prohibits using hearing outcomes in related criminal cases. The bill directly affects animal owners, courts, and animal control agencies by creating faster resolution pathways while ensuring animal welfare considerations. The fiscal impact is minimal, costing less than $10,000 annually for the Judicial Branch through 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1709 requires residential rental applicants in New Hampshire to disclose in writing if they are not U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States. Applicants can prove lawful presence using specific documents like a New Hampshire driver's license, tribal ID, or federal identification, and landlords cannot independently verify immigration status. Violating this disclosure requirement is classified as a class B felony. The bill directly affects renters applying for housing and landlords managing residential properties in New Hampshire.