Rep. Diane Kelley

Maddy summaryHB 1670 defines "organized retail crime" as acting with others to steal merchandise from stores with intent to resell or redistribute it, or knowingly receiving stolen items. It creates new criminal penalties for leaders of such operations, classifying offenses as class A felonies if stolen merchandise totals $2,500 or more (with enhanced penalties at $10,000), and requires courts to order forfeiture of property used in the crime. Key mechanisms include aggregating thefts across multiple stores and counties over 180 days to meet value thresholds, and allowing prosecutions in any county where activity occurred. The bill directly targets individuals involved in coordinated retail theft rings, while preserving existing laws like RSA 629:3 for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 1616 prohibits New Hampshire state agencies and local governments (like cities and towns) from using public funds to advertise vaccines. It bans both direct advertising by these entities and payments to contractors for vaccine promotion. The law specifically targets spending from state or local budgets on vaccine-related advertising, including through federal immunization grants. This bill does not affect vaccine access, safety, or public health programs - only the use of public funds for promotional activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1322 reestablishes a Judicial Conduct Commission to investigate complaints about judges and clerks (including court staff like clerks of court and registrars) and recommend to the legislature whether impeachment or removal actions are warranted. The commission will operate concurrently with the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s existing disciplinary authority, meaning it does not replace the court’s power to discipline judges but provides a structured process for handling complaints. Key provisions include defining "judge" and "clerk" broadly, establishing an executive director to manage operations, and ensuring recommendations align with constitutional separation of powers. This bill restores a mechanism for judicial accountability that was lost after the previous commission was repealed in 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1675 establishes a commission to investigate the New Hampshire Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (NH Coalition) for potential violations of its nonprofit status, including alleged misuse of funds, improper lobbying, and conflicts of interest. The commission will examine specific claims such as discrepancies between the coalition's financial reports and activities, undue influence on officials, and discrimination against male victims. The bill also requires that state funding for the coalition be limited solely to direct services materially benefiting survivors of sexual and domestic assault, while removing the coalition's membership on state commissions. These provisions aim to ensure accountability and align funding with the coalition's stated mission.

Maddy summaryThis bill (CACR 22) proposes a constitutional amendment to abolish the fixed annual compensation for New Hampshire legislators. It removes the current $250 per elected term for presiding officers and $200 per term for all other legislators from the state constitution. The amendment would eliminate these specific payment amounts, replacing them with a system that only provides mileage for actual attendance on legislative days (with limits on days and timing). If approved by voters in 2026, this change would take effect, ending the fixed stipends for all state legislators.

Maddy summaryHR 38 authorizes the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether there is cause to impeach a New Hampshire Supreme Court justice, following recent criminal charges against Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. The committee may subpoena witnesses and documents to gather evidence related to the justice's conduct, including past legal actions and pleas. It must report its findings and recommendations to the full House of Representatives. This resolution is a procedural step based on constitutional impeachment standards, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 534 requires campaign committees supporting constitutional amendments or local ballot questions to certify under penalty of perjury that no foreign national funded their activities or influenced decisions. It mandates that committees return foreign contributions within 10 business days and disgorge funds if violations are found, with committee leaders held personally liable. The bill also prohibits foreign nationals from directing or soliciting contributions for these campaigns. These rules apply to all committees and independent spenders involved in covered ballot measures, with records maintained for four years and certifications published online.

Maddy summaryHB 1325 changes election procedures by removing specific day restrictions for correcting voter checklists. Currently, supervisors must hold checklist correction sessions on a Saturday (6-13 days before an election) and another session the day before candidate filing begins. This bill allows supervisors to correct checklists on any day of the week, giving them greater flexibility. It directly affects town meeting and election supervisors who manage voter eligibility records. The change applies to town meetings and elections governed by New Hampshire law.

Maddy summaryHB 1515 repeals the child care grant program that provided recruitment and retention grants to New Hampshire child care employers through the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill removes the $7.5 million annual appropriation (from federal TANF funds) that was intended to support these grants, though the program was already unworkable due to federal restrictions. This change directly affects child care providers who previously could have accessed these grants. The repeal has no fiscal impact as the program could not operate under federal guidelines, and no new funding or changes to services are enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 permits public and private entities to separate individuals by biological sex in two specific situations: multi-user bathrooms/locker rooms and athletic competitions where biological males typically have physical advantages (like strength or speed). It defines "biological sex" as male or female and states that such separation does not count as discrimination under New Hampshire law. The bill makes this classification optional - entities are not required to implement it. This change modifies New Hampshire's anti-discrimination law to explicitly allow these limited sex-based classifications.