Rep. Peter Leishman

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 summarySB 481 directs the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services to sell the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) property in Manchester. The department must negotiate the sale (at market value or higher), consult with Manchester city officials and business agencies, and get approval from the governor and council. Proceeds from the sale must go to the state general fund if finalized by June 30, 2027, or to the Youth Development Center Settlement Fund if sold after that date. The bill also requires the department to request annual funding to maintain the property until sold, subject to legislative approval.

Maddy summarySB 500 requires certain businesses to provide restroom access to commercial drivers and drayage truck operators under specific conditions. It mandates that covered establishments (like warehouses or larger retail businesses) allow drivers access to existing restrooms when delivering goods or waiting to load cargo, without requiring businesses to build new facilities. For port and rail yard operations, terminal operators must provide sufficient restrooms with parking access for drayage truck drivers moving cargo. The bill excludes small restaurants (800 sq ft or less) with employee-only restrooms from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 establishes a new regulatory framework for towing fees on New Hampshire state highways. It authorizes the Department of Safety to set maximum allowable fees for towing services, ensuring they are reasonable based on costs and regional standards, and requires towing companies to provide clear fee notices to vehicle owners. The bill also creates an administrative appeals process allowing vehicle owners or operators to challenge fees they deem excessive, with the Department’s final decision resolving such disputes. This directly affects towing and wrecker service providers, vehicle owners, and the Department of Safety, which would oversee fee compliance and appeals.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 allows dogs to be present year-round in all New Hampshire state parks when under the owner's control. Dogs must be leashed to a maximum of 6 feet or reliably controlled through other approved methods. The bill prohibits blanket park-wide dog bans, restricting access only in specific areas like swimming zones, beaches during peak seasons, environmentally sensitive sites, or temporary events (e.g., Mount Sunapee arts festival). It takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to follow these rules without overriding them with conflicting policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1560 restores annual motor vehicle inspection requirements that were repealed in 2025. It requires most vehicles to undergo annual inspections during the owner's birth month (with specific exceptions for antique vehicles, motorcycles, and vehicles with temporary plates), and establishes a point system for tracking violations by dealers and inspection stations. The bill also creates an administrative review process for inspection stations facing sanctions exceeding 20 days. This directly affects New Hampshire vehicle owners, automobile dealers, and licensed inspection stations by reinstating prior inspection rules and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 establishes a program to manage paint consumers no longer want (postconsumer paint) by requiring paint manufacturers to create and fund a stewardship plan. The plan must detail how to collect, recycle, or responsibly dispose of unused paint, include a fee added to each paint purchase, and cover consumer education. Manufacturers must submit their approved plans to the state environmental agency within 12 months, and retailers can only sell paint if the manufacturer has an approved plan. This directly affects paint manufacturers, retailers, and voluntary collection sites that participate.

Maddy summaryHB 1580 imposes a 0.75% annual surcharge on the assessed value of residential properties not used as the owner’s primary residence (defined as living there 183+ days yearly and listing it for voter/driver’s license/tax purposes). It directly affects owners of second homes, vacation properties, or vacant residential properties (including single-family homes, condos, and mobile homes). Key exemptions include primary residences, long-term rentals (6+ months), properties under $500,000, and those qualifying for existing tax exemptions. Revenue collected must be used by municipalities to reduce property taxes or fund local services like schools and infrastructure. The bill takes effect April 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1702 removes the separate "liquor commission fund" and places all revenue from liquor sales and license fees directly into the state's general fund. This change gives the state legislature full budgeting authority over the liquor commission's finances, ending the commission's ability to retain surplus earnings. The bill also directs a portion of the commission's gross profits to the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund, with specific amounts determined by the state budget. Additionally, it allows the commissioner to transfer funds for employee benefits and operational needs, subject to approval from the fiscal committee and the governor and council. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the time required for state employees to earn permanent retirement benefits from 10 years to 5 years. It directly affects members of the state retirement system, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters, by allowing them to qualify for disability retirement or deferred benefits after just five years of service. The legislation also adjusts the age requirements for certain split-benefit retirement options for those with combined service in different employee groups. By lowering the vesting threshold, the law aims to provide earlier financial security for workers who leave their jobs due to injury or other reasons before completing a decade of employment.