Rep. Peter Petrigno

Maddy summaryHB 1063 reduces the percentage of meals and rooms tax that businesses (like restaurants and hotels) can retain from 3% to 1.5% for returns filed electronically and received on time by the Department of Revenue Administration. This change directly affects operators who collect these taxes, shifting revenue from their retained portion to state funds. The bill amends RSA 78-A:7, III and takes effect July 1, 2026. Based on FY 2025 data, this would increase state revenue by approximately $6.4 million annually, primarily benefiting the General Fund.

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 summaryHB 1234 prohibits individuals from holding or filing for multiple incompatible school district offices simultaneously. It specifically bars school board members from also serving as district moderator, treasurer, auditor, or elected school budget committee member. The bill also prevents salaried employees (including teachers, administrators, custodians, and bus drivers) from serving on school boards. Additionally, it requires candidates to avoid filing for any office incompatible with their current position or other elected roles. This applies to all New Hampshire school district elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1260 allows couples to complete their marriage application worksheet (including personal details like names, birthplaces, and social security numbers) in advance, either online or offline, before their wedding. It requires both the bride and groom to sign this form in person at their town or city clerk's office. The bill also adds a $25 fee for filing a delayed marriage certificate (used when couples don’t receive their certificate immediately after the wedding), payable to the local clerk. This affects prospective married couples and town/city clerks handling marriage registrations. The changes aim to streamline the registration process while adding a small fee for delayed filings.

Maddy summaryHB 1274 increases the base annual dog license fee by $0.25 for most dogs in New Hampshire. The new fee is $4.75 for neutered or spayed dogs 7 months or older and $7.25 for unneutered dogs 7 months or older, while puppies (4-7 months) rise to $4.75. Seniors aged 65 or older will pay $2.00 for their first dog (instead of the previous $1.75 base fee plus $1.75 population fee) and are exempt from the $1.75 population control fee for that dog. All other dog owners, including seniors with additional dogs, must pay the increased base fee plus the $1.75 population control fee.

Maddy summaryHB 1190 allows New Hampshire's Division of Motor Vehicles to issue temporary traditional driver's licenses to young drivers (ages 18-20) whose current youth operator licenses expire within 30 days of turning 21. The temporary license is valid for driving only until the driver's 21st birthday, and remains valid for up to 60 days after the expiration of their youth license. Drivers can use a website renewal receipt with their existing license as temporary proof of valid registration during this transition period. This change applies specifically to youth operators transitioning to full driver's licenses upon reaching age 21, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1019 would increase the New Hampshire Water Well Board from seven to eight members by adding a public member with demonstrated knowledge of water resources management. The board currently includes the commissioner of environmental services, state geologist, two water well contractors, and other professionals; the new member would be appointed by the governor following the same process as existing board members. This change does not alter the board’s duties but expands its composition to include a dedicated public representative. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1014 exempts certain retired members of New Hampshire's retirement system from a 28-day waiting period before taking part-time jobs. It specifically applies to retirees working in emergency services (like during declared emergencies or woodland fire control) and those who were already employed part-time with a different employer at the time of retirement. The bill modifies retirement law (RSA 100-A:7-b) to remove the waiting period for these scenarios while maintaining annual hour limits for part-time work. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1303 authorizes New Hampshire municipalities to adopt local zoning rules for protecting, managing, or replacing tree canopy. These rules could require developers to retain existing trees during construction, plant new trees when trees are removed, or set long-term goals for tree coverage in community planning. The bill gives municipalities the option to implement such rules but does not require them to do so. This policy change directly affects development projects and land use decisions in towns or cities that choose to adopt these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1779 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to consider a child's cultural background during foster care placements and develop resources to support their cultural heritage. The bill mandates foster parents to complete cultural sensitivity training covering language, traditions, and community connections, and assigns a cultural advocate to each foster child within 30 days to help integrate cultural practices and link to community resources. It also establishes a dedicated "Cultural Foster Care Fund" for implementation costs and requires the department to publish timelines and progress reports on partnerships with cultural organizations. This directly affects children in foster care, foster families, and the state's child welfare system.