Rep. Pam Brown

Maddy summaryHB 1374 modifies the procedure for school districts withdrawing from cooperative school districts. It requires only a 3/5 supermajority of voters in the withdrawing district to approve withdrawal, replacing the prior requirement that also needed majority support from the entire cooperative district. This simplifies the process by focusing approval solely on the district seeking to leave. The bill directly affects school districts considering separation from cooperative arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 1774 requires New Hampshire to participate in a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations and creates a state list of qualifying groups. It prohibits state financial aid for college programs that don't meet federal earnings standards, defined by outcomes like job placement and wages above 150% of the federal poverty level. This affects public colleges, universities, and students enrolled in programs deemed "low-earning outcome" under federal criteria. The law aims to redirect state funding toward academic programs with stronger job prospects for graduates.

Maddy summaryHB 1817 allows students who reside in a New Hampshire school district - regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter, or home education programs - to access all curricular courses and cocurricular activities (like clubs, sports, and arts) offered by that district. It requires school boards to adopt policies ensuring these students face no stricter rules than resident students in the district. The bill specifically affects home-educated students (including those with disabilities under certain conditions), private school students, and charter school students who live within a district but are not enrolled there. It does not change where students must attend school but guarantees equal access to local programs once they reside in a district.

Maddy summaryHB 656 clarifies that local school districts in our state have the authority to accept federal grants without needing additional state approval. This bill directly affects school districts by streamlining their ability to access federal funding for educational programs. The key provision removes potential barriers, ensuring districts can independently accept eligible federal grants as permitted by federal law. The bill does not change existing grant requirements but explicitly affirms districts' authority to do so.

Maddy summaryHB 284 requires New Hampshire towns to include clear, standardized tax impact statements on all municipal budget voting items (warrant articles) that affect property taxes. Specifically, towns must add a line like "If this article passes, estimated tax impact of $X.XX per $1,000 property valuation" for each item, with multi-year impacts showing yearly estimates for up to five years. Towns must also provide a total tax impact summary on ballots if all tax-impacting items pass, phrased as "If all warrant articles with a tax impact pass, estimated tax impact of $X.XX per $1,000 property valuation." This directly affects towns (and their residents) by mandating transparent, consistent tax impact disclosures before voting. The bill is procedural, focusing on disclosure requirements, not changing tax rates or policies.