Rep. Glenn Bailey

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a binding bill) introduced by New Hampshire's legislature. It expresses support for California's hypothetical request to divide into two states, referencing California's Assembly Joint Resolution 23. The resolution has no legal effect on California's structure or the federal process for state division. It serves only as a statement of solidarity from New Hampshire's House, with no mechanism to alter California's status.

Maddy summaryHB 1304 requires that all written or oral examinations for individuals seeking guide licenses must be administered exclusively by conservation officers from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. This change directly affects people applying for guide licenses in hunting and fishing, as it replaces current exam administration procedures. The bill amends RSA 215:5 to specify that only conservation officers may conduct these examinations, removing previous options for other administrators. The provision takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1501 limits judicial immunity in New Hampshire, allowing criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits against judges and other judicial staff for misconduct. It specifically removes immunity when actions exceed judicial duties, involve criminal conduct, intentional harm, or malicious abuse of authority. The bill affects judges, clerks, and administrative staff within the judicial branch who commit such acts. It does not change immunity for routine judicial decisions but creates new pathways for accountability in clear cases of overreach. The law takes effect upon passage and may require additional legal resources for the Judicial Branch.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 would allow consenting adults to form legally binding private agreements, called "contract marriages," as an alternative to obtaining a state marriage license. These agreements would be governed solely by civil contract law, not family law, meaning they would not provide protections or processes related to divorce, child custody, or spousal support. Parties could optionally file a "Certificate of Contract Marriage" with the state for administrative purposes, but this filing would not create a public record or subject the agreement to family court. The bill explicitly states that contract marriages do not affect child welfare laws or change the existing requirement for a marriage license for couples seeking state-recognized marriage.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 creates a 12-member commission to study the economic, legal, and sociological implications if New Hampshire were to exercise its sovereign state rights (including potential independence). The commission, composed of legislative members, public appointees, and representatives from groups like the Business and Industry Association and New Hampshire Medical Society, must examine 15 specific questions - such as currency, travel, healthcare, federal benefits, and defense - over two years. It will submit an interim report by November 2026 and a final report with recommendations by November 2027 to state leaders. The bill does not create new laws but mandates this study to analyze potential impacts of state sovereignty actions.

Maddy summaryHB 1746 requires public bodies and agencies to make records from investigations funded by taxpayer money publicly accessible under New Hampshire's right-to-know law (RSA 91-A). It directly affects state and local government entities conducting such investigations. The key provision mandates disclosure of all findings, conclusions, and factual summaries, with redactions permitted only for specific privacy protections like FERPA or HIPAA, and strictly limited to what federal or state law requires. Public officials' personal privacy rights in these investigations are waived, and materials cannot be withheld entirely based on privacy exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (CACR 20) proposes to repeal Article 72-a of New Hampshire's constitution, which currently establishes the supreme and superior courts as the primary judicial bodies. If adopted, it would restore Article 4 (which gives the General Court full power to create courts) without the exception allowing the judicial structure to exist. The amendment requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election, where voters would decide whether to remove the judicial court framework and revert to the General Court's broader authority to establish courts. This change affects the constitutional foundation of New Hampshire's court system, not day-to-day court operations.

Maddy summaryHB 314 prohibits state, local, and federal government entities from using public funds to pay for lobbying activities. It directly affects government agencies, departments, and local municipalities that receive public funding, preventing them from spending taxpayer money to influence legislation or government decisions. The key provision bans the allocation of any public budget resources toward hiring lobbyists or covering lobbying-related expenses. This bill aims to restrict the use of taxpayer dollars for advocacy efforts within the legislative process.

Maddy summaryHB 200 creates a new process for local governments to exceed their legally established tax caps. It directly affects cities and towns that hit their tax limits, allowing them to raise taxes above those caps through a specific procedure. The key mechanism requires a two-thirds vote by a local governing body (like a city council) to request an override from the state, followed by a state review. This law, signed by Governor Ayotte and effective September 13, 2025, replaces previous ad-hoc approaches with a standardized state-level review process.

Maddy summaryHB 474 requires that when counting write-in votes using ballot counting devices (which display write-in votes digitally or on paper), the moderator must conduct the count in the presence of a second sworn election official. This applies to towns or cities using devices approved by the state ballot law commission. The law directly affects local election officials handling write-in votes in jurisdictions using such technology, adding a verification step to the counting process. It does not change how write-in votes are cast, only the procedure for counting them.