CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire House of Representatives must make final decisions on any pieces of legislation it has written this year by the end of April 4, the day when all House-originated bills must head to the Senate, where that chamber will take action on bills recommended by the House.
With that deadline approaching, the House must act on 77 bills on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23 that were too controversial to be placed on the consent calendar and haven’t already been voted upon by the entire House.
This is a live blog of those decisions, with details to each bill being updated as information becomes available.
Special Orders
HB 189 was taken first by special order due to the family members of Private First Class Nicholas Cournoyer. being in the audience.
HB 96 was requested to be taken up next by John Potucek (R-Derry) as he had many people asking him when this bill would be taken up so they could watch.
Jess Edwards (R-Auburn) asked to take up HB 49 as the first item of business on Thursday due to individuals who will be at the house first thing on Thursday morning. The motion received a 226-153 vote, not reaching the 3/5ths needed to pass.
Just before 3 p.m., Edwards came up again to move HB 49 to tomorrow morning at the beginning of business, stating he believed it could get bipartisan support at that time. It passed with a 291-87 vote.
Children and Family Law
HB 10
This bill has become known as the “Parental Bill of Rights.” Opponents see it as government overreach in the role of schools in helping students with difficult emotional decisions. Supporters see the bill as a way to ensure parents are made aware of difficulties their children may face in schools. While it was not passed, it was tabled by one vote.
HB 548
This bill addresses potential payment errors with child support. It was found as inexpedient to legislate
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
HB 584
This bill addresses the Uniform Commercial Code regarding cryptocurrencies.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
HB 135
This bill addresses no-knock warrants.
HB 351
This bill addresses the storage of firearms and usage of firearms by children.
HB 397
This bill addresses the usage of syringes by minors.
Education
CACR 7
This resolution would modify the New Hampshire Constitution to address money raised by taxation and religious educational institutions.
Supporters
There was no recommendation in committee. Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro) said in the report recommending that the resolution ought to pass that Part 2, Article 83 of the New Hampshire Constitution banning public funding going to religious schools came as part of an anti-Catholic initiative during the 19th Century.
He added that there have been several U.S. Supreme Court rulings indicating that if a state provides funds to private schools, it must also provide funds to religious schools.
Cordelli echoed these statements on the floor.
Katy Peternell (R-Wolfeboro) also echoed these sentiments.
Opponents
Mel Myler (D-Concord) stated that throughout the state’s history, it has opposed tax dollars being devoted to any particular religious sect or denomination.
He added that allocating funds to private and/or religious schools without extenuating circumstances would also complicate the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education to every child in the state.
On the floor, he echoed these statements on the floor.
David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) echoed these sentiments.
Votes
An ought-to-pass vote did not receive the needed 3/5ths, receiving a 192-191.
HB 61
This bill repeals the “banned concept” laws.
Supporters
This bill left committee without recommendation. Mel Myler (D-Concord) wrote the committee report recommending that the bill ought to pass.
Myler said in his report that the laws referenced in the bill are vague regarding certain limitations on what teachers can teach, creating a chilling effect in the classroom. He added that the majority of New Hampshire residents to not support initiatives designed to stifle intellectual inquiry, respectful debate or dismiss the lessons of the past.
Opponents
Arlene Quaratiello (R-Atkinson) said in her report stating that the bill is inexpedient to legislate that the laws this bill seeks to repeal prohibit anyone from teaching any group of people is inherently superior or inferior based on a variety of characteristics.
She said that many people upset with this law could not identify what was so objectionable about the bill and that laws cannot be repealed because people are afraid of breaking them.
Votes
A motion to table this bill passed on a voice vote.
HB 204
This bill addresses non-academic surveys in schools.
Supporters
Mike Belcher (R-Wakefield) said that prohibiting non-academic survey prevent educational institutions from becoming mental health institutions, and it is inappropriate to incorporate data mining and other techniques in efforts designed to assist students, fearing that doing so can shift students into ideological concepts that may not be supported by their parents.
Opponents
Stephen Woodcock (D-Conway) said in his inexpedient to legislate report that these surveys are vital to helping schools create programs that meet the emotional needs of students and that these programs have been in place for many years with support from parents.
Vote
A motion to table was passed 320-164.
HB 275
HB 275 allows parents in school districts without schools in certain grades to choose schools.
Supporters
Rick Ladd (R-Haverhill), writing the committee report recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment, noted that this will allow school boards to negotiate with multiple out-of-district schools and parents can attend those schools if they pay a certain tuition rate, provided that there is at least one free option for parents.
Ladd elaborated on these comments, saying that the bill helped give parents choices, and it’s common in other states. He also said it clarifies statute.
Opponents
Linda Tanner (D-Georges Mills) noted that the “free school” negotiated rate sets a cap and the tuition is above that rate for any other schools other than the “free school,” which parents cannot negotiate and may not be able to afford tuition for, even though that is the school they want to send their child to.
Tanner elaborated on these thoughts on the floor, stating that this placed pressure on school districts.
Linda Balboni (D-Rye) said this would hurt poorer families and would allow school boards to lowball the amount that they will provide in free tuition for parents.
Votes
An amendment was approved 212-158. A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass as amended 201-181.
HB 331
HB 331 removes income thresholds for the educational freedom account (EFA) program.
Supporters
There was no recommendation from the committee, with Alicia Lekas (R-Hudson) writing the statement in supporting that the bill ought to pass.
She said that EFA students should be seen as equal to students going to traditional public schools and that some children not eligible for EFAs still need to go to a different school other than the one they are geographically entitled to.
J.R. Hoell (R-Dunbarton) opposed a motion to table to bill, saying that this was important.
Opponents
In a statement recommending that the bill be found inexpedient to legislate, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) noted that this bill would put undue stress on taxpayers and the EFA program was designed to help families that want to send their children to another school but could not afford to do so.
Currently, the threshold is 300 percent of the federal poverty guideline ($90,000 for a family of four.)
While the bill’s fiscal note stated that the cost is indeterminable, he estimated the cost at $75 million per year.
Rick Ladd (R-Haverhill) said that it was too late to act on this bill given Finance Committee deadlines.
Votes
A vote to table this bill passed 277-103.
HB 331
HB 331 removes income thresholds for the educational freedom account (EFA) program.
Supporters
There was no recommendation from the committee, with Alicia Lekas (R-Hudson) writing the statement in supporting that the bill ought to pass.
She said that EFA students should be seen as equal to students going to traditional public schools and that some children not eligible for EFAs still need to go to a different school other than the one they are geographically entitled to.
Opponents
In a statement recommending that the bill be found inexpedient to legislate, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) noted that this bill would put undue stress on taxpayers and the EFA program was designed to help families that want to send their children to another school but could not afford to do so.
Currently, the threshold is 300 percent of the federal poverty guideline ($90,000 for a family of four.)
While the bill’s fiscal note stated that the cost is indeterminable, he estimated the cost at $75 million per year.
Votes
This bill was tabled by a voice vote.
HB 552
HB 552 discusses incentive grants for school districts that improve in certain assessment scores.
Support
Like most education committee bills, this one left without a recommendation. Alicia Lekas (R-Hudson) wrote the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment. This bill would give the New Hampshire Department of Education $500,000 overall to provide to schools that improve on mathematics test scores in statewide assessments.
She said it is meant to recognize growth and incentivize the entire school community to try new ways to improve math proficiency.
Opposition
Writing that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Arthur Ellison (D-Concord) said that the bill would not necessarily help schools that need it the most. Ellison also questioned whether the grant caps, $25,000 per school and $50,000 per school district, would be enough to have a significant impact on math testing scores in future years.
Votes
This bill was tabled by voice vote.
HB 427
HB 427 addresses public comment and inquiry during school board meetings.
Supporters
There was no recommendation from the committee. In the report recommending that the bill ought to pass with recommendation, Glenn Cordell (R-Tuftonboro) said that this bill will provide the public with more ability to express opinions and create more cooperation between the public and school boards by requiring public input before any action on an item is taken.
Dan Hynes (R-Bedford) was opposed to a tabling vote, saying that it is about free speech. It sounded like he may have called Assistant Speaker Stephen Smith (R-Charlestown) disrespectful in response to Smith not answering an earlier question he had asking about a decision the speaker made.
Opponents
In his recommendation that the bill be found inexpedient to legislate, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) noted that current law requires school boards to have a dedicated period for public comment during meetings, but this bill would allow individuals to hijack meetings meant for subcommittee work as well as putting undue strain on board by individuals seeking burdensome right-to-know requests designed to waste the board’s time.
Votes
This bill was tabled by a vote of 309-72.
HB 432
This bill requires families to annually re-certify their income to ensure eligibility in the education freedom accounts (EFA) program.
Supporters
This bill had no recommendation in committee. Writing in recommendation that the bill ought to pass, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) said that the requirement was omitted when creating the EFA program and would protect taxpayers.
Opponents
The statement recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislate was written by Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro) believe that it would be unfair to children getting used to a school they attend under an EFA only to pull them out because their family may have to pay for tuition themselves if they no longer met eligibility requirements.
Votes
This bill was tabled by a voice vote.
HB 451
This bill prohibits discrimination in school admissions.
Supporters
There was no committee recommendation on this bill. Linda Tanner (D-Georges Mills), who wrote the ought-to-pass statement, said that this bill applies to any school other than home schools and schools designed for a single gender.
She added that no child entering a school that receives taxpayer funding should face discrimination.
Opposition
In the inexpedient to legislate comment, Glenn Cordell (R-Tuftonboro) said that the expansion of current anti-discrimination rules into “education vendors” is vague and questioned why the State Board of Education should investigate schools receiving only federal funding.
He said that similar versions of this bill have been defeated since the beginning of the education freedom account program.
Vote
This bill was tabled by a voice vote
HB 515
HB 515 modifies the language in state law regarding education freedom accounts.
Supporters
There was no recommendation for this bill. In the ought-to-pass statement, Valerie McDonnell (R-Salem) said that this bill helps keep language consistent throughout state law regarding education freedom accounts.
Opposition
In the inexpedient to legislate statement, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) said that the education freedom account school voucher program lacks transparency, accountability and oversight and this bill does not change that.
He added that the language changes in this bill make it even more difficult to know when there have been fraudulent uses of taxpayer dollars.
Votes
This bill was tabled by a voice vote.
HB 516
This bill discusses freedom of speech at public colleges and universities.
Supporters
This bill left committee without recommendation. In the statement supporting that the bill ought to pass, Valerie McDonnell (R-Salem) said that this bill helps students exercise first amendment rights by eliminating specified zones for free speech rights. She added that this bill aims to prevent discrimination based on ideological differences.
Dan Hynes (R-Bedford) said that this bill is about free speech and opposed tabling it.
Opposition
In the inexpedient to legislate statement, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) said that this bill has many positive aspects that are already enacted by the state’s public colleges and universities.
However, language in the bill that provides a “right to discriminate” could violate other state and federal laws and create a divisive atmosphere and encourage hate speech.
Daniel Popovici-Muller (R-Windham) said that tabling this bill would give it a chance to receive bipartisan support by reworking it.
Votes
This bill was tabled by a vote of 306-73.
HB 538
This bill allows school districts to create scholarships for education freedom accounts at the local level.
Supporters
This bill left committee without a recommendation. In the statement supporting that the bill ought to pass, Rick Ladd (R-Haverhill) said that this bill could provide a scholarship for students not receiving other educational tax credits.
He also said the process to create these scholarships is well documented.
Tom Mannion (R-Pelham) said on the floor that this program is popular.
Opposition
In the statement recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Linda Tanner (D-Georges Mills) voiced concerns that there is no cap on funds that can be obtained through these scholarships and no income requirements. She also expressed concerns with a lack of transparency and the impact on resources to local schools.
Rick Ladd (R-Haverhill) supported a tabling motion saying it was too late to act on it now given deadlines with the Finance Committee.
Votes
A motion to table this bill passed 296-83.
HB 539
HB 539 discusses vaccination clinics at schools.
Support
There was no recommendation on this bill. In the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment, Mike Belcher (R-Wakefield) expressed concern about students being vaccinated without parental consent. He also noted concern about onerous requirements of federal mandates that could distract people involved in such clinics.
He also said that vaccination clinics could still be held outside of normal school hours.
J.R. Hoell (R-Dunbarton) disapproved with the string of tabling motions and also said there were instances where students in schools had been improperly vaccinated.
Opposition
In the inexpedient to legislate statement, Patricia Cornell (D-Manchester) said that this bill takes away local control and makes it harder for families to get their children vaccinated against diseases. She added that reducing the number of school clinics would also increase costs for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Rick Ladd (R-Haverhill) said that this bill a financial note but no data and could impact smaller towns.
Votes
A motion to table this bill passed 257-123.
HB 552
HB 552 discusses incentive grants for school districts that improve in certain assessment scores.
Support
Like most education committee bills, this one left without a recommendation. Alicia Lekas (R-Hudson) wrote the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment. This bill would give the New Hampshire Department of Education $500,000 overall to provide to schools that improve on mathematics test scores in statewide assessments.
She said it is meant to recognize growth and incentivize the entire school community to try new ways to improve math proficiency.
Opposition
Writing that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Arthur Ellison (D-Concord) said that the bill would not necessarily help schools that need it the most. Ellison also questioned whether the grant caps, $25,000 per school and $50,000 per school district, would be enough to have a significant impact on math testing scores in future years.
Votes
A motion was made to lay this bill on the table. It was passed by a voice vote.
HB 572
This bill discusses free school meal eligibility.
Support
Unlike most bills being discussed from the education committee during the March 23 and 24 House Session days, this one has a recommendation: ought to pass with amendment. In the majority report, Muriel Hall (D-Bow) said that this bill will raise the eligibility cap for free school meals from 130 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
Opposition
In the minority report, Mike Belcher (R-Wakefield) said that the federal government would not reimburse free school meals for students in families above 185 percent of the federal poverty level, meaning that New Hampshire taxpayers would be on the hook for those meals. However, those meals would still be held to federal requirements even without the federal funding.
Belcher repeated these statements on the floor.
Vote
An amendment to the bill was approved by voice vote.
A motion to pass as amended was adopted 201-177
A motion to print remarks into the permanent journal 233-143.
Later it was asked why this bill was not referred to finance, but Speaker Packard indicated that initially it did not have a fiscal note.
HB 573
This bill addresses limiting EFA accounts. It was tabled.
HB 603
HB 603 discusses service providers under the education freedom accounts (EFA) program.
Support
This bill does not have a recommendation. In the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass, Linda Tanner (D-Georges Mills) said that this bill attempts to provide accountability for the EFA program by requiring background checks for service providers within the program as well as at least one year of operation, in addition to other requirements.
Opposition
Writing for those on the education committee feeling that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Alicia Lekas (R-Hudson) said that the limitations in this bill could prevent vendors who could help children participating in the EFA program that could be helpful to those students.
Vote
This bill was laid on the table by voice vote.
HB 621
HB 621 discusses education freedom account (EFA) funds after a student leaves the program.
Support
This bill did not have a recommendation. In the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass, David Luneau (D-Hopkinton) said this bill strengthens anti-fraud provisions in the EFA program by closing it as soon as a student leaves it and enrolls in their local school. The bill also strengthens the state’s ability to investigate and prosecute suspected fraud with contractors involved in the EFA program.
Opposition
In the inexpedient to legislate statement, Glenn Cordelli (R-Wakefield) said in some cases, there might be outstanding payments that still need to be made when a student leaves the EFA program.
Vote
This bill was placed on the table by a voice vote.
HB 629
This bill establishes a student’s bill of rights. It was tabled by a voice vote.
Election Law
HB 40
HB 40 discusses domicile residency, voter registration, voter verification letters and other definitions related to these things.
Supporters
This bill had no committee recommendation. In a statement recommending that the bill ought to pass, Connie Lane (D-Concord) said that existing law creates unnecessary barriers for people seeking to exercise their right to vote. She added that the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office has never found evidence of significant voter fraud issues.
Opponents
In the statement recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Ross Berry (R-Manchester) stated that the bill rolls back safeguards in New Hampshire law, erodes the definitions of “domicile” and “resident” and could lead to voters who leave the state after they vote.
Votes
Ross Berry (R-Manchester) made a motion to table the bill and tried to explain it, but a vote was requested before he could explain. The bill was tabled by a voice vote.
HB 209
HB 209 discusses the form required to request an absentee ballot. Although there was a 20-0 vote considering the bill inexpedient to legislate, it was not placed on the consent calendar.
committee report adopted by voice vote.
HB 255
HB 255 addresses campaign contributions by limited liability companies (LLCs)
Support
The bill received a 10-9 vote recommending that it ought to pass with amendment. For the majority, Connie Lane noted that currently there is a $10,000 limit for individuals and corporations. However, there is a loophole where donors can contribute through LLCs, allowing individuals to go over their $10,000 limit. This bill requires transparency for people contributing through LLCs and puts contributions through LLCs toward the individual’s $10,000 cap.
Opposition
In the minority report recommending the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Ross Berry (R-Manchester) said that this would harm small business owners seeking to fight back against out-of-state political action committees that are not subject to the same campaign finance limitations.
Votes
Laid on the table by voice vote.
HB 316
HB 316 addresses supervisors of the checklist.
Support
Katherine Prudhomme-O’Brien wrote the report for the majority, which voted 12-7 in recommending that this bill ought to pass with amendment.
This bill requires supervisors of the checklist to meet at least once every 90 days and let the public know when these meetings will be held.
Opposition
In the minority report, Angela Brennan (D-Bow) says this bill puts forth a one-size-fits-all mandate for towns and cities even though they vary in needs. Additionally, the Secretary of State’s Office could provide training programs without the mandates in this bill and U.S. Postal Service updates coming soon would make the requirements put forth by the bill unnecessary.
Votes
Laid on the table by voice vote
HB 363
HB 363 discusses deadlines for candidates filing for state general elections through nomination papers.
Support
This bill did not have a recommendation coming out of committee. Stephen Kennedy (R-Hudson) wrote the statement recommending the bill ought to pass. He said that this bill is focused on candidates running as independents or minor political parties and those candidates currently have four deadlines. This bill couples those deadlines to the date of the general election and is intended to prevent these candidates from being forced to file a declaration of intent too early if major party primary dates are changed.
Opposition
Writing the recommendation that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Connie Lane (D-Concord) said that all candidates should have the same registration deadlines.
Votes
laid on the table by voice vote.
HB 460
HB 460 removes exceptions for proving voter identification and affidavit ballots for voters who do not show ID at the polls.
Support
There was no recommendation from committee. In the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass, Katherine Prudhomme-O’Brien (R-Derry) said that voter confidence would be strengthened by making sure qualified voters can vote. Homeless voters would be able to use the address of their shelter for the purpose of obtaining an ID.
Opposition
The statement recommending the bill was inexpedient to legislate was written by Heath Howard (D-Strafford).
He said that based on data given to the committee, if this law had been in effect in 2022, there would have been 3,000 New Hampshire voters turned away and that number may be higher in 2024.
Howard also said that as of April 2022, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office had not brought a single enforcement action for wrongful voting in 2020 despite there being more than a million votes cast that year.
He also noted that a similar bill in Kansas was struck down by courts and a comparable bill was challenged in court here in New Hampshire and cost the state $4 million in legal fees.
Mackenzie St. Germain, Campaign Director for the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights
“Realizing that the legislation was a threat to New Hampshire voters’ ability to vote in the Granite State, the members of the State House today tabled HB460. We applaud their decision.
“This bill was rejected for good reason: it proposed rolling back voting access for eligible Granite Staters and would have weakened faith in our election system. HB460 was a fundamentally flawed anti-voter bill that would have needlessly erected barriers to voting, and we thank the elected leaders from both parties who defended the fundamental right to vote and ensured this bill did not pass.
“The New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights won’t stop advocating for strong policies that improve our elections, such as updating the state’s ballot counting machines, joining ERIC, allowing voters to update their registrations and information online, and more.”
Votes
Laid on the table by voice vote.
HB 586
HB 586 addresses absentee voting.
Support
In a 10-9 vote, the committee recommended that the bill ought to pass. Speaking for the majority, Russell Muirhead (D-Hanover) said that this bill would add two justifications for requesting an absentee ballot: travelling to a polling place may endanger one’s health or safety, and a lack of convenient and affordable transportation to and from the polls.
Opposition
Speaking for the minority, Ross Berry (R-Manchester) said that the definition of “convenient” transportation was too vague as it was not specified within the bill. He also stated that this bill would violate Part 1, Article 11 of the New Hampshire Constitution and weaken the state’s election process.
Votes
laid on the table by voice vote.
With all these tables, you would think we were at @bernieandphyls
— DT Ford (@damond4nh) March 22, 2023
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Environment and Agriculture
HB 56
HB 56 addresses permits for the siting of new landfills.
Support
This bill did not receive a recommendation out of committee. In the recommendation that the bill ought to pass with amendment, Megan Murray (D-Amherst) said that the bill would protect water, people and the environment from a serious landfill leak or leachate spill while the amendment protects landfills that are already accepting waste.
Catherine Sofokitis (D-Nashua) said on the floor one of the major issues is Massachusetts is closing its landfills and sending its trash here.
Pete Bixby (D-Dover) said that landfills that could harm ground water should never be sited.
Opposition
In the statement recommending the bill is inexpedient to legislation, Judy Aron (R-Acworth) said that the bill seeks to impose “one-size-fits-all” restrictions on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, current rules have already been successful, and a single anomalous hydrological or geological data point could make the bill’s guidelines meaningless.
Jim Creighton (R-Antrim) said on the floorthat this bill would tie the hands of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Executive Departments and Administration
HB 96
(see above)
HB 127
HB 127 addresses declaring a state of emergency.
Support
In an 11-7 vote, the committee majority recommended that the bill ought to pass. Speaking for the majority, Tony Lekas (R-Hudson) said the bill can declare a state of emergency and renew it every 21 days, but after 90 days a joint session of the legislature is needed to examine an extension of the declaration.
The declaration may continue with approval of the legislature or the governor after 90 days if a quorum of the legislature cannot be assembled.
Opposition
Jaci Grote (D-Rye) said the bill does not improve current statute, which allows the legislature to end a declaration of emergency with a concurrent resolution.
Jeff Goley (D-Manchester) said that in the future, there may be a situation where the legislature may not be able to need, requiring powers that this bill seeks to overturn.
Votes
A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass was adopted,193-185.
HB 228
HB 228 repeals the commission on demographic trends.
Speaking for a 14-2 committee majority, Jaci Grote (D-Rye) believed the bill ought to pass. Grote stated that the commission was meant to serve an important function, but participation in the commission has dwindled and it has not met in the past year. It is hoped that repealing the commission will allow the legislature to reform it
Peter Schmidt (D-Dover) said that the commission is supposed to monitor things, but it is having a problem keeping a quorum.
The committee report of ought to pass was adopted 347-40.
HB 339
HB 339 prohibits the investment of any state funds in any company participating in a boycott of Israel.
Support
Speaking for the minority, Kimberly Abare (R-Pelham) said that Israel is a major U.S. trading partner and ally, believing that harming Israel’s economy would also harm the U.S. economy given the strong ties between the two nations, impacting New Hampshire as well.
Opposition
In a 15-5 committee vote, the recommendation for this bill was that it is inexpedient to legislate. Speaking for the majority, Jaci Grote (D-Rye) said that the investment strategy of the New Hampshire Retirement System should be left to the board that deals with those investments, implying that the legislature should not micromanage that board.
Vote
The bill was laid on the table by a voice vote.
HB 390
HB 390 revises the membership and structure of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs.
In a 16-3 committee vote, the recommendation on this bill was that it is inexpedient to legislate. Speaking for the majority, Jaci Grote (D-Rye) indicated that state’s indigenous community was opposed to this bill and a study committee was unlikely to address those concerns.
The bill was placed on the table by a voice vote.
HB 461
HB 461 addresses Group II retirement positions.
This bill had a 20-0 vote recommending that it ought to pass with amendment. Speaking for the committee, Matthew Simon (R-Littleton) said that the bill seeks to safeguard against cost shifting the New Hampshire Retirement System’s unfunded accrued liability from one municipality to another.
The reasoning for this bill came after high-level local government officials such as police department chiefs or school superintendents retired and then returned in a part-time capacity but got paid the same amount.
An amendment and a motion recommending the bill ought to be passed as adopted was passed by a voice vote.
HB 507
HB 507 addresses the practice of certain professions without professional licensing and certification.
Support
This bill left committee without a recommendation. Matthew Santonastaso (R-Jaffrey) spoke in recommendation that the bill ought to pass. He felt that the bill represents the voluntary interaction between two individuals and that services can be provided properly as long as there is disclosure between the provider and the client, which he feels this bill will facilitate.
He also mentioned that this bill does not eliminate the need for licensure in regulated professions.
Opposition
Jaci Grote (D-Rye) provided a report recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislature. Grote said that licensure provides recourse for the public, who would have little recourse otherwise, and that it is required for bonding and liability insurance. She added that licensure also provides continuing education that allows workers to stay up-to-date with performance standards in an industry.
Vote
A vote to lay this on the table passed 308-71
HB 532
HB 532 discusses the licensure and regulation of music therapists.
Support
This bill left committee without a recommendation. Writing in recommendation that the bill ought to pass with amendment, Jaci Grote (D-Rye) said that this bill establishes licensure for music therapists and allied health professionals and that it provides a strong collaboration between music therapists, speech pathologists and other audiologists.
Licensure would also open the possibility of insurance coverage for music therapists.
Opposition
Writing the statement recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Kimberly Abare (R-Pelham) said that the primary reason for the bill is insurance related rather than license related and should focus on insurance regulation rather than creating a new licensing procedure.
HCR 2
HCR 2 condemns vandalism and intolerance against places of worship, public spaces and the citizens of New Hampshire.
There was a 13-7 committee majority recommending that the resolution was inexpedient to legislate. Writing for the majority, Kimberly Abare (R-Pelham) said that the resolution provides nothing other than saying vandalism and intolerance is wrong and there are already stronger laws in place to punish those things.
HR 11
HR 11 addresses the concept of welcoming communities.
Support
Writing the report recommending that the resolution ought to pass, Jaci Grote (D-Rye) said that this resolution highlights practices already existing in many communities across New Hampshire welcoming immigrants and respecting the value they can bring economically and culturally.
Latha Mangipudi (D-Nashua) spoke on the floor supporting the bill.
Opposition
There was a 10-9 committee vote recommending that the resolution was inexpedient to legislate. Writing the majority opinion, Matthew Simon (R-Littleton) hopes that people in New Hampshire already have welcoming communities. However, there were concerns over the resolution designating the month of September for activities by elected officials and community officials and urging them to engage in welcoming activities. This was a concern due to the vagueness of what that entailed and that what is welcoming to some people may not be for others.
Vote
An inexpedient to legislate motion was adopted 185-177.
Finance
HB 49
HB 49 addresses postponing the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center. This was the first bill heard on Thursday after passage of a special order (see above). The next bill that was taken up after this was HB 342.
Keith Erf (R-Weare) stated in the ought to pass with amendment committee report that this bill is a backup to previous actions that extended the closing date of the Sununu Youth Services Center, with the amendment addressing the size of the facility.
The Finance Committee voted 23-2 recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment.
Jerry Stringham (D-Lincoln) said that amendment 0892h was about limiting the incarceration of children to situations where adults might be incarcerated. Edwards said that he
Jess Edwards (R-Auburn) said that 0892h made the bill unpalatable to the Senate and that action needs to be taken soon so federal aid can be obtained and said that other avenues are more useful in obtaining that goal. He later said he was shocked that people want to close the facility completely rather than replace it right now.
Marjorie Smith (D-Durham) spoke about the Sununu Youth Development Center and the importance of not putting children into prison and the impact that has on child development. She added to the impact on the budget of youth incarceration.
J.R. Hoell (R-Dunbarton) also spoke on 0892h.
Kelly Potenza (R-Rochester) said during discussion on amendment 1104h that the Sununu Youth Services Center is a stain on the state and the original bill that came out of committee should be adopted and any money bill over $10,000 should go through the House rather than the Executive Council, per the state constitution.
On 1104h, Edwards talked more about the history of addressing issues at the Sununu Youth Center and the need to transfer the facility from being a jail to being a healthcare facility. He also talked about the complicated issues that he believes have derailed efforts in moving forward on this matter.
Gabby Grossman (D-Exeter) and Sherri Gould (D-Warner) asked Edwards on this amendment.
Hoell and Bob Lynn (R-Windham) also spoke on 1104 with parliamentary inquiry.
Votes
One amendment (0892h) was adopted by voice vote. Edwards asked for reconsideration on that amendment so people could speak on it. It was adopted 200-179.
HB 50
HB 50 addresses unfunded liabilities to local government retirement system contributions.
Support
This bill left the Finance Committee with a 25-0 recommendation that it ought to pass with amendment. In the committee report, Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) said that the bill will have the state put $50 million from the state’s general fund to more aggressively pay down retirement costs for local teachers, police officers and firefighters. Due to compound interest, this investment is expected to save $105 million in retirement costs over the next two decades.
On the floor discussion on the amendment, McGuire said that 10 percent of money in the fund goes to pay down debt and said that he seeks to place it within the state budget by requesting a tabling of the bill. McGuire wanted to ask the full house regarding what policy was needed rather than retaining it in Finance.
Opposition
Michael O’Brien (D-Nashua) opposed an amendment on the floor, stating that the amendment would harm taxpayers.
Votes
The amendment was adopted 276-99. An ought to pass motion was adopted by voice vote. A motion to table after the ought to pass motion was in order as the bill had not yet received its third reading.
HB 384
HB 384 addresses the construction of a new parking garage.
The Finance Committee voted 22-3 recommending that this bill ought to pass with amendment.
Writing for the majority, Karen Ebel (D-New London), said that this bill would appropriate $25 million to raze the Department of Justice Building at 33 Capitol Street and the Storrs Street Parking Garage, with that garage having outlived its anticipated 20-year life span by over 30 years.
The Department of Justice building Is also considered unsuited for the department. Last year, $9.35 was allocated toward preliminary design of a new garage.
This bill also creates a seven-person joint legislative parking garage oversight commission.
An amendment to the bill and an ought to pass motion were both adopted by a voice vote.
HB 506
HB 506 addresses the construction of a rail trail box tunnel on Exit 4-A on I-93 in Derry.
In a 22-3 vote, the Finance Committee recommended that this bill was inexpedient to legislate. Writing the majority opinion, Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) said that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) initially wanted to build a box tunnel for the rail trail, but this changed during the design phase and the legislature did not want to second guess DOT’s recommendation and delay the revised project. He repeated this on the floor.
Stephen Pearson (R-Derry) said that this change was opposed by local elected officials and not supported by any local residents and would also harm handicapped users of the rail trail and impact users of the rail trail in nearby towns. Linda Gould (R-Bedford) echoed these statements.
An inexpedient to legislate vote was adopted 300-72.
Fish and Game and Marine Resources
HB 442
HB 442 prevents state resources from being used to enforce lobstering regulations in federal waters and establishes a scuba diver recreational lobster license.
Support
There was a 13-7 vote recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment. Writing the majority report Jonathan Smith (R-Ossipee) said that the bill focuses on “ghost lobster traps” or the approximately 10 percent of lobster traps that are lost by commercial lobstermen each year.
Lobsters get caught in these traps and then their carcasses lure other lobsters to their deaths and so on.
This bill could create a license that would allow scuba divers to find and collect these ghost traps by hand and harvest lobsters by hand, something done in many other states.
James Spillane (R-Deerfield) said that this was requested by lobstermen and that the amount of lobsters and traps can be caught are limited and that phantom traps are a serious problem that people would be more concerned about if they were not underwater.
Jonah Wheeler (D-Peterborough) echoed Spillane’s comments.
Ellen Read (D-Newmarket) challenged statements from the opposition, saying that the statutes mentioned are proper.
Spillane later released the following statement.
“I am thrilled that this legislation got the support of over ⅔ of the House. This bill allows a limited amount of divers to catch up to 3 lobsters for personal use and free countless lobsters from derelict traps. Should this legislation become law, New Hampshire would partner with our surrounding states to address the millions of abandoned traps off our shores. It is likely that two-thirds of these traps contain live animals that will certainly die,” said Spillane.
“This bill creates a partnership between divers and lobstermen that will help save hundreds of thousands of animals caught in these abandoned traps. It will clean up the ocean floor and preserve the habitat of these creatures. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this legislation becomes law.”
Opposition
Cathryn Harvey (D-Spofford) spoke for the minority believing that cleaning up ghost traps should be its own bill, as many laws and terms within the bill are either improperly quoted, don’t apply to the purpose of the fill, or are undefinable.
Jeff Goley (D-Manchester) said that this is an unfunded mandate and that there are already funds dedicated to the cleanup of lost lobster traps.
Jason Janvrin (R-Seabrook) was an original sponsor of the bill, but opposed the amendment because he felt it increased government interference in the lives of fishermen.
Votes
A motion to table the bill failed 131-245. An amendment passed 271-105. A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass as amended was adopted 276-100.
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
HB 69
HB 69 discusses direct payment at medical facilities.
Support
There was no committee recommendation on this bill. Writing that the bill ought to pass, Mark McLean (R-Manchester) stated that allowing healthcare facilities to pursue this arrangement would potentially increase the number of healthcare providers who are currently burdened under regulations that limit cost-fluctuations for patients.
Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) said that many elements of this bill have already been adopted.
Opposition
James Murphy (D-Hanover) write the recommendation stating that the bill is inexpedient to legislate. Murphy believed this bill would create a two-tiered healthcare system were poorer people would not have access to timely and quality care, forcing them to go to already burdened facilities.
Lucy Weber (D-Walpole) said that given the confusion of the bill and the impact this bill would have on New Hampshire’s hospitals
Votes
A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass was adopted 190-189. A reconsideration motion was adopted 194-185. A tabling motion was adopted 192-187.
HB 114
HB 114 allows 16 and 17 year olds to receive mental health treatment without parental consent.
Support
There was an 11-9 committee vote recommending that the bill ought to pass. Writing for the majority, Joe Schapiro (D-Keene) said that many older adolescents do not have supportive and capable parents they can share their struggles with.
This bill does not address matters of payment or prescriptions.
Opposition
Writing for the minority, Erica Layon (R-Derry) believes that the best therapy comes with the involvement and support of family.
On the floor, Leah Cushman (R-Weare) said nothing should get between parents and their children.
Votes
A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass was adopted 191-186. A reconsideration vote failed, 188-191.
HB 238
HB 238 addresses concerns with the Bureau of Developmental Services
Support
There were two competing amendments to this bill, with one of the amended versions of the bills getting an 18-2 ought to pass with amendment recommendation.
Joe Schapiro (D-Keene) said there has been considerable concern with the Developmental Services Quality Council and this bill will ensure participation for all in the council.
Opposition
The only concern from the minority, according to Leah Cushman (R-Weare), was a portion of the amended bill regarding remote participation in the council, which is not currently allowed under statute and would create a slippery slope in other areas.
Votes
An amendment was adopted by voice vote. A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass with amendment was adopted 362-13.
HB 229
HB 299 prohibits discrimination in medical care.
Support
Writing on behalf of the minority, Erica Layon (R-Salem) says that certain groups of people receive different types of care in certain medical situations, referencing a cardiac drug that is only available to people of African descent.
Opposition
This bill received a 12-8 committee vote recommending that it is inexpedient to legislate. Writing for the majority, Lucy Weber (D-Walpole) says that existing language in the Patients’ Bill of Rights already prohibits discrimination in medical care, but this bill would add duplicative and confusing language and could interfere with science-based protocols.
Votes
The bill was tabled in a voice vote.
HB 557
HB 557 discusses the Department of Health and Human Services’ rulemaking authority regarding immunization requirements.
Support
This bill left committee without a recommendation. Writing the statement recommending that it ought to pass, Jim Kofalt (R-Wilton) said that this bill will extend certain vaccination requirements until 2026, leaving the legislature time to examine whether to make those requirements permanent.
Yury Polonov (R-Hooksett) spoke in support of the bill on the floor, saying there have been issues with public health officials and confusion over COVID vaccines.
Wayne McDonald (R-Londonderry) talked about the importance of oversight from the legislature.
Lisa Mazur (R-Goffstown) echoed these comments.
Opposition
Writing to recommend that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, James Murphy (D-Hanover) says that this bill takes away the Health and Human Services Commissioner’s flexibility regarding real-time decision making regarding public threats.
Murphy also noted that vaccine requirements are rare, done with various stake holders working with the commissioner and lawmakers and there is no plan to add a school-based COVID vaccine requirement.
Murphy built upon these comments on the floor.
Votes
An ought to pass motion was not adopted, 184-193. An inexpedient to legislate motion was adopted 194-185.
HB 575
HB 575 discusses vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased, promoted and distributed by the state or local governments.
Support
In an 11-9 vote, the committee recommended that this bill was inexpedient to legislate. Speaking for the majority, James Murphy (D-Hanover) stated that this bill could lead to higher costs for childhood vaccines and other treatments if the state were no longer allowed to purchase them.
There were also concerns over support for those living in congregate living facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities and other state-run facilities.
Opposition
Writing for the minority of the committee, Jim Kofalt (R-Wilton) said that this bill focuses on vaccines and other pharmaceutical products that have not been subjected to voluntary human clinical trials.
Jonah Wheeler (D-Peterborough) said that the pharmaceutical industry has acted in unethical ways and that people could still get their drugs, but the state should not given their lack of testing prior to releasing products.
Vote
A inexpedient to legislate motion was adopted 192-186. A reconsideration motion was adopted 185-194.
HB 582
HB 582 requires the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records to collect induced termination of pregnancy statistics.
Support
This bill had an 11-9 committee vote recommending that it is inexpedient to legislate. Writing for the majority, Lucy Weber (D-Walpole) says that this bill requires healthcare providers to obtain 15 deeply personal categories of information and identify individuals related to that information, violating Part 1, Article 2-b of the New Hampshire Constitution.
She added that much of the information has no bearing on the care provided.
When asked by Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro) how many states do this, Weber said that it’s often noted that this is New Hampshire and we do things the New Hampshire way.
Opposition
Writing for the minority, Leah Cushman said that this bill would have New Hampshire join 47 other states regarding data on the termination of pregnancies.
She added that this data could help inform public policy and examine what trends drive abortion rates, adding that increasing abortion rates are an indication of an unhealthy society.
Votes
An inexpedient to legislate motion was adopted 205-177. A motion to put the remarks was accepted.
HB 615
HB 615 requires independent audits of reproductive healthcare facilities
Support
Writing for the minority, Erica Layon (R-Derry) said that there was a concern by the Executive Council that audits currently offered to provide fiscal separation between abortion and non-abortion services at these facilities are inadequate.
Opposition
In a 13-7 vote, the committee recommended that this bill was inexpedient to legislate. Writing for the majority, Joe Schapiro (D-Keene) said the majority believed that this audit requirement showing that facilities are not using state funds for the sake of abortions was duplicative, onerous and ineffective.
Vote
The bill was tabled 354-29.
Judiciary
CACR 2
CACR 2 would ask voters in November 2024 whether there should be a constitutional amendment relating to reproductive freedom.
Support
The resolution left committee without a recommendation. Writing in recommendation that the resolution ought to pass, Eric Turer (D-Brentwood) noted the recent U.S. Supreme Court case overturning Roe v. Wade, sending the matter of abortion rights back to states.
He said that it should be citizens that decide whether they or the legislature has the power to make decisions on this matter. The resolution would change the state constitution to respect an individual’s right to reproductive rights shall not be infringed unless justified by a compelling state interest.
Turer echoed these comments on the floor, saying that it was not opposed to pregnancies, but rather aimed at helping people have children or not have children if they wish.
Judi Lanza (D-Goffstown) echoed these statements.
Opposition
Bob Lynn (R-Windham) said the resolution was not needed because the Fetal Life Protection Act allows unrestricted access to abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy and provides exceptions after that point in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities or where continuation of the pregnancy results in serious threats to the mother.
He added that adopting this measure would make future state court judicial nominations highly politicized.
Lynn echoed these comments on the floor.
Scott Wallace (R-Danville) echoed these statements in parliamentary inquiry.
Votes
An ought-to-pass motion failed 193-191, not receiving the 3/5ths needed for a constitutional resolution.
HB 68
HB 68 this bill adopts the Uniform Real Estate Transfer on Death Act.
Support
This bill received a 17-3 recommendation that it ought to pass with amendment. Speaking on behalf of the majority, Katelyn Kuttab (R-Windham) said that this allows a property owner to designate a beneficiary to automatically receive a property upon the owner’s death without probate procedure.
Opposition
Rebecca McBeath wrote for the minority recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislate.
McBeath said that this bill would create a scenario where people can sign over the rights to their property without oversight, although said that “transfer on death” deeds are an important tool in other states.
Votes
An amendment and the ought to pass motion passed by voice vote.
HB 88
HB 88 articulates reproductive rights in the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy.
Support
There was no recommendation from the committee. Writing to recommend that the bill ought to pass, Mark Paige (D-Exeter) stated that the Fetal Life Protection Act (FLPA) limited abortion after 24 weeks into a pregnancy, but did not ensure access to a pregnancy for the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy.
Paige said ensuring that right would align New Hampshire with every other New England state.
Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) said that there were no guarantees that reproductive rights would be secured in the future given the changing nature of the legislature.
Opposition
Writing in the recommendation that this bill is inexpedient to legislate, Kristine Perez (R-Londonderry) said that there was no evidence suggesting that access to abortion during the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy and language in the FLPA that the state shall not restrict or interfere with an individual’s exercise of their private decision to terminate a pregnancy during those first 24 weeks.
Votes
An ought to pass motion was adopted 199-185.
HB 224
HB 224 repeals criminal and civil penalties with the Fetal Life Protection Act.
Support
This bill did not have a committee recommendation. Writing the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass, Marjorie Smith (D-Durham) said that this bill repeals criminal and civil penalties for anyone seeking abortion after the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy, but changes nothing else about the bill.
Smith said the language related to criminal or civil penalties has had a chilling effect on recruiting medical professionals in New Hampshire.
Dan Wolf (R-Newbury) said that doctors should not have draconian threats hanging over their heads and this will help women, sharing a personal story about a situation in the North Country.
Opposition
Writing in the recommendation that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Bob Lynn (R-Windham) said this would create a special rule for medical professionals or other public officials breaking a law where others would face punishments for breaking laws.
Vote
An ought-to-pass motion was adopted 205-178.
HB 261
HB 261 authorizes tenants to terminate their lease in instances of domestic violence or following a disabling illness or accident.
Support
There was no recommendation. Writing in recommending that this bill ought to pass, Zoe Manos (D-Stratham) said that this bill is meant to support victims of domestic violence move when they need to keep their location confidential from an individual who may harm them or in situations where a tenant can no longer access an apartment, such as someone using the loss of their legs who had lived on a third-floor apartment that does not have an elevator.
The tenant needs to give a 60-day notice to the landlord.
Opposition
Writing in recommending that this bill is inexpedient to legislate, Joe Alexander (R-Goffstown) said that portions of the bill were unclear, undefined and ambiguous. Alexander also said this creates issues with security deposits and that landlords already work with victims and the newly disabled whenever possible.
Votes
An ought-to-pass motion was adopted 193-191. A reconsideration vote failed, 190-194.
HB 271
HB 271 repeals the Fetal Life Protection Act (FLPA).
Support
This bill had no committee recommendation. Writing in recommendation that the bill out to pass, Rebecca McBeath (D-Portsmouth) said the FLPA violates the privacy of discussion of an individual and their healthcare provider regarding essential healthcare decisions. She also criticizes criminal provisions within the FLPA.
Opposition
Writing in recommendation that the bill is inexpedient to legislate, Katlyn Kuttab (R-Windham) said that the current law gives women the freedom and reproductive liberty up to the 24th week of their pregnancy. She said repealing this act would make is legal to abort a baby right up until birth, and stated that New Hampshire residents are in favor of the law as it stands today.
Votes
An ought to pass vote was not adopted, 192-192. Speaker Packard voted against the motion. A tabling motion. was accepted by voice vote.
HB 562
HB 562 regards requiring informed consent prior to receiving an abortion procedure.
Scott Wallace (R-Danville) stated that “informed consent” is already being done in facilities that provide abortions and that this battery of discussions would add addition stress to women already under a great deal of pressure, with a committee vote of 17-3 recommending that this bill is inexpedient to legislate.
The committee report was adopted through a voice vote.
HB 591
HB 591 prohibits abortions after detections of fetal hearbeats.
Support
Dave Testerman (R-Franklin) spoke on the floor in favor of the bill, as did John Sellers (R-Bristol) said that the heartbeat is the essence of life.
Opposition
Katelyn Kuttab (R-Windham) wrote the committee report recommending that the bill is inexpedient to legislate. She said that a fetal heartbeat can be found around six weeks into a pregnancy, which is often before many women even realize they are pregnant.
She said that the current law, which allows pregnancies for any reason up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy is supported by the majority of New Hampshire residents.
The Judiciary Committee voted 16-4 in favor of this recommendation.
Candace Moulton (D-Manchester) provided a scientific analysis regarding her opposition.
Vote
An inexpedient to legislate motion was adopted 271-110.
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
HB 150
HB 150 discusses the certification of a collective bargaining unit.
Support
There was no committee recommendation on this bill. Writing the statement recommending that the bill ought to pass, Brian Sullivan (D-Grantham) said that this bill changes the minimum umber of potential bargaining unit members from 10 to five and there was no good reason not to lower the number to five.
Sullivan reiterated these statements on the floor, asking his colleagues to support public employees.
Opposition
Lino Avellani (R-Sanbornton) said that there is a cost to an employer creating an managing a collective bargaining unit and in the past smaller collective bargaining units than ten people have had to merge with larger ones at times.
On the floor, Will Infantine (R-Manchester) said that larger unions have their own full-time people dealing with things like collective bargaining and that this bill would not stop people from making a union.
HB 561
HB 561 establishes a committee to examine workforce and school accommodations for those with long-term COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome
Support
There was a 12-8 committee vote recommending that this bill is inexpedient to legislate. Writing the majority opinion, Andrew Prout (R-Hudson) said that the New Hampshire Department of Labor has not heard of a single complaint related to employers not providing reasonable accommodations for either of these illnesses.
Opposition
Writing the opinion recommending that the bill ought to pass, Joshua Adjutant (D-Enfield) said that this committee will help those learning how to live with long-term COVID and how that interacts with present disability law, which may evolve over time given that the disease is new.
Vote
The bill was tabled by a voice vote.
Legislative Administration
CACR 4
This bill adjusts legislative salaries to $5,000 for a two-year term. The salaries were last adjusted to $200 in 1889, with the new figure adjusting that amount for inflation. Supporters say it would help more people run for the legislature and would be more in line with local government stipends. Opponents say that New Hampshire is a citizen legislature and that this amount would not give legislators a living wage but cost New Hampshire residents millions of dollars.
A motion to table the bill was not adopted, 153-229.
Stephanie Payeur (D-Henniker) spoke against the committee recommendation that the bill is inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Pearson (R-Derry) spoke in favor of the inexpedient to legislate motion. Both echoed the sentiments stated during the committee hearing.
The bill was found to be inexpedient to legislate, 239-145.
Municipal and County Government
HB 423
This bill addresses changes minimum requirements for accessory dwelling units, making it easier to obtain accessory dwelling units by right.
David Preece (D-Manchester) spoke against the committee recommendation that this bill is inexpedient to legislate, saying it is needed as a tool to help fight New Hampshire’s housing shortage.
Len Turcotte (R-Barrington) said that this bill is not needed since municipalities can adjust their zoning bylaws to accomplish these things and towns and cities should not have mandates from the state on this matter. He said that other similar bills were inexpedient to legislate.
Josh Yokela (R-Fremont) asked that this bill be tabled as there are parts of it that are good and it can be worked upon.
A tabling motion was adopted 203-178.
Public Works and Highways
HB 189
(see above)
HB 480
This bill addresses an intersection in Conway. A motion finding the bill inexpedient to was passed by a voice vote.
HB 511
This bill relates to the complete streets program. It was found to be inexpedient to legislate by a voice vote.
Resources, Recreation and Development
HB 205
This bill addresses the private testing of wells. It was tabled by a voice vote.
Science, Technology and Energy
HB 139
Michael Vose (R-Epping) said more work is needed to find a bipartisan solution, and that an excess
Kat McGee (D-Hollis) said that this bill is a simple change.
James Summers (R-Newton) said this bill takes a haphazard approach to renewable energy and keeping net metering expansion manageable.
Jacqueline Chretien (D-Manchester) said this bill helps municipalities that want to engage in municipal net metering, but they cannot due to logistical limitations.
Tom Cormen (D-Lebanon) said that municipal net metering benefits all residents of a community and this will expand municipal net metering.
A motion finding that the bill ought to pass was adopted, 188-186. A motion to reconsider was not adopted 185-192.
HB 142
This bill addresses Burgess Biomass Plant in Berlin.
Michael Harrington (R-Stafford) discussed how Eversource raises fees to rate payers due to this power plant. Michael Vose (R-Epping) said talked about how earlier legislation that has suspended contract negotiations between Burgess and Eversource and complications with this bill, saying it was a mistake for the legislature to get involved in this process.
A motion recommending that the bill ought to pass as amended, 269-109.
Ways and Means
HB 486
This bill relates to vehicle registrations and reciprocal toll colllection enforcement agreements. It was tabled by a voice vote.
HB 510
This bill removes the exemption for premium cigars from the tobacco tax. It was tabled by a voice vote.
HB 607
An amendment was adopted by voice vote. A second amendment was offered by Fred Doucette (R-Salem) relating to horse racing. This amendment was adopted by voice vote. An ought to pass with amendment motion was adopted by voice vote.
Removed from Consent
HR 14
This resolution urges an investigation of due process in family court cases.
This bill was laid on the table by voice vote.
HB 648
This bill seeks to establish a state bank of New Hampshire.
Jason Gerhard (R-Franklin) referenced a bank in North Dakota that has given back money to taxpayers for over a hundred years, and having a bank like this would be useful for New Hampshire.
Timothy Horrigan (D-Durham) also spoke in support of the bill.
John Hunt (R-Jaffrey) said that it was necessary for North Dakota to create their bank because farmers could not get loans and there were no requirements for banks comparable to now.
The committee recommendation of inexpedient to legislate was adopted by voice vote.
HB 277
This bill relates to patients’ rights to sterilization treatment. It was tabled by a vote of 367-8.
