We learned that an impending Friday snowstorm can motivate roughly 400 legislators to work through 70 bills in 2 days (Wednesday and Thursday).
We learned that the Committee recommendation for the home grown cannabis cultivation bill (HB629) was flipped to an Ought To Pass recommendation from the House by a vote of 241-113. Since there was no taxes involved, or expansion of government, more than 2/3 of the House passed it. It remains to be seen whether the Senate will smoke it or not. Pun intended.
We learned that the infamous education bill (HB255) which was gutted and rewritten to be a ban on employer mandates for Covid vaccination was tabled (213-142). The irony was that legislators who were interested in preserving individual freedom helped to table this. They felt that employers also deserved their freedom in choosing how to run their business. Thus proving that freedom can be a double edged sword and mandates aren’t good for anyone. There are other medical freedom bills in the pipeline so we will have to see what other solutions the legislature can come up with.
We learned that another bill of interest, HB607 (Local Education Freedom Accounts), was also tabled (187-170). This bill would have been enabling legislation for local school districts to establish these accounts if the voters in their district wished to do so. It’s unfortunate that there was so much misinformation being spread about this bill. Looks like more education was needed here.
We learned that the House doesn’t care what you wear when you go to vote. HB 87 (defining electioneering) passed 186-164 and would allow you to wear your “Let’s Go Brandon” gear at the polls. Similarly, one could sport an “Orange Man Bad” tee shirt if desired. Freedom of political speech now moves onto the Senate.
We learned that the House gave the thumbs up to Ona “Oney” Judge Staines (HB84) by a voice vote which will now allow May 21 to be her commemorative day along with naming a new terminal at the Portsmouth airport after her. She was a courageous slave who escaped from George Washington’s family. “Granny D” (Doris Haddock) was not as fortunate to get her own day via legislation (HB204) and instead got sent to the table (229-118). She routinely gets honored with a day and celebrations in NH anyway, so she shouldn’t feel snubbed.
We learned that the House came through with its promise to reform emergency powers statutes with HB275 and a vote of 190-165. This bill inserts the legislature more effectively into the state of emergency declaration timeline. As Rep. Tony Lekas (R- Hudson) said, “Emergencies have more than one phase. There is the initial phase which requires quick and decisive action, which the governor is better suited to than the Legislature. After the initial phase, the people of New Hampshire need to be involved in the process through their legislators.” Additionally, the legislature can meet and terminate individual emergency orders. Checks and balances… yes please.
We learned that the table was getting pretty crowded during the day, as many bills ended up there. The minority party actually, and surprisingly, joined in and voted to table HB622 (eliminating the ultrasound requirement in the fetal life protection act) with a vote of 325-23. I’m still not sure how that happened. Additionally, HB517 (establishing a minimum wage) was tabled with a vote of 191-158. Joining those two bills on the table was HB611 (abolishing fluoridation in our water) with a vote of 187-162. So I guess we didn’t completely throw the baby out with the fluoridated water. We did however, add dental coverage to the state Medicaid program (HB103) with a vote of 225-127.
We learned that OHRV enthusiasts will be able to get back onto Hoit Road Marsh (HB571) for ice riding in winter after a ban that was snuck into the budget trailer bill in 2019. Public water resources like this should be for public use for summer boaters as well as winter usage by ice riders. It passed with a vote of 189-158. Queen Elsa approves, and the minority party Democrats will just have to “Let it go”.
We learned that Republicans came out for clean energy today, establishing a commission to study nuclear reactor technology (HB543) passing it with a robust voice vote. Additionally, we learned that after taking at least 45 minutes of debating the issue (HB549) and not being able to pass their floor amendment, the Democrats joined Republicans to register an electrifying 343-0 vote on the bill. Yes, the House voted unanimously to limit the system benefits charge, to what was collected last year, and give the Legislature control over setting its rate while saving the state’s energy efficiency program (NH SAVES) eliminated by the Public Utilities Commission ruling last year.
We learned that Rep. Al Baldasaro (R-Londonderry) made sure to honor the 11 fallen Marines, 1 Army soldier and 1 member of the Navy, that were killed in an airport bombing attack this past summer (Aug. 28) when American troops were pulled out of Kabul, Afghanistan. He offered an emotional heartfelt unanimous consent speech memorializing them at the end of session. Hoorah.
Lastly, we learned in the words of Rep. Kevin Verville (R-Deerfield), “You win some. You lose some. And you live to fight another day… We passed a lot of good bills. We killed a lot of bad bills. Legislatively it was a good and productive two days.” I couldn’t agree more!