We learned that between 9 am and 10:00 pm (lunch and dinner break included) we were able to vote on around 71 House bills, and pass some really great things for the people of NH. House members truly earned their princely sum of $200 just with this grueling day alone.
We learned that a raft of bills put forth by House Democrats designed to dismantle or eliminate Education Freedom Accounts and School Choice (HB1669, HB1670, HB1672, HB1683) were summarily defeated by House Republicans.
Additionally, HB1434 relative to the availability of school curriculum materials to a parent, legal guardian, or resident of a public school district passed 185-152. This bill ensures that parents/taxpayers have access to what their children are being taught. NH Taxpayers will be able to do their own homework and see what they are paying for. Are you up for that assignment?
We learned that House Democrats fought what they deemed discrimination in HB1180, relative to state recognition of biological sex by tabling this bill (175-167), but they fought just as hard to support a bill that would repeal the law which protects people from certain discrimination in public workplaces and education (HB1576). That bill was killed via a table motion (186-158). So allowing people to say one race is superior to another is OK but allowing the State to affirm that there are biological males and females is not. Truly a head-scratcher.
We learned that House Democrats allowed CACR 15 to fail. The vote of 190-165 was not enough to garner the 3/5 vote to pass this bill which would have provided that only residents of our state may vote in elections. It would seem that if we want to fix our residency requirements then we have to vote more Republicans into our legislature since Democrats are unwilling to do this. Will you remember in November?
We learned that ranked-choice voting (HB1264) got tabled and the attempt to take it off the table was also defeated. Apparently, ranked-choice voting was not a choice for the NH House.
We learned that House Republicans passed several bills reforming occupational licensing in New Hampshire. The passage of HB1171 (exempting certain niche beauty services from licensure requirements), HB1330 (relative to the board of registration of medical technicians.) and HB1560 (relative to nonresident licensure by the board of barbering, cosmetology, and esthetics) help to empower more people to enter the workforce and reduce costs for consumers. We gave regulations a trim and a shave all in one sitting!
We learned that with the passage of HB1297 (197-143) one can now take lobsters while recreationally scuba diving. Additionally, the gray squirrel can now be added to the list of other squirrels, groundhogs, and other rodents considered “pest animals”, which have year-round open season with the passage of HB1356 (via voice vote).
All those folks who worry that it will decimate the squirrel population probably have forgotten the hundreds of dead squirrels which lined our NH highways a few years ago during “squirrel-mageddon” that hadn’t put a dent in their numbers. Passing both of those bills gives a whole new meaning to the term “surf and turf”.
We learned that the Health and Human Services Committee worked hard to produce some great bills for the House to vote on. We passed HB1022 permitting pharmacists to dispense the drug ivermectin via standing order (183-159).
We passed HB1044, legislation that would allow facilities that exclusively take direct payments from patients to be licensed by the state.
We passed HB1080 (175-165) relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals.
We passed HB1439 (voice vote) the “No Patient left Alone Act” – so people won’t have family members kept from them in a healthcare facility and left to die alone.
We passed HB1455 (174-159) which prohibits the enforcement of any federal law, order, or rule that mandates the COVID-19 vaccine or testing more than once a month for employment, thereby putting an end to federal vaccine mandates in NH.
We passed HB1495 (179-153) which seeks to prohibit the state from requiring businesses to require vaccines or vaccine documentation or immunity status. All in all, we got a healthy dose of medical freedom today.
Despite House Democrats’ attempt to gut the fetal protection act, it will remain in statute with the passage of HB1673 and the amendment which clarifies the ultrasound provision (passed on voice vote).
We also passed HB1625 (168-162) the repeal of the “buffer zone law” for health care facilities and reinstituted 1st amendment rights. It was a good day for babies.
Finally, we learned that there are around 74 House bills left on the regular calendar, plus bills taken off the consent calendar to deal with tomorrow. So Thursday will be another marathon day. Let’s see what great things House Republicans will pass for NH citizens on the 3rd day of the House session this week!
