We learned it was “Picture Day” and “Ice Cream Social Day” at the State House. Most of us lined up on the State House Steps prior to House Session to snap a “class photo”. Thanks to House Speaker Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff Debra Childs in particular, for herding cats. It was a nice day for it too. Then at lunch we got treated to ice cream with an array of toppings… they even had cheese balls… who on Earth puts cheese balls on their ice cream? Seriously?!
We learned that The Granite Statesman Barbershop Quartet delivers a very decent acappella “Star Spangled Banner”. It was a pleasant way to open up House Session.
We learned that the business of today’s House Session was to agree (or not) with the Committee of Conference (CoC) Reports on various Senate and House bills. As we agreed to Senate bills CoC reports they went back to that chamber for Senate agreement (or not) as well. Then we went through the House bill CoC reports that got agreed to by the Senate. Sort of a mini “cross-over day”!
We learned that the House and Senate would rather agree with the SB200 CoC redistricting changes for the congressional maps than to allow a random judge to decide that for our state. It appears the governor has indicated a veto and would rather it go to a judge, since he’s expressed his displeasure with what our legislature has agreed upon. The House passed the CoC for SB200 176-171. It will be a sad day for NH if some random judge carves up our state into a congressional map that we will be stuck with for the next decade, especially after all the time and thought that went into this final version.
We learned that SB401 CoC passed with a voice vote. Part of this bill will distribute over $60 million in the form of block grants and bridge aid to municipalities along with money to DOT for dash cams plus money for body cams for police. The $75 million price tag on this bill comes from increased state revenues which have been arriving into the state coffers in higher than anticipated amounts. Thanks to Republican sound fiscal policy, those funds are going back to the municipalities to help our towns repair roads and bridges and give some local tax relief. Got pot holes?
We learned that SB366 CoC also passed on a voice vote and will allow for an audit of the 2022 elections in the primary and general elections. These audits will be conducted at random locations and will also audit the ballot counting machines. No shenanigans allowed.
We learned that after 22 terms… representing 44 years …. the longest serving State Representative in the Nation, Rep. Laura Pantelakos (D-Portsmouth) aka “Dean of the House” is retiring. She was given the Honor of presiding as House Speaker for 3 bills, which all passed on voice votes. We wish her all the best in her retirement and thank her for the many years of service to the people of New Hampshire. She’s served through 9 governors! Pretty incredible!
We learned that because of a horrific shooting by a lunatic in a school in Uvalde Texas, Rep. Altschiller (D-Stratham) decided to attempt to suspend rules and bring to the House floor HB1558 (a background check bill). She wanted to bring a bill before the House with no hearing, and no committee examination. Yet again, we have a knee jerk and zealous gun control reaction by this woman running for a State Senate seat. Rep. Roy (R-Deerfield) said we shouldn’t use a tragedy to push through legislation in the House and also said that people in NH have a right to a hearing on these bills. He was right. The roll call vote for suspension of rules failed 163(Y)-188(N). Expect many gun control bills from Democrats next year… No surprise there.
We learned that HB1439 CoC passed with a voice vote. This bill allows for changes to Hospital Visitation policies, and was called “the No Patient Left Alone Act”. No person deserves to be alone and unable to be with a family member in their time of illness or incapacitation. This was a win for patients and their families. I was happy to co-sponsor this bill.
We learned that a new dental benefit for Medicaid was passed (246-105) with the CoC for HB103. Those who voted for this felt that the State will end up paying less in Medicaid costs since preventative care in oral health will contribute to less oral/dental emergencies and less major systemic health problems resulting down the road from poor dental care. Those voting against it didn’t think Medicaid benefits should be expanded. The way it was set up was more like insurance with co-pays and only for particular Medicaid recipients.. so it is limited. Time will tell to see if we do realize cost savings.
We learned that the biggest controversial CoC report of the day, HB1431, was voted down on a roll call vote 171(Y)-176(N) after an effort to table it failed 169-173. The House voted to kill this Parental Rights bill despite the rally outside the State House in the morning calling for its passage. Opponents of the bill said it would endanger gay/trans/etc. kids by outing them to their parents. Proponents of the bill didn’t believe that would happen, but more importantly they didn’t think secrets should be kept from parents. Parents should know what is going on with their kids at school, especially if they are being influenced by teachers or other adults who may be sexual predators or grooming kids for who knows what. The bill was also under veto threat by the governor. No doubt this bill will return next session, and that’s no secret.
We learned that HB1661 CoC report passed with a roll call vote of 244-99. It appears we will be spending an initial $9.350 million for a new parking garage for the legislature, plus there was a stack of other goodies in this bill. One of which was career technical education along with a some watered down workforce housing language. It certainly was an expensive mixed bag of tricks.
Finally, we learned that all of these things and more, will now end up on the governor’s desk. It will be interesting to see what we can look forward to for Veto Day in the Fall. So, I will be reporting on that session when we get there. There will be a fair amount of seasoned House members who will not be pursuing re-election. A handful of State Reps are also running for Senate. We wish them all well and thank them for their service, in the House, to our state and their constituents. House Republicans are working hard to fill seats with a veto proof majority for the next biennium. We were able to get some great legislation passed with only a slim Republican majority. Just think of the great things we can accomplish with a veto proof majority!
