We learned it was “Veto Day” and the last session of this legislative body until after election day and new legislators are sworn in. The opening ceremonies included a memorial to Rep. Mary Griffin, who passed away recently, and prayers for Rep. Gary Hopper who is fighting cancer. There were also many thanks to those who have served the House and will not be returning and those who did not make it through their primaries last Tuesday.
We learned that we needed around 216 votes for 2/3rds of the House to overturn any vetoes on the docket for this session… but first we needed to have that amount, or more, to suspend the rules in order to consider an energy relief bill crafted and presented by House leadership. The rules were suspended 259-66, and the energy assistance bill HB2023 was passed on a voice vote.
The fuel assistance program will provide a one-time $450 benefit to households with an annual income over 60% and up to75% of the State Median Income. The electric assistance program will provide a one-time $200 benefit to households with an annual income over 60% and up to 75% of the State Median Income. $25 million will be appropriated for the fuel assistance program. $10 million will be appropriated for the electric assistance program. Any unexpended funds remaining when the program ends on June 30, 2023 will return to the general fund.
There is also an appropriation of $7 million to the Electric Assistance Program to ensure this program is sustained throughout this period of excessively high electric bills. House Republicans were NOT going to let Granite Staters freeze this winter due to the Democrats’ disastrous energy policies coming out of Washington… and apparently, NH House Democrats agreed! And so did the NH Senate … passing it next to the governor for his signature.
We learned that voting Yes overturned a veto and voting No sustained a veto because the question is, “Notwithstanding the governor’s veto, shall HBxxx become law?” It’s not confusing once you get used to it.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB52, apportioning congressional districts, failed to be overturned by a vote of 103Y-220N, which is a good thing because undoing that veto would have put elected candidate Karoline Leavitt and others who ran, outside of their district and thrown the constitutionality of this past primary into chaos. While the maps finally accepted are still being challenged in court by the Democrats, at least this dog was left to lay in peace.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB275, relative to the declaration of a state of emergency, failed to garner enough votes to be overturned. With a vote of 157Y-167N, it looks like the Democrats came to the governor’s rescue to preserve his power in an emergency. This bill would have revised the authority of the governor and the general court to declare, renew, or terminate a state of emergency. Interesting to note that the original vote in the House was 190-165 with Republicans voting 188-3 for passage.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB319, requiring university and college students in NH to pass a US citizenship test, failed to be overturned with a vote of 143Y-181N. Civics class??? Nah, they don’t need to know about that.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB1022, permitting pharmacists to dispense ivermectin by a standing order, was sustained with a vote of 144Y-170N. Apparently some folks, including the ones vaccinated with experimental vaccines and still wearing masks in House chambers, don’t want the people to easily get their hands on ivermectin to treat COVID, despite studies that show its effectiveness.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB1131, relative to mandating facial coverings in schools, was also sustained with a vote of 150Y-170N. Schools still get to decide, over parental wishes, whether their kids wear masks all day in class or not. You can’t get more “local control” than that.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB1454, relative for siting landfill permits, was overturned in the House with a resounding 256Y-65N. This bill had originally passed in the House with a voice vote. The bill would have placed restrictions on siting landfills near bodies of water based on geologic studies regarding the underground movement of water over time (5 years) such that if there were to be a leak it could be detected and dealt with before causing environmental damage. The bill wasn’t perfect, and the issue does need more study, but it is better than the current 200-foot set back requirement. In any case, the bill’s veto was sustained in the Senate. This is one that will certainly be coming back to us as recycled material next year.
We learned that the governor’s veto of HB1625, repealing buffer zones around abortion clinics…Ummm, I mean reproductive health care facilities was sustained with a vote of 145Y-175N. This is a free speech issue…but the veto message claimed that there was no reason to change the law since no one has been harmed by a buffer zone requirement being in statute for the past eight years (SB319 enacted in 2014). The House has spoken on not speaking.
Finally, we learned that now we’re all off to campaign for the November elections. For those with over 20 years of service in the House and not returning, it was nice to take some time to recognize them. There were seven members of the House with 20 or more years of service who will not be returning. Together they represented 214 years of service! That is a lot of institutional knowledge leaving our chambers! We wish them all well in their retirement and look forward to welcoming those who will come after (hopefully more of the Conservative variety).
In this past biennium, we passed some really good legislation, saved our constituents money, and helped get NH back on its feet after COVID. We even met in parking lots, ice rinks, ball fields, and hotel conference centers. What a wild ride!! Our House Republican leadership did an amazing job with the thin majority that we held. I know I learned a lot, and I hope that “what we learned today” with every House session will help you decide who you want to represent you when you get out to vote in November (I repeat, hopefully, more of the Conservative variety). Take care and see you next year!
