We learned that when Republicans show up and stay for the session, we can stop bad bills and move along good ones. That was the main theme throughout the 2-day voting marathon. Apparently, we were still unable to stop some very bad bills, too (read on).
We learned that HB639 – cannabis legalization – passed 234-127 in the House and will now move onto the Ways and Means Committee. They will no doubt give great scrutiny to the claim of how much revenue, and also cost to the State, this program will yield. The plan is for the NH Liquor Commission to handle the regulation and administration of cultivation, manufacture and sale of cannabis statewide. This bill still has a long way to go – you might want to grab some munchies while you wait to see what happens.
We learned that some bills won by landslide votes. One such bill was HB272 – which would increase charter school funding. That bill passed 348-11 with the Speaker saying, “I don’t think I have to vote on this one!” It’s refreshing to see that not all votes are ties or near ties.
We learned the House was kind to fire fighters, police and retirees. We passed HB250 (260-103) giving group II fire fighters and police better death benefits. We passed HB436 (282-80) that made several changes to the NH Retirement System, one of which was to restore pension benefits of 1731 Group II employees from a tiered decrease when vesting rules were changed in 2011. This “righted a wrong” of a retroactive law that was passed in 2011. We also passed HB571 (192-167) which is an $84 million Cost of Living increase for Group II employees. It was an expensive morning on 2/22/23.
We learned that the House passed Medicaid expansion for certain postpartum health care services. HB565 passed 184-179. We did kill HB574 (185-179) – which would have re-established a supplemental nutrition program for WIC (Women, Infants and Children) which would have given $30 to program recipients so they can purchase food at farmer’s markets. It was a failed program that not very many people utilized in the past and would have cost taxpayers $300,000. SNAP benefits accomplish the same thing anyway. Now it’s just one less bill for Finance to consider.
We learned that there will not be an establishment of a State hourly minimum wage. HB 57 died a death when Ought To Pass failed 178-183. A Tabling motion after that also failed 183 No-180 Yes… and then when the ITL motion came up it passed on a voice vote after the speaker said “the ayes have it 183-180”. He could just tell that because the Yes votes were 3 votes louder, and also based on the previous tabling motion.
We learned that private well owners will be given assistance from a newly established fund, to replace, repair and/or treat their private drinking water sources, based on their ability to pay, in the event of a natural disaster. That bill, HB534, passed 179-177. Well now, that was close.
We learned that a committee will be established to study the issue of unmarried cohabitants, domestic partnerships, and common law marriage in NH with HB 151 passing 199-155. I was not married to this idea at all.
We learned that the “nipple bill”, HB 160 – relative to the public display of the chest – died 223-129. It would have interfered with local municipal ordinances. Interesting to note that public display of the chest is not a violation of state law, but we are a Dillon’s Rule State and what is seen in Hampton Beach is not necessarily what people might want to see in Conway – or vice versa. Unless you check local ordinances, you may want to keep your shirt on.
We learned that HB191 died 237-121 and that would have allowed unwanted firearms to be destroyed by the authorities. It would have been a great way for criminals to dispose of weapons used in a crime. You’d just be able to murder someone and then turn the gun in and have the police destroy the evidence for you! 121 state reps thought that was a great idea! One of them was Rep. David Meuse (D- Portsmouth). Gun grabbers prove again that they are a criminal’s best friend.
We learned that lesser penalties for driving without a valid license was passed. HB 201 was voted OTP 190-165. The bill changes the penalties of driving without a license to a violation (instead of a class B misdemeanor), unless the person is convicted a second time in a 12 month period. Proponents claim this will help new immigrants or visa holders, who are just learning our laws, the economically challenged, single mothers and other poor souls who don’t carry a valid drivers license. The claim this will save them from going to court and unburden our court system. Also, they say it will prevent these poor individuals from having to check a box on a job application that indicates they have had a criminal charge.
We learned that the effort to establish a committee to study loan forgiveness (HB45) died 312-43. Apparently, another committee, the Public Higher Education Study Committee, is already studying this “important” work.
We learned that after many motions, HB601 passed 205-151. This was relative to state participation in the Medicaid direct certification program for free and reduced priced school meals. Despite parents and students not wanting their information shared, regarding their Medicaid status, it looks like that will happen anyway if this gets passed and signed into law. Would you like Federal strings with your reduced lunch fries?
We learned that worth noting was the vote on HB196 – establishing a commission to review and make recommendations about campaign finance laws. It was tabled by a whopping 339-7 majority!
We learned that the House supports our farming community. They passed HB252 with a vote of 266-84. This would exempt farming activities from local municipal noise ordinances. This helps farmers who need to do their work early in the morning or late at night. The Democrats tried to remove agri-tourism activities from the exemption, with an amendment failed 176 No-164 Yes. They don’t like farmers who offer their site for weddings, hayrides, moon walks, or fundraisers, even though those are means for those farmers to supplement their income and help them keep afloat.
We learned that the retirement age for judges was raised from 70 to 75. CACR 6 was voted 321-27. A 3/5 majority was needed to pass this. The selling point from Rep. Lynn (R-Windham) was his rhetorical question regarding the average age of House members… and how many of us assembled here should be retired because of “diminished capacity”… hmmm… good question and point well taken.
We learned that a bridge in the town of Merrimack will be named after former Speaker of the House, Rep. Dick Hinch. That was by a vote of 356-4 on HB20. It was a roll call vote and you can see for yourself who voted NO.
[ NOTE: Skip here – I did it for them, Judy: Josh Yokula (R-Freemont), Sherry Dutzy (D-Nashua), Eric Gallager (D-Concord), and Ellen Read (D-Newmarket) ]
We learned that the HCR1 bill for an Article V Convention of State resolution failed 198-150. Originally an OTP recommendation from the State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee, that got flipped to an ITL after the OTP vote failed 156 Yes-192 No and a tabling motion also failed 163 Yes – 184 No. Other House Resolutions also failed having to do with supporting federal gun bans and supporting the Statehood of the District of Columbia.
Finally, we learned again that attendance is everything this term!! On Thursday afternoon the House got its first real taste, this session, of what happens when Democrats have a majority in the chamber. Democrats led a direct assault on education freedom and voted to raise New Hampshire energy rates. They did this by removing HB234 and HB430 off the table, when they knew they had the advantage in numbers, and successfully passing both bills. Earlier in the day (at 1:08pm) Rep. Lucy Weber (D-Walpole) attempted to take HB 234 off the table and that was met with a tie vote 175-175 (with the Speaker voting). When they saw their numbers at 2:17 pm later in the day, they did it again and took it off the table with a 177-169 vote. It was mayhem after that.
HB430 is a bill which attacks the Education Freedom Account Program and will require kids to attend a public school for a year before applying for an EFA. HB234 has to do with how unused Renewable Energy Credits are redeemed, and if the bill is implemented it will make energy costs much higher for NH consumers. The magic numbers were 170 and 176. Republicans fell 6 votes (or so) short with every motion, when the Democrat shenanigans of pulling bills off the table began, and it underscores the fact of how close these numbers in the House chambers are. Our only saving grace is that these bills will go to Finance and come back to the House for a second vote. Let’s pray Republicans show up and fight in round 2… otherwise we’ll have to depend upon our Senate and our Governor to save us from bills like this. I’d be remiss if I did not give a big shout out and Thank You to the Republicans that came out and stayed despite the snowstorm.
