We learned that Senate and House Democrats are fixated on supplying menstrual products in every public bathroom at public expense—this time, they want it provided in state and county correctional facilities at taxpayer expense with SB209. A similar bill, HB421, has already passed in the House, which is now awaiting its fate in the Senate.
Yet again, this bill, SB209, came before the legislature demanding free menstrual products – “for those who biologically menstruate.” Thank goodness it isn’t for those who do not biologically menstruate, although who wouldn’t want to grab a few free tampons to use to clean your firearms? SB209 was tabled with a vote of 357-9.
We learned that kids who need to be placed in another school based on an education hardship (like being a victim of bullying) will be more easily accomplished by the language fixes in SB77. This bill passed on a slim 187-183 vote. Every House Democrat, and Rep. Dan Wolf (R-Newbury), voted to leave the statute as is and make it more difficult to place kids having issues into educational settings that would be better for their learning experience. Passing this bill was truly “for the children.”
We learned SB152 passed 250-123. This bill will require the Department of Education to develop a career pathway in marine trades at regional tech centers. Those who voted against this bill did not like the fact that with this bill, a new commission will be created with spending authority and that there is no legislative oversight of the program. Additionally, it creates programs for a not-yet-existent offshore wind industry which is considered a totally speculative move and is not a fiscally responsible use of taxpayer dollars. As we pay to train more kids in the offshore wind industry, seemingly to encourage the installation of wind turbines off our coast, one can only wonder about the damage that will happen to our fishing and lobstering industries. The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
We learned that all but 6 House members voted to affirm support of New Hampshire’s First In The Nation Primary status. SCR1 is a concurrent resolution that upholds our position on FITN and states that we support our Secretary of State to follow legal action to hold the primary before all other states. The vote was 356-6 in the House after being voted 18-0 in the Election Law Committee. Those who voted against the resolution were Sherry Dutzy (D-Nashua), Molly Howard (D-Hancock), Lucius Parshall (D-Marlborough), David Preece (D-Manchester), Amanda Toll (D-Keene), and John Hunt (R-Rindge).
We learned that SB14 passed with a voice vote after a Table motion was defeated 321-46. This bill puts into statute the definition of a “game camera” and makes it clear that landowners have the right to know if anyone is placing a game camera (aka surveillance) on their property. The majority believes that whether or not your property is in current use, your property rights should be protected. No one should be able to put a game camera on your property without permission. Landowners have the right to know if game cameras are on their property, where they are located, and who placed them there. Landowners can also post signage on their property saying that “game cameras are allowed.”
We learned that SB52 passed 187-184. This bill creates a study committee to determine how to publicly fund an electrical infrastructure to support Electric Vehicle charging stations throughout NH. The argument against this bill was that we did not need this sort of study of public funding when “horseless carriage technology” emerged and gas stations were needed for those traveling by car. We let the free market sort that out on its own. The people pushing this bill are panicked that no one will come to NH, and our tourism will take a nosedive if we don’t hurry up and spend public funding to build EV charging stations all over the state, especially in the White Mountains and ski areas. They are very worried that people will go to Maine or Vermont instead. Rep. Thomas Cormen (D-Lebanon) said, “If we don’t build it, they won’t come.” Rep. Michael Vose (R-Epping) urged people to vote ITL on this bill because we should let EV charging stations evolve the same way gasoline stations did, and we should rely on the free market to make that happen. Besides, why are we duplicating efforts when there are already other entities studying this issue at no charge? (pun intended)
We learned that SB69 was Tabled (190-181) after the Ought To Pass failed on a tie vote of 186-186. This bill would have allowed non-profits to participate in net energy metering, raising the megawatt limit from 1 to 5 megawatts. This means nonprofit entities could lower their electric costs while raising yours. Rep. Mike Harrington (R-Strafford) said, “There is no beneficial effect for allowing organizations like Dartmouth College to save money on their electric rates – they save, and the ratepayers pay.” Ratepayers pay more because this net metered energy is purchased by the energy company at retail rates… not wholesale rates.
We learned that a similar net metering bill, SB79, passed the House by a 194-179 vote. This bill would expand net metering under the Limited Electrical Energy Producers Act to qualifying industrial and commercial businesses producing from 1 to 5 megawatts. This means, again, that the amount of excess energy created over what the business uses is credited at the retail rate and not the wholesale rate. Other ratepayers, like single moms and senior citizens, end up paying more for their energy because the electric supplier is purchasing energy through net metering at those higher retail prices. It should be known that currently, businesses can build a 5-megawatt solar array, but they are limited to net meter only 1 megawatt of it. Opponents of the bill see this as an increase of subsidies to businesses at all other ratepayers’ expense. It was suggested that the Governor is against these net metering bills and is likely to zap them with a veto.
We learned that SB167 – the green hydrogen energy and infrastructure bill – died with a vote to ITL 187-186. The truth is we have no current or planned green hydrogen energy hub, or manufacturing in NH that would facilitate its production or use, so why incentivize the construction and implementation of facilities? This bill seems very premature, but would establish tax credits, and an advisory committee. Rep. Tony Caplan (D-Henniker) said that H is the H in H2O and H is the H in Methane’s CH4… well, I say H is also the H in Hindenburg. How soon they forget.
We learned that the charitable gaming bill, SB51, to create a commission to study charitable gaming and historical horse racing passed on a voice vote, but that SB104 regulating online gambling and directing proceeds to a community college scholarship fund was indefinitely postponed with a voice vote. Gambling made out 50-50 today.
We learned that SB15 was pulled off consent with the intention of adding an amendment to it to repeal the prohibition on the possession, and sale of blackjacks, slung shots and metallic knuckles. The amendment was the same as HB31, which was passed by the House and killed by the Senate. Rep. Spillane (R-Deerfield) sought to revive this bill and tack it onto SB15. The amendment motion died 196-177. SB15 is a bill relative to the use of tree stands and observation blinds (for hunters) and clarifies rules for hunters to place tree stands and blinds on property they use for hunting. Many felt the amendment was just not germane to the underlying bill, or they did not want to jeopardize the underlying bill being passed with this amendment tacked onto it.
We learned that there will be more Senate bills coming our way as our House committees work to have hearings and exec sessions to get them ready for the House votes. Stay tuned.
