We learned that Republican attendance still put them in the minority today as compared to the Democrat caucus. With 8 Republican members out, and 4 on the Dem side, it put the numbers around 191D-187R in the morning and hovering around 188D-182R later in the day. It is the reason some nanny state bills passed today.
We learned that SB14, the game camera bill, passed on the consent calendar. On the surface, this is good news as this bill would prohibit someone from putting a game camera on your property without your permission. However, there was some other language tacked onto this bill by the Criminal Justice Committee though: HB473 which would reduce the penalty for a first time drug offender, on a simple personal use amount, drug possession charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. That language was ITL’d by the Senate already and they are likely to kill this bill now with this additional language. This is why the Senate has tucked the game camera language into another House bill (HB221). There are clearly “bill games” afoot between the Senate and the House.
We learned that SB70 passed on a voice vote, which allows for the establishment of an online election information portal. This will allow people to register to vote online and request absentee ballots. Estimated costs to build the portal is $477,000 plus $268,000 per year to maintain thereafter. It also takes “Help America Vote Act” money and puts it towards the purchase of new voting machines for municipalities. I wonder when they will enact a “Stop Voter Fraud Act” to combat the shenanigans that will likely happen when people register to vote, or request absentee ballots, from home or other “remote location”.
We learned that it took us 2 hours to vote on 5 bills before lunchtime, with an hour of time taken up exclusively talking trash with SB61. This is a bill which would direct DES to hire a 3rd party to do some technical analysis to assist DES to develop new and improved landfill siting rules within a 2 year period. No new landfill permits will be granted during that time. The committee amendment passed 312-61, and a more stringent version of the committee amendment died 152-226. In the end, the amended bill passed 236-132, and now goes back to the Senate with its changes. The Senate may decide to kill this bill since they have tucked the original Senate language of SB61 into yet another bill (HB211 – an energy bill). As I said, Senate “bill games” are afoot.
We learned that because the Democrats held a majority, they pulled SB149 off the table and passed it with a roll call vote of 191-187. This was a bill regarding nurse agencies and establishes a licensing and application procedure for them. Nurse agencies are used by our county nursing homes to fill nursing positions that are needed. As usual, more regulation will be put in place in NH by Democrats.
We learned that after lunch the House concurred with the Senate version of HB1 (the budget bill) with a 351-25 vote. HB2 (the trailer bill which directs how the budget is spent) met with some resistance. There was a motion to Table HB2, which failed 44-334. That was followed by a motion to Concur with the Senate. The resulting roll-called vote to Concur was 326-53. Interestingly enough as soon as the vote was concluded, the sun came out. It must be because the House made history by concurring with the Senate changes (by quite a large margin), and not going to a committee of conference. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) said that the House and Senate delivered a fiscally responsible spending plan that meets the needs of our state and addresses many of our top priorities, without raising taxes. Contents of the budget included reforms to the emergency powers statute, a 7 year sunset for the Granite Advantage Healthcare Program, and fully repealed our state income tax (the interest and dividends tax) at the end of the biennium. There was also more money for education too.
We learned that SB204 passed by voice vote and will require that all state-occupied buildings (including liquor stores) have trauma kits and allocate $50,000 to purchase and distribute them.
We learned that SB110 passed with a 190-180 vote, and creates a better definition of “residency” for use by municipal welfare purposes and for hospitals, correctional facilities, treatment program centers, and emergency shelters including motels paid for by service providers. It basically clarifies residency status of transient individuals for purposes of determining responsibility for local assistance.
We learned that all 188 Democrats and 15 Republicans voted to Table SB132. That bill would have prohibited cities from adopting sanctuary city policies. The Table vote was roll called 203-168. The bill mirrored federal law by prohibiting the creation of policies, ordinances, etc., that restrict, limit, or prohibit state or local law enforcement from protecting and serving their communities. The bill reinforces the law enforcement’s ability to communicate with immigration officials on illegal immigration matters.
We learned that SB94, relative to residential child care licensing, passed 329-34. This bill updates the current statutes regarding definitions and licensing renewals requirements for child care providers.
We learned that SB118, requiring children under the age of 2 years to be restrained in a motor vehicle, passed 192-173. It requires parents place their 2 year old (and under) in a rear facing child seat. This was a nanny state bill which has been heard before in the House. In prior years we had enough Republican votes to kill it. Not so much today.
We learned that another nanny state bill passed in a roll called vote: 186-179. That bill was SB256 which requires OHRV operators to complete a safety certification program, even if you’ve driven one for years. However, if you were born before Jan 1, 1978 then you are exempt from such certification. The law would be phased in starting July 1, 2024. Rep. Ted Gorski (R-Bedford) said that with bills like this, NH is fast becoming the “No Fun State”.
We learned that CACR9 – a constitutional amendment providing that the NH primary be the First In The Nation was Tabled via a voice vote. That’s actually a good thing… as this isn’t something that belongs in our NH Constitution anyway.
Finally, as we roll into “Committees of Conference” Season, we’re going to see more “bill games” being played between the House and Senate. Let’s just hope and pray that what comes out of it actually benefits Granite Staters. Oh, and lest I forget… Governor vetoes… what will he veto?
