We learned that it was the start of horse-trading… I mean… Committee of Conference season. The House voted on about 27 House bills that were amended by the Senate to determine whether we’d Concur or not, or Non-Concur and Create a Committee of Conference to hash out differences. About 17 bills were concurred on a voice vote. Others had more lively debates and House votes.
We learned that HB315, prohibiting provocation based on the defendant’s religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, political beliefs, or affiliation, sex, or gender identity… also known as “gay panic defense” bill, had some other legal unintended consequence to it, as pointed out by Rep. Bob Lynn (R-Windham). The House voted to send the bill to a Committee of Conference (CoC) with a vote of 199Y-175N.
We learned that HB275, relative to schools approved for a school tuition program by a school board, was voted 363Y-12N to go to a Committee of Conference because the difference between the House and Senate version needs to be worked out. The bill is all about modifying school tuition programs by allowing students to transfer to an approved recipient school, despite the tuition rate exceeding what the sending district is able to accommodate. It sets up the ability for a parent to cover the cost differential. This is another school choice bill.
We learned that HB308, relative to a quorum for meetings open to the public to include remote participation was voted Concur by a vote of 270Y-98N. This bill was for meetings of State Boards only. The text of the bill states “shall apply only to boards, committees, councils, advisory committees and like bodies of state government, not including the general court or either house thereof or any committee of either house, nor the governor and council, the composition of which is permitted by law or regulation to be drawn from individuals who may reside throughout the state of New Hampshire. This paragraph does not apply to boards, committees, councils, advisory committees, or any other components or instrumentalities of county or municipal government.” It remains to be seen if this will boost public participation in State Board activities.
We learned that one contentious vote today was over HB75. First of all, the original underlying House bill (submitted by me, by the way) was completely erased in the Senate and they placed entirely new language in there. The original language of HB75 ended up in HB83 (another one of my sponsored bills), and was voted Concur 301Y-69N. Now, HB75, would make Strafford county create county commissioner districts, just like the other 9 counties have. Strafford county now elects their county commissioners as “at large”, which some claim can be a problem with getting equity in representation, especially for small towns. The first vote to Concur with the Senate language ended in a NO vote 185Y-188N. The next motion was to Non-Concur with the Senate language… and that vote also ended up in a No vote 185Y-188N. So here the House didn’t want to Concur and then they didn’t want to Non Concur! So what came next was a Table motion. That failed too with 186Y-188N. We were now fast running out of motions! We then had a motion to Non Concur and go to a Committee of Conference. That ended up 188Y- 186N. So off it goes to be furthered argued next week.
We learned HB251 relative to cost of compliance with disclosure of electric renewable portfolio standards, died at the hands of House Democrats who held up red cards. This bill would have made your electric supplier put on your statement how much it costs to comply with RPS. It was a transparency bill. The vote to Concur died 185Y-189N and then a motion to Non-Concur passed 189Y-186N. Lights out on that one!
We learned that another energy bill, HB281 which had many amendments (i.e. language from other bills that died or were retained) tacked onto it by the Senate ended up going to CoC. The first vote to Concur died 176Y-180N and then the motion to Non-Concur and go to CoC passed 179Y-178N. Well, at least it will be worked on, and we’ll just have to see what parts of it survive the CoC gauntlet.
We learned that HB610, which has a huge long descriptive name because several other bills were tacked onto the underlying bill by the Senate, ended up Non-Concur and go to CoC with a vote of 194Y-175N. The underlying bill would expand the definition of medical providers who can certify patients for therapeutic cannabis. The underlying original bill is a good bill really… but the Senate loaded up so much other “stuff” here such as bail reform, product labeling, and sale of hemp products, that objections were raised. Rep. David Meuse (D – Portsmouth) declared it a “Christmas Tree Dumpster Fire”. 194 House members apparently agreed with him.
We learned that only one bill for the day was a roll-called vote. That was for HB467 – relative to playground accessibility. This bill mandates to municipalities that any playground they build must have paved, composite pathways (ie. flat rubber material used to pave the way to and from the playground) so that it can be made accessible. It goes far and above what ADA federal requirements call for and is an unfunded mandate to our municipalities. There were about an hour’s worth of speeches made both for and against the measure. Folks supporting this from both sides of the aisle said how this is needed to help make playgrounds more accessible, because wood chips or gravel or other materials are just too hard to navigate for people who use canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. The opposing side said that this bill will cost municipalities huge money in installing these playgrounds, such that they may decide not to build them at all. Plus the fact that these petroleum based composite walkways may not be good for the environment and may deteriorate more easily and cost much more to maintain. It’s not like municipalities can’t already choose to use these materials, but now they will be mandated to do so with this bill. The roll called vote was to Non Concur and go to CoC. That failed 161Y-199N and then a motion to Concur passed on a voice vote. It’ll be interesting to see what the Governor does with this. Will he opt for inclusion over expensive unfunded municipal mandates from the State, that actually violate our State Constitution?
We learned that 11 Senate bills that had House amendments tacked onto them were voted to go to CoC after the Senate sent them back with said request. One additional bill, SB203, will not be going to CoC, and will die, because the Senate and House positions are so opposed that they will not be able to come to a workable decision. So, on the advice of Rep. Carol McGuire (R-Epsom) the House said no deal to a CoC requested by the Senate.
Finally, next week will be a Committees of Conference extravaganza as all bills going to CoC will have their pow wows. We’ll see how it turns out on June 29 as the House meets for the last time to vote on everything that remains standing. Then, we get to see what the Governor does with all of it. Stay tuned!
