We learned that when Republicans show up they can get the job done. You can see how razor-slim the votes were on some of these bills when they were voted on party lines – slim as in 1 vote! Two things we learned for sure this year: attendance matters, and so does “sticking together.”
We learned that 10 Committee of Conference Reports (and the respective bills) died because they were not signed off. That included the establishment of an election information/voter registration portal (SB70) and Licensure of Music Therapists (SB532), and a Therapeutic Cannabis bill (HB610).
We learned that aside from 8 bills on the Consent Calendar, we had a total of 10 Committee of Conference (CoC) bills to deal with today, and all of them were concurred with except 1. That one was SB61, the landfill siting bill. Arguments against this bill were so compelling that the vote total was flipped from 4 weeks ago when it passed the House 236Y-132N. This time, the concur on CoC went 134Y-238N! The House just decided that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) didn’t need to spend $200,000 on consultants to help them develop new rules for siting landfills. The House also did not see a need to put a 2-year pause on issuing new landfill permits because the landfill siting process takes 18 months anyway, and there are no current permits pending. Previous landfill siting bills have failed to get past the Governor’s desk. It is said that SB61 was one he would have signed. Be that as it may, I am certain we will be talking trash again next year!
We learned that Strafford County will have to come up with new County Commissioner districts, just like the nine other counties have. The CoC report for HB75 passed 186Y-185N after a Tabling vote failed 185Y-186N. No longer will there be “at large” elections for county commissioners in Strafford County? Well, at least candidates will save money on election signs next time around!
We learned that the school tuitioning bill CoC report for HB275 passed 187Y-185N. This was another win for School Choice as it allowed a pupil’s parents to pay the difference between a receiving district’s school tuition cost and the sending district’s tuition cap in a school tuition program. Again, House Democrats voted against parents and against School Choice.
We learned that the CoC report for HB315 passed by an astounding 275Y-98N. This was the “ban on gay panic defense” bill. The use of a person’s gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation cannot be used as a mitigating factor or excuse for murder. The bill bars a claim that a person should be able to argue for manslaughter vs. murder based solely on gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation of the victim. To be clear, this also does not limit a person’s ability to claim self-defense if they have committed a murder. At the end of the day, this bill makes it so that being who you are is never an excuse for violence against you.
We learned that the CoC report for HB536 was another narrow win for House Republicans as it passed 186Y-185N. This bill would allow for good faith negotiations for the purchase or lease of unused school district facilities. Apparently, House Democrats would rather have these buildings stay vacant and/or not be used by Charter Schools or other willing buyers/renters. This bill provides for much better use or disposal of school district facilities and is a win for municipal taxpayers. Class dismissed.
We learned that the CoC report for the energy bill HB281 passed 250Y-121N. House Science, Technology & Energy Committee Chairman Michael Vose (R-Epping) released the following statement: “This legislation is a resounding win for New Hampshire ratepayers and advocates for minimizing the size and influence of the administrative state. It removes unnecessary regulatory burdens, increases transparency on electric bills, and makes important changes to the Site Evaluation Committee. This bill will help us adequately meet the demand for energy, ensuring our long-term economic success.”
He went on to say, “This legislation repeals an out-of-date law requiring utilities to submit expensive and time-intensive reports to the Public Utilities Commission, the costs of which are passed on to ratepayers. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure laws are adapted to the times we are living. This section of the law made sense when utilities owned their energy production facilities, but that time has passed. This change will lower unnecessary regulatory burdens on the utilities and reduces the costs passed onto ratepayers.”
Furthermore Rep. Vose said, “It increases transparency for ratepayers by requiring electric bills to show the yearly price tag for complying with the renewable portfolio standard. This small change comes at no additional cost to ratepayers and allows them to see where their money is going. I am thankful House Democrats came around after they fought so fiercely against this common sense change.” If you recall, two weeks ago, when it came back amended from the Senate, House Democrats voted fiercely against HB281, with the first vote to Concur dying 176Y-180N and then the motion to Non-Concur and go to CoC passing 179Y-178N. What a difference a few weeks can make in the NH House!
We learned that HB221, the bill that contained language about game cameras being placed on private property, passed on a voice vote. This was after it had been pulled off of the Consent Calendar. There were some last-minute concerns raised about a private property owner not being able to take down unwanted game cameras without contacting law enforcement first. Another issue was that Fish and Game is essentially exempt from needing permission to post-game cameras on private property. Both of those issues will be addressed next year with an amendment to the language if this is signed into law by the Governor. We must not forget that the underlying bill regarding agricultural land development rights was also important and needed to be passed. This is a win for property rights, as no one should place game cameras on private property without first obtaining permission from the property owner.
We learned that Jack Sheehan was recognized by the House for his 14 years of service as the Sergeant at Arms staff. He is retiring, and we wish him well.
Additionally, we learned that over $20,000 was raised for Liberty House by our Legislative Golf Classic, and money was presented to Liberty House today by Rep. Michael Moffett (R-Loudon) and Rep. Jim Maggiore (D-North Hampton). A job well done by all!
We also learned that our House Session had a sweet ending as we all celebrated with the Speaker’s Ice Cream Social at the Upham Walker House.
Finally, we learned that the next time the House will convene will be for Veto Day in the fall. What bills that were passed by the legislature this year do you think will succumb to the Governor’s red pen? I guess we’ll see pretty soon! In the meantime, have a great Summer!
