We learned that this was the first day we began tackling our 2024 bills. Before we did that, though, we welcomed our two newest members of the House, Rep. Sean Durkin (R- Coos Dist1) and Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Gorham). We also took some time to remember the Hon. Suzanne Smith (D-Grafton 8), who passed away in early January 2024.
Suzanne served in the New Hampshire legislature from 2008 until her retirement in 2022. She had many interests, including dancing, hiking, reading, and singing, and she was involved in a myriad of activities serving her community. She will be missed.
We learned that a bill that passed on January 4th was brought back for reconsideration after Rep Michael Cahill (D-Newmarket) filed a motion for reconsideration before noon on January 5th after voting on the prevailing side (and probably being chastised for it by his caucus for doing so). This was HB396, which allows for the state to recognize biological sex, such that it permits classification based on biological sex in lavatory facilities, locker rooms, sporting competitions, and detention facilities. The vote for reconsideration failed with 190 NO to 187 YES. So the bill now continues on its way to the next locker room… umm, I mean committee.
We also learned that the House wants police vehicles to be clearly marked. The motion to ITL HB1237 was defeated 213-162, and then a floor amendment was adopted (2024-0345h) by a voice vote, followed by another voice vote to pass the resulting bill. The bill establishes a requirement that any police vehicle purchased after Jan. 1, 2025, must be clearly marked and labeled as a police vehicle in order for it to be used in traffic law enforcement. Proponents of the bill claim that higher police visibility reduces crime. That remains to be seen (literally).
We learned that HB1372 sought to make torture illegal, even though it is already illegal in the US. Proponents felt that a state law would supplement already existing federal law. The bill was ITL’d 319-58. I now wonder if this federal law can be applied to having to sit through some of the floor speeches we heard today.
We learned that the OTP motion for HB1520 was defeated 193-184 and then subsequently killed on a voice vote. This bill would have established a program to purchase, refurbish, and transfer ownership of used vehicles to recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Proponents felt that giving used vehicles to TANF recipients would put them on the road to employment and self-sufficiency. However, opponents felt this would be better achieved through private charity rather than through the state and its taxpayers. Additionally, there’s no stopping the recipients from selling the car, nor were there measures to prevent fraud. Plus, if they are needy, then how can they afford costly future repairs, insurance, etc? This bill was what I call “the Oprah bill”… you get a car, and you get a car, and you get a car….
We learned that we had a bill before us today for which Rep. Lucy Weber (D-Walpole) pleaded with us to pass it “For the Children” (yes, she literally said that). It was HB1068, which would require blood level lead testing for kids entering daycare and public schools. The House killed it 190-189, with the Speaker voting to break the tie in a roll-called vote. This is the same bill that was passed last year by the legislature (HB342) and then vetoed by the Governor with his message, “This bill raises the threshold for children who enroll in New Hampshire’s public schools and is an unnecessary barrier to entry.” I think that with all the talk about abortion going on that perhaps our liberal friends should change their mantra to “It’s for the children that we haven’t aborted.”
Speaking of abortion, we learned that CACR 23, which sought to enshrine the right to an abortion in our state constitution, failed to get the necessary 3/5ths votes to pass. The roll called OTP motion failed 193-184. Rep. Amanda Toll (D-Keene) took her week-old baby daughter with her to give her floor speech in favor of this constitutional amendment (even though we are not allowed to use props while speaking at “the well”). Following her was Rep. Marjorie Smith (D-Durham), who also supports unfettered abortion despite it being “a long time since she has been in the reproductive business” (her words, not mine). It’s also “for the children” – you know, “so they have a choice.” Interestingly enough, there were a lot of problems with the wording of this amendment, but besides that, NH already has the most lenient and reasonable abortion law in the country and provides that a woman can get an abortion for any reason up to 24 weeks (that’s six months) and any time thereafter if there are fetal anomalies or the mother has a health issue. It’s sad that our liberal friends are so hell-bent on having third-trimester abortions for any reason up until the time of birth of a viable, healthy human… as if six months is not enough time to decide. Yet they claim they don’t have a choice.
We learned that HB1002 passed 193-179. This bill allows public bodies to charge fees for documents requested under the Right to Know law if it takes over 10 hours to gather said documents. You have a right to know, but now it can cost you up to $25 an hour for your right to know. Word has it that on February 1, 2024 at 5:45 p.m., Rep. Lisa Smart (R-Meredith), having voted with the prevailing side, served notice of reconsideration on the motion of Ought to Pass with Amendment on HB1002, which the House passed on a roll call vote of 193-179. So this will be coming back next week.
We learned that HB1230 was killed 240-133. This bill would have established a committee to examine weatherization initiatives for homes in NH. As if we already don’t have several long term existing programs that deal with home weatherization. In his floor speech laying out reasons why this bill was a waste of taxpayer money and legislative time, Rep. Harrington (R-Strafford) specifically told the Speaker, “Mr. Speaker, if this bill passes, please don’t put me on this committee”. His fears were put to rest after the bill was ITL’d.
Additionally, we learned that another constitutional amendment was brought to the House. This one was CACR 13, relating to slavery and involuntary servitude. While the State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee recommended unanimously to pass this bill, there were some problems with the language, and a floor amendment was offered to clear up some vague language; language that actually could be used to interpret that carrying a baby during pregnancy could be considered involuntary servitude, as could some other endeavors. To clean that up, the floor amendment (2024-0385h) took the exact wording from our US Constitution 13th amendment (replacing the words US with NH) and sought to use that version in this bill instead. That amendment, unfortunately, died 201-168 on a roll call the vote. The underlying bill was then passed by the House 366-5 (roll called). Interesting to note that on this same date in 1865, the same issue was debated in the US Congress.
We also learned that an attempt to abolish/nullify the military draft in NH failed 266-101 for HB1338.
Then, we learned that HR21 also failed 226-138. This would have been a House resolution to affirm the NH militia as outlined in articles 24 and 25 of our state constitution as well as the US Constitution’s 2nd Amendment. The members who wished to ITL this bill believe that although they recognize the constitutional right to organize a state militia independent of Washington DC, the NH National Guard already operates in that capacity for our state, and this bill was not necessary.
We also learned that HB1391 passed 241-123, which would allow vehicles purchased in the model year or before to be inspected in the second year after purchase. 241 members thought that you shouldn’t need an inspection sooner than two years if you purchase a brand new vehicle, especially since there are warranties and service checks involved with the purchase. Now we’ll see if the next committee will kick the tires on this one and take it for a spin.
We learned that CACR 20 was pulled off consent (ITL’d 20-0 in committee). The bill would have NH secede from the US if the national debt reached $40 trillion. NH would then declare independence and proceed as a sovereign nation. A motion to Indefinitely Postpone this bill passed 341-24, so it cannot be brought forth again until the 2025-26 legislative biennium.
Finally, we learned that HR 20, reaffirming the friendship between Taiwan and NH, passed 354-6 in a roll-called vote. This was another bill pulled off consent. NH does about a quarter billion dollars worth of business with Taiwan. This resolution reaffirms this important relationship.
There’s more to come next week as committees are furiously trying to get through their mountain of bills! Stay tuned! And remember… It’s for the Children!
