There was no official legislative work in July, but I did meet with the working group on HB 1312. That bill was to address the need for a 1,000-gallon grease trap at an ice cream shack and was held for study in my committee because testimony revealed multiple conflicts between the state building code and various agencies’ rules.
The working group was specifically addressing the issue of grease traps for restaurants on septic tanks and involved the building code review board, code enforcement officers, plumbers, Environmental Services’ septic oversight division, and Health & Human Services restaurant licensing (for public health.) After three meetings and a lot of friendly discussions, it was resolved that the septic rules, plumbing code, and restaurant licensing rules all need to be changed to resolve the discrepancies! The building code review board is identifying other areas where agency rules conflict with the building code, and I expect some legislation to settle conflicts.
I was appointed to the study committee on Office of Professional Licensing and Certification (OPLC) operations. We first meet next week and will be looking at fees, cost allocations to the various boards, and if some boards could be consolidated or deleted.
It was a pleasure to meet with so many people at the Epsom and Dunbarton Old Home Days! It turns out my primary is contested, but both candidates are pleasant to work with and capable (it’s a two-seat district.) I prefer JR Hoell because he has experience in the legislature and can hit the ground running: I’m campaigning with him. If the primary voters decide otherwise, I’ll support Ernie (or take a break from the legislature!)
The primary election is Tuesday, September 13, and I urge everyone to go vote. Every district is different, but in Epsom, I have contested elections for Governor, US Senator, Congressman, Executive Councilor, state senator, and one representative in Merrimack 14 (I’ve endorsed my husband Dan McGuire), and two representatives in Merrimack 27 (I’m one.) Usually, turnout is low for the Primary elections, so your vote matters more than usual. If you have a favored (or unfavored!) candidate in any of these races, your vote may make the difference.
I’ve also started working on bills for next year. So far, I’ve got some updates for the scope of practice for occupational therapists (requested by their professional organization); and some bills from this year. I’ll probably resubmit my cannabis legalization bill and HB 275, the executive ability to declare a state of emergency (unless we manage to override the veto…) As vice chair (and likely chair next session) of JLCAR (the joint legislative committee on administrative rules), I expect some clarifying amendments to that process. Probably some of the bills being studied in my committee will need further legislation as well.
I’m also looking at the requirements for farm and agricultural plates: the rules are being updated right now, but there’s a lot of confusion among the town clerks and the DMV. At the least, I expect to specify that the town clerk, not the DMV, determines if a vehicle is a “truck” (that is, used for carrying farm goods – the DMV seems to put too much emphasis on the sheet metal rather than the usage) and if a business is a “farm.” I’ve had constituents look for help on both these issues, and right now nobody is sure who decides.
Anyone who has an idea where our laws need to change should get in touch with me soon; I can file bills in September (assuming I win the primary) and all representatives again in November, after the election.
