Today we learned that you are very lucky!!! I got re-elected for another 2 year term and will continue to write and report on House proceedings and let you all know what we learned along the way!
We also learned that today was Organization Day in the NH House (and Senate)! That means that House and Senate members who were elected, or re-elected, on November 5th were sworn in and begun to do the work to represent the people of NH! Interesting to note that a State Rep. seat in Strafford County (Somersworth and Rollinsford) became vacant today when a Democrat resigned even before being sworn in (the person moved out of the district), and there may be a special election to fill it. While this district leans Democrat, it presents an incredible opportunity for Republicans to flip the seat and grow our majority in the New Hampshire House. Let’s work to win that seat!
We learned that the first order of business after attendance was roll called, was that we all took the oath of office swearing to uphold both the NH and US Constitution and perform the duties incumbent of a State House Representative. Governor Sununu and his Executive Councilors presided over the swearing in ceremony.
We learned that there was much drama and angst over the House Speaker race, especially in the preceding days, since another Republican challenger arose against 2023-2024 House Speaker Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry). After the Republicans chose Speaker Packard as their nominee for the position during their caucus on November 4th, Rep. Kim Rice (R-Hudson) decided to throw her hat into the ring. Apparently, there were some disagreements and issues that Rep. Rice and her supporters had with leadership.
In the meantime, Democrats chose Rep. Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) as their nominee. So there was potential for a 3-way race, which could have shut Speaker Packard out of the position and caused major upheaval in the Republican caucus and the House in general, potentially allowing the Democrat nominee to win and control a Republican majority House! Thankfully, and with grace, Rep. Rice abandoned her challenge. After some lively discussion and what was described as “assurances” with Speaker Packard before the House session, Rep. Rice stepped to the well of the House to second the nomination of Speaker Packard. Everyone seemed quite surprised and also drew a huge sigh of relief. The race was then between Speaker Packard and Rep. Simpson, resulting in 202 votes for Packard, 162 votes for Simpson, seven blank ballots, and 17 “scatter” write-ins (388 votes in all). Simpson then ceremoniously gave her votes to Packard to make it unanimous. Congratulations to Speaker Packard, and many thanks to Rep. Rice for seeing the wisdom of uniting the Republican caucus in the end and saving our much hard-earned majority.
We also learned that the House unanimously re-elected Paul Smith as House Clerk and J.B. Cullen as House Sergeant-at-Arms. There were no surprises. Speaker Packard then swore them in as they took their oaths of office.
Additionally, we learned that the Senate, with their newly appointed Senate President, Sen. Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) were invited into House Chambers for a joint session. The purpose of the joint session was to elect our Secretary of State and State Treasurer. Both Secretary of State David Scanlan and State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelle won the unanimous votes of this joint convention to serve another 2 years in their respective positions. Neither had challengers. After that vote, the Senate left House chambers.
The House then voted unanimously via voice votes on five house-keeping resolutions. HR1 was to adopt House rules, which included creating three committees: splitting the Education committee into Education Policy and Education Finance committees and creating a new Committee on Housing. We then voted on HR2 to allow for recording and documenting House proceedings, HR3 to make the House calendar available to citizens, HR4 so that the Speaker can assign personnel, and HR5 (which was most important) for Representatives to get paid their $200 plus mileage.
Finally, we learned that we spent a reasonable amount of time debating a motion to adopt new ethics guidelines. The ethics guidelines included some new wording to align the guidelines with statute changes made with the passage of HB1388 in 2024. That bill defined “special interest” and “organization” for the purposes of determining the ethical duties of members of the general court and made provisions for the recusal of members of the general court for conflicts of interest. This sparked some debate among House members, such that they proposed a motion to adopt these new guidelines at the next House session on January 8th, either by special ordering the adoption of the guidelines or tabling the motion until then. Members said they did not have enough time to read and understand them and that there were questions unanswered about definitions and how people would be affected if they were members of certain organizations. That being said, a tabling motion failed 106Y-240N. That vote had to be head/hand counted since the electronic voting had not been set up for newly sworn-in members of the House. The special order motion was withdrawn and the House finally adopted the guidelines via a voice vote. If members have questions about how the new guidelines would affect them, they will have to ask the ethics committee for clarification.
So, kids… that’s it. We plan to have a great two years in the House with a solid Republican Majority—a super Republican Majority in the Senate—and a Republican Governor and Council. We hope to accomplish great things for our state and the people of New Hampshire! LET’S DO THIS!
