Update: 4 House Sessions in 7 Days
We’ve hit the stretch where we really start earning our $100/year salaries. Last Thursday, we voted on dozens of important bills and this week we meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to vote on hundreds more. The heat is on because this coming Thursday is the deadline for the House to act on bills that aren’t required to be considered by a second committee. Crossover day—the deadline for all bills to be voted on by the full House—is also looming on March 28.
Here are the highlights of the week that was and a preview of the week ahead.
Update: Thursday March 14 Session
In an unusual afternoon session, the House met to consider a range of bills.
By a margin of 210-145, we voted to pass HB-186 to restore and raise the minimum wage in New Hampshire over a three year period, topping out at `$12/hour in 2022. Currently, New Hampshire has no minimum wage, which means the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour applies. While this falls short of the $15/hour level proposed in a floor amendment (which I supported), any progress in this area is welcome. With no increase in the federal minimum wage since July 2009, it’s time for New Hampshire to step up for home health care aides and other workers making the minimum.
We ensured ALL Granite Staters would be protected from discrimination by passing HB-446 by a 224-125 vote. This bill makes it easier for transgender citizens to change their name and gender markers on birth certificates to the gender they identify with.
We protected our environment and set the stage for smarter, more efficient energy future by:
Voting 198-131 to uphold an Inexpedient to Legislate recommendation on HB-477, which would have substantially diminished state energy efficiency funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This program invests in energy efficiency programs to help decrease dependence on fossil fuel dependence—the most effective way of helping our citizens lower their energy bills.
Establishing a legislative committee to identify requirements needed to commit New Hampshire to a goal of using 50% renewable energy to generate electricity by 2040. (HB-496 passed 196-137).
We made our highways safer by passing HB-198. This bill replaces the current driving-while-texting law, which was difficult to enforce and only covers texting. The new law expands and clarifies prohibitions against using phones and other mobile devices while driving. It also increases penalties.
Coming Up This Week
Here are some of the key votes worth following:
HB-109 would require universal background checks for most firearms sales. It would close the “private sale exemption” that allows firearms to be advertised and sold between private parties. Sellers would be required to work with a licensed firearms dealer to complete a background check on a purchaser before a weapon could be exchanged. I will be speaking on the floor in favor of this bill.
HB-514 would impose a 7-day waiting period between the purchase and delivery of most firearms. During the public hearing, we heard testimony from families of suicide and murder victims saying that a bill like this might have saved the lives of their loved ones. The final bill has been amended to remove a similar waiting period for the purchase of ammunition, which would have been a significant issue for out-of-state hunters wishing to purchase ammunition.
HB-494, as amended, directs the Department of Environmental Services to accelerate and expedite more effective removal of contaminants entering Berry’s Brook from the Coakley Landfill. The amendment removes a section of the bill that would have required DES to declare Coakley an “imminent hazard”. DES is concerned this would violate the terms of the EPA consent decree governing cleanup of the site. I will be speaking on the floor in favor of the passage of this bill despite having concerns about the amendment.
HB-480 would legalize sports betting in New Hampshire. If the bill passes, the governor’s budget projects $10 million in new revenue by 2021.
HB-378 would raise New Hampshire’s minimum marriage age from 16 to 18.
HB-558 would restrict the distribution of plastic straws, but would not penalize establishments continuing to provide them to customers.
HB-560 would restrict the distribution of single-use plastic bags on a statewide basis. Bills in previous sessions of the legislature had focused on enabling individual communities to make this decision, but all of these efforts failed. The new bill would ensure a consistent approach statewide.
SB-1 would establish a state run Paid Family and Medical Insurance Program. Paid for by payroll deductions (like other forms of insurance) the program would provide temporary, partial wage replacement (60% of wages) for up to 12 weeks to care for an ill or aging family member or to bond with a newborn.
HB-365 would raise the capacity limit for people generating their own electricity who are eligible for net metering rates from 1 MW to 5 MW. This would allow businesses, towns, school districts, and other large energy consumers to reduce their energy bills. It would also allow cities like Portsmouth to develop larger renewable energy projects on municipally-owned land and buildings.
HB-397 would make it possible for people who don’t have a Social Security number to obtain a drivers license. Currently, the estimated 15,000 undocumented people living in the state can’t obtain a license, but some choose to drive illegally. Possession of a license would not change their citizenship status in any way. But it would make our roads safer by ensuring they have knowledge of our driving laws and have demonstrated proficiency in operating a vehicle.
For the complete list of bills under consideration, see this week’s House Calendar. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.