Update: Death Penalty Veto Override “Every Vote Matters” Edition
The saying “every vote matters” was never more applicable than Thursday in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. With a 2/3 majority needed to override Governor Sununu’s veto of the death penalty repeal bill, the final vote on HB455 was 247-123 –a victory margin of precisely one vote.
The extremely tight victory for death penalty repeal advocates came despite extensive pressure from the governor on GOP house members who originally voted “yes” for repeal to change their vote to a “no”. In the end, despite 35 GOP representatives changing their original “yes” vote (see rollcall) on March 9 to a “no” vote on May 23 (see rollcall), the override was achieved.
The fate of the death penalty in New Hampshire now lies in the hands of the Senate, which originally approved it by a 17-6 margin on April 11 (one Senator was absent). Anything less than a 2/3 margin (16-8) in the upcoming Senate override vote means death penalty repeal could once again fail. The earliest possible date the Senate could vote on an override is Thursday.
A Word About Vetoes
Under the New Hampshire State Constitution, the governor has the power to veto any legislation (with the exception of constitutional amendments and House or Senate resolutions) after passage in both the House and Senate. If the governor vetoes a bill, a 2/3 majority of both bodies is required to override the veto. If the override vote falls short, the veto is “sustained” and the legislation is dead for this session.
The governor has already vetoed one bill in this session—SB1 paid family medical leave legislation. More
Other bills where vetoes are likely include gun violence prevention bills passed by both bodies of the legislature, These include a bill requiring universal background checks for those purchasing firearms, a bill that would enforce gun-free school safety zones on New Hampshire public school grounds, and a bill that would establish a 7 day waiting period for most firearms purchases. Additionally, the state budget, fixes to Medicaid work requirements, public school funding reforms, and renewable energy legislation also face potential vetoes.
Other House Votes on May 23
While the death penalty vote grabbed much of the attention, dozens of additional bills were acted on in the House, including:
SB165. By a 229-113 vote, the House passed the Low-Income Community Solar Act. This bill, supported by the governor, will make it possible for a larger numbers of low-income residents to participate in future renewable energy projects.
SB154. This bill, passed 250-89, establishes a committee to study tax incentives to increase higher density affordable housing and workforce housing in our communities.
SB67. Following through on a commitment to modify laws passed in the previous session that make it more difficult for many people to vote, the House approved this bill 215-138. This legislation ensures that a person can’t be accused of violating motor vehicle laws as a result of registering to vote. It clarifies that a person living in NH, and who has demonstrated the intent to make NH his or her “principle place of physical presence to the exclusion of all others,” but who also may know or believe that at some point in the future they may or will move away from NH, may vote where they’re living without having to pay fees to obtain a NH drivers license or to register a car currently registered out-of-state.
SB100. Also known as the “ban the box” bill, this legislation passed 217-130. While employers may still ask an applicant about their criminal history during an interview, it prohibits askIng questions about criminal history on the written or digital employment application itself. The goal is for this to result in fewer applicants being automatically filtered out before having a chance to make their case during an interview. Lack of employment opportunity is one of the biggest reasons why people convicted of criminal offenses go on commit additional crimes when released.