What Just Happened? Mar. 7 House Session Recap—the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Another long and challenging Thursday session saw public education, fans of energy diversity, trans minors and their parents, public health advocates, and electric car owners all take it on the chin. But there was some good news too. Here’s what happened as the day unfolded.
The Good
No more hiding from judges, jurors and victims. Something that largely flew under the radar during the coverage of the trial of Adam Montgomery for the murder of his daughter Harmony was his absence from the courtroom for key parts of his trial along with his sentencing. Speaker Emeritus Rep. Steve Shurtleff started the day by asking the House to suspend House rules to allow him to file a new bill that would require anyone charged with a Class A felony to be physically present in the courtroom from arraignment through sentencing. The request passed 286-67.
So-called “parental rights” constitutional amendment blocked. CACR 17, an unnecessary and harmful measure that would have further fueled the culture wars against LTBTQ youth, failed to clear the required 3/5 majority. More at https://indepthnh.org/2024/03/07/house-shoots-down-parental-rights-constitutional-amendment/
Library book surveillance bill blocked. This unfunded mandate would have required local libraries to keep comprehensive records regarding the use of library materials or services of a child —and then to share those records on request with parents. HB 1308 was defeated 194-170. In New Hampshire, parents who don’t feel their child is responsible enough to check books out on their own already have the option of checking out books on a parent’s library card. The bill essentially was a bill requiring the government surveillance of minors.
Steps to broaden access to therapeutic cannabis win support. HB 1278, a bill to add debilitating or terminal conditions to the list of qualifications for using therapeutic cannabis, was approved by voice vote. Also approved by voice vote was HB 1349, which allows those with generalized anxiety disorder to take part in the therapeutic cannabis program.
Attempt to commercialize the sale of human blood and organs fails. In the “you just can’t make this stuff up” category, HB 1482, a bill from a GOP rep that would have resulted in 1) scarce organs being allocated to the highest bidder and 2) desperate people selling off their blood and organs to pay off debts and living expenses, was tabled 326-38.
Zoning appeals process streamlined. HB 1359 passed 265-88. The bill narrows the ability to appeal a zoning decision to those who are abbutters of the property in question. It clarifies the definition on an abbutter and replaces the vague language in the current statute that allows “any aggrieved person” to file an appeal regardless of their proximity to the property. The bill could help accelerate the pace of approval for new housing by discouraging unwarranted objections to new development by people who aren’t directly affected by the development.
The Bad
Clean environment constitutional amendment gets gassed. CACR 14, which would have changed the state constitution to provide that “the state shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations”, was killed 197-168.
NH energy policy priorities move backwards. HB 1623, a bill that would replace a well-balanced statement of New Hampshire energy priorities with one that promotes dependency on large generation stations and deregulation for future energy security, passed 204-168. Worth noting is that there isn’t a single mention of the word “renewables” in the entire bill.
Pulling the plug on removing barriers to electric vehicles. HB 1510 was killed by voice vote. The bill would have established a commission to identify barriers to electric vehicle sales and adoption in New Hampshire—the least EV-friendly state in New England and one of the least inviting states to EV drivers in the nation. Republican legislators have consistently opposed legislation that would expand charging infrastructure. In 2023 they also slipped a provision into the final state budget bill that added a surcharge for registering new electric vehicles and hybrids. And in case you missed it, earler this year the state missed out on a $15 million federal grant to build EV infrastructure. Sam Evans Brown of Clean Energy New Hampshire summed the situation at the time: “There is no broad, overarching, whole-of-government approach to deal with climate change in New Hampshire. And I think that hampers the effort.” More at https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2024-02-01/as-nh-looks-to-federal-money-to-expand-ev-charging-losing-out-on-grants-is-a-blow
Board of education makeover fails. HB 1437, a bill that would have expanded the state board of education from 7 to 11 voting members to better represent all citizens involved with our public school system, was killed 193-173. The bill would have added two parents, a retired public school classroom teacher, a member of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, and a student non-voting member. The bill was introduced in response to the make-up of the current board, which is packed with political cronies of Gov. Sununu with little or no experience in teaching or administering public schools.
One of a kind limited liability exemption for New Hampshire firearms manufacturers, dealers, and importers will continue. HB 1037 , a bill I sponsored that would have repealed an exemption from liability law that is typically reserved for people like police, firefighters, other first responders, and food bank operators—and not for an entire industry—was defeated 196-163. The law was cited in a New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling against two police officers who sued a gun dealer after he sold a weapon to an allegedly mentally ill man who later shot both officers in a robbery attempt. More on this case at https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-supreme-court-gun-store-lawsuit-police-013024/46586957
“Property rights and privacy for me, but not for thee”. HB 1527, a bill that would have expanded the ways property owners could deter trespassing by permitting the application of purple paint instead of or along with signage, was defeated 202-161. The bill was supported by property owners—many of them elderly or with a disability—who were seeking an easier, lower cost alternative to posting “No Trespassing” signs, which are frequently illegally removed or vandalized. It was opposed by hunting interests.
The Ugly
The culture war against trans kids and their parents continues. HB 1660, an inherently discriminatory bill that would ban Medicaid payment for gender ressignment surgery for minors, passed 193-169. This bill is yet another example of legislators inserting themselves into a decision that is best left to the minor in question in conjunction with their parents or guardians and their medical providers. Last week the American Psychological Association released a policy statement that addressed legislative efforts taking place across the country that equate gender-affirming care with child abuse. It states, “Legislative efforts to restrict access to care have involved the dissemination of misleading and unfounded narratives…creating a distorted perception of the psychological and medical support necessary for these youth and creating a hostile environment that adversely affects their mental health and wellbeing.” You can read the complete policy statement here: https://www.apa.org/about/policy/transgender-nonbinary-inclusive-care.pdf