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Empty Gas

Running on Empty! PAC Fundraiser

Liberty continues to live and grow in New Hampshire. We had 97 NHLA Endorsed Representatives and Senators elected!
We supported 158 candidates in the primary and general election and must replenish funds to be able to support liberty candidates in special elections. We are holding a PAC fundraising event at Vine 32 in Bedford on Monday, November 28th. If you can attend, we’d love to see you at the event. Please buy your ticket (which acts as a contribution to our PAC). If you can’t attend but have the means to help us prepare for what are sure to be challenging special elections in 2023, please consider donating to the PAC.

Bill Hearings for Week of February 28, 2022

  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 5 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 0 and opposition of 0 with 1 being of interest.
Of the 1 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 0 and opposition of 0 with 0 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Of Interest HB1598 legalizing the possession and use of cannabis. Ways and Means Thu 3/3 1:00 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill: I. Legalizes the possession and use of cannabis for persons 21 years of age and older. II. Authorizes the liquor commission to regulate and administer the cultivation, manufacture, testing, and retail sale of cannabis statewide, and makes an appropriation therefor. III. Authorizes a municipality to enact an ordinance prohibiting or limiting the number and type of cannabis establishments that may be permitted within the municipality and regulating the time, place, and manner of operation of a cannabis establishment permitted within the municipality. IV. Establishes the cannabis control fund and requires funds to be distributed to the department of health and human services, bureau of drug and alcohol services, for education tax relief, public safety agency training purposes, and children’s behavioral health services. V. Makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to create public media and social media campaigns to address some of the risks of cannabis use. VI. Authorizes the business finance authority to establish a state-chartered, single purpose depository bank to transact business with cannabis establishments licensed under this act, and makes an appropriation therefor.

Bill Hearings for Week of February 21, 2022

  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 20 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 5 and opposition of 2 with 1 being of interest.
Of the 9 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 1 and opposition of 1 with 0 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Of Interest HB1279 relative to the duration of term alimony. Children and Family Law Tue 2/22 10:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill removes the ending of term alimony upon remarriage of the payee.
Support HB1347 relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities that operate on a membership-based business model. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/22 11:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill exempts membership-based health care facilities from the adoption of certain policies relative to access to care and financial assistance plans. The bill requires membership-based hospitals with emergency departments to prominently post notices that the facility serves members only.
Support HB1487 relative to the procedure for withdrawal from the vaccine registry. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/22 1:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill provides that a health care provider’s signature shall not be required for withdrawal from the state immunization/vaccination registry.
Support HB1570 relative to reducing vehicle registration fees. Transportation Tue 2/22 9:30 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill reduces vehicle registration fees.
Support HB1424 relative to the speed limit for watercraft on Lake Winnipesaukee. Transportation Tue 2/22 1:00 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill changes the speed limit for watercraft on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Support HB435 (New Title) relative to the suspension of drivers’ licenses Transportation Tue 2/22 1:20 PM LOB Room 101 This bill modifies the circumstances under which a driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.
Oppose HB1145 relative to a motor vehicle exception to criminal restraint or false imprisonment and relative to civil immunity and physical force in defense of a person. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 2/23 11:30 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill adds an exception to the criminal restraint and false imprisonment statutes based on temporary detainment in a motor vehicle and removes civil liability for the use of force in the protection of person or property and amends the law governing the duty to retreat when using physical force in defense of oneself or another.
Oppose HB1131 relative to facial covering policies for schools. Education Fri 2/25 9:00 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill prohibits school boards and accredited nonpublic schools from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering.
Support HB1371 relative to school district policies on facial masks of students in schools. Education Fri 2/25 10:00 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill requires school districts to adopt a policy leaving facial mask use to parents of students and not tolerating bullying, harassment, or discrimination.

Bill Hearings for Week of February 14, 2022

  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 31 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 8 and opposition of 4 with 10 being of interest.
Of the 9 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 0 and opposition of 0 with 1 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Of Interest SB348 relative to political expenditures and contributions. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 2/14 1:15 PM SH Room 100 This bill modifies political contribution limits.
Support HB1330 Public hearing on non-germane amendment #2022-0399h to HB 1330, relative to the board of
medical technicians.
Executive Departments and Administration Mon 2/14 10:00 AM LOB 302-304 The amendment repeals the requirements for the certification and regulation of medical technicians by the office of professional licensure and certification. Copies of the amendment are available in the Sergeant-at-Arms Office, Room 318, State House
Oppose HB1481 repealing the statute relative to medical freedom in immunizations. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/14 9:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill repeals the statute pertaining to medical freedom in immunizations.
Support HB1379 relative to the department of health and human services’ rulemaking authority regarding immunization requirements. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/14 10:45 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill limits immunization requirements to those diseases identified in statute and removes the department of health and human service’s rulemaking authority in this area.
Of Interest HB1495 relative to vaccine mandates for government contractors. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/14 2:15 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill establishes a chapter of law prohibiting employee vaccine requirements for government contractors, except for medical providers when there is a direct threat present.
Of Interest HB1614 requiring the recording and storing of digital video in all state-funded juvenile detention facilities. Children and Family Law Tue 2/15 10:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill mandates digital video recording of juvenile detention facilities paid for, in whole or in part, with general funds, as well as establishes the system requirements for such digital videos.
Of Interest HB1612 relative to the confidentiality of reports made to the division of children, youth, and families and requiring guardians ad litem be appointed in certain instances. Children and Family Law Tue 2/15 10:30 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill provides that the identity of any person reporting suspected child abuse or neglect shall be fully confidential unless such a person makes such a report in bad faith or maliciously and with intent to cause harm. This bill also requires courts to appoint guardians ad litem when reports of suspected child abuse or neglect involve one or more parties in a divorce proceeding.
Support HB1280 prohibiting a parent’s refusal to vaccinate a child pursuant to an order of the state or federal government to be used as a basis for terminating parental rights. Children and Family Law Tue 2/15 11:15 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill prohibits a parent’s decision not to have their child vaccinated from being used as grounds to terminate parental rights.
Of Interest HB1607 prohibiting unlawful discrimination in public and nonpublic schools. Education Tue 2/15 9:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires the state board of education to ensure there is no unlawful discrimination in any approved school tuition program, public school, nonpublic school, or educational service that receives public funds.
Of Interest HB1671 relative to the content of an adequate education. Education Tue 2/15 10:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill revises the requirements for the content, definition, and accountability for an adequate public education.
Of Interest HB1678 relative to the administration of the education freedom accounts program. Education Tue 2/15 1:00 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill clarifies certain provisions of the education freedom accounts program and the responsibilities of scholarship organizations and public schools.
Oppose HB1120 relative to education service providers under the education freedom accounts program. Education Tue 2/15 1:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill adds compliance requirements for education service providers requesting payment from education freedom account funds, including criminal history records checks of employees with direct contact with students.
Oppose HB1683 repealing the education freedom account program. Education Tue 2/15 2:30 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill repeals the provisions of the education freedom account program and reverts the unused funds to be deposited to the education trust fund.
Of Interest HB1135 requiring a performance audit of the department of education, education freedom account program. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/15 1:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires a performance audit of the department of education, education freedom account program.
Of Interest HB1395 relative to administrative rulemaking authority. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/15 2:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires that all items of business conducted by the joint legislative committee on administrative rules receive final legislative action by the general court in a joint resolution sponsored by the committee before the business items go into effect.
Support HB1606 making the state vaccine registry an opt-in program. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/15 10:15 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill makes the state immunization registry an opt-in program rather than an opt-out program.
Support HB1026 relative to budget information provided to a budget committee. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 9:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that a municipal budget committee may require that the governing body provide budget recommendations in full line item detail in active spreadsheet format.
Of Interest HB1068 relative to building codes for tiny houses. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 9:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill defines tiny houses and provides for the authority and requirements for municipal regulation.
Support HB1238 relative to zoning powers and the supply of workforce housing. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 10:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill prohibits local proscriptions on workforce housing.
Oppose HB1119 relative to the regulation of single-use bags. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 10:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows towns to regulate the use of paper and plastic bags.
Support HB1268 limiting the authority for city council bylaws and ordinances. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 11:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill limits the authority of city councils to make bylaws and ordinances to those they are specifically empowered to make.
Of Interest HB1289 relative to applications for abatements and authority to abate prior years’ taxes for certain homeowners. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 1:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that good cause for a tax abatement under RSA 76:16 shall include allowed recreational use of OHRVs on class 5 and class 6 roads.
Support HB1393 relative to the adoption of school district budget caps. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 3:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill establishes the requirements for and procedure for the adoption of a school district budget cap.

2021-05-15

<< Back to the Bill Hearings page

  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.
  • Bills included in the list below may or may not be included in the Gold Standard.
  • Click here to view the table below in a new window.


2021 Liberty Dinner – Get your tickets now

The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance cordially invites you to its 2021 Liberty Dinner on Saturday July 24th from 6:00 to 11:00 PM. Formal attire please. 

We will unveil this year’s Liberty Rating, announce the Legislator of the year, and announce the Activist of the year. In addition to a buffet dinner and an evening with both old and new friends, there will be a silent auction of various items – many of them liberty themed!
Get your tickets here!

Organization Day is approaching – what’s next?

gavel photoAs the New Hampshire state election recounts come to a close over the next week, one of the next key events in state government will be Organization Day. Pursuant to Part II, Article 3, of the New Hampshire Constitution, this will occur on December 2nd – the first Wednesday in December. While no legislation will be heard that day there are important activities that will occur including the election of the Speaker of the House and Senate President.

While these are important positions and can influence the outcome of legislation through actions such as committee assignments, the NHLA has historically chosen to not get involved in endorsing candidates for House Speaker or Senate President and this year will be no exception. The selection tends to be dramatically partisan and therefore not aligned with our mission. More importantly, members of the General Court will be selecting individuals for these roles based not only on their positions on liberty but also on their ability to plan and execute general court business in a fair and efficient manner.  Neither our candidate survey nor prior legislative voting record provides objective information that would inform us as to the suitability of an individual for the role.  As a result, we will be taking no position on the candidates for these positions. As always, we do of course encourage NHLA members to engage with the legislative process and make their opinion known to their representatives if they have reasons for supporting or opposing individual candidates.

 

 

Team handing out gold standard at state house

Make an Impact!

This November, “The most important election of our lifetime”TM will take place. No – not that one. I of course speak about the election for the NH Liberty Alliance Director of Research.  Though clearly the opening statement is tongue-in-cheek, it is fair to say that the selection of board members for our organization is important not only to our members, but also to the prospects for long term liberty in the state.  According our bylaws, the duties of the Director of Research shall include, but not be limited to: bill review oversight; documentation of NHLA position on key legislative issues; developing the Liberty Rating for board approval; developing candidate surveys. I thought it might be worthwhile to discuss these duties in a little more detail to help prospective candidates for the role understand the nature of the position.

When we talk about bill review oversight, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is the technical expertise required read and understand complex legislation. In a typical year, nearly 1,000 bills will be generated that require review and the fact is that a majority of these are quite simple to read and often are only a few sentences or at most a couple of pages. While even apparently simple bills can have hidden underlying technical complexity, the truth is that the most challenging portion of this aspect to the role is not technical complexity but rather the effort required to coordinate the activities of a diverse pool of bill review volunteers. As luck would have it, this is also one of the more rewarding aspects of the role.

In 2020, at least 50 NHLA members volunteered their time to complete at least one bill review. Some completed just a handful of reviews while others pushed deep into double or triple digits for the number of reviews. Every one of these reviewers is volunteering a portion of their time to help the organization and advance the cause of liberty.  At times, there can be disagreements on positions in certain bills and a key portion of the role is to approach each of the inputs with an open mind and understand the perspective of the individual reviewers. Much is often made about the level of disagreement within liberty learning circles but over the years I’ve found that vast majority of our review volunteers are level-headed but passionate about their positions and it has been very rewarding to work with a group of such dedicated volunteers. Bill review season typically kicks off in December as the first pieces of text for the following year’s session start to appear in the state system and continues throughout the legislative season until ~June as bills are amended as they make their way through the process.

Team handing out gold standard at state houseUltimately, the inputs from the bill reviewers along with information from recorded or live witnessed public hearings and summary data from the legislative committees must be distilled into an NHLA position for each impactful bill and documented in the Gold Standard publication. Here again, you will be aided by a smaller core group of volunteers including current and former legislators to formulate the liberty position on key legislation.  Mentoring and training that of the bill review volunteers can pay off significantly each week as you work pull together a concise set of recommendations for each bill. This role typically requires weekly investment of time from about January through June. The NHLA has a great group of dedicated volunteers who distribute the Gold Standard each week at the state house (when sessions are run at the state house!) thus while having availability to go to Concord to support the distribution could be helpful, it is by no means a requirement of the job. The regular tempo during the legislative season can certainly be challenging but at the same time, this fast-paced work is also exciting.

As the season comes to an end, the position requires developing the Liberty Rating that scores legislators based on roll-call votes on matters that appeared in the Gold Standard. While the rating is the world’s easiest ‘open book test’ development of the rating is key as scores from the rating along with scores from the candidate survey developed by the Director of Research are key inputs to the Political Director to help determine endorsements in future elections.

Finally, any role in an all-volunteer organization ends up with a non-trivial portion of the effort falling into the “but not be limited to” category of the by-law role definition. While some tasking is very directly aligned with the role (e.g. supporting the political director and chair in the generation of the weekly activist alert heading into bill public hearings), other aspects may vary substantially based on the interests and amount of time that a person can dedicate to the position.

Ultimately, serving on a public-facing volunteer board is likely to be both more challenging and more fulfilling than you might initially imagine. It also is likely to help hone skills that will be useful in other aspects of your life. Most importantly, serving in a role like this can be one possible realization of a personal goal to apply the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of individuals’ rights to life, liberty, and property.