Wednesday, November 30, 2011 · House · 4 positions
- Pro-libertyHB 218repealing the New Hampshire rail transit authority.
Why
This bill would repeal a committee for an uneconomical transportation system.
* Rail service is heavily subsidized by all taxpayers - regardless of usage
* Rail transit makes economic sense only in limited, high-density, high-population areas. It is impractical here; the rural nature of New Hampshire means that most riders will still have to travel by car many miles to board a train.
* Rail transit projects invariably go way over budget and are completed far later than the original deadline. Recent rail boondoggles have proved this. - Anti-libertyHB 380relative to the commission on the status on men.
Why
This bill would exempt the commission on the status of men from repeal on June 30, 2011.
* As stated in the veto, this commission was recommended for repeal, "to help make state government more efficient, reduce cost, and eliminate waste..." The NHLA supports those goals.
* If passed, this law would retroactively take effect June 30th, 2011. Part 1, Article 23 of the NH Constitution prohibits retrospective laws. - Pro-libertyHB 474-FNrelative to freedom of choice on whether to join a labor union.
Why
This bill would exempt employees that opt not to join a union from paying agency fees.
* Forcing an employee who chooses not to associate with a union to pay that union is an act of coercion.
* The NHLA opposes the criminalization penalties and sign postage mandates in this bill. - Pro-libertySB 57relative to regulation of title loan lenders.
Why
This bill would allow for collateral backed short term loans.
* Title loans give consumers more choice; banks and credit unions don't offer these kinds of short-term loans.
* High interest rates are appropriate on some loans because the terms of these loans are very short. The interest does not compound significantly so the actual amount of money transferred to the lender is comparatively small.
* These loans are useful for people who have unexpected short-term expenses and need a loan to cover them until they can adjust their spending habits to generate the needed surplus funds.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 · House · 4 positions
- Anti-libertyHB 380relative to the commission on the status on men.
Why
This bill would exempt the commission on the status of men from repeal on June 30, 2011.
* As stated in the veto, this commission was recommended for repeal, "to help make state government more efficient, reduce cost, and eliminate waste..." The NHLA supports those goals.
* If passed, this law would retroactively take effect June 30th, 2011. Part 1, Article 23 of the NH Constitution prohibits retrospective laws. - Pro-libertyHB 474-FNrelative to freedom of choice on whether to join a labor union.
Why
This bill would exempt employees that opt not to join a union from paying agency fees.
* Forcing an employee who chooses not to associate with a union to pay that union is an act of coercion.
* Employment should be based upon the mutual benefit between employee and employer.
* The NHLA opposes the criminalization penalties and sign postage mandates in this bill. - Pro-libertySB 57relative to regulation of title loan lenders.
Why
This bill would allow for collateral backed short term loans.
* Title loans give consumers more choice; banks and credit unions don't offer these kinds of short-term loans.
* High interest rates are appropriate on some loans because the terms of these loans are very short. The interest does not compound significantly so the actual amount of money transferred to the lender is comparatively small.
* These loans are useful for people who have unexpected short-term expenses and need a loan to cover them until they can adjust their spending habits to generate the needed surplus funds. - Pro-libertySB 88relative to physical force in defense of a person and relative to the brandishing of a firearm or other means of self-defense.
Why
This bill would recognize self preservation inside and outside the home.
* [Art.] 2-a. [The Bearing of Arms.] All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.
* People in fear for their lives should not have to retreat but should be able to defend themselves.
* The right to bear arms requires that people be able to display the tools of self-defense to warn and discourage would-be attackers.
1 bill with no position.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 · House · 5 positions
- Anti-libertySB 129-FNrelative to presenting photo identification to vote in person and relative to the election fund.
Why
This bill would require presenting photo identification to vote in person.
* Part first, Article 11, of the NH Constitution states: All elections are to be free, and every inhabitant of the state of 18 years of age and upwards shall have an equal right to vote in any election.
* Fraudulent voting is already a crime. Existing laws should be enforced against anyone who breaks them, rather than creating new regulations that burden everyone.
* The number of people who register to vote at the polls and don't show a photo ID is vanishingly small.
On November 2nd, 2010 only 49 people statewide cast ballots this way - 1/88th of one percent - hardly a problem which justifies burdening the other 99.989% of voters at the polls.
* Implementing this will increase the cost of elections.
* This bill promotes a 'papers, please' agenda, where citizens are forbidden from exercising their constitutional right to vote unless they have a government-issued identification card.
* We recommend a YEA vote on floor amendment 2209h, then NAY on OTP/A motion. - Pro-libertySB 151-FNrelative to contracts of the department of health and human services.
Why
This bill would require consolidation of service contracts.
* Streamlines operations to save taxpayer dollars.
- Pro-libertySB 2relative to adoption of spending caps by municipalities.
Why
This bill would allow for municipalities to enact spending caps.
* Gives more control to local voters over spending, and thereby helps to rein in future tax increases.
* Allows municipalities to put provisions in their charters requiring supermajority votes before large spending increases can happen.
* Helps address several issues where a previous Supreme Court opinion found certain aspects of the spending caps to be unlawful. - Pro-libertySB 70-FNrelative to remedies in landlord-tenant actions.
Why
This bill would repeal unnecessary restrictions on rental property owners.
* Improves an owner’s control of his private property and reduces the burdensome regulation and costs of extended storage requirements.
* Rights to contract and property rights should be held sacrosanct by legislatures.
* Repealing last year's new requirement on owners to file an address for process service is a positive step towards reducing government regulation and deferring to personal responsibility.
* Regulations, reporting requirements, and fines all discourage investment in real property. - Pro-libertySB 88relative to physical force in defense of a person and relative to the brandishing of a firearm or other means of self-defense
Why
This bill would allow people to possess tools of defense without permission or notice.
* This bill complies with Part 1 Art. 2a of the NH Constitution, protecting a person's right to keep and bear arms, while also recognizing law enforcement's interest in prohibiting certain persons from carrying.
* Statistically, people who lawfully carry guns have a crime rate that is vanishingly small when compared to the population in general. There is no valid reason to license them in the first place.
* The NHLA supports the language of amendment 2011-2235h over calendar amendment 2011-2156h, but both are pro-liberty additions.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 · House · 5 positions
- Pro-libertyHB 474-FNrelative to freedom of choice on whether to join a labor union.
Why
This bill would exempt employees that opt not to join a union from agency fees.
* Forcing an employee who chooses not to associate with a union to pay that union is an act of coercion.
* Employment should be based upon the mutual benefit between employee and employer.
* The NHLA opposes the criminalization penalties and sign postage mandates in this bill. - Pro-libertySB 120relative to alcoholic beverage advertising restrictions.
Why
This bill would loosen the speech restrictions on beer advertisements.
* A small step in the right direction, this bill removes some restrictions on advertising.
- Pro-libertySB 162-FNrelative to federal health care reform 2010.
Why
This bill would create a committee to provide legislative oversight during implementation of new, federal healthcare law.
* Prevents unelected state agents from taking any action regarding federally mandated health insurance, including rulemaking, without first receiving approval from an oversight committee of three representatives and two senators.
* As amended allows the oversight committee to revisit all existing rules regarding federal health care reform and allows the oversight committee to order the commissioner to withdraw them.
* This bill as amended eliminates the state position of health reform coordinator. - Anti-libertySB 55-FNrequiring certain engine coolants and antifreeze to include an aversive agent so that they are rendered unpalatable.
Why
This bill would require that chemicals be added to antifreeze to make it unpalatable.
* This bill is unnecessary because these companies are changing their formulation anyway.
* Enforcement and inspection of a change that is already embraced by industry is unnecessary.
* The free market has clearly demonstrated that consumers will pay extra for products they deem to be safe or eco-friendly, demonstrating that this level of micromanagement is unnecessary. - Pro-libertySB 93relative to pharmacist administration of vaccines.
Why
This bill would expand the number of pharmacist-administered vaccines.
* Expands consumer choice in the provision of health care.
* Has potential to decrease medical care costs.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 · House · 5 positions
- Anti-libertyCACR 5elating to the governor's power to reduce appropriations. Providing that the governor shall have line item reduction power of items in any bill making appropriations of money.
Why
This amendment relates to the governor’s power to reduce appropriations.
* One of the guiding principle of our government is stated in Part I, Art. 37, "the legislative, executive, and judicial, ought to be kept as separate from, and independent of, each other"
* If we follow the logic of CACR5, the Governor should be able to use a line item veto on any piece of legislation, and be able to strike sections from any bill. Giving this type of capability to amend bills to a single individual clearly interferes with the legislature's powers and responsibilities. - Anti-libertySB 129-FNrelative to presenting photo identification to vote in person and relative to the election fund.
Why
This bill would require photo identification to vote in person.
* Part first, Article 11, of the NH Constitution states: All elections are to be free, and every inhabitant of the state of 18 years of age and upwards shall have an equal right to vote in any election.
* Fraudulent voting is already a crime. Existing laws should be enforced against anyone who breaks them, rather than creating new regulations that burden everyone.
* The number of people who register to vote at the polls and don't show a photo ID is vanishingly small. On November 2nd, 2010 only 49 people statewide cast ballots this way.. 1/88th of one percent - hardly a problem which justifies burdening the other 99.989% of voters at the polls.
* Implementing this will increase the cost of elections. Additional staff will have to be availible to handle the late election returns and meet certain time obligations complicated by the additional window to receive ballots after the election, along with the costs for thousands of provisional ballot envelopes around the state.
* This bill promotes a 'papers, please' agenda, where citizens are forbidden from exercising their Constitutional right to vote unless they have a government-issued identification card. - Anti-libertySB 162-FNrelative to federal health care reform 2010.
Why
This bill would require the state to do research and policy analysis in the event New Hampshire is required to implement Federal Health Care Reform.
* Public Law 111-152 is a federal law, not a state law. New Hampshire cannot be "required" (as the bill states) under any circumstances to implement federal regulations or rules or enact federal law into state law. See: Part first, Article 7 [State Sovereignty]
* Passing this bill after passing SB 148-FN (requiring NH to join the lawsuit against the federal health care act) sends a mixed message about intent to comply with unconstitutional mandates. - Anti-libertySB 58-FN-Aadding qualified community development entities to the definition of "qualified investment company" under the business profits tax and the business enterprise tax.
Why
This bill would include a narrow type of organization in a list of organizations exempted from the Business Profits Tax.
* Generally, reducing taxes is good. But not when the bill results in only a very small group of influential property developers and investors being exempted from an already unpopular tax.
* This bill entangles NH in a bureaucratic federal program that gives state tax exemptions from the Business Profits Tax to wealthy government-recognized investors only.
* If the Business Profits Tax reduces investments and destroys jobs then it should be amended or repealed; not abused as a vehicle to pick winners and losers with ad hoc exemptions and indulgences. "Qualified investment companies" should compete on the same playing field as everyone else. - Pro-libertySB 93relative to pharmacist administration of vaccines.
Why
This bill would expand the number of pharmacist-administered vaccines.
* Expands consumer choice in the provision of health care.
* Has potential to decrease medical care costs.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 · House · 3 positions
- Pro-libertySB 157-FNrelative to the division of weights and measures and fees for licensing weighing devices and the definition of service technician.
Why
This bill would reinstate the ability for technicians to certify equipment as honest.
* For 20 years private parties inspected and certified weights and measures. The recent change requiring a government official to do the job makes the process more onerous and therefore more expensive for the business owner.
- Pro-libertySB 57relative to regulation of title loan lenders.
Why
This bill would allow for collateral backed short term loans.
* High interest rates are appropriate on some loans because the terms of these loans are very short. The interest does not compound significantly so the actual amount of money transferred to the lender is comparatively small.
* These loans are useful for people who have unexpected short-term expenses and need a loan to cover them until they can adjust their spending habits to generate the needed surplus funds.
* Title loans give consumers more choice; banks and credit unions don’t offer these kinds of short-term loans. - Pro-libertySB 91relative to automatic fire suppression sprinklers.
Why
This bill would exempt sprinkler systems in one or two family homes.
* To save lives, smoke detectors are already mandated. Sprinkler systems exist to protect property, and the degree to do that should be left to the homeowner.
* The additional cost of a sprinkler system is small in and of itself; but it is one of innumerable small ways in which regulation 'nickel and dimes' small costs into large chunks of the cost of a new house.
* Small sprinkler systems require a pressurization system, which must be periodically inspected (thus raising costs even more). Also, the pressurization system is in and of itself a hazard to property. If it goes awry, the water damage can be just as bad as fire damage.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 · House · 7 positions
- Anti-libertyHB 292-FNrelative to securities regulation.
Why
This bill would increase penalties for certain misdemeanors to felonies.
* [Art.] 18 - All penalties ought to be proportioned to the nature of the offense.
* Declares securities violations as "public welfare" offenses i.e. crimes that seriously threaten the community's health or safety, thus classifying them in the same category as murder, rape, arson.
* This bill would create an unfriendly business environment in NH; in particular, small businesses without large legal or compliance staffs will bear the brunt of new restrictions.
* Would allow government employees in the securities bureau - at several levels - to override others' decisions, inhibiting timely resolution of claims.
* The bill allows the secretary of state to completely ignore the findings of the presiding officer of a hearing, which has the potential to increase politically motivated investigations and prosecutions. An investigation, even without prosecution, can ruin a business. - Pro-libertyHB 519-FNrepealing New Hampshire's regional greenhouse gas initiative cap and trade program for controlling carbon dioxide emissions.
Why
This bill would end our participation in RGGI.
* Repeals a program that stealthily taxes all electricity consumers.
* Money raised was originally slated to support energy efficiency programs, but millions of dollars collected from the program were misappropriated into the general fund in 2010, far from the original intent of RGGI.
* Remaining funds from the program will go to existing energy efficiency projects. - Pro-libertyHB 580-FN-Lrelative to the New Hampshire retirement system
Why
This bill would restructure the retirement system so as to reduce taxpayer costs and better align the state system with private sector benefits.
* Begins to rectify the gross underfunding and unsustainability of this system.
* Increases age and years of service thresholds by 5 years, excludes various non-base pay compensation from formulas.
* Eliminates prolonged double dipping. - Pro-libertyHB 635-FN-Arequiring the governor to consolidate certain agency functions and making an appropriation therefor.
Why
This bill would require the governor to consolidate various service centers.
* Consolidating back-office services improves efficiency, thereby reducing government spending.
- Pro-libertyHB 648relative to eminent domain petitions by public utilities.
Why
This bill would restrict eminent domain by utilities.
* [Art.] 12-a. [Power to Take Property Limited.] No part of a person's property shall be taken by eminent domain and transferred, directly or indirectly, to another person if the taking is for the purpose of private development or other private use of the property.
* The committee amendment improves the bill by broadening it from a prohibition aimed directly at the Northern Pass project to aligning the bill to our current statutes and state constitution. - Anti-libertyHB 651allowing the sale and possession of monk parakeets.
Why
This bill would attempt to regulate property that harms no one.
* The NHLA opposes the committee amendment and supports the original bill
* Monk parakeets are a non-invasive species and do not pose a threat to crops or native species.
* Monk parakeets would become the only animal species to be banned via NH statue
* YEA on OTP - Anti-libertyHB 83relative to vessel registration.
Why
This bill would require all motorized vessels to be registered in NH waters.
* This would penalize people who just want to see if the boat leaks.
* A boat tethered to a private dock or mooring shouldn't require registration just because a motor could be affixed to it.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 · House · 18 positions
- Anti-libertyCACR 12relating to funding of public education. [ ... ]
Why
This bill would eliminate local control of education in an attempt to resolve Claremont funding crisis.
* This amendment would provide the General Court with the authority to set standards for education (curriculum) and standards of accountability (assessments). This would remove local control.
* Uses the term "reasonable," which would invite additional lawsuits.
* Giving the general court an enumerated power of "full discretion to determine the... methods of raising... funding" puts all options on the table. - Pro-libertyHB 109relative to residential fire sprinklers
Why
This bill would prohibit planning boards from requiring sprinklers in one and two family residences.
* Prevents mandating onerous and costly installations of a fire suppression systems in homes.
* Allows for other fire safety provisions, such as fire ponds, to be considered by the planning board. - Pro-libertyHB 156-FN-Areducing the rates of the tobacco tax.
Why
This bill
* Lower taxes spawn business growth and economic development, leading to more jobs in NH.
- Pro-libertyHB 158relative to the misuse of social security number.
Why
This bill would allow a civil cause of action in the misuse of another's social security number.
* Victims of identity theft should be able to punish the perpetrators for this gross invasion of privacy.
- Pro-libertyHB 213-FN-Areducing the rate of the business profits tax.
Why
This bill
* Lower taxes spawn business growth and economic development, leading to more jobs in NH.
- Pro-libertyHB 218repealing the New Hampshire rail transit authority.
Why
This bill would repeal a committee for an uneconomical transportation system.
* In modern times, train service is heavily subsidized by all taxpayers regardless of usage.
* Rail transit makes economic sense only in limited, high-density, high-population areas. It is impractical here; the rural nature of New Hampshire means that most riders will still have to travel by car many miles to board a train.
* Rail transit projects invariably go way over budget and are completed far later than the original deadline. Recent rail boondoggles have proved this.
* Once a rail system is implemented it will be very hard to get rid of. - Pro-libertyHB 229-FN-Arepealing the tax on gambling winnings.
Why
This bill
* Lower taxes spawn business growth and economic development, leading to more jobs in NH.
- Pro-libertyHB 316relative to due process requirements in property appraisals for property tax purposes.
Why
This bill would ensure that homeowners retain the right of appeal in tax disputes.
* People should not have to give up their right to privacy in order to appeal an unfair tax assessment.
* Protects the constitutional right to due process in the property assessment process. - Pro-libertyHB 341relative to local spending caps.
Why
This bill would explicitly allow spending caps to be enacted in charter towns.
* The New Hampshire courts have ruled in some cases that the state must explicitly grant power to enact a spending cap. This cures that problem.
- Anti-libertyHB 387requiring providers of prepaid cellular telephone service to provide subscriber information to the enhanced 911 system.
Why
This bill would require personal information about mobile phone subscribers be given to government agents without a warrant.
* Information for emergency services providers is the location of the phone; which is available to the phone company but has no relation to the given address of the phone purchaser.
* Claims of 'emergency' can be used to justify any action. - Anti-libertyHB 389-FN-Lrelative to broadband infrastructure.
Why
This bill would encourage local governments to compete with private industry.
* Current law already permits municipalities to build broadband infrastructure - this bill removes the requirement that they do so in areas not served by an existing broadband carrier or provider. By definition, if the area is already being served, the municipality will be directly competing with the private industry.
- Pro-libertyHB 442-FNrelative to the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Why
This bill would legalize marijuana for the purpose of treating medical conditions.
* Doctors and patients, not bureaucrats, should be the ones to make important medical decisions.
* Natural cannabis has demonstrable medical benefits that no other drug (even synthetics) can match.
* Federal involvement in state medical law is not authorized by the U.S. Constitution, and is a violation of state sovereignty, as protected by Part I, Art. 7 of the New Hampshire Constitution. - Pro-libertyHB 513-FNrelative to end of life aid in dying for certain persons suffering from a terminal disease.
Why
This bill would allow adults diagnosed with a terminal condition to request medication which would enable then to control the time, place, and manner of their death.
* Adults have a fundamental right to make decisions about their bodies - whether it be smoking, eating trans fats, buckling a seatbelt, or choosing to end their pain and suffering from a terminal condition.
* Adults who currently choose to end their own lives (an act which is perfectly legal) should be able to have their loved ones present at the end without their risking felony charges (RSA 630:4). - Pro-libertyHB 540-FNrelative to motor vehicle inspections.
Why
This bill would change the motor vehicle inspection requirement from annual to biennial.
* The state imposes a major unnecessary expense by requiring annual inspections.
* The people of New Hampshire would save millions of dollars and thousands of hours every year.
* Minnesota abolished vehicle inspections some years ago, with no obvious impact on highway safety. - Anti-libertyHB 546relative to the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving.
Why
This bill would be an ineffective and unenforceable solution to distracted driving.
* Distracted driving is already prohibited.
* Without government coercion, many people have voluntarily adopted hands-free usage.
* This law is over-reaching - merely holding a phone near one's ear is considered to be a violation.
* Studies also show that cell-phone bans do not actually improve road safety: <a href="http://is.gd/dPgIcV">http://is.gd/dPgIcV</a> - Pro-libertyHB 557-FN-Arelative to the standards and burden of proof with respect to the business profits tax deduction for reasonable compensation attributable to owners of partnerships, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships.
Why
This bill
* Lower taxes spawn business growth and economic development, leading to more jobs in NH.
- Anti-libertyHB 560increasing the minimum wage.
Why
This bill might make it more expensive to create new jobs.
* Minimum wage laws lower the number of entry-level jobs and make it harder for people of low skill to get their start in the workforce.
* Higher wages for everyone are better accomplished through job creation - more jobs means more competition to hire all workers. - Pro-libertyHB 589repealing written majority authorization for an employee organization to be certified as the exclusive representative of public employees in a bargaining unit.
Why
This bill would restore protections associated with secret ballot elections for workers.
* This bill would uphold an individual's right to privacy when voting in an election of an exclusive representative of an employee organization.
* Unlike a secret ballot election, where a worker can make a decision without undue intimidation, under card check, there's nothing stopping union bosses from intimidating workers one-on-one - or three-on-one into signing so-called "union authorization cards" that are essentially irrevocable.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 · House · 12 positions
- Pro-libertyHB 145permitting the audio and video recording of a law enforcement officer while in the course of her or her official duties.
Why
This bill would create a wiretapping law exemption for recording law enforcement.
* On the job means on the record: Part I, Art. 8 of the New Hampshire Constitution provides that officers and agents of the government are at all times accountable to the people.
* A member of law enforcement has a right to record you without your consent at a traffic stop, but citizens recording the exact same conversation have been threatened and even charged with a felony. - Pro-libertyHB 210-FNrelative to the use of deadly force to protect oneself.
Why
This bill would allow people to defend themselves when attacked.
* [Art.] 2-a. [The Bearing of Arms.] All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.
* People in fear for their lives should not have to retreat but should be able to defend themselves. - Pro-libertyHB 225-FNrelative to the return of personal property confiscated by law enforcement agencies from a person charged with a crime.
Why
This bill would create incentives for police to carefully handle and return property.
* Part 1, Art. 8 NH constitution "Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive."
* Often property is seized involuntarily from innocent people before adjudication; this puts an equal responsibility on law enforcement to return personal property. - Anti-libertyHB 235relative to the right to possess a firearm in one's personal motor vehicle.
Why
This bill would infringe on the right of people to control their own property.
* This is not a gun bill, this is a property rights bill. The right to be armed derives from the right to defend oneself, which in turn derives from the right to property.
* It is in the rational self-interest of property owners to not hinder what people may carry in their vehicles, but this should not be mandated by law.
* This bill is anti-liberty because it forces property owners to allow firearms without their consent. - Pro-libertyHB 330-FNrelative to carrying firearms.
Why
This bill would allow people to carry tools of defense without permission or notice.
* This bill complies with Part 1 Art. 2a of the NH Constitution, protecting a person’s right to keep and bear arms, while also recognizing law enforcement’s interest in prohibiting certain persons from carrying.
* Statistically, people who lawfully carry guns have a crime rate that is vanishingly small when compared to the population in general. There is no valid reason to license them in the first place.
* We support amendment 2011-0811h (striking item II (j) from the bill) because including Federal statutes in our laws leaves them open for modification without the consent of the legislature. - Pro-libertyHB 331-FNrelative to posting agency expenditures on the state transparency website.
Why
This bill would mandate state agencies to track and publish their costs monthly.
* After twelve months, year over year comparisons will be available on an ongoing basis.
* Journalists and watchdog groups will have up to date budget facts rather than extrapolated conjecture. This will lead to a more informed citizenry.
* Inconsistencies may be caught and corrected early, which leads to better governance. - Pro-libertyHB 378-FNinserting an exception to the criminal threatening statute.
Why
This bill would allow people to carry weapons when investigating trespassers.
* This adds to the affirmative defenses in RSA's 627:3 (competing harms) and 627:4 (self-defense).
* People have a right to take precautionary measures when investigating a trespasser.
* The difference between 'carrying' and 'brandishing' a weapon is highly subjective. A homeowner should not be subject to malicious accusation from someone who initiated contact by trespassing. - Pro-libertyHB 416adding an exemption from immunization for conscientious beliefs.
Why
This bill would exempt conscientious objectors from compulsory vaccinations.
* This bill will uphold citizen’s rights as protected by Part 1, Art. 4 of the NH Constitution : "Rights of Conscience Unalienable." No vaccine or other medical treatment should be forced on any person.
* The current religious exemption is interpreted by the public and medical community as an "all or nothing" exemption. The state of Texas recently added a conscientious belief exemption and saw their vaccination rates increase because the new exemption allowed individuals to chose vaccines they have skipped because of the 'all or none' nature of the religious exemption.
* It would not repeal RSA 141C:20-d, which requires unvaccinated children to remain home from school in the event of an outbreak. - Pro-libertyHB 422prohibiting vaccinations in public schools.
Why
This bill would promote parental responsibility in the healthcare of their children.
* This bill prevents the administration of vaccines in public schools except in declared emergencies.
* Permitting vaccination in public schools circumvents the critical dialog between parent and physician
that is necessary for the proper conditions of Informed Consent.
* It is not the role of the public schools to administer non-emergency, non-life threatening medical treatments. - Pro-libertyHB 429permitting a child 16 years of age or older to withdraw from school with parental permission.
Why
This bill would allow more educational freedom.
* Parents are responsible for their children and should be able to to direct the educational plan of their children without permission of the school system.
* This allows students (with parental permission) to pursue other educational options.
* Some students respond much better to vocational, on-the-job, and "hands-on" learning better than a strict classroom environment. - Pro-libertyHB 542-FN(new title) prohibiting a school district from requiring that a parent send his or her child to any school or program to which the parent may be conscientiously opposed.
Why
This bill would allow parents to opt-out of school programs they disapprove of.
* This bill as amended upholds Part 1, Art. 4 of the NH Constitution: "Right of Conscience Unalienable" and will level the playing field for ALL parents.
* Provides all parents choosing instruction for their children outside the public school system the same guarantee of protection from state intervention.
* Would put court decisions/rules into statute and preventing the re-arguing of issues that are presently agreed to. - Pro-libertyHB 623prohibiting preferences in recruiting, hiring, promotion, or admission by state agencies, the university system, the community college system, and the postsecondary education commission.
Why
This bill,which is mislabeled, would actually allow meritorious preferences.
* Affirmative action is coerced discrimination.
* People should be hired based on what they can do, not on what arbitrary social class or group they are perceived to belong to.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 · House · 9 positions
- Pro-libertyHB 194repealing the prohibition on having certain crossbow, rifles, or shotguns in vehicles.
Why
This bill would repeal the ban on carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle.
* Laws only affect the law-abiding. The current statute will not stop someone intent on mischief.
* Remedies an inconsistency allowing a loaded pistol to be carried in a vehicle, but not a loaded rifle.
* It is currently illegal for someone that lives in an RV to keep a loaded shotgun in their home. - Pro-libertyHB 225-FNrelative to the return of personal property confiscated by law enforcement agencies from a person charged with a crime.
Why
This bill would require the prompt return of confiscated property.
* Rights of the people come first, not convenience of the police.
* People should not lose their property because of malicious or erroneous accusations.
* The proposed floor amendment is considered pro-liberty. - Pro-libertyHB 240allowing voters to vote for multiple candidates for an office.
Why
This bill would allow voters to show support for multiple candidates in a given race.
* With this simple ballot change voters will be able to easily express their opinion on every candidate.
* This eliminates the "wasted vote" problem in which voters believe that votes for a less popular candidate will be wasted because the candidate has little chance of winning.
* Bill will require relatively few & inexpensive changes to administrative procedures in exchange for a large increase in voter expression and satisfaction. - Pro-libertyHB 259requiring the supreme court to adopt rules of evidence for the judicial branch family division.
Why
This bill would require the rules of evidence to be observed in family law cases.
* Brings order to family law proceedings that currently do not operate by any evidentiary rules.
* Accordingly, this bill reduces subjectivity of family law judges by making them obey certain common law rules and giving rise to bases for appeal when a judge abuses his or her discretion. - Pro-libertyHB 29permitting a person to petition the superior court for superior court to appeal the denial of a pistol or revolver license.
Why
This bill would allow an appellant to choose superior court over district court.
* Up until 2008 you could file in either court, and this freedom was taken by the Supreme Court in the Garand vs. Town of Exeter decision in 2009.
* The following causes of action: Contract claims, Landlord/Tenant can already be heard in either court. - Pro-libertyHB 441-FNrelative to muffling devices on boats.
Why
This bill would eliminate the prohibition on adjustable muffling devices on boats.
* Boaters will now be able to use their own judgment and common sense to reduce the noise of their motors, instead of having the letter of the current law trump the spirit of RSA 270:37.
- Anti-libertyHB 475-FNrelative to penalties under the consumer protection act.
Why
This bill would require all penalties under 358-A to include possible jail time.
* NH Constitution [Art.] 18. [Penalties to be Proportioned to Offenses; True Design of Punishment.] All penalties ought to be proportioned to the nature of the offense.
* The "crimes" under 358-A include vague provisions such as "Making false or misleading statements of fact concerning the reasons for... price reductions" (RSA 358-A:2 XI)
* Many other laws directly reference the penalties in RSA 358-A, including prohibitions on offering infant formula for sale at flea markets (RSA 358-Q) or receiving a security deposit that is greater than one month's rent (RSA 540-A:6 I).
* HB475 eliminates the unclassified misdemeanor penalty, therefore requiring that any charge against a natural person include the possibility of jail time - even if there was no actual victim.
* The new felony provisions in this bill apply to offering for sale goods or services over $1000, even if no one buys them, an amount not significant enough to warrant the seriousness of a felony charge. - Pro-libertyHB 539-FNrepealing the state enforcement of the OBD II requirement for motor vehicles.
Why
This bill would get rid of a bureaucratic "safety program".
* The OBD II requirement was originally passed as a "safety program" - but it does not inspect for safety nor are federal EPA emissions standards safety-related.
* The OBD II requirement is really just a tax on every citizen who owns a vehicle.
* The OBD II inspection creates a centralized database in the hands of a private company, which records information about almost every vehicle in the state. - Pro-libertyHB 572-FNrelative to the act of official oppression.
Why
This bill would clarify conditions under which official oppression may be charged.
* In keeping with Art. 8, Part 1 of the NH Constitution, this bill increases the accountability of public servants in the exercise of their official duties.
* Since official oppression was created in 1971 we have divided misdemeanors into class A and class B misdemeanors. Actions that benefit someone or harm someone will be classified as class B.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 · House · 8 positions
- Pro-libertyHB 146relative to the right of jury nullification.
Why
This bill would require a judge to notify jurors of their rights to judge the application of a law prior to deciding a case.
* Jurors have the right to return a not-guilty verdict if they think applying a law in a particular case is fundamentally unjust.
* Most jurors have never been in a courtroom, and jurors who do not understand their rights cannot exercise them.
* Asking our judges to briefly inform jurors of all their rights is not burdensome, time consuming, or expensive. - Pro-libertyHB 154-FN-Arelative to increasing the threshold amounts for taxation under the business enterprise tax.
Why
This bill would increase the filing threshold from $150,000 to $200,000 on the business enterprise tax.
* Increases the efficiency of the state's tax collections because it costs more money to collect from the filers in this $50,000 window than these filers will owe.
* Saves business owners from wasting time and money dealing with unnecessary paperwork. - Pro-libertyHB 187-FN-Arelative to the carry forward periods for the business enterprise tax credit against the business profits tax.
Why
This bill would allow businesses to carry forward credits against the business profits tax for an extra year.
* The bill provides that certain tax credits from paying the Business Enterprise Tax will not expire for another year, offsetting losses from the recession.
* The bill makes sure that small and large businesses can continue to do business, invest, and create jobs. - Anti-libertyHB 238-FN-Arelative to the assessment of the education tax by towns and cities.
Why
This bill would provide that the education tax only be levied on property values over $100,000.
* NH Const., Part II, Art. 5 states that the General Court may impose only proportional and reasonable ... taxes. . . ."
* This bill would tax people disproportionately, and is therefore unconstitutional. - Anti-libertyHB 365-FN-Arelative to establishing a commission to encourage broadband development and making an appropriation therefore.
Why
This bill would spend $36 million over the next 4 years to encourage broadband development.
* Will cost $4 million in 2012; $7 million in 2013; $10.5 million in 2014; and $14 million in 2015.
* The commission's budget will also skim off the top of the "communications service tax".
* Locally granted monopolies on communications services hold up broadband development, not a lack of millions of dollars in government spending. - Anti-libertyHB 417-FN-Amaking an appropriation to the milk producers emergency relief fund.
Why
This bill would spend $2.5 million of state funds to cover a budget gap in a federal price-control program.
* The Milk Producer's Emergency Relief Fund is a government welfare program paid to milk producers if the price of milk falls "too low".
* There's no reason to take $2.5 million from struggling taxpayers then turn around and bail out dairy farmers.
* Last week the NHLA supported legislation declaring firearms produced and distributed in our state exempt from federal regulations. We would support similar legislation repealing or rejecting federal price controls on New Hampshire fresh milk. - Pro-libertyHB 519repealing New Hampshire's regional greenhouse gas initiative cap and trade program for controlling carbon dioxide emissions
Why
This bill would end our participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
* Repeals a program that stealthily taxes all electricity consumers.
* Money raised is supposed to go to energy efficiency programs. But millions of dollars collected from the program were appropriated into the general fund in 2010.
* The program was supposed to help the environment, not create a new slush fund. If ended, the program's leftover funds will go to existing energy efficiency projects. - Pro-libertyHB 539-FNrepealing the state enforcement of the OBD II requirement for motor vehicles.
Why
This bill would get rid of a bureaucratic "safety program".
* The OBD II requirement was originally passed as a "safety program" - but it does not inspect for safety nor are federal EPA emissions standards safety-related.
* The OBD II requirement is really just a tax on every citizen who owns a vehicle.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 · House · 9 positions
- Anti-libertyHB 110requiring professional safety & security personnel to report observed felony offenses.
Why
This bill would require college campus security to report certain crimes.
* The bill adds another regulatory burden onto security departments at NH colleges and universities.
* Certain on-campus offenses may be better dealt with through the school's disciplinary actions.
* There is nothing preventing victims from reporting crimes to police - on campus or anywhere else. - Pro-libertyHB 125-FNrelative to lawful commerce in firearms, including manufacture and sale, in NH.
Why
This bill would assert NH's right to regulate intra-state commerce without federal government intervention.
* This bill limits the federal misapplication of the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution by asserting our rights under the Ninth and Tenth Amendments of the Bill of Rights.
* Benefits hobbyists who craft their own firearms (permitted under federal law) to sell or give away to other NH residents by removing federal mandates of taxes, forms and firearm inscriptions.
* The NHLA has concerns about the penalties section of the bill, but since this will go to Criminal Justice as a second committee the bill should move forward as a matter of policy. - Pro-libertyHB 166-FN-A-Lreducing the rate of the meals and rooms tax.
Why
This bill would reduce the recent increase in the meals and rooms tax.
* Tax decreases fuel small businesses which are the backbone of the NH economy.
* If this legislation passed prior to the adoption of the budget, it would reduce state spending. - Anti-libertyHB 185-FNrelative to minimum bargaining unit size of public employee collective bargaining.
Why
This bill would restrict the recognition of collective bargaining units.
* Public employers, asserting local control, should be free to continue to recognize small bargaining units as they deem appropriate.
- Pro-libertyHB 249-Lrelative to procedures for property revaluations.
Why
This bill would increase the equity of property assessments.
* Part II, Article 6 "[Valuation and Taxation.] The public charges of government, or any part thereof, may be raised by taxation upon polls, estates, and other classes of property, including franchises and property when passing by will or inheritance; and there shall be a valuation of the estates within the state taken anew once in every five years, at least, and as much oftener as the general court shall order."
* All properties should be assessed and compared during the same time period in order to ensure equality amongst assessed values in a municipality.
* Barring the use of statistical updates relieves taxpayers of the burden of their "affected areas or classes of property" (Rev. 601.24) from being revalued when other areas or classes are not subject to such revaluation. - Anti-libertyHB 414-FN-Aestablishing an assessment on motor vehicle inspections to be deposited in the police standards and training council training fund.
Why
This bill would raise car inspections five dollars to fund a police training program.
* Motor vehicle safety inspections have nothing to do with officer training.
* This bill would take more than eight million additional dollars from vehicle owners annually. - Pro-libertyHB 474-FNrelative to freedom of choice on whether to join a labor union.
Why
This bill would exempt employees that opt not to join a union from agency fees.
* To force someone that chooses not to associate with a union to pay that union is an act of coercion forced upon an unwilling individual.
* Employment should be solely based upon the mutual benefit between employee and business.
* The NHLA opposes the criminalization penalties and sign postage mandates in this bill. - Anti-libertyHB 83relative to vessel registration.
Why
This bill would require all motorized vessels to be registered in NH waters.
* A boat tethered to a private dock or mooring shouldn't require registration.
* Some boats never leave the dock and are used more as luxury condos than watercraft. - Pro-libertySB 1-FN-Leliminating the automatic continuation requirement for public employee collective bargaining agreements.
Why
This bill would repeal the evergreen clause currently forced into union agreements.
* Negotiators have always had the option to include an evergreen clause.
* This bill removes the mandate that one be included, leaving the decision up to the interested parties.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 · House · 4 positions
- Anti-libertyHB 101relative to industrial hemp and establishing an industrial hemp special program fund.
Why
This bill would outline a future hemp crop licensing and testing regime.
* The NHLA supports farmers that wish to grow hemp and this bill is not a means to that end.
* At present, there is no state prohibition on growing hemp.
* Mandating state managed seed procurement and distribution is unnecessary.
* This restricts the liberty of NH farmers, by incorporating burdensome federal mandates. - Pro-libertyHB 136-FNrepealing the uniform athlete agents act.
Why
This bill would repeal a law dictating the terms of private contracts.
* Repeals a regulation that prevents schools and teams from other states from seeking out New Hampshire athletes - and potentially providing them with financial opportunities.
- Pro-libertyHB 155relative to permits to conduct raffles.
Why
This bill would change charitable raffle permits from per event to per year.
* This will ease the paperwork burden on charitable organizations who wish to have multiple raffles in a year.
- Anti-libertyHB 71authorizing establishment of pharmaceutical drug take-back programs.
Why
This bill would create a new bureaucracy to compete in the market of drug disposal.
* Walgreens provides this service for $2.99 via a secure mailing envelope.
* It is unnecessary for the government to compete with the private sector in this arena.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 · House · 4 positions
- Anti-libertyHB 101relative to industrial hemp and establishing an industrial hemp special program fund.
Why
This bill would outline a future hemp crop licensing and testing regime.
* There is no state prohibition on growing hemp.
* Mandating state managed seed procurement and distribution is unnecessary. - Pro-libertyHB 136-FNrepealing the uniform athlete agents act.
Why
This bill
* Repeals a regulation that prevents schools and teams from other states from seeking out New Hampshire athletes - and potentially providing them with financial opportunities.
- Anti-libertyHB 71authorizing establishment of pharmaceutical drug take-back programs.
Why
This bill
* Walgreens provides this service for $2.99 via a secure mailing envelope.
* Law enforcement should have no direct role in the description or handling of pharmaceuticals.
* It is unnecessary for the government to compete with the private sector in this arena - Anti-libertyHB 83relative to vessel registration. (Consent Calendar)
Why
This bill would require all motorized vessels to be registered in NH waters.
* This would penalize people who just want to see if the boat leaks.
* A boat tethered to a private dock or mooring shouldn't require registration just because a motor could be affixed to it.
1 bill with no position.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 · House · 3 positions
- Pro-libertyHB 48relative to incompatibility of town offices.
Why
This bill would allow moderators to be trustees of the trust fund.
* The people, through their votes, have a fundamental right to choose those that represent them.
* Current law prohibits the voters from electing an individual to certain separate offices.
* As a practical matter it may be inappropriate for someone to hold both offices, as a matter of principle that decision should be left to the voters - not to the General Court. - Anti-libertyHB 49-FNrelative to toll-free use of the New Hampshire turnpike system by vehicles with purple heart license plates.
Why
This bill would favor drivers with Purple Heart license plates over others.
* This bill contradicts Part 1 Article 10 of our State Constitution, which states that our government is not "for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men."
* Free tolls for cars bearing honorific Purple Heart license plates is a feel-good gesture which does little for our veterans while unfairly shifting costs to those who don't qualify for the plates. - Pro-libertyHB 77relative to amendments to warrant articles. (Consent Calendar)
Why
This bill would prohibit deletion of the substance of the original warrant article.
* All voters, not just the small percentage in attendance at deliberative session, should be allowed to vote on warrant articles, especially petitioned warrant articles.
* The right to vote on all articles by all registered voters is enhanced and preserved.