2024 NH Legislative Scorecard

HB1283 establishes a process for terminally ill individuals in New Hampshire to access medical assistance in dying by self-administering prescribed medication. To qualify, individuals must be adults with a terminal condition expected to result in death within six months and must demonstrate mental capability to make informed decisions.

The New Hampshire State Senate voted to refer HB1283 to interim study on May 16, 2024 by a vote of 17 to 7, effectively halting the bill for the session. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill potentially opens the door for assisted suicide beyond terminally ill individuals in the future. The right to life is a fundamental, God-given, unalienable right, as affirmed in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Allowing any erosion of this right sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the sanctity of life.

HB619 prohibits gender reassignment surgery for individuals under 18. Violations are classified as unprofessional conduct, subject to disciplinary action, lawsuits, and potential damages. The bill also allows minors or their parents to sue for up to 20 years after reaching adulthood.

The New Hampshire State Senate passed HB619 on May 16, 2024 by a vote of 13 to 10. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the Left has been promoting radical Marxist ideas like this for years. The indoctrination that leads people to believe that they can choose their pronouns and identify as a different gender is immoral. Scientifically and biblically, there are only two genders. Additionally, minors are not yet capable of giving informed consent and should not have the ability to choose a gender that contradicts their scientific classification, causing irreversible damage.

HB1293 regulates fertilizer use on urban turf and lawns in New Hampshire, establishing application limits and defining terms such as "low phosphate" and "enhanced efficiency" fertilizers. The bill prohibits fertilizer application during heavy rain, on frozen ground, or within 25 feet of storm drains and water bodies. While aiming to reduce environmental risks, these restrictions could inadvertently put countless well-meaning families in violation of the law when maintaining their privately owned lawns. Retailers would also be required to display educational signs about fertilizer runoff and its legal implications, though golf courses and sod farms are exempt if they follow best management practices.

The New Hampshire State Senate overrode the governor's veto on October 10, 2024 by a vote of 22 to 1. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill is a significant government overreach into private property rights. By imposing restrictive regulations on how citizens manage their lawns while exempting certain industries, the bill creates an uneven playing field and undermines individual autonomy. Government interference in personal property decisions sets a dangerous precedent, prioritizing centralized control over citizens' lives.

HB1186 prohibits the assignment of a specific merchant code for the sale of firearms, ammunition, or accessories. It also requires that firearms retailers use general merchandise or sporting goods retailer codes instead.

The New Hampshire State Senate passed HB1186 on May 2, 2024 by a vote of 14 to 10. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the workaround by credit card companies to track ammunition and firearm purchases violates several constitutionally protected rights, including in the First, Second, and Fourth Amendments. This is a large invasion of privacy, opens the door for illegal searches, and potentially deters people from making firearm purchases.

HB572 expands eligibility for free school meals to students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. It allocates funding from the education trust fund to cover the additional costs, ensuring schools can provide meals at no charge to eligible students.

The New Hampshire State Senate voted to table HB572 on January 3, 2024 by a vote of 13 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because taxpayers should not fund meals for school students. This bill increases government spending and expands the role of government. Providing free meals to some students, but not others, regardless of need, removes the personal responsibility of parents and guardians to provide for their children’s meals.