STATE HOUSE UPDATE OCTOBER 2023
By Dick Thackston State Rep. Cheshire 12 – Troy & Fitzwillam
The NH House in the process of holding Hearings on Bills “Retained in Committee” from the Winter/Spring Session. The Bills retained basically are getting a second look and their advocates can make another case in support. New Bills and amendments are being processed by the Office of Legislative Services where the format of the bills is organized and standardized into a common format for ease of review. Once the Bills are done being processed the sponsors need to go and physically sign the Bill at the State House before it is sent to the Speaker’s Office for review and allocation to a Committee for review. Virtually all bills are reviewed by a Committee before being presented on the House floor for a Vote.
The Commerce Committee, which is my assignment, is reviewing Retained Bills concerning Crypto-Currency; Fair Access to financial Services, new corporate type other than Corporations or LLC’s; enforcement of Condominium Leins; disclosure of Condominium Financials; establishment of oversight Board for resident owned manufactured housing parks & disputes; repair of Home Appliances; prohibiting the state from contracting with Chinese government owned enterprises; toilet facilities in Restaurants; PFAS in food packaging; labeling requirements for certain Hemp products with regard to THC levels; resale of event tickets on line and legalizing Cannabis for retail sale.
The issue of Marijuana legalization, for non-medical use, has been moved to a special legislative commission. The commission has representatives of advocates both for and against legalization well represented. The meetings are in process now with an expected return date during the next legislative session.
The House will have its first Sessions in 2024 on January 3rd & 4th.
NH First in the Nation Primary date as of yet is not set however it is rumored to be set by the end of October.
Since we are getting close to real estate Tax Time I would remind No, Low & Moderate Income Homeowner’s that the State of New Hampshire has an ongoing, well funded program to assist Homeowner’s who are in danger of loosing their homes to real estate taxes. There are strict income and time limits and you do have to apply. The website to visit is http://www.revenue.nh.gov/forms/low-moderate.htm .
If you are interested in following bills, meetings or other current information in the NH Legislature just plug in the following address and it will take you to the General Court Home Page: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/
As always, thank-you for your support.