STATE HOUSE UPDATE MAY 2024
By Dick Thackston State Rep. Cheshire 12 – Troy & Fitzwillam
The NH House of Representatives has passed the “mid-point” or “Change over Day” when the House has completed work on Bills for this session and will send Bills passed by the House over to the Senate for consideration. So called “change-over” remains an active voting day but does have some ceremony associated with the opening of the session. The Session opened on April 11, “Change-over Day” with the House being addressed by Consul General of the Republic of Korea Kim Jaehui as well as a Celebration of “Tartan Day”.
Consul General of the Republic of Korea Kim Jaehui addressed the House and stressed both the importance of the economic and historical ties between New Hampshire and Korea and the deep appreciation of the sacrifices made to keep Korea free. He spoke extensively about the history of the independence of Korea which was first proposed at the Portsmouth Peace Conference negotiated by President Roosevelt in 1905, (for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in bringing to an end the war waged between two of the world’s great powers, Japan and Russia, in Korea).
In recognition of NH’s Scottish heritage, members wore Tartan Apparel and we were serenaded by Pipes, Drums and Fiddles of NH Scot of Concord. While the appreciation of bagpipes is undeniably an acquired taste the quality of the presentation and musicianship was excellent. The few minutes of piping was enjoyed and appreciated by and served as a reminder of the numerous unique historical events and backgrounds that have come together to create New Hampshire.
Another Tax Day has come and gone, I couldn’t help but reflect on one of the legislature’s standout accomplishments over the past four years: the phase-out and eventual repeal of the Interest and Dividends Tax. Anyone who saves for retirement can celebrate that come January 1, 2025, your retirement savings are tax-free at the state level thanks to this significant change in fiscal management. There are a significant number of members who no only wish to re-instate the Interest & Dividends Tax but would like to expand it as well; for now the Tax is repealed and phased out as of January 1, 2025 and remains so with bi-partisan support.
Probably the most controversial Bills passed by the House in this Session are HB 1283-FN; HB 1633-FN-A and HB 1583-FN-A.
HB 1283-FN is generally referred to as the Assisted Suicide Bill. This bill authorizes Assisted Suicide in NH after review by Medical Professionals and a number of other steps. Neither major party took affirm position on this Bill and extensive debate and parliamentary votes where taken before a final vote of the House. The Bill passed with less than half of either caucus voting in favor, (36% of Democrats and 9% of Republicans). I personally voted against the bill for reasons too numerous to list here.
HB 1633-FN-A is a bill to de-criminalize the sale, consumption and retail sale of Marijuana in NH. This Bill puts the NH Liquor Commission in charge of a so-called “Franchise System” and seeks to have 15 Retail Outlets through-out the State, with at least one in every county, (think Market Basket in Keene). It also specifically criminalizes home grown etc. This Bill also passed with less than half either caucus voting in favor, (41% Democrats and 19% Republicans). I did vote for this Bill and believe the Bill passed last year by the House which was killed in the Senate was far superior. I have reservations about the Bill as passed and suspect that most members do based on the significant loss of support between the 2023 Bill and the 2024 Bill.
HB 1583 is a bill to fully fund the Conval Decision regarding School Funding. The Conval School District sued the State of NH for inadequately funding Public Schools. The Monadnock Regional School District as well as Claremont, Derry Co-Operative, Fall Mountain, Grantham, Hillsboro-Deering, Hopkinton, Lebanon, Manchester, Mascenic, Mascoma Valley, Nashua, Newport, Oyster River, Winchester, and Windham joined with Conval in the suit and won. However, the State obtained a stay from the NH Supreme Court so it would not have to make the actual payments to the schools. HB 1583 passed the House on a 205/177 “Division Vote”. The Division Vote is significant because it means neither caucus wanted individual members to be held accountable for their votes: meaning both Republican & Democrat members from wealthy Cities and Towns that will not benefit can have plausible deniability.
All of the Sessions of the New Hampshire Legislature, both House and Senate, are live streamed and archived on U-Tube.
If you are interested in following the schedule of 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.