Beth Richards

Voting Record, 2024

Richards voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program in 2022 (HB 1683). In 2023, Richards also voted against two bills that would expand eligibility for the Education Freedom Account program (HB 367 and HB 464). In 2024 Rep. Richards voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Richards also voted for HB 1512, which would limit the EFA program to a budget.

Voting Record, 2023

Voted against HB 591, a bill that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion after detecting a fetal heartbeat.

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

Voting Record, 2023

Voted for HB 208, a bill to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. The bill also required the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan.

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline?

Voting Record, 2024

In 2023 Rep. Richards voted to require cities and towns to allow four residential dwelling units on any single-family lot served by municipal water and sewer (HB 44). This could be a four-unit building, two duplexes, four single units, or four townhouses. In 2024 Richards voted for HB 1291 (to increase rights of property owners to build accessory dwelling units), HB 1399 (to make it easier to convert single family residence into two units), and HB 1400 (to limit parking requirements, plus add tax credits for office conversions).

Voting Record, 2024

Voted to increase the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts (HB 523)

Voting Record, 2024

Voted for a constitutional right to abortion before 24 weeks (CACR 23).

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2016 Citizens Count issue survey, Richards wrote, "I support marijuana decriminalization; I am not in support of legalization at this time."

However, in 2020 Richards voted in favor of HB 1648, a bill that would permit adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permit adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. The bill also allowed adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2016 Citizens Count issue survey, Richards wrote, "I support marijuana decriminalization; I am not in support of legalization at this time."

Richards voted against legalizing and taxing marijuana in 2019 (HB 481).

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"I support a living wage and will seek to raise the wage to support women and families. Nearly 65 percent of minimum wage earners are women, often singularly supporting their family. I will support policies that help to lift full-time workers out of poverty and help to ensure women's economic security, such as paid sick leave and other proactive family leave policies."

Voting Record, 2024

Voted for HB 368, a bill that would provide various legal protections for persons receiving gender-related health care. For example, HB 368 would prohibit New Hampshire from enforcing an order from another state to remove a child from a home based on a parent allowing their child to receive gender-affirming health care.

Voting Record, 2023

Richards voted against HB 625, a 2021 bill to prohibit abortion after 24 weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. The bill did not include exceptions for rape or incest. In 2023 Richards also voted to repeal the "fetal life protection act", which restricts access to abortion after 24 weeks (HB 271).

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?

Other, 2016

"I am in support of common sense gun control including strengthening background checks and closing loopholes and will work to make our communities safer from gun violence while responsibly protecting gun rights. "