Gary Azarian
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH abolish partisan primaries and adopt the "Top 2" primary system?
Does not support adopting a top 2 primary system
For| Read My Position
"The opioid crisis is first and foremost. I support continued funding to stop the flow of opioids into New Hampshire. To continue to support treatment options, including privatization, for treatment and rehabilitation. This crisis affects all communities and we need to explore all options to eradicate the opioid crisis."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH allow binding referendums?
Not in favor of amending the NH constitution to allow citizen to vote on statewide issues in a referendum
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Was NH right to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving?
"As a matter of safety. cell phone use should be restricted while driving."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I am opposed to any new or increased taxes-we should just control our spending."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I am opposed to any new or increased taxes-we should just control our spending."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH authorize one or more casinos?
"I would support an appropriate bill which would allow casino gambling."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH continue to base statewide assessments on Common Core standards?
"The adoption of any testing criteria should be decided upon by local school boards."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH pass a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature more control over the distribution of school funding?
Supports adopting a constitutional amendment that reduces the role of the courts in the school funding challenge
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH decriminalize small amounts of marijuana?
"The possession of small quantities of marijuana should not be a crime."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2015
Voted in favor of 2015 House Bill 572. When residential land is taken through eminent domain for a gas pipeline, HB 572 allows the resident to require the pipeline company to purchase all of the land, not just a part.
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH broaden campaign finance disclosure laws?
"We need full disclosure of the individuals or entities financing political campaigns."
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2015
Voted against allowing qualifying patients and caregivers to grow medicinal marijuana at home (HB 593)
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should LLCs be subject to the interest and dividends tax?
Does not support LLC tax
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH provide more funding for charter schools?
"With appropriate qualifying criteria, I would support increasing state funding to charter schools."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH increase tolls and/or add new toll booths?
Against adding tolls to I-93 at Mass. border
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH continue to allow medicinal marijuana?
In favor of legalizing medicinal marijuana
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Was NH right to expand Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible?
"I oppose Medicaid expansion."
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2015
Voted against a minimum wage increase (HB 684)
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Do employees in NH need more legal protections in the workplace?
"I think business has enough regulation without changing our employment laws. We need to reduce regulation and provide for business development."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH add restrictions on welfare recipients?
Regarding drug tests for welfare recipients: "I support such legislation."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH keep the death penalty?
Does not want to repeal the death penalty
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH allow the Northern Pass to proceed with some (not all) of the lines buried?
"I oppose the Northern Pass project in any form."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH continue to use property taxes instead of a new broad-based tax, such as an income tax?
"I am opposed to any new or increased taxes-we should just control our spending."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?
Opposes repeal of the gay marriage law
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?
"I oppose legislation that would mandate insurance in order to register a vehicle."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH require labels on some or all genetically modified foods?
"I agree that consumers should know what is in their food. However, this needs to be done on the federal level. food companies cannot have 50 different types of labels to conform with the wishes of different states. It would be to costly for business."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH require motorcycle helmets?
Against a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH require seat belts?
Not in favor of a mandatory seatbelt law for adults
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH revise the meals and rooms tax?
Against increases to meals and rooms tax
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH pass right-to-work legislation?
"Right to Work legislation should be considered along with other changes to NH's employment laws."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
State role in economic growth
"Yes, the state should do more. Reducing taxes and fees on business will stimulate business and provide for job growth"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I support the 2nd amendment. However I think reasonable limits can be placed on the possession of assault weapons."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH government switch from a pension system to a 401(k)-style retirement plan?
Supports reform of retirement benefits for municipal and state employees
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH restrict further wind power development?
"I support such a moratorium on commercial wind towers at the present time until the state studies the matter."
Voting Record
HB 628 (2017)
Establishes a social insurance program that would be operated by New Hampshire Employment Security to provide for paid family and medical leave insurance. Employers would pay 0.5% of wages per employee as premium payments. The House amended the bill to increase the employee contribution to 0.67%, to allow employees to opt out, and to limit benefits to six weeks of paid leave.
SB 193 (2017)
Establishes the "education freedom savings account program." This allows a parent to contract with a scholarship organization so that state education funding is transferred to the student's scholarship account rather than to the municipality in which the student resides. The House amended the bill to limit the scholarships to certain students, particularly low income students, students in underperforming schools, and special education students. The amended version also requires any student receiving a scholarship to complete an annual assessment to ensure academic progress.
SB 500 (2018)
Removes the prohibition of carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in or on a stationary motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, or aircraft. This bill also changes some legal references to firearms, and allows licensed bow hunters to carry firearms. Lastly, this bill removes the ability to deny or revoke a hunting license if a person "is not a suitable person to carry firearms." The Senate amended the bill to also allow carrying a loaded firearm on a moving vehicle if the person is protecting livestock or crops. The Senate amendment also allows hunting with an air rifle.
HB 1264 (2018)
Redefines "resident" and "inhabitant" to remove the phrase "for the indefinite future." This bill would potentially require all voters domiciled in New Hampshire to follow residency laws, such as the requirement to register any car in New Hampshire.
HB 1319 (2018)
Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
HB 1680 (2018)
Prohibits abortion after viability, unless the mother's life is in danger, "in cases of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, or to remove a fetus with severe anomalies incompatible with life."
SB 313 (2018)
Continues New Hampshire's expanded Medicaid program. This bill makes several significant changes to the program. First, it moves participants off private insurance and into managed care, similar to traditional Medicaid enrollees. Second, it adds a work requirement for participants. Third, it removes funding from voluntary contributions by health care providers, which the federal government said is illegal.
CACR 22 (2018)
Constitutional amendment establishing various rights for crime victims.
SB 593 (2018)
Changes the penalty for any offense eligible for the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole.
HB 587 (2017)
Prohibits conversion therapy for anyone under age eighteen. Conversion therapy attempts to change a person's sexual orientation.
HB 593 (2017)
Grants group II retirement system status to certain positions in the Department of Corrections.
HB 656 (2017)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. The bill outlines various regulations, from the ability of municipalities to control the location of marijuana establishments, to labels disclosing the THC in each serving of a marijuana product. The bill also legalizes hemp. The House amended the bill to instead legalize possession and homegrowing of marijuana without allowing sales.
SB 12 (2017)
Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
SB 66 (2017)
Includes fetuses as potential victims under murder statutes. The Senate amended the bill to include only fetuses twenty weeks and older, not just "viable" fetuses.
HB 157 (2017)
Adds chronic pain to the qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana.
HB 115 (2017)
Raises the minimum wage to $9.50 in 2018 and $12 in 2019, with annual cost of living adjustments starting in 2020. The bill also establishes a training wage that is one dollar less than the minimum wage for the first three months of employment for someone sixteen or seventeen years-old.
SB 11 (2017)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 478 (2017)
Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
HB 640 (2017)
Decriminalizes possession of 3/4 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
SB 242 (2017)
Authorizes one smaller and one larger casino with video lottery and table gaming. The smaller casino would pay an initial ten-year license fee of $40 million, and the larger casino would pay an initial ten-year license fee of $80 million. The casinos would pay a tax of 35% on gross slot machine revenue and 18% on gross table game revenue. The Legislature would choose how to distribute this revenue, provided that some of the revenue goes to towns hosting or neighboring the casino, and some of the revenue goes to treat problem gambling.
HB 144 (2017)
Changes the annual county budget procedures for Rockingham County to match those used in Hillsborough County. Since the House failed to pass the 2018-2019 budget bill HB 1, the Senate amended this bill into a new budget bill.
SB 131 (2017)
Appropriates $1,155,000 to hire five state troopers assigned to drug enforcement on the state border. This bill also appropriates $3,340,000 for state and local law enforcement and the state lab for overtime related to drug enforcement.
SB 10 (2017)
Creates a program to repay licensed milk producers from losses during the 2016 drought. The bill appropriates $2 million to the Milk Producers Emergency Relief Fund.
SB 191 (2017)
Increases state funding for full-day kindergarten programs, with adjustments based on the number of English language learners and free and reduced lunch students in each district. The House amended the bill to simply provide full funding for full-day kindergarten programs, and half funding for half-day kindergarten programs. The House also added keno legalization to the bill to create the revenue for kindergarten funding.
HB 103 (2017)
Requires school districts to provide advance notice to parents and legal guardians of course material involving discussion of human sexuality or human sexual education.
SB 3 (2017)
Changes the definition of domicile for voting purposes to make it more restrictive. This bill explicitly excludes anyone who comes to the state "for temporary purposes," such as volunteering or working on political campaigns. Out-of-state college students are still allowed to claim a domicile in New Hampshire. However, if someone moves to a new New Hampshire address within 30 days of voting, he or she must present proof of intent to stay in New Hampshire. This proof could include a lease, driver's license, a child's enrollment at a public school, etc.
SB 8 (2017)
Allows a school district to assign a child to a non-sectarian private school if there is no public school for the child's grade in the child's resident district. The bill was amended to also require the non-sectarian private school to administer an annual assessment.
HB 1623 (2016)
Prohibits abortion based on genetic abnormality.
HB 593 (2015)
Permits qualifying patients and registered caregivers to grow medicinal marijuana at home.
HB 1694 (2016)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one.
HB 1480 (2016)
Raises the minimum wage to $8.25 in 2017, $9 in 2018, and $9.50 in 2019.
HB 1616 (2016)
Allows a person obtaining a driver's license to choose whether the license complies with the federal Real ID Act of 2005.
HB 1338 (2016)
Allows parents and guardians to opt their students out of the statewide assessment test, and prohibits schools and the state from penalizing students who do not take statewide assessments.
SB 576 (2016)
This bill includes many regulations aimed at combating heroin and prescription drug abuse. For example, this bill increases the penalties for abusing fentanyl and provides funding for an upgrade to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
HB 1696 (2016)
Continues expanded Medicaid eligibility, with some revisions. This bill adds work requirements to eligibility for expanded Medicaid. Additional funding is provided by the insurance premium tax, paid by insurance companies.
SB 498 (2016)
Reduces the penalty for possessing 1/4 ounce or less of marijuana from a class A to an unspecified misdemeanor.
HB 1374 (2016)
Requires moneys paid into the Renewable Energy Fund to be rebated to ratepayers, rather than spent on other renewable energy projects.
SB 336 (2016)
Removes the phrase "suitable person" from the law governing concealed carry permits, and instead requires law enforcement to issue a permit so long as the person is not prohibited from owning a firearm by state or federal law.
SB 4 (2015)
Tightens the definition of domicile for the purpose of voting. In particular, the final version of this bill requires a voter to live in New Hampshire at least 10 days before voting.
HB 658 (2015)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 101 (2015)
Prohibits the Department of Education and the state Board of Education from implementing the Common Core standards in any school or school district in this state.
HB 684 (2015)
Raises the minimum wage to $9.10 in 2016, $11.40 in 2017, and $14.25 in 2018. Starting in 2019, the minimum wage is adjusted according to cost of living.
SB 113 (2015)
Authorizes two casinos in New Hampshire. One destination casino would pay a $80 million license fee; a smaller casino would pay $40 million to the state. SB 113 also earmarks $25 million in casino profits for distribution to all New Hampshire municipalities.
SB 40 (2015)
Includes fetuses as potential victims under murder statutes. The original Senate version of the bill applied to "viable fetuses," meaning the fetus is old enough to survive outside the womb. The House revised the bill to apply to all fetuses eight weeks and older. The House and Senate did not agree on a final version of the bill.
HB 1 (2015)
2016-2017 state budget bill (part 1). The budget cuts business taxes, restores the Rainy Day Fund, and increases funding for some social services. The budget does not reauthorize Medicaid expansion or include a pay raise negotiated with state employees.
SB 30 (2015)
Extends the use of municipal economic development and revitalization districts to certain unincorporated places.
SB 116 (2015)
Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
SB 106 (2015)
Prohibits the sale, use, or possession of synthetic drugs, such as "spice."
HB 136 (2015)
Prohibits tanning facilities from tanning anyone under age 18. At the time of this bill's submission, the law allowed tanning under age 18 with a parent or guardian's consent.
HB 618 (2015)
Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
HB 563 (2015)
Adjusts the additional grants for chartered public school pupils based on the Consumer Price Index, and increases the per pupil state funding for charter school students by $1,000.
HB 403 (2015)
Repeals the law establishing a protest-free buffer zone around reproductive health clinics.
SB 179 (2015)
Requires that a voter has lived in the state and county for at least 30 days.
SB 169 (2015)
Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, lottery tickets, tattoos, firearms, or adult entertainment.
HB 1 (2013)
Final 2014-2015 state budget, including increased funding for higher education, increased funding for services for individuals with mental illness and/or other disabilities, no Medicaid expansion, and no gas tax increase.
HB 2 (2013)
Makes various appropriations related to the budget bill, and establishes commissions to study Medicaid expansion and casino regulations.
HB 135 (2013)
Limits the use of deadly force, repealing "Stand Your Ground" in favor of the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force within their homes without retreating, but anywhere else they would have to attempt retreat before resorting to deadly force.
HB 451 (2013)
Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
HB 573 (2013)
Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.
SB 153 (2013)
Gives the legislature power to review collective bargaining agreements entered into by the state.
HB 306 (2013)
Changes RGGI to dedicate some of the proceeds to ratepayer rebates, and lowering the cap on carbon emissions, which will raise the cost of carbon credits to utilities and utility bills to consumers.
HB 370 (2013)
Repeals the education tax credit program, in which businesses receive tax breaks for contributing to a scholarship fund for low income students that wish to attend private school.
HB 595 (2013)
Revises 2011 voter ID law to delay requirement that poll workers photograph voters without ID; also allows student ID at polls.
HB 271 (2013)
Forbids NH from expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
HB 501 (2013)
Sets the state minimum wage at $7.25, in place of federal minimum wage.
HB 659 (2013)
Increases the tobacco tax.
SB 1 (2013)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
HB 443 (2013)
Bans prison privatization.
HB 630 (2013)
Reallocates proceeds from RGGI to the low-income energy efficiency program.
HB 323 (2013)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 163 (2013)
Establishes a commission to recommend legislation to prepare for projected sea level rise and other coastal and coastal watershed hazards.
SB 152 (2013)
Authorizes a casino.
HB 1660 (2012)
Prohibits abortions beyond 20 weeks gestation.
HB 1264 (2012)
Establishes a religious exemption for individuals who do not wish to provide accommodations, goods, or services for same-sex marriages.
HB 1654 (2012)
Authorizes earned time credits for inmates participating in rehabilitative programming.
HB 1650 (2012)
Exempts foodstuffs grown or produced and then sold in New Hampshire from federal regulation.
HB 1482 (2012)
Limits the exemption from property taxation granted to charitable nonprofit hospitals only to the main campus of the hospital.
HB 1679 (2012)
Prohibits partial birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester.
HB 1676 (2012)
Establishes a pilot program to provide public financing for eligible candidates for state senator.
HB 1667 (2012)
Raises the threshold between juvenile and adult offenders from seventeen to eighteen years-old.
HB 1492 (2012)
Requires public employers to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States.
HB 1659 (2012)
"Women's Right to Know Act," mandating that women considering an abortion receive "complete and accurate information on abortion and its alternatives."
HB 1677 (2012)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 1526 (2012)
Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
HB 1560 (2012)
Establishes the interstate Health Care Compact, which provides that each member state shall have the authority to enact state laws that trump all federal laws regarding health care within its state.
HB 1658 (2012)
Limits financial assistance for mothers who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The House and Senate amended the bill to instead establish an income and identity verification system for public assistance recipients.
SB 409 (2012)
Allows medicinal marijuana through home growing.
HB 1487 (2012)
Requires legislative approval for the expenditure of funds involving New Hampshire in any low carbon fuel standards program, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
SB 295 (2012)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
SB 286 (2012)
Establishes a prescription drug monitoring program funded entirely through "grants, gifts, or user contributions."
HB 1511 (2012)
Removes the prohibition on convicted felons possessing certain weapons for self-defense.
HB 648 (2012)
Forbids the use of eminent domain for regional electricity projects when costs and benefits cannot be shared across the ISO - New England network.
HB 1383 (2012)
States that only United States citizens may receive in-state tuition at the University of New Hampshire.
HB 1405 (2012)
Allows local governments to establish moratoriums on refugee resettlement.
HB 330 (2011)
Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
HB 1705 (2012)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one.
HB 1595 (2012)
Limits primary elections to voters who have registered as party members.
HB 1666 (2012)
Requires legislative approval of any collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.
HB 592 (2012)
Redistricts the House of Representatives.
SB 372 (2012)
Establishes a tax credit for businesses that contribute to a scholarship fund for students who wish to attend private, parochial, or home schools.
SB 289 (2012)
Requires voters to present identification at polling places.
HCR 42 (2012)
Expresses support for preserving the Electoral College.
HB 1413 (2012)
Directs New Hampshire to withdraw from the No Child Left Behind federal education program.
HB 218 (2011)
Repeals the New Hampshire Rail Transit Auhority (NHRTA).
HB 569 (2011)
Establishes "domestic unions" as an alternative to marriage.
HB 176 (2011)
Changes the definition of "domicile" for voting purposes so that out-of-state students can not claim domicile in New Hampshire.
HR 9 (2011)
Resolution expressing support for earmarks for law enforcement.
HCR 23 (2011)
Urges congressional earmarks for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
SB 27 (2011)
Raises the speed limit in some areas of Lake Winnipesaukee.
HB 113 (2011)
Prohibits the use of state funds for New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV).
HB 370 (2011)
Reverses the expanded definition of bullying in the Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act.
SB 52 (2011)
Repeals early release programs for inmates convicted of violent crimes.
HB 340 (2011)
Exempts parents from the education property tax if their children are not enrolled in public school.
HB 631 (2011)
Repeals the requirement that school districts offer public kindergarten.
SB 1 (2011)
Eliminates "evergreen clauses" in public contracts.
SB 88 (2011)
Expands the use of deadly force, adding "Stand Your Ground" to the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force without retreating, anywhere the victim has the right to be.
HB 109 (2011)
Prohibits local planning boards from requiring sprinklers as a condition for a local permit.
SB 57 (2011)
Makes various revisions to title loan regulations.
HB 329 (2011)
Requires parental notification prior to a minor's abortion.
HB 474 (2011)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 133 (2011)
Ties the New Hampshire minimum wage to the federal minimum wage.
HB 519 (2011)
Repeals the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), New Hampshire's cap-and-trade program.
SB 3 (2011)
Makes various changes to the state retirement system, such as raising retirement ages and increasing member contributions.
