Gary Merchant

Voting Record, 2024

In 2022 Rep. Merchant voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program (HB 1683) In 2024 Rep. Merchant voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Merchant 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?

Voting Record, 2019

Voted in favor of HB 686, a bill that would extend the interest and dividends tax to capital gains and increase the exemptions and filing thresholds for the interest and dividends tax. HB 686 would have used the new capital gains tax revenue to increase per-pupil school funding and lower the state property tax rate.

Voting Record, 2024

In 2023 Merchant 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. However, in 2024 Merchant voted against establishing a climate and health protection program with non-state funds, such as federal grants (SB 496).

Voting Record, 2022

Voted against creating a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418)

Voting Record, 2024

In 2024 Rep. Merchant voted for a few bills that would ease zoning requirements. For example, Merchant 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).

Voting Record, 2024

Voted to consider starting a Child Care Workforce Fund to recruit and retain New Hampshire child care employees (HB 1611)

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, 2022

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

Voting Record, 2023

Voted to legalize private marijuana sales with a 12.5% excise tax (HB 639).

Voting Record, 2022

Voted in favor of a bill to legalize marijuana with the Liquor Commission regulating sales (HB 1598)

Voting Record, 2024

In 2019 Rep. Merchant voted for HB 186 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12/hour), HB 731 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15/hour), and SB 10 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12/hour). In 2024 Rep. Merchant voted to gradually raise the minimum wage to $17 per hour, with future inflation adjustments (HB 1322).

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

Merchant 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 Merchant 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?

Voting Record, 2023

During the 2019-2020 legislative session, Merchant has voted both for and against gun control bills. For example, he voted for HB 1285 and HB 564 (banning firearms on school grounds), HB 109 (expanding firearm background checks), HB 514 and HB 1101 (establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases), and HB 687 (establishing extreme risk protection orders, similar to a red flag law). However, he voted against HB 1608 (banning large capacity magazines) and HB 1379 (expanding firearm background checks).

In 2023 Merchant voted to establish a 3-day waiting period for firearm purchases (HB 76).