Hal Rafter
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire ban abortion after 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH pursue expanded commuter rail?
"I support expanded commuter rail."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH limit terms for elected officials?
"I oppose term limits for NH elected officials."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH increase funding for heroin treatment programs?
"I support increased funding for heroin treatment programs."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to allow medical aid in dying (sometimes called physician-assisted suicide) in 2024 (HB 1283).
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Was NH right to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving?
"Only hands free cell phone use should be permitted, as written in the new law."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the state law that bans teaching certain concepts, such as the idea that people may be "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"However, we should restore the tax on unearned interest and dividends"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Previous decreases have cut state revenues unnecessarily"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"Worth considering with exemptions for primary residence or lower income households"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH authorize one or more casinos?
"I oppose casino gambling in New Hampshire."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the tax on cigarettes?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Virtually no proposed legislation this year addressed climate change, despite last year and this year being the hottest on record."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH continue to base statewide assessments on Common Core standards?
"I support basing statewide assessments on Common Core standards."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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?
"Voters almost always have ID's when they register, the issue is usually birth certificates to show citizenship. Affidavits are signed under penalty of perjury, that should be sufficient. This threatens the secret ballot by identifying voters and the votes they cast."
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."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a fee or mileage charge for electric vehicle owners to help pay for transportation and/or electric infrastructure?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add restrictions to the governor's powers during a state of emergency?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Encouraging creative options can protect our environment while providing more units to ease the crisis."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH broaden campaign finance disclosure laws?
"I support broader campaign finance disclosure laws."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH provide more funding for charter schools?
"I do not believe the state should fund charter schools."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"The cost of child care is high enough to be a burden on families and a limit on our work force. While at the same time not allowing child care workers to earn a living wage."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH increase law enforcement policies and penalties for heroin-related offenses?
"Penalties for dealing heroin may need to be increased, but for those using heroin more treatment is a better option than more penalties."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
"The state has a constitutional obligation to pay for an adequate education for all students. If it did, local property taxes could be lowered significantly in most towns."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Was NH right to expand Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible?
"I support NH's expanded Medicaid program."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Current $7.25 does not reflect current state of the economy. While few workers are at that rate, those and others would be helped by raising it to $12 - $15."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Do employees in NH need more legal protections in the workplace?
"Certain areas of our employment laws need to be changed to protect employees: wage theft"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?
"I oppose increased state enforcement of federal immigration laws."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH add restrictions on welfare recipients?
Regarding drug tests for welfare recipients: "I oppose such legislation."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH allow the Northern Pass to proceed with some (not all) of the lines buried?
"I oppose the Northern Pass as currently proposed."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Do you support Gov. Sununu's proposal to allow employers and employees to opt-in to a private, paid family and medical leave insurance plan, based on a pool of state employees, excluding coverage for personal illness?
"Against"
Against| 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?
Possible revenue sources: "Limited Sales Tax, Income Tax, Tobacco Tax, Alcoholic Beverage Tax"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
"For"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Undecided"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?
"I support legislation requiring auto insurance for all registered vehicles."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH require labels on some or all genetically modified foods?
"I support such legislation."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to against a right-to-work bill (HB 1377)
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
Should NH pass right-to-work legislation?
"Right to Work legislation will result in lower income to the working person."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a road usage fee?
"Against"
"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
What is your opinion on the state providing some funding for Planned Parenthood?
"I support the state providing some funding for Planned Parenthood."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014
State role in economic growth
"Job stimulation is best left to the private sector."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH continue to administer statewide standards-based student assessments?
"Statewide assessments are necessary, but the number of asssessments should be reasonable so they do not detract from instructional time."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a statewide family and medical leave program, paid for with a percentage of employee wages, with no opt-out?
"For"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Undecided"
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire provide student loan debt repayment programs for workers in industries with labor shortages?
"Yes, but only if the 'industry' provides for the health or welfare of the state's residents, for example education or health care."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add tax incentives for affordable housing development?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should parents be allowed to opt their children out of the NH immunization/vaccination registry?
"Parents should not be allowed to opt their children out of the NH immunization/vaccination registry."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should NH restrict further wind power development?
"Restrictions on wind power may be justified depending on the location. Historic or environmentally sensitive areas could require protection."
Voting Record
HB 619 (2023)
Prohibits gender transition care for minors under age 18. This bill also prohibits teaching about gender identity in public schools (with an exception for high school psychology courses), requires schools to use the name and gender that students are enrolled as, prohibits students from participating on sports teams that do not correspond to their biological sex at birth, and requires students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex at birth.
HB 1205 (2024)
Prohibits anyone with the reproductive biology and genetics of a male at birth from participating on school sports teams designated for females. As introduced, this bill covered K-12 schools as well as the university and community college system. The House amended the bill so that it only applies to middle and high schools.
HB 1419 (2024)
Prohibits K-12 schools from making "any material that is harmful to minors" available to students. The bill defines this material to include various content related to sex. This bill also requires school boards to adopt complaint resolution policies to address complaints regarding harmful material by parents or guardians.
HB 1248 (2024)
Changes the state limit on abortion after 24 weeks gestation to 15 days gestation.
HB 1665 (2024)
Raises the annual household income limit to qualify for the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, from 350% to 500% of the federal poverty level (from about $100,000 to about $150,000 for a family of four).
The Senate rewrote the bill. The Senate version of the bill raises eligibility to just 400% of the federal poverty level, and extends the timeline for phase-out grants for public schools when students leave to use EFA program funds, from 2026 to 2029. These changes are similar to SB 442, a bill killed in the House.
HB 1377 (2024)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
CACR 23 (2024)
Constitutional amendment creating a right to abortion, including a ban on any restrictions on abortion prior to 24 weeks.
HB 1656 (2024)
Greatly increases the per-pupil state education funding for each student receiving special education services. The House amended the bill to establish three weighted categories for special education differentiated aid, with more funding going to students who need more services.
HB 1283 (2024)
Establishes a procedure for an individual with terminal illness to receive medical assistance in dying through the self administration of medication (sometimes called physician-assisted suicide). The bill establishes criteria for the prescription of such medication and establishes reporting requirements and penalties for misuse or noncompliance.
HB 1145 (2024)
Prohibits new solid waste landfill permits in the state for facilities owned by any person other than the state of New Hampshire or a political subdivision thereof.
HB 1649 (2024)
Restricts the use of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. For example, this bill bans the sale of cosmetics, food packing, carpets, and more products with added PFAS starting July 1, 2028. The House changed that date to January 1, 2027.
The Senate amended the bill to also state that settlement funds from PFAS lawsuits will be deposited in the drinking water and groundwater trust fund and used to fund public water systems impacted by PFAS.
HB 1322 (2024)
Gradually increases the minimum wage to $17 per hour by 2029. This bill then allows future increases best on the Northeast Consumer Price Index. This bill also increases the tipped minimum wage from 45% to 50% of the regular minimum wage.
HB 1291 (2024)
Increases the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) allowed by right from one to two. This bill also increases the maximum square footage from 750 square feet to 1,000 square feet (and 850 square feet for a second unit). The bill then sets other regulations municipalities can and cannot require for ADUs. For example, the bill states that municipalities may require a property to have at least one half acre to have more than one ADU.
HB 1633 (2024)
Legalizes and regulates recreational marijuana sales to adults over age twenty-one. As amended by the House, this bill would allow the state to license fifteen cannabis retail outlets. There would be a 10% tax on monthly total gross revenue derived from the sale of cannabis and cannabis products. Smoking in public and consuming marijuana while driving would be illegal. Towns could limit marijuana businesses.
HB 470 (2023)
Exempts some drug checking equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, and allows the use of drug checking equipment, such as fentanyl test strips, for harm reduction.
HB 1400 (2024)
Prohibits zoning and planning regulations that set maximum residential parking spaces above one parking space per unit.
HB 1711 (2024)
Establishes a system to report to the firearm background check system if a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, not competent to stand trial, or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility. This bill also allows the court to order a person to surrender their firearms in these circumstances. This bill also establishes a process for a person to have their record removed from the background check system after six months, if they are no longer a danger to themselves or others.
