Kat McGhee
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
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?
"This program had a public push back of over 6-1 in public hearings, to the point where the folks who were insistent on doing it stopped the hearings and simply pushed the law through in the budget trailer without even tax impact cost estimates. That's not how we're supposed to do things. This program was sold to people as 'choice' but it is a scam to defund public schools and create for-profit recipients who have none of the requirements for education standards we require of our public schools. It will only weaken schools, discourage good teachers from working in NH, and increase property taxes because there is still not plan, to add proper school funding from the state. Only to take funding away."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire ban abortion after 20 weeks gestation, with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications?
"I oppose a ban on abortion after 20 weeks gestation, even with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications."
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?
"The state should continue the long-standing policy of staying out of people's bodies and private medical decisions. The NH constitutional amendment to privacy in 2018 was focused on information and technology, how could personal bodily autonomy be any less an issue of privacy?"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH pursue expanded commuter rail?
"I support expanded commuter rail."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH limit terms for elected officials?
"I am undecided on this issue."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH increase funding for heroin treatment programs?
"I support increased funding for heroin treatment programs."
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted against allowing medical aid in dying (sometimes called physician-assisted suicide) in 2024 (HB 1283).
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Roe v Wade was the compromise that put women and doctors in the correct roles, allowing legal abortions up to viability of the fetus, unless the life of the mother was threatened. The recent push to move American society backwards is completely unworkable and does nothing to improve any aspect of this long-settled privacy battle. It does not reflect New Hampshire's Live Free or Die sentiment."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Roe v Wade was the compromise that put women and doctors in the correct roles, allowing legal abortions up to viability of the fetus, unless the life of the mother was threatened. The recent push to move American society backwards is completely unworkable and does nothing to improve any aspect of this long-settled privacy battle. It does not reflect New Hampshire's Live Free or Die sentiment."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"The idea of this legislature, with its band of free staters and undereducated Reps in leadership roles, banning anything that trained educational professionals do in their approved curriculum classrooms is mind-boggling to me. They have not shown any evidence of problems in NH schools, yet they are acting as though they have the right to put bans on teachers. Let Teachers Teach!"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"?
"This law was poorly written, came from a national effort, and does nothing to improve classroom education. It was another controversial bill that should never have seen the light of day, and so they shoved it into the budget trailer bill, because it would not have passed through regular order. It was designed to demoralize faculty and gum up the works in our schools. No one was teaching divisive concepts to students. The undermining of trust is a dangerous role for government leaders to play and yet, that is what the Free State leaders in the majority caucus the last two years have done. Taken national lies and weaponized and localized them. NH should know better."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I'm not in favor of an income tax. We are creating problems for seniors on fixed incomes by placing so much burden on property taxes. So, there must be discussion about the best way to meet our bills, the GOP method of promising to cut our way to prosperity is simply disingenuous."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"New Hampshire's advantage is that we keep our broad based taxes low. We have many ways to pay the bills without adopting sales taxes beyond what we do now for things like Rooms and Meals."Undecided| 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?
"Undecided"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Business tax cuts are not what businesses are asking for from government. So no, I'd rather see us focused on making sure students are training to meet the workforce needs in the state so we can grow our energy, technology, and manufacturing economies."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"There is an issue with our tax system being regressive at this point - meaning the lower income brackets pay higher rates than the wealthy who build their homes here. Fairer taxes is a goal of Democrats. But even discussing the issue brings calls of foul from our opponents. So we keep digging a bigger hole."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the tax on cigarettes?
"I have no problem using sin taxes to help NH fund essential programs. I co-sponsored a bill to categorize vaping products as cigarettes for the purposes of including them in basic taxation."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"We're doing less than the bare minimum because we're continually undermining existing working programs, and then pulling off emergency fixes. It is absolutely the role of government to help make the transition less painful for ratepayers and farmers and everyone else who relies on us to do what is right."Other| Read My Position
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?
"I think it's unecessarily cumbersome. But, if the state determines that this is what is needed in order to provide a process that satisfied trust in our election integrity, then I would support it."Undecided| 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?
"We have a bipartisan bill that I co-sponsored to look at alternative highway funding, which takes into consideration how a transition away from combustion vehicles would work. I'm not looking to penalize E/Vs as some of my fellow Reps seem to desire. I'm just looking for the best way to make highway maintenance work going forward."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add restrictions to the governor's powers during a state of emergency?
"Just as with the Presidency, the Governor should be required to first use the existing processes of government to execute his emergency response. Only if same is insufficient should he be able to skirt the existing bodies in place to manage federal funds and emergency planning."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"I have constituents who are against encouraging housing because they want to protect 'local, rural character'. In my view, local planning and zoning boards and master plans are the place to make those decisions. The issue NH is facing is one a 20-30K unit deficit in housing. That lack of supply creates difficulties for employers, employees, young families and seniors. Nobody can find affordable housing because there is so little housing stock. So yes, I'm for addressing that very real problem that holds back NH's economy. I am not for overbuilding and ruining places with housing that makes no sense. Both can be accomplished if we elect people who are trying to solve both."
For| Read My Position
"Kat also helped spear-head a citizen-led effort to Get the Big Money Out of Politics - in cooperation with Open Democracy NH, the New Hampshire Rebellion and Public Citizen. Kat designed and delivered training to citizens from nearly 60 towns in the first round of actions to pass warrant articles that asked New Hampshire to join the 16 other states, (including all other New England states) demanding that our US Congress take action against the corrupting influence of money in our politics. This effort resulted in 65 towns passing warrant articles, including the one Kat presented in Hollis."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to increase the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts (HB 523)
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?
"If we look at the evidence of a lack of competition in the NH energy market, and the impacts on our rate increases for electricity, yes, it makes perfect sense to renew our RPS and implement it as envisioned so we reap the benefits of a robust energy market. We have been moving in the wrong direction for the last 5 years. Undercutting our own plans is self-defeating and we're last in the region in energy planning and adoption of clean energy technologies to lower fossil fuel costs."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Roe v Wade was the compromise that put women and doctors in the correct roles, allowing legal abortions up to viability of the fetus, unless the life of the mother was threatened. The recent push to move American society backwards is completely unworkable and does nothing to improve any aspect of this long-settled privacy battle. It does not reflect New Hampshire's Live Free or Die sentiment."For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to consider starting a Child Care Workforce Fund to recruit and retain New Hampshire child care employees (HB 1611)
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?
"I think we are getting to the place where our mistrust of authority and institutions is going to be our undoing. There have been policy incidents around the country that have revealed problems with policy violence, bias and lack of transparency. But I have seen no such issues in the policy departments with which I have been involved and I think having citizens second guess every public servant, at every level of government is a good way to gum up what's working. We have an Attorney General and other court mechanisms at our disposal to resolve individual issues. There is no need for a policy to address national issues, that have not been identified in the state of New Hampshire."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"Anything that makes voting easier, we should adopt for our constituents."Against| Read My Position
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?
"The system is unfair and advantages property rich communities, while penalizing poor property towns. The state has been successfully sued on multiple occasions for ignoring its constitutional responsibility to educate its citizens. The most recent decisions stated, that obligation is not on the property tax payer, it is on the state'."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
"I voted against one of the cannabais legalization bills early in the session because the policy chief in my town reached our with a compelling letter and asked me for my support in preventing legalization. I am not personally opposed to regulation, legalization and taxation of marijuana as a medicinal and recreational substance. The bill passed easily on a bipartisan vote because all the states in New England are already gaining revenues and moving forward as it was after the prohibition of alcohol."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"It depends upon the bill."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"It depends upon the bill."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"It depends upon the bill."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Was New Hampshire right to continue expanded Medicaid eligibility, using the traditional Medicaid system of managed care instead of private insurance?
"I support expanded Medicaid eligibility, using the traditional Medicaid system of managed care instead of private insurance."
For| Read My Position
McGhee signed the New Futures Five Point Pledge, which includes a pledge to "Support permanent Medicaid Expansion"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Yes. The argument seems to be that we don't have to do anything on support for a living wage. I disagree. There is data to show what businesses are paying in order to attract workers. It has been decades at the current federal rate of $7.25 per hour. Its time we increased it to something more reflective of the reality of cost of living in 2022."Against| Read My Position
McGhee was rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice NH in 2013
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?
"I oppose increased state enforcement of federal immigration laws."
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?
"Raising the net metering cap is a bipartisan issue. Only the Governor and the fossil fuel lobby were against this economic stimulus to our energy economy. YES. YES. YES. And I serve on Science, Technology & Energy Committee, so I've heard all the testimony directly on Net Metering."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?
"My view is that a state will few resources should only be offering business incentives when there are rewards the state is seeking in return. i.e. the Biomass industry was the 2nd largest manufacturing industry in the state, helped NH Forestry Society maintain healthy forests (avoiding forest fire conditions) and qualified as renewable, sustainable and kept local energy dollars in the state. I was for biomass because it affected even county in New Hampshires economy. But, the bill was vetoed as a subsidy. In this case, the benefits far outweighed the downside. But the Governor had other ideas."
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?
"Our current per study funding has been determined to be inadequate by all who have studied the matter for the state. So yes, we need to increase funding for public education."
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?
"The state should start with adequacy funding for schools because that is what is driving up property taxes."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"I've done some reading on this and it appears that this helps the very wealthy, but it does not help the state pay for essential services. Until we are adequately funding public education/state colleges, and fixing bridges and roads, not just when the feds kick into the pot, I'd say we should not eliminate I&D if we need the revenue. Novel I know, but government is supposed to figure out how to pay for things, not how to knee cap the public good for private gain."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Is police brutality an issue in NH?
"While I am not for militarizing our police forces, I support local police and would want to understand the threats they are facing before I decide on policy."
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?
"Under this scenario, only those who can afford it get covered and the pool of money is less stable for the long run. It's a Republican proposal that lacks a comprehensive approach to solving the problem."
Other| Read My Position
NHPTV Voter Guide, 2012
On a constitutional ban on income tax: "While I agree with the majority of Granite Staters that adding an income tax is a last resort none of us wants - if we are serious about addressing fiscal issues, why would we take any of the tools at our disposal off the table? I believe a constitutional amendment is unnecessary and smacks of overreach. The House should not seek to bind future legislatures who will face their own fiscal challenges. This proposed constitutional change implies that future stewards of the taxes will not be responsible enough to manage the state, when there is no evidence in New Hampshire, to support that theory."
For| Read My Position
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.
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?
"Absolutely. This programs gains NH approximately 12-14 million per year that can be used to advance energy efficiency of other clean energy investments. It's also true that because its a regional compact, NH would continue paying RGGI, even if it pulls out. So we would still be paying for RGGI, but we would receive none of the benefits. That is the Republican position - that we should pull out of RGGI - and it makes no sense (in effect it's lose/lose policy to pull out of RGGI)."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Roe v Wade was the compromise that put women and doctors in the correct roles, allowing legal abortions up to viability of the fetus, unless the life of the mother was threatened. The recent push to move American society backwards is completely unworkable and does nothing to improve any aspect of this long-settled privacy battle. It does not reflect New Hampshire's Live Free or Die sentiment."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
When asked a similar question on the 2018 Citizens Count survey, McGhee indicated, "I oppose increased state enforcement of federal immigration laws."Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2018
"Out-of-state bills like 'Right to Work' are threatening to weaken the concept of collective bargaining and safety in the workplace. It is not about saving workers from union dues. It is about weakening a union's ability to fight back when big companies want to take advantage of employees. Unions contribute to a healthy economy by protecting the rights of individuals. Healthy union states have higher wages even for non-union jobs. competitive wages drive businesses and promote job growth. or as my husband says, 'You can save a lot of money in business if you close the doors. But it won't have the desired effect.'"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a road usage fee?
"I haven't been in favor of any of the bills I've seen so far. I think we have to make sure if we implement something like this that is has the desired effect. We do need a way to fund maintenance of our roads and bridges that is more reliable that what we're doing today."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire government do more to increase the supply of affordable housing?
"Affordable Housing, like many other state functions, is something we need to undertake - because we are a state. Too often NH believes it can use charities and volunteers to supplement for governance. I disagree."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2018
"Paid leave, daycare cost-sharing and paid vacations help families balance their obligations to work and family."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH continue to administer statewide standards-based student assessments?
"The move against testing does not take into account the value of having data on our schools. I am a believer in the use of data, and to use it, you must collect it."
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?
"The reason this policy makes sense as an insurance policy is that even people who have no insurance, end up getting sick and needing time off. Democrats believe everyone paying a little bit is preferable to setting up a systems of haves vs. have nots. I ascribe to this thinking. Social Security, Medicare and Veterans Benefits are all examples of making everyone secure, rather than picking winners and losers."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I don't think stricter gun laws is the right frame. I believe laws that increase public safety are not an infringement upon lawful gun ownership. It is not the job of lawmakers to impose their own ideology. It is the role of lawmakers to inform themselves with the best available evidence and then pass laws that work for the majority of people."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?
"I'm not opposed to the idea, but New Hampshire is already provided precious little funding for higher education (we're 50th of 50 states) and even public ed is less than 30% supported at the state level. So, if there's no money for primary support, how do we justify carve outs?"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add tax incentives for affordable housing development?
"It depends upon the details of the bill. New Hampshire traditionally has very little funding for programs like this - its mostly in the hands of private developers and local jurisdictions. I'm on the Zoning Board of Adjustments in Hollis and we are aware that affordable housing is a critical need in the state. I don't work on this in the House and have yet to see a bill that solves the issue of shortage in any substantive way from the state's perspective."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
"People have choice of schooling. But limited public dollars must be reserved for public schools. There can be support for home schoolers via public school systems, but the idea of diverting limited funds is for me, a non-starter. Private and parochial schools have always been available, but not part of public funding. That's my position today."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH impose strict residency requirements on registering to vote?
"We have residency standards for voting. We do not need anything more stringent. We don't have a voter fraud problem."
Session days attended
Party unity score/partisanship
Participated in official roll call votes
Bills sponsored (as prime sponsor)
Prime sponsored bills that became law
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse from the 2018 election through the end of the legislative session in 2020. The measures are not intended to present a ranking or rating of any kind. Average is that of all state elected officials in this chamber. "Prime sponsored bills that became law" include bill texts that were incorporated into "omnibus" bills following the coronavirus emergency.
Session days attended
Party unity score/partisanship
Participated in official roll call votes
Bills sponsored (as prime sponsor)
Prime sponsored bills that became law
Voting Record
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 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 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 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 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 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.
SB 263 (2023)
Permanently reauthorizes the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid. Previous law ended the program on December 31, 2023. This bill also reestablishes and revises the commission to evaluate the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid.
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.
HB 367 (2023)
Increases the maximum household income limit for participation in the Education Freedom Account program, from 300% to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Education Freedom Account program allows families to spend the state's per-pupil share of education funding on private or home school expenses.
The House amended the bill to only increase the income limit to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.
HB 106 (2023)
Establishes a procedure for issuing "extreme risk protection orders" to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. An extreme risk protection order would restrict a person's access to firearms, and is also known as a "red flag law."
HB 59 (2023)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks.
HB 567 (2023)
Requires at least 30 days written notice for a rent increase. Large, multi-unit rental owners must provide at least 60 days notice. If the rent increase is over 15%, large multi-unit landlords must provide at least 6 months notice.
HB 624 (2023)
Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.
HB 57 (2023)
Gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next three years, with future adjustments based on the consumer price index. This bill also raises the tipped minimum wage from 45% to 50% of the regular minimum wage. Lastly, this bill allows a minimum wage of $8 per hour for youth under age 18 for the first six months of employment.
HB 10 (2023)
Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child"
"The right to be physically present at any health care facility ... at which their minor child is receiving hospital care"
"The right to consent in writing before a biometric scan of his or her minor child is made, shared, or stored"
SB 272 (2023)
Establishes a parental bill of rights in education. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to access and review all medical records of a child maintained by a school or school personnel"
"The right to inquire of the school or school personnel and to be truthfully and completely informed if the child is being identified or referred to by school district staff, as being of a gender other than that of which the child was identified or referred when enrolled"
HB 2 (2023)
State budget bill (part 2). The governor presented his proposal for the next state budget February 14. The House and Senate both made changes to that proposal. Click here to read a summary of the 2023 budget process.
HB 208 (2023)
Establishes greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. This bill also requires the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan by July 1, 2024, that includes evaluation of best available information, considers inclusion of strategies, programs and compliance mechanisms with measurable goals and targets, considers opportunities to encourage investment in low/moderate income, rural and minority communities, makes recommendations on retraining and apprenticeship opportunities, and coordinates with other state agencies.
HB 557 (2023)
Removes the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services to require vaccinations beyond those in state law. This bill specifically notes that the requirements for chickenpox, Hepatitis B, and Hib vaccinations will expire in 2026.
HB 639 (2023)
Legalizes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. The bill allows limited home-growing of marijuana. A new Cannabis Commission would oversee licensing and regulations related to the manufacture, testing, and sale of legal marijuana. Cannabis sales would be taxed under the Meals and Rooms tax system. Alternative Treatment Centers, which currently serve the state's medical marijuana patients, would be allowed to apply for a "dual use certificate" that allows them to participate in recreational marijuana business. Towns could limit marijuana businesses.
HB 523 (2023)
Increases the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts. This bill also modifies the transition of tariffs applicable to some customer-generators.
HB 224 (2023)
Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.
HB 1431 (2022)
Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
HB 227 (2021)
Allows a landlord to evict a tenant at the expiration of the term of the lease or tenancy, if the term is longer than six months. The House amended the bill to also require the landlord to give 30 days' notice.
HB 1022 (2022)
Authorizes pharmacists to dispense Ivermectin pursuant to a standing order from a physician or APRN.
The Senate amended the bill to also establish a commission to study the use of Ivermectin to treat Covid-19 and to provide a recommendation regarding whether to make the standing order permanent.
HB 1131 (2022)
Prohibits public schools from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering.
HB 1178 (2022)
Prohibits any state or local enforcement of any federal laws or actions aimed at limiting firearms.
SB 418 (2022)
Establishes "affidavit balloting" for voters who do not have a valid identification at the polls. Those voters would be given a prepaid envelope to return with documentation proving their eligibility to vote, and their "affidavit ballots" would be numbered and counted separately. Any voter who fails to provide documentation proving their eligibility to vote within ten days of the election would have their ballot pulled and their votes deducted from the official vote totals.
HB 1080 (2022)
Creates a right for health care providers to conscientiously object to participating in providing abortion, sterilization, or artificial contraception services.
HB 1221 (2022)
Reduces the Business Profits Tax rate from 7.6% to 7.5% and the Business Enterprise Tax rate from 0.55% to 0.50% for taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2023.
The House amended the bill to only cut the Business Profits Tax to 7.5%.
The Senate amended the bill to also provide towns and cities with 7.5% of their retirement contribution costs for teachers, police officers, and firefighters for one year.
HB 1598 (2022)
Allows personal consumption and possession of marijuana over age 21, with some limits (e.g. four ounces of cannabis in plant form). Home-growing would be illegal. The state Liquor Commission would regulate marijuana growing and sales. Revenue from marijuana sales would go to substance misuse-related education, prevention, treatment, and recovery; and offsetting the statewide education property tax.
HB 1210 (2022)
Requires public employers, private employers, and postsecondary education institutions that receive public funds and mandate a vaccination or other inoculation procedure to accept an employee's or student's request for a medical, religious, or right of conscience exemption.
HB 1661 (2022)
Requires sending district schools and career and technical education (CTE) centers to enter into an agreement to include scheduling, access, transportation and credits for CTE students.
The House amended the bill to also set aside $35 million for a new legislative parking garage. The Senate revised the bill to lower this number to $9.35 million.
The Senate also amended this bill to add the substance of SB 430, an omnibus bill about care covered under Medicaid, childcare regulations, and more.
HB 1609 (2022)
Revises the law banning abortions after 24 weeks gestation to include exceptions for rape, incest, and fatal fetal anomalies. This bill also repeals the requirement to conduct an obstetric ultrasound before every abortion. Lastly, this bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to compile and publish an annual report of statistics relative to abortions after 24 weeks.
HB 1455 (2022)
Prohibits state enforcement of any federal law, order, or rule that requires an individual, as a condition of employment or any other activity, to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or to submit more than once per month to COVID-19 testing.
HB 1495 (2022)
Prohibits employee vaccine requirements for any state or local government employees or government contractors. This bill has an exception for medical providers when there is a direct threat present.
The House amended the bill to prohibit any state or local government from requiring businesses to implement a vaccine mandate, with an exception for medical facilities.
HB 1668 (2022)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks. Also requires private sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearm dealer, if it's not absolutely clear that both the owner and the recipient are allowed to own guns.
HB 1683 (2022)
Repeal the Education Freedom Account program. The program allows the parent of a school age child to receive funds from a scholarship organization to pay for education expenses.
HB 1576 (2022)
Repeals the law aimed at banning critical race theory in public schools and workplaces. That law prohibits the teaching of certain concepts in school and public employee trainings. For example, the law prohibits teaching that people of a certain race or sex are "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously."
SB 89 (2021)
The House voted to add a new section to the bill that states New Hampshire election laws will not be affected by the passage of the federal "For the People Act." Supporters argue that this is an important measure to protect the integrity of New Hampshire elections from federal interference. Opponents argue it is unconstitutional to attempt to nullify federal laws, and this measure could require New Hampshire to run two separate election systems, one for state officials and one for federal officials.
HB 625 (2021)
Prohibits abortion after 24 weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
The House and Senate added a similar ban to the 2021 state budget bill.
SB 61 (2021)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 1 (2021)
State budget bill. The governor presented his version of the next state budget February 11. The House passed a revised version of his budget on April 7. The Senate passed a different version on June 3. The House and Senate passed a final version on June 24. Click here to read a summary of the 2021 budget proposals.
HB 2 (2021)
State budget bill (part 2). The governor presented his version of the next state budget February 11. The House passed a revised version of his budget on April 7. The Senate passed a different version on June 3. The House and Senate passed a final version on June 24. Click here to read a summary of the budget proposals.
HB 542 (2021)
Excludes religious gatherings from any prohibition on in-person gatherings during a state of emergency. The House amended the bill to more broadly protect religious activities. The Senate amended the bill to narrow its scope again; the Senate version requires the state to allow religious services and other activities to proceed to the same or greater extent as other essential business activity during a state of emergency.
HB 177 (2021)
Prohibits the siting of new landfills, excluding expansions of existing landfills, within 2 miles of state parks. "State parks" do not include state historic sites and recreational rail trails.
The House voted to add this bill to SB 103, but the Senate rejected that change.
HB 121 (2021)
Establishes a fifteen member independent redistricting commission, appointed by House and Senate party leaders after an application process.
HB 458 (2021)
Repeals the the law that requires public middle schools and high schools to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost. This bill then permits school health departments "to make reasonable efforts to secure, through grants and donations, and distribute menstrual hygiene products to students in need."
SB 141 (2021)
Authorizes the FBI to conduct all National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) searches concerning the purchase, sale, and transfer of firearms through Federal Firearm Licensees operating in New Hampshire. This bill then abolishes the "gun line" in the State Police and repeals the state’s partial point of contact system for handguns, allowing the authority to remain exclusively with the FBI.
HB 481 (2019)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. A Cannabis Control Commission, similar to the Liquor Commission, would be responsible for licensing and enforcement. The bill also allows limited home-growing of marijuana for personal use.
HB 1577 (2020)
Allows an individual to obtain a new birth certificate based on a change of gender identity, as certified by a licensed health care provider. Parental permission is required if a minor seeks a birth certificate change. At the time of this bill's submission, a court order is required to change a birth certificate. This bill also allows a gender identity of nonbinary on a birth certificate.
HB 1664 (2020)
Requires the Department of Environmental Services to establish a climate action plan, an office of the environmental advocate, and an oversight commission on environmental services. The House amended the bill to instead establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state. Those goals are a 20% reduction in statewide emissions by 2025, 50% by 2035, and 80% by 2050 (all compared to 1990 emissions). The amended bill also gives the Department of Environmental Services the authority to develop and update regularly a climate action plan.
HB 1672 (2020)
Allows any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. The Senate amended the bill to become the "Coronavirus Election Protection Act of 2020." The amended bill allows any voter to vote by absentee ballot, allows town officials to start processing ballots before Election Day, and authorizes online voter registration.
HB 687 (2019)
Establishes "extreme risk protection orders," based on evidence that there is "a significant risk of causing bodily injury to himself or herself or others," which would require the subject of the order to surrender any firearms to law enforcement.
HB 1280 (2020)
Caps how much health insurers can charge consumers for insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply. The Senate amended the bill to instead cap the payment at $30 for a 30-day supply.
HB 1166 (2020)
Establishes a committee to study the demographics of the uninsured population in New Hampshire, the barriers to obtaining healthcare coverage, and possible solutions to extend health insurance coverage. The Senate completely amended the bill to add various requirements and protections for employers and employees related to the coronavirus. For example, the amended bill allows employees to collect unemployment if they cannot go to work because they or a family member is sick with COVID-19 - even if Gov. Sununu ends the state of emergency.
HB 1247 (2020)
Requires landlords to provide at least 90 days notice before a rent increase over 5%. The House amended the bill to require 60 days notice for an increase over 5% and 90 days notice for an increase over 8%. The Senate amended the bill to instead remove the requirement of an eviction notice before public welfare departments provide rental assistance. The amended bill also "creates a duty of good faith and fair dealing for mortgage lenders." Lastly, the amended bill requires landlords to offer tenants a 6-month repayment plan for rent missed during the coronavirus emergency.
HB 1645 (2020)
Extends the waiting period to annul a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, from 3 to 10 years. The Senate amended the bill to incorporate several other pieces of legislation.
HB 1454 (2020)
Gives local school boards the power to determine whether to grant academic credit for alternative extended learning and work-based programs. At the time of this bill's submission, that power lies with the state board of education. The Senate amended the bill to still require the state board of education to vet and approve alternative extended learning and work-based programs, which local school boards "may" accept for credit (similar to a different bill, SB 514).
HB 1264 (2020)
Extends the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Investigation from 2020 to 2022. The Senate amended the legislation to incorporate several bills related to PFAS. In particular, the amended bill establishes maximum contaminant levels for perflourinated compounds (PFCs), as originally written in SB 287.
HB 712 (2019)
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. Employees could take up to twelve weeks of leave and receive 60% of their pay after paying into the program for at least six months. As introduced, this bill does not include an opt-out option.
HB 1648 (2020)
Permits adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permits adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. This bill also allows adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.
HB 731 (2019)
Gradually raises the state minimum wage, starting at $12 per hour in 2020 and ending at $15 per hour in 2024. The bill also raises the tipped minimum wage, although in 2024 it would still be 45% of the regular minimum wage. The bill requires cost of living adjustments every year. This bill also allows cities and towns to set a higher minimum wage. Lastly, this bill establishes a "training wage," no lower than $8.50, for employees under age eighteen for the first three months of employment.
HB 685 (2019)
Prohibits balance billing for ambulance services. The bill also limits reimbursement for ambulance services to a "commercially reasonable value." The Senate amended the bill to instead require insurance plans which cover maternity benefits to provide coverage for emergency or elective abortion services (similar to SB 486).
HB 514 (2019)
Establishes a seven day waiting period for the delivery of a firearm. There are some exceptions for rifle or shotgun purchases by hunters, law enforcement officers, and members of the armed forces. The Senate amended the bill, shortening the waiting period to three days.
HB 706 (2019)
Establishes a fifteen member independent redistricting commission, appointed by the secretary of state after a public application process that includes input from legislative leaders. The Senate amended the bill, generally giving the Secretary of State less say in the process.
SB 1 (2019)
Establishes a paid family and medical leave insurance program, which would be run by the state department of employment security. Employers would pay 0.5% of wages per employee as premium payments. Employees could take up to twelve weeks of leave and receive 60% of their pay after paying into the program for at least six months. The bill does not allow anyone to opt-out of the program.
HB 2 (2019)
2020-2021 state budget bill (part 2).
HB 1 (2019)
2020-2021 state budget bill.
HB 564 (2019)
Makes it a misdemeanor to carry a firearm in a safe school zone. ˙There are some exceptions, for example if a person gets permission from the school board. The House amended the bill so that parents do not need to remove or unload firearms in their cars when picking up students. The amendment also specifically bans firearms on "school property" rather than in "school zones." School property includes buildings, grounds, school buses, and vans.
SB 290 (2019)
Modifies the work and community engagement requirements for the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid. For example, this bill extends the work requirement exemption for parents so that parents of children under age 13 are eligible for the exemption. This bill also gives the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to waive the work requirement until July 2021 if there is an inability to communicate with program participants.
HB 109 (2019)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks. Also requires private sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearm dealer, if it’s not absolutely clear that both the owner and the recipient are allowed to own guns.
HB 365 (2019)
Increases the electric generating capacity of customer generators who may participate in net energy metering, generally from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts.
HB 446 (2019)
Allows an individual to obtain a new birth certificate based on a change of gender identity, as certified by a licensed health care provider. At the time of this bill's submission, a court order is required to change a birth certificate. This bill also allows a gender identity of nonbinary on a birth certificate. The Senate amended the bill, for example to require the permission of a parent or guardian if a minor seeks a birth certificate change.
SB 10 (2019)
Increases the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2020, then to $11 in 2022, except starting that year, employers would have to pay at least $12 per hour if they do not offer at least 10 paid sick days to employees. The House and Senate amended the bill to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2020 and $12 per hour in 2022, regardless of sick time.
HB 455 (2019)
Changes the penalty for any offense eligible for the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole.
HB 105 (2019)
Generally repeals the voter registration changes passed in SB 3. For example, this bill removes the stricter requirements for voters who register within 30 days of an election. This bill also removes much of the new language on voter registration forms about domicile. This bill also removes the authority of the secretary of state to conduct post-election voter registration investigations, leaving that to the attorney general.
HB 558 (2019)
Prohibits food service businesses from providing a single-use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.
