MaryAnn Knowles
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Other| Read My Position
"In 2006, I was proud that my husband John and I were the first two Democrats (out of 13 seats) to be elected in our district in 12 years, and although still heavily outnumbered by the other party, we tried to bring some balance and a different perspective to our legislative delegation. During my two terms in the House, we accomplished good things that really mattered to children, seniors, and working men and women. I worked in a respectful, bipartisan fashion with my Republican colleagues in order to pass important legislation that benefitted our constituents regardless of party affiliation.
"All that changed in the last election. There has been an assault on the dignity of the House that I love. Our delegation is again all Republican, and they have supported a Republican Speaker and majority leadership team that have sadly changed the priorities and tone of governance. I've observed the lack of respect, and outright bullying, that have occurred during House sessions. Such behavior would not have been tolerated when I held my seat there. It should not exist now.
"I decided to run again because I hope that you, too, would prefer to see some balance restored and more civility, cooperation, and respect returned to the House, so that the people's business is once again accorded the dignity that it deserves."
Voting Record
SB 319 (2014)
Authorizes "buffer zones" for protestors around reproductive health clinics.
HB 1325 (2014)
Allows physician-assisted suicide.
HB 1486 (2014)
Decreases the fine for underage drinking from $300 to $100 on first offense and from $600 to $300 on a subsequent offense.
HB 1294 (2014)
Requires Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to allow any health provider into their network for the purpose of participating in the online health insurance exchange.
HB 1508 (2014)
Terminates New Hampshire’s participation in the Common Core educational standards.
HB 1625 (2014)
Decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
SB 318 (2014)
Establishes the crime of domestic violence.
SB 413 (2014)
Expands Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible.
HB 1403 (2014)
Raises the minimum wage, starting at $9 per hour.
HB 1170 (2014)
Repeals the death penalty.
HB 1602 (2014)
Givies the Public Utilities Commission the power to force PSNH to sell its power plants. This bill also requires the state Site Evaluation Committee to address scenic impacts, sound impacts, fire protection plans, and more when evaluating wind farm proposals.
SB 207 (2014)
“Pay Equity Law,” a bill to combat pay discrimination based on gender, forbidding employers from restricting employees from discussing wages, and allowing a three year deadline to report pay discrimination to the state (current deadline is one year).
HB 1633 (2014)
Authorizes one casino in New Hampshire, regulated by the Gaming Commission.
HB 1503 (2014)
Originally written to include fetuses eight weeks and older as potential victims under first and second degree murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and causing or aiding suicide. The House amended the bill to instead increase penalties for for manslaughter or negligent homicide causing a miscarriage or stillbirth.
HB 1411 (2014)
Sends some of last year's budget surplus to the Department of Health and Human Services.
HB 1360 (2014)
Forbids cell phone use while driving, unless hands-free.
SB 367 (2014)
Increases the gas tax by four-cents per gallon and removes the toll at Exit 12 in Merrimack.
SB 3 (2014)
Removes all tolls in Merrimack.
SB 203 (2014)
Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, firearms, or adult entertainment.
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 323 (2013)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 153 (2013)
Gives the legislature power to review collective bargaining agreements entered into by the state.
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 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 271 (2013)
Forbids NH from expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
HB 573 (2013)
Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.
HB 501 (2013)
Sets the state minimum wage at $7.25, in place of federal minimum wage.
HB 630 (2013)
Reallocates proceeds from RGGI to the low-income energy efficiency program.
HB 2 (2013)
Makes various appropriations related to the budget bill, and establishes commissions to study Medicaid expansion and casino regulations.
SB 1 (2013)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
SB 163 (2013)
Establishes a commission to recommend legislation to prepare for projected sea level rise and other coastal and coastal watershed hazards.
HB 443 (2013)
Bans prison privatization.
SB 152 (2013)
Authorizes a casino.
HB 659 (2013)
Increases the tobacco tax.
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 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.
CACR 28 (2010)
Constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
HB 1644 (2010)
Includes all fetuses as potential victims under first and second degree murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide.
HB 1590 (2010)
Repeals same-sex marriage.
HB 1128 (2010)
Makes various regulatory changes, such as allowing towns to adopt a local meals and rooms tax in addition to the state meals and rooms tax and authorizing expanded gambling.
HB 1653 (2010)
Decriminalizes possession of 1/4 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age eighteen.
SB 450 (2010)
Makes various budget cuts.
SS HB 1 (2010)
Repeals the LLC tax.
SB 464 (2010)
Establishes speed limits on Lake Winnipesaukee.
SB 489 (2010)
Authorizes three casinos in New Hampshire.
HB 1607 (2010)
Establishes certain requirements for the reasonable compensation deduction under the business profits tax. The bill creates a committee to study safe harbors and taxation of investment organizations. This bill also deletes a provision subjecting to taxation certain income accumulated in trust for the benefit of unborn or unascertained persons.SB 497 (2010)
Establishes certain requirements for the reasonable compensation deduction under the business profits tax. This bill also establishes a committee to study safe harbors.
HB 531 (2009)
Requires parental notification prior to a minor's abortion.
HB 436 (2009)
Legalizes same-sex marriage.
HB 556 (2009)
Repeals the death penalty.
HB 383 (2009)
Requires seat belt usage.
HB 415 (2009)
Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
HB 648 (2009)
Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.
