Matthew S. Hicks
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?
"In order to have a strong state, we must have excellent public schools. As a graduate of the Concord public schools (CHS '92), I know how important public schools are for New Hampshire's future. The EFA program - vouchers - is not necessary or beneficial for New Hampshire. This program should be repealed. If people want to send their kids to private schools, they will find ways to pay the tuition. If they want to educate their children at home, they will make this work, too. These have always been options in New Hampshire without vouchers."
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, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"I fully support women's reproductive rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"I fully support women's reproductive rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Why ban something that is not happening in the first place? I have worked with K-3 teachers for over 20 year. Never have I heard discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity. Again, this is a political issue designed to scare people about what is happening in schools - and created by people who don't work in schools."
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 is entirely a political issue. I am an educator who was taught how to teach social studies. What did my methods professor tell us, at our own university - 'educate, don't indoctrinate.' The purpose of that class was to learn how NOT to indoctrinate, so it is unfair to allege that educators are doing this regarding race issues, especially in public schools that require state certification typically achieved through programs like mine at UNH."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Against"
For| 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?
"This is a fantastic way for employers to hire the best employees possible and also a way to keep our young people in NH. Retaining New Hampshire 'kids' after graduation from college is a huge problem. This is one way to solve the exodus."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Generally, I believe we should keep business taxes as low as necessary to encourage business growth in New Hampshire."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"New Hampshire's biggest advantage is the natural environment. As an avid hiker and outdoors person, I have watched our environment change dramatically in the last few decades. What happened to our winters? We need to do much more to protect our environment, including supporting alternative forms of energy, lowering pollution, and protecting our waterways."
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 who sign the affidavit at the polls under the penalty of perjury seems to work just fine. We have not learned about widespread fraud or other problems that would require this system to change."
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?
"I don't know too much about this issue, but anything that is a disincentive for more environmentally friendly transportation seems counterproductive. We should be encouraging electric vehicles and their usage."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"I have been working on this issue in my House committee, Municipal and County Government, at the planning board in Concord, through discussions at CNHRPC, and with business leaders through the Concord Chamber of Commerce. This must happen to encourage more housing, of all kinds, but especially starter homes and workforce housing. Some zoning changes, like allowing employers to build housing for their workers, will help businesses and employees and ensure New Hampshire's economy continues to thrive."
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?
"If we are to encourage people to invest in alternative forms of energy, we must make it worth their while. My family just invested in solar at our house. Without net metering, it would have been a hard sell to get us to do so. Now, we are producing clean energy for our use and for others. I would love to see solar panels on every room in New Hampshire."
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?
"Increasing renewable energy in New Hampshire is one of the most important issues we face to lower our energy costs and protect our natural environment. We should be strongly incentivizing renewable through tax breaks, subsidies, and whatever else we can do to turn the corner on fossil fuel reliance."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I fully support women's reproductive rights."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"Having been around childcare for more than 40 years, I keenly understand the difficult balance between what centers charge families, most of them younger families just starting out, and the need to pay child care teachers higher wages. Without state funding to help child care centers, we will continue to have high prices for families and lower than deserved pay for hard working child care teachers. Without quality and affordable child care, our employers struggle to find employees, because families cannot afford to live in 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?
"We need to protect the right to vote. Not everyone can easily make it to the polls. I have worked the polls before, including during the height of the pandemic. Great pains are taken to guarantee the legitimacy of elections. Remember, not everyone has the means or a method to take time off or travel to the polls. Their votes count too."
Other| 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?
"Generally, I believe school funding should come from the state level to ease the burden on local taxpayers. Communities with a significant amount of untaxable land, including Concord, face high local property tax rates, while other communities, especially those on the lakes and seacoast with many second homes, have lower local tax rates. Other sources of funding must be pursued. We will not have a sales or income tax, so spreading the tax burden for schools across the state versus at the local level is the most equitable option."
Undecided| 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?
"I generally approve of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. I am not yet decided on how to structure this, as I support small businesses but would rather not have stores on "every corner," as we see in our neighboring states. If the state liquor store model works well for alcohol, this may be the best option."
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?
"I generally approve of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. I am not yet decided on how to structure this, as I support small businesses but would rather not have stores on "every corner," as we see in our neighboring states. If the state liquor store model works well for alcohol, this may be the best option."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"I generally approve of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. I am not yet decided on how to structure this, as I support small businesses but would rather not have stores on "every corner," as we see in our neighboring states. If the state liquor store model works well for alcohol, this may be the best option."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"New Hampshire's current minimum wage is disgraceful. It should be at least double that amount, and we should seriously consider setting it equal to the federal minimum wage."
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?
"Of course, but where is the money going to come from. First, we need to take advantage of our tourism industry. Why haven't we raised the tolls? Regional planning commissions united behind a toll increase a few years ago but that died in the statehouse. This is also where we need to consider a broad-based sales tax. Too many small towns in New Hampshire cannot thrive without state support, especially if they do not have lake or ocean front property. We are one state, so we should support our neighbors."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"With retirement funding options becoming more limited through employers (i.e. pension plans), people need alternatives to save for their golden years. In order to be golden years though, people must see a return on their investments, especially when inflation is inevitable, so higher taxes on investments does not seem to make sense. Because this question is written as either/or, I have taken a stand I lean toward. There is likely a way to lower substantially interests and dividends taxes and evaluate the budgetary impacts."
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, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I fully support women's reproductive rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"Local law enforcement has been clear on this. While testifying in front of my House committee, law enforcement leaders objected to requiring their officers to enforce these federal laws. I support our local police officers, who already have a difficult job, by not requiring them to act on behalf of federal agencies unless specifically asked to do so. This is already the agreement, so let's keep it as is."
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to against a right-to-work bill (HB 1377)
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"New Hampshire should take reasonable steps to limit weapons of war and sales to people struggling with mental illness. I support people's right to own guns, but measures, like waiting periods and banning some types of weapons is logical. This is common sense."
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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"
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.
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 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 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 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 224 (2023)
Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.
HB 624 (2023)
Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.
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.
