Matthew S. Hicks
Serving as: NH House Merrimack County District 24
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse in 2023 and 2024. 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. Gov. Sununu is still in the process of signing and vetoing 2024 bills, so the number of prime sponsored bills that became law may increase.
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
CACR 23 (2024)
Constitutional amendment creating a right to abortion, including a ban on any restrictions on abortion prior to 24 weeks.
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 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 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 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 1248 (2024)
Changes the state limit on abortion after 24 weeks gestation to 15 days gestation.
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 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 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 1377 (2024)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 1400 (2024)
Prohibits zoning and planning regulations that set maximum residential parking spaces above one parking space per unit.
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 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 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 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 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 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 224 (2023)
Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.
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 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 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 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 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 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 59 (2023)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks.
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 624 (2023)
Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.
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.
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.
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"
Completed our 2022 State Candidate Survey
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?
"As an educator who has worked in public, independent, and religious schools, I do not support vouchers. I choose to send my students to a New Hampshire boarding/day school. My family made that decision knowing the extreme sacrifices we were making to do so. It is unfair to take money away from local public schools, especially as they are grossly underfunded as it is. Allocating more state money to schools instead of relying on local property taxes is the answer, not stealing more money from public schools."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"People, particularly women whom this impacts, should decide with their partners, doctors, religious leaders, etc. how to proceed on this issue. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was unnecessary and dangerous as precedent. We need to educate people about being responsible, but problems result in many pregnancies that require abortion for the safety of the mother and perhaps other viable children (i.e. twins, etc.). This right should not be taken from women."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"People, particularly women whom this impacts, should decide with their partners, doctors, religious leaders, etc. how to proceed on this issue. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was unnecessary and dangerous as precedent. We need to educate people about being responsible, but problems result in many pregnancies that require abortion for the safety of the mother and perhaps other viable children (i.e. twins, etc.). This right should not be taken from women."
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, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"We don't need to overtax our citizens. People can control their spending more easily than property taxes. We want people to have higher salaries without taxation. Then, let people decide how they will pay their taxes through a consumption tax."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"New Hampshire is a tourist state, and as such we should be capitalizing more on tourist dollars. I don't believe that some broad-based sales tax would harm our tourism industry, especially if we cap a sales tax lower than the neighboring states. Additionally, reliance on property taxes is driving people out their homes, especially those with generational properties, including farms. I would support a sales tax only if property taxes could be lowered significantly and if certain items (like groceries and clothing) were exempt from the tax."
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."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I need to look more closely at this issue. Generally, we need to support our businesses, but as most business are small and often family owned, increasing business taxes too much could cripple our economy. There is certainly balance needed here."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"If we don't do this now, we may lose our winter tourism industry. As an avid winter enthusiast, I have experienced first hand a steady deterioration of winter weather. Couple this with more extreme storms, including devastating winter rains, and we are headed in entirely the wrong direction. We need to take climate change action now."
Against| 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?
"This is just another way to restrict the vote. Nothing has been proven to show that the current system in New Hampshire is not working."
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, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"This is especially important to provide more workforce housing. It is unfair that some municipalities zone out new construction, especially of crucially needed workforce housing, which puts the burden on other towns and the cities that are more housing friendly. A caveat here, we must be smart about our housing developments. Zoning must protect New Hampshire's natural beauty and environment. Once we destroy the forests, we cannot get them back. Fortunately, we have many excellent planners in our cities and towns and regional planning commissions, as well as conservation commissions and other such groups to be part of the solution."
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, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"People, particularly women whom this impacts, should decide with their partners, doctors, religious leaders, etc. how to proceed on this issue. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was unnecessary and dangerous as precedent. We need to educate people about being responsible, but problems result in many pregnancies that require abortion for the safety of the mother and perhaps other viable children (i.e. twins, etc.). This right should not be taken from women."
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."
Undecided| 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?
"Local property taxes are forcing people out of their homes. It is tragic when grandchildren, or great grandchildren, cannot afford to keep generational properties in the family. There has to be another way to fully fund our public schools without 'bankrupting' our citizens in the process."
Against| 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?
"Let's examine what works well in other states and model our system after that but in a New Hampshire way. We are losing tremendous amounts of revenue every year we don't support legalization of marijuana. If we rely so heavily on our state liquor stores for revenue, recreational marijuana sales make sense. Likely alcohol is more dangerous anyway."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Let's examine what works well in other states and model our system after that but in a New Hampshire way. We are losing tremendous amounts of revenue every year we don't support legalization of marijuana. If we rely so heavily on our state liquor stores for revenue, recreational marijuana sales make sense. Likely alcohol is more dangerous anyway."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Let's examine what works well in other states and model our system after that but in a New Hampshire way. We are losing tremendous amounts of revenue every year we don't support legalization of marijuana. If we rely so heavily on our state liquor stores for revenue, recreational marijuana sales make sense. Likely alcohol is more dangerous anyway."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Always a tricky issue, as increasing a minimum wage too high may negatively impact hiring and/or drive up prices. This was an issue when I was working minimum wage jobs in child care (summer camp counselor) and food service at the mall. Of course people should receive a living wage, but what that wage is will be a tricky balance."
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, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"People, particularly women whom this impacts, should decide with their partners, doctors, religious leaders, etc. how to proceed on this issue. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was unnecessary and dangerous as precedent. We need to educate people about being responsible, but problems result in many pregnancies that require abortion for the safety of the mother and perhaps other viable children (i.e. twins, etc.). This right should not be taken from women."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"First, let's close the gun show loophole. Then, we can proceed to common sense gun legislation."