Sharon M. Carson
Serving as: NH Senate District 14
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.
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 24 (2024)
Constitutional amendment creating "an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy."
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 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 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 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 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 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 104 (2023)
Establishes regulations for online gambling, with the proceeds going to a new community college scholarship fund.
SB 117 (2023)
Changes the definition of "child" in the law about negligent storage of firearms, raising the age to anyone under age 18.
SB 144 (2023)
Gradually increases the minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 1, 2024.
SB 220 (2023)
Allows any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. The bill also allows partial processing of absentee ballots prior to Election Day.
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"
SB 308 (2024)
Increases the minimum wage to $12 per hour in 2024 and $15 per hour in 2025.
SB 360 (2024)
Establishes a procedure for issuing extreme risk protection orders to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Family, household members, and law enforcement could petition the court for an order. An extreme risk protection order would restrict a person's access to firearms, and is also known as a "red flag law."
SB 415 (2024)
Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for supplying fentanyl. The minimum starts at three years and six months for 5 grams of fentanyl, and goes up for higher quantities.
SB 461 (2024)
Repeals a line in the law against abortion after 24 weeks that states, "Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion."
The Senate rewrote the bill. The new bill requires any health care provider who performs an abortion to report information including:
SB 536 (2024)
Allows any voter to register and vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day.
SB 563 (2024)
Prohibits state and local governments from adopting "sanctuary policies," which prohibit or impede law enforcement cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
The Senate added the text of this bill to HB 1292.
Declined to complete our 2022 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
In 2022, Sen. Carson voted to keep the Education Freedom Account program (SB 432). Carson also voted for HB 367, a 2023 bill which increases the maximum household income limit for participation in the Education Freedom Account program, from 300% to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.
In 2024 Sen. Carson voted for SB 442, a bill that would raise the income cap for families participating in the EFA program from 350% to 400% of the federal poverty level.
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted to keep the law aimed at banning critical race theory in schools (SB 298)
Against| Read My Position
Union Leader Voter Guide, 2014
"The New Hampshire Advantage of No Sales and No Income tax! "
Against| Read My Position
Union Leader Voter Guide, 2014
"The New Hampshire Advantage of No Sales and No Income tax! "
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted to create a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters without ID (SB 418)
No Response
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?
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Sen. Carson voted for SB 145, a 2023 bill to establish a New Hampshire Housing Champion Designation Program. Generally speaking, cities and towns that adopt land use regulations, water infrastructure, public transportation, and other programs that promote the development of workforce housing would have preferential access to state funds.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2020
Voted against SB 124, a bill to revise the required minimum percentages of renewable energy in the Renewable Portfolio Standard, particularly to extend goals from 2025 to 2040.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Carson voted against HB 611 and HB 1672, both bills that would allow any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. Sen. Carson also voted against SB 220, a 2023 bill that would allow any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. SB 220 also allowed partial processing of absentee ballots prior to Election Day. In 2024 Sen. Carson voted against no-excuse absentee voting through SB 536.
No Response
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?
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted against legalizing possession of 3/4 oz marijuana with home growing, no sales (HB 629)
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted against legalizing marijuana with state-run stores and a 15% tax on gross revenue (HB 1633)
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
In the 2019-2020 legislative session, Carson voted against three bills that would have gradually raised the minimum wage to $12/hour: SB 410, HB 731, and SB 10. In 2023 and 2024 Carson also voted against SB 144 and SB 308, both of which would have raised the minimum wage to $15/hour.
No Response
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?
Other| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Sen. Carson voted to eliminate the Interest and Dividends tax as part of HB 2 (2023). Sen. Carson also voted to kill a bill that would have stopped the phase-out of the Interest and Dividends tax at 4%, SB 261 (2023).
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted against HB 109 and SB 571 (expanding firearm background checks), HB 514 and SB 577 (establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases), HB 564 and SB 593 (banning firearms on school grounds), and HB 687 and SB 360 (establishing extreme risk protection orders, similar to a red flag law).
