Sheila Seidel
Historical Details
Position on Issues
For| 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?
"1"
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted against allowing medical aid in dying (sometimes called physician-assisted suicide) in 2024 (HB 1283).
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"The majority of the state is in agreement with the current 24-week abortion law. A repeal of this law would allow abortion up-to-and-including the moment of birth! More & more, states are recognizing that the unborn are living humans and are worth saving by reducing the gestation age for abortions. I would like to see that in NH as well."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"The majority of the state is in agreement with the current 24-week abortion law. A repeal of this law would allow abortion up-to-and-including the moment of birth! More & more, states are recognizing that the unborn are living humans and are worth saving by reducing the gestation age for abortions. I would like to see that in NH as well."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"No school has ANY right to discuss sex, much less 'gender identity' or sexual orientation with ANY student, regardless of age/grade, but most definitely not grades K-3. If anything, they should encourage self-respect, parental guidance and abstinence."
For| 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"?
"Although there are racists, sexists, etc. in this country & throughout the world, we as a nation are not inherently/systemically racist, sexist, or any other '-ist'. Teaching one group to hate another based on the color of their skin is the very definition of racism."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"This may discourage NH citizens and out-of-staters from seeking employment in NH. In this economy especially, it would also hurt NH citizens."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"This would decrease revenue generated by out-of-state shopper and visitors, and hurt NH citizens"
Against| 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 should be a 'benefit' offered by the employer if they so choose, not funded by the State. NHSB 372 allows a tax credit to employers for donations to approved scholarships. Students should be encouraged to apply for scholarships to reduce their student loan burden, not expect handouts after they've graduated."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"I am happy with the upcoming phase-out of the Interest & Dividends tax, making NH a truly income-tax-free state"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"We need to focus on less pollution, litter and waste. The U.S. does more than most any other nation to reduce our 'carbon footprint'. By minimizing deforestation, our trees and green-leafed plants would absorb carbon dioxide, cleaning the air naturally, adding back higher oxygen levels into the environment. We should, however, continue to create other more reliable forms of clean energy, including nuclear."
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?
"The deadline IS Election Day. No one should be allowed to register at the polls without a valid photo ID. "
For| 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?
"If they are using the roads, then they should pay the same amount as gas-powered vehicle owners."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"It would depend on what type of housing is proposed. Multi-unit apartments, condos & multifamily developments would increase traffic and the need to increase that municipality's police, fire, school, etc. which would increase a tax burden on that municipality. If it is for low-income housing, the State would also have to guarantee affordable transportation availability for living essentials (i.e.: groceries, medical attention, education), which would also increase the tax burden."
Against| 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?
"I voted against increasing the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts (HB 523)"
Against| 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?
"Renewables are not as 'green' as promoted as they are (mostly) not recyclable or biodegradable, leading to a future of massive solar panel & wind turbine landfills. They do not produce enough energy to justify the amount of space needed for a solar farm, pushing out wildlife, reducing forests (natural CO2 absorbers), and debeautifying our state. According to the Dept. of Energy, nuclear is the second lowest carbon emitter (cleanest) of all power sources, second only to hydropower. If anything, we should use Seabrook more."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"The majority of the state is in agreement with the current 24-week abortion law. A repeal of this law would allow abortion up-to-and-including the moment of birth! More & more, states are recognizing that the unborn are living humans and are worth saving by reducing the gestation age for abortions. I would like to see that in NH as well."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"NH has just approved a grant for $15M through the Child Care Workforce Grant. I'd like to see results before increasing the funding."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"Absentee ballots should be reserved only for those who request one, who will truly be absent on election day. This will help to prevent double-voting, ballot harvesting and election fraud."
Against| 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?
"With more families opting out of public schools, I believe there should be a discussion about who 'should' fund public schools. This has always fallen on the property owners through our (property) taxes. I am a firm believer that our tax dollars be used to fund the education of our children, regardless of where they are receiving that education."
Against| 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?
"Colorado was the 'test-dummy' for legal marijuana. After 1 year the statistics showed increased unemployment, increase homelessness and increased vehicle crashes. How can we fight to stop (legal) cigarette use yet support legalizing a (presently illegal) mind-altering smoke? I DO support the use of prescribed medicinal marijuana."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Colorado was the 'test-dummy' for legal marijuana. After 1 year the statistics showed increased unemployment, increase homelessness and increased vehicle crashes. How can we fight to stop (legal) cigarette use yet support legalizing a (presently illegal) mind-altering smoke? I DO support the use of prescribed medicinal marijuana."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Colorado was the 'test-dummy' for legal marijuana. After 1 year the statistics showed increased unemployment, increase homelessness and increased vehicle crashes. How can we fight to stop (legal) cigarette use yet support legalizing a (presently illegal) mind-altering smoke? I DO support the use of prescribed medicinal marijuana."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"The last minimum wage increase in NH was in 2009 to $7.25/hour, yet the cost of living has increased annually, averaging about 2% per year, far exceeding minimum wage. Although it is mainly a rate for entry-level job, not a livable income, I believe we should consider a slight increase."
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?
"Stop 'borrowing from Peter to pay Paul'. Honor the appropriation as it was originally designed."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"I & D is no different than an income tax. It penalizes wise investors."
Against| 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?
"I don't understand why we would need to provide 'additional legal protections', as abortion is legal in NH, and gender transition is legal beginning at 18 years of age. NH should provide by our laws with respect to the laws of the state of the resident seeking healthcare."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"The majority of the state is in agreement with the current 24-week abortion law. A repeal of this law would allow abortion up-to-and-including the moment of birth! More & more, states are recognizing that the unborn are living humans and are worth saving by reducing the gestation age for abortions. I would like to see that in NH as well."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to consider a right-to-work bill (HB 1377). Rep. Seidel was also a cosponsor of that legislation.
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I am a strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment. Chicago has the most gun-control laws in the nation, while also holding the highest 'homicide by gun use' in the nation. Criminals don't care about gun laws. Law-abiding citizens do not need restrictions that prevent/regulate them from exercising their Constitutional Right"
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 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 1248 (2024)
Changes the state limit on abortion after 24 weeks gestation to 15 days gestation.
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.
CACR 23 (2024)
Constitutional amendment creating a right to abortion, including a ban on any restrictions on abortion prior to 24 weeks.
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 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 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 1377 (2024)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 224 (2023)
Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.
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.
