Walter A. Stapleton
Serving as: NH House Sullivan County District 06
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
For| 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?
"Yes, and the public schools still get the credits while in phase out reduction of the ADMA (Average Daily Membership in Attendance) for those students availing EFA's. Not 'one size fits all', so EFA's provide the opportunity for students with special needs or circumstances to get what they need. Some say 'its not fair' for private school students shouldn't be entitled to taxpayer funding. But if the Claremont Lawsuits established that the State has the obligation for an 'adequate education' for 'each student', that means all students, not just those in the public school. Parents of private school students are also Taxpayers just like parents of public school students. There is also an element of competition for excellence in education which is good to keep all factions of the education system up to quality!"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"I am a pro-life person, period. My personal, practical and religious beliefs are that Life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, and that it is murder and wanton waste to destroy nascent life in the womb. But at the same time, we need to counsel and help women, especially single mothers, to have and raise that child. There are a dozen pro-life pregnancy care centers in our State that help in this regard and there are programs and resources as well that can assist. Nobody talks about 'responsibility' any more, or restraint in sexual activity for marriage where economics and stability are most conducive to life and family. CDC, Guttmacher Institute and others peg the loss of human life from abortion in our country since Roe-v-Wade in 1973, to 62,000,000 persons! That's a huge chunk of lost humanity out of our 340 million population today! Is there any wonder why there are 'Help Wanted' and 'Now Hiring' signs all over the place and staff shortages abound? Not to mention the ever increasing shortfalls in contributions to the Social Security System."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"I am a pro-life person, period. My personal, practical and religious beliefs are that Life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, and that it is murder and wanton waste to destroy nascent life in the womb. But at the same time, we need to counsel and help women, especially single mothers, to have and raise that child. There are a dozen pro-life pregnancy care centers in our State that help in this regard and there are programs and resources as well that can assist. Nobody talks about 'responsibility' any more, or restraint in sexual activity for marriage where economics and stability are most conducive to life and family. CDC, Guttmacher Institute and others peg the loss of human life from abortion in our country since Roe-v-Wade in 1973, to 62,000,000 persons! That's a huge chunk of lost humanity out of our 340 million population today! Is there any wonder why there are 'Help Wanted' and 'Now Hiring' signs all over the place and staff shortages abound? Not to mention the ever increasing shortfalls in contributions to the Social Security System."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Why would we ever want to confuse young children with such a thing? It is disturbing and counter to parental training and upbringing about those things which should occur later when maturity can deal better with the subject of gender and purpose, and, not be counter to family traditions, morays and religious beliefs. The State has no business in this area but it has become a disordered cultural obsession and must be stopped!"
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"?
"Let's focus on the basics and the relevant specifics of education and leave divisive concepts and agendas outside the school doors. We need to unify our culture, not fragment it with somebody's ideology."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"If we look at other states in New England, like Connecticut for instance, they implemented an income tax 3 decades ago to relieve property and sales taxes was the argument. But that "relief" never came, and now they have property, income and sales taxes! Once enacted, the money gets sucked up by bigger government and never goes away!"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"We control our spending, getting value for our State dollars, and we generate enough income from various other sources so that we do not need broad-based taxes, which if implemented would tend to expand government and its costs. Under Republican administration, we balanced the budge and this year have a $400 mm surplus!"
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?
"I believe that businesses who want to provide that perk for their employees do so in regard for their employees improvement and not because of what would be a very miniscule tax credit. We have already cut the Business Profits and Enterprise taxes, so that business has that money for re-investment and such perks as they wish."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"In this term, Republicans lowered the NH Business Profits tax to 7.5% from 7.7% and the Business Enterprise tax to .55% from .60%, and the taxable filing threshold raised to $250,000 from $222,000."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Human activity is not the sole nor even largest component of climate change. Industrial age pollution was horrible and pushed a lot of carbon into the atmosphere. But so do volcano's and we've been working steadily at air and water quality standards. Preserving green belts and forested areas that consume and utilize carbon is a good consideration among other things we are doing. But the earth is still in creation and geologic change, so to is weather. Warming and cooling cycles on our planet are part of history and reality, and not a cause for panic or even anxious hasty decisions. Let's do what we can as Stewards of our Environment and keep moving in that direction, but dramatic and costly endeavors may not really make much of a difference."
For| 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 2022 NH bill is a good way to enable first time voters and voters who arrive without ID to still participate in the voting process, while guaranteeing that their vote is valid. Either be prepared with sufficient proof and ID at the polling place, or submit that proof to qualify your ballot! You can either spend the effort to be properly prepared to vote, or spend the time and hassle to remedy your lack of preparedness. It's called responsibility!"
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?
"The gas taxes are a major component for road and bridge infrastructure. If the electric vehicle doesn't use gas, a way has to be found to enable it to compensate for road use, otherwise it becomes an exempted mode leaving others who can't afford that technology to bear an increasing burden. Mileage fee relates to actual usage and so makes sense!"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Rather than 'encourage', I would say 'enable', thereby preserving local control while addressing the housing shortage. In some places mixed zoning could work, but in others it might be incongruous, so municipalities are better positioned for those decisions rather than the State."
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?
"Renewable energy is great, but let's not hamstring our important and reliable conventional power and infrastructure. A significant part of energy delivery cost is in back-up and standby power capacity when the sun is shaded, the water is low and the wind is slack. Renewable energy is an important component of energy sourcing but without large battery storage capability its reliability doesn't match our other fuel-sourced power, even as the gas-fired fuel has risen dramatically in price due to war and unwise political decisions! Many plants here and abroad are having to return to coal instead of gas to generate the vast power demand of our culture! We need to expand the use of nuclear as a long term rate stabilizer and efficient and consistent source. So, let's put off that renewables extension until we're out-of-the-woods with the Ukraine war and the political obsession with an immediate instead of gradual green conversion."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I am a pro-life person, period. My personal, practical and religious beliefs are that Life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, and that it is murder and wanton waste to destroy nascent life in the womb. But at the same time, we need to counsel and help women, especially single mothers, to have and raise that child. There are a dozen pro-life pregnancy care centers in our State that help in this regard and there are programs and resources as well that can assist. Nobody talks about 'responsibility' any more, or restraint in sexual activity for marriage where economics and stability are most conducive to life and family. CDC, Guttmacher Institute and others peg the loss of human life from abortion in our country since Roe-v-Wade in 1973, to 62,000,000 persons! That's a huge chunk of lost humanity out of our 340 million population today! Is there any wonder why there are 'Help Wanted' and 'Now Hiring' signs all over the place and staff shortages abound? Not to mention the ever increasing shortfalls in contributions to the Social Security System."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"In spite of widespread denial, mail-in and absentee ballots were a source of voting irregularities, skewed results and even election fraud, as have been disclosed in certain precincts around the country by ongoing investigations. If you are ill or away on travel, military duty or business assignment, you already have the alternative to the absentee ballot. But your personal appearance to vote in your local town or precinct is a duty as well as a privilege, and an efficient way to ensure and verify 'one man one vote'. Without personal appearance, there is no way to be certain of the validity of the ballot, especially in the fact that many voter registrations lists are not current, if some aren't significantly outdated, to verify the current residence or even existence of the voter! We're not ready for mail-in ballots, especially after the doubts about the 2020 election."
For| 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?
"The myth is that renters don't contribute their share to support education. Well the owner landlord pays taxes on that property and doesn't just 'absorb' that cost -- rather it passes onto the tenants as a component of their rent. Others say we should have out-of-state shoppers share that burden to relieve property taxes. But the 'New Hampshire Advantage brings those folks to NH to buy goods and services and that bolsters our economy. 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' as the expression goes!"
For| 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?
"Other states like California and Colorado are have less than satisfactory results in their legalization and regulation of marijuana. And problems abound, regulation is challenged, and contraband growth and product still abounds. This is going to be a difficult task to get the right balance. Don't think the State should be involved in this business."
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?
"Other states like California and Colorado are have less than satisfactory results in their legalization and regulation of marijuana. And problems abound, regulation is challenged, and contraband growth and product still abounds. This is going to be a difficult task to get the right balance. Don't think the State should be involved in this business."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Other states like California and Colorado are have less than satisfactory results in their legalization and regulation of marijuana. And problems abound, regulation is challenged, and contraband growth and product still abounds. This is going to be a difficult task to get the right balance. Don't think the State should be involved in this business."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"NH relies on the Federal minimum rate for a base and has for a long time. The market really determines rates and it is currently a seller's market for labor, with many businesses competing for workers with higher rates now in the realm of $15 - $18/hour and above! It is a waste of time for NH to 'chase' after a minimum wage rate when, a.) The market is driving it, and, b.) The small shops, businesses, and private employers still have the flexibility to afford offering entry and part time level positions with the Federal minimum."
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?
"Yes, but not as a rigid, repetitive formula. This year the Republican administration relieved the SWEPT (State Wide Education Property Tax by $100 mm! And 30% of the Meals and Rooms Tax will flow back to municipalities. (Not quite the 40% it was envisioned to be, but better than the 20% it had fallen to.) State money for roads and bridges, block grants, lead abatement, water projects, etc. was possible with surplus and ARPA money to help through the COVID-19 pandemic. Careful budgeting every biennium against variable resources is way to go instead of a rote straight-line formula."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"Interest and Dividends are an important income component for retired and senior citizens, so the 5-year phase out passed in 2022 will enable those folks to retain a greater portion of those earnings."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I am a pro-life person, period. My personal, practical and religious beliefs are that Life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, and that it is murder and wanton waste to destroy nascent life in the womb. But at the same time, we need to counsel and help women, especially single mothers, to have and raise that child. There are a dozen pro-life pregnancy care centers in our State that help in this regard and there are programs and resources as well that can assist. Nobody talks about 'responsibility' any more, or restraint in sexual activity for marriage where economics and stability are most conducive to life and family. CDC, Guttmacher Institute and others peg the loss of human life from abortion in our country since Roe-v-Wade in 1973, to 62,000,000 persons! That's a huge chunk of lost humanity out of our 340 million population today! Is there any wonder why there are 'Help Wanted' and 'Now Hiring' signs all over the place and staff shortages abound? Not to mention the ever increasing shortfalls in contributions to the Social Security System."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I've heard it said that NH is the safest state in the County and gun deaths the lowest. Once again, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!'
