The Manchester Free Press

Wednesday • September 27 • 2023

Vol.XV • No.XXXIX

Manchester, N.H.

House Gold Standard, Wednesday February 16th, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Tue, 2022-02-15 01:35 +0000

(white) goldstandard-02-16-22-H-3.pdf
(gold) goldstandard-02-16-22-H-y-3.pdf

The post House Gold Standard, Wednesday February 16th, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

Senate Gold Standard, Wednesday February 16th, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Tue, 2022-02-15 01:33 +0000

(white) goldstandard-02-16-22-S.pdf
(gold) goldstandard-02-16-22-S-y.pdf

 

 

The post Senate Gold Standard, Wednesday February 16th, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

CACR 32 Sponsor, Rep. Mike Sylvia Interviewed on “Free State Live”

NHexit.US - Sun, 2022-02-13 19:26 +0000

The Free State Project‘s weekly interview show, “Free State Live” has once again focused on NHexit with this week’s episode featuring liberty state representative Mike Sylvia. Readers of this blog know Sylvia as the prime sponsor of CACR 32. Several weeks ago, Free State Live featured Alu Axelman, the president of the Foundation for NH Independence, so this interview of Mike Syliva makes New Hampshire Independence the show’s number one most-discussed topic:

Bill Hearings for Week of February 14, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Sun, 2022-02-13 00:10 +0000
  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 31 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 8 and opposition of 4 with 10 being of interest.
Of the 9 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 0 and opposition of 0 with 1 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Of Interest SB348 relative to political expenditures and contributions. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 2/14 1:15 PM SH Room 100 This bill modifies political contribution limits.
Support HB1330 Public hearing on non-germane amendment #2022-0399h to HB 1330, relative to the board of
medical technicians.
Executive Departments and Administration Mon 2/14 10:00 AM LOB 302-304 The amendment repeals the requirements for the certification and regulation of medical technicians by the office of professional licensure and certification. Copies of the amendment are available in the Sergeant-at-Arms Office, Room 318, State House
Oppose HB1481 repealing the statute relative to medical freedom in immunizations. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/14 9:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill repeals the statute pertaining to medical freedom in immunizations.
Support HB1379 relative to the department of health and human services’ rulemaking authority regarding immunization requirements. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/14 10:45 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill limits immunization requirements to those diseases identified in statute and removes the department of health and human service’s rulemaking authority in this area.
Of Interest HB1495 relative to vaccine mandates for government contractors. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/14 2:15 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill establishes a chapter of law prohibiting employee vaccine requirements for government contractors, except for medical providers when there is a direct threat present.
Of Interest HB1614 requiring the recording and storing of digital video in all state-funded juvenile detention facilities. Children and Family Law Tue 2/15 10:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill mandates digital video recording of juvenile detention facilities paid for, in whole or in part, with general funds, as well as establishes the system requirements for such digital videos.
Of Interest HB1612 relative to the confidentiality of reports made to the division of children, youth, and families and requiring guardians ad litem be appointed in certain instances. Children and Family Law Tue 2/15 10:30 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill provides that the identity of any person reporting suspected child abuse or neglect shall be fully confidential unless such a person makes such a report in bad faith or maliciously and with intent to cause harm. This bill also requires courts to appoint guardians ad litem when reports of suspected child abuse or neglect involve one or more parties in a divorce proceeding.
Support HB1280 prohibiting a parent’s refusal to vaccinate a child pursuant to an order of the state or federal government to be used as a basis for terminating parental rights. Children and Family Law Tue 2/15 11:15 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill prohibits a parent’s decision not to have their child vaccinated from being used as grounds to terminate parental rights.
Of Interest HB1607 prohibiting unlawful discrimination in public and nonpublic schools. Education Tue 2/15 9:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires the state board of education to ensure there is no unlawful discrimination in any approved school tuition program, public school, nonpublic school, or educational service that receives public funds.
Of Interest HB1671 relative to the content of an adequate education. Education Tue 2/15 10:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill revises the requirements for the content, definition, and accountability for an adequate public education.
Of Interest HB1678 relative to the administration of the education freedom accounts program. Education Tue 2/15 1:00 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill clarifies certain provisions of the education freedom accounts program and the responsibilities of scholarship organizations and public schools.
Oppose HB1120 relative to education service providers under the education freedom accounts program. Education Tue 2/15 1:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill adds compliance requirements for education service providers requesting payment from education freedom account funds, including criminal history records checks of employees with direct contact with students.
Oppose HB1683 repealing the education freedom account program. Education Tue 2/15 2:30 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill repeals the provisions of the education freedom account program and reverts the unused funds to be deposited to the education trust fund.
Of Interest HB1135 requiring a performance audit of the department of education, education freedom account program. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/15 1:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires a performance audit of the department of education, education freedom account program.
Of Interest HB1395 relative to administrative rulemaking authority. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/15 2:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires that all items of business conducted by the joint legislative committee on administrative rules receive final legislative action by the general court in a joint resolution sponsored by the committee before the business items go into effect.
Support HB1606 making the state vaccine registry an opt-in program. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/15 10:15 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill makes the state immunization registry an opt-in program rather than an opt-out program.
Support HB1026 relative to budget information provided to a budget committee. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 9:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that a municipal budget committee may require that the governing body provide budget recommendations in full line item detail in active spreadsheet format.
Of Interest HB1068 relative to building codes for tiny houses. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 9:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill defines tiny houses and provides for the authority and requirements for municipal regulation.
Support HB1238 relative to zoning powers and the supply of workforce housing. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 10:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill prohibits local proscriptions on workforce housing.
Oppose HB1119 relative to the regulation of single-use bags. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 10:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows towns to regulate the use of paper and plastic bags.
Support HB1268 limiting the authority for city council bylaws and ordinances. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 11:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill limits the authority of city councils to make bylaws and ordinances to those they are specifically empowered to make.
Of Interest HB1289 relative to applications for abatements and authority to abate prior years’ taxes for certain homeowners. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 1:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that good cause for a tax abatement under RSA 76:16 shall include allowed recreational use of OHRVs on class 5 and class 6 roads.
Support HB1393 relative to the adoption of school district budget caps. Municipal and County Government Tue 2/15 3:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill establishes the requirements for and procedure for the adoption of a school district budget cap.

The post Bill Hearings for Week of February 14, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

Invitation to Participate in Anonymous Survey for Post Incarcerated People (GIFT CARD)

Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform – N.H. - Fri, 2022-02-11 17:02 +0000
A researcher (Dr. Morgan) at the University of Maryland (and a University of New Hampshire alum!) conducting a national study on the experiences of people who have been incarcerated (released at least two years ago) and have successfully avoided further re-arrest. I seek to honor the challenges, strengths, and resilience of those who have been incarcerated in the United States.   Survey respondents will receive a $20.00 e-gift card upon survey completion. Note: they are having IT difficulties with the link. Expectations are that it will be resolved by Monday.  In the meantime, you may contact Dr. Morgan directly. 

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Porcupine Day 2022 Speeches: Carla Gericke & Jeremy Kauffman

Free Keene - Mon, 2022-02-07 03:50 +0000

This weekend, the Free State Project celebrated “Porcupine Day”, the annual commemoration of the FSP reaching its goal of 20,000 liberty activists pledged to move to New Hampshire. That goal was reached on February 5th, 2016, making this the sixth annual Porcupine Day. Approximately 140 people packed Murphy’s Taproom in Bedford last night to celebrate and “Queen Quill” Carla Gericke and Odysee co-founder Jeremy Kauffman spoke. Here are both of their speeches:

Bill Hearings for Week of February 07, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Sat, 2022-02-05 19:38 +0000
  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 84 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 17 and opposition of 8 with 7 being of interest.
Of the 26 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 1 and opposition of 1 with 2 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Support SB250 enabling municipalities to adopt a tax credit for qualified private community property owners. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 2/7 1:00 PM SH Room 100 This bill enables municipalities to adopt a tax credit for qualified private community property owners.
Of Interest SB252 relative to information on property tax bills. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 2/7 1:30 PM SH Room 100 This bill requires property tax bills to include information regarding the amount disbursed from the education trust fund in the prior fiscal year and the amount the municipality’s education grant aid will be reduced under RSA 189:41 as a result of the education freedom account program under RSA 194-F:2.
Oppose HB1321 relative to the governor’s power to declare a state of emergency. Executive Departments and Administration Mon 2/7 10:15 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill removes certain restrictions on the governor’s power to declare a state of emergency.
Of Interest HB1369 relative to COVID-19 health and safety policies at New Hampshire performing arts venues. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/7 9:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill provides that performing arts venues in New Hampshire have the authority to establish their own COVID health and safety policies.
Support HB1045 requiring legislative oversight over the emergency powers of the department of health and human services. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/7 10:15 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill clarifies certain public health emergency management powers of the department of health and human services.
Oppose HB1633 relative to requiring COVID-19 vaccination for school attendance. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/7 1:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill requires covid-19 vaccination for school attendance, expands the definition of school to include postsecondary institutions, and limits the scope of the Covid-19 vaccination requirement to those individuals whose age exceeds the minimum for a vaccine fully approved by the FDA.
Support HB1035 relative to exemptions from school vaccine mandates. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 2/7 2:15 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill allows parents to obtain an exemption from vaccinations required for school attendance. The parent may claim the exemption for medical or religious reasons or as a matter of conscience.
Support HB1177 relative to permissible residential units in a residential zone. Municipal and County Government Mon 2/7 9:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill requires that local legislative bodies permit by right certain single-family lots in residential districts to be used for up to 4 residential units.
Support HB1194 relative to the procedure for overriding a local tax cap. Municipal and County Government Mon 2/7 9:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill requires a supermajority vote of the legislative body to override a local tax cap.
Support HB1238 relative to zoning powers and the supply of workforce housing. Municipal and County Government Mon 2/7 10:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill prohibits local proscriptions on workforce housing.
Of Interest HB1307 modifying the authority and duties of the housing appeals board. Municipal and County Government Mon 2/7 11:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill modifies the authority and duties of the housing appeals board.
Of Interest HB1431 establishing the parental bill of rights. Children and Family Law Tue 2/8 10:30 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill establishes a parental bill of rights, a framework for notice of, and to report violations of, such rights, and consequences for affirmative findings of violations.
Oppose SB453 relative to statewide pre-kindergarten funding. Education Tue 2/8 9:15 AM LOB Room 101 This bill establishes the requirement for school districts to provide pre-kindergarten (pre-K) education to pupils in the district and for state funding of the cost of pre-K education programs.
Of Interest SB410 relative to school district transparency. Education Tue 2/8 9:30 AM LOB Room 101 This bill requires public comment periods at school board meetings, the adoption of a school board code of ethics developed by the state board of education, and procedures for amendment and submission of school district charters.
Support HB1241 prohibiting a school district from mandating a COVID-19 vaccination for school attendance. Education Tue 2/8 1:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill prohibits school districts from mandating that students have a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend school.
Support HB1171 exempting certain niche beauty services from licensure requirements. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/8 10:30 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill exempts niche beauty services from occupational and shop license requirements.
Support HB1560 relative to nonresident licensure by the board of barbering, cosmetology, and esthetics. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/8 11:15 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill modifies the requirements for nonresident licensure by the board of barbering, cosmetology, and esthetics.
Support HB1566 relative to the NH prescription drug
affordability board (non-germane amendment #2022-0375)
Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/8 3:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 The amendment repeals the New Hampshire prescription drug affordability board. Copies of the amendment are available in the Sergeant-at-Arms Office, Room 318, State House.
Support HB1401 prohibiting the disclosure of the number of miles driven by a specific driver licensed by the state or vehicle registered in the state. Transportation Tue 2/8 9:30 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill prohibits both the department of safety, and inspection stations, from sharing vehicle mileage information without the consent of the vehicle’s owner.
Support HB1302 relative to the weighing of vehicles. Transportation Tue 2/8 10:10 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill limits law enforcement’s authority to stop and weigh any vehicle to commercial vehicles only.
Support HB1447 prohibiting state agencies from using face recognition technology. Transportation Tue 2/8 11:10 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill prohibits state agencies from using face recognition technology.
Oppose SB442 relative to the suspension of a vehicle registration as a result of evading toll collection systems. Transportation Tue 2/8 1:00 PM LOB Room 101 This bill requires the director of the division of motor vehicles to suspend an owner’s vehicle registration privileges until any unpaid tolls and administrative fees are paid. This bill also prevents an owner from transferring ownership of a vehicle until any unpaid tolls and fees are paid.
Support HB1426 eliminating the vehicle inspection mandate for non-commercial vehicles. Transportation Tue 2/8 1:30 PM LOB Room 201-203 This bill eliminates the requirement that private passenger vehicles, light trucks, and motorcycles undergo annual equipment inspection to determine whether such vehicles are fit to be driven, provided that such vehicles are not used in the regular course of business.
Of Interest HB1431 establishing the parental bill of rights. Children and Family Law Wed 2/9 11:40 AM LOB Room 206-208
Oppose HB1380 relative to installation of solar photovoltaic energy systems by owners subject to deed restrictions in a homeowners association. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 2/9 10:30 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill prohibits deed restrictions of homeowners’ associations from prohibiting or restricting the installation and use of a solar photovoltaic energy system.
Support HB1378 relative to inspection of public lodging houses. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 2/9 11:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires a sheriff or police officer to present a warrant before inspecting the register of a public lodging house.
Support HB1296 relative to money, coin, or currency which may be forfeited in connection with a drug offense (non-germane amendment #2021-0264h). nify criminal asset forfeiture, one process for the crime (if there is one) and the asset. It also includes the language of HB1101 (non-adoption for Equitable Sharing). Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 2/9 9:45 AM LOB Room 202-204 The amendment establishes a procedure for the forfeiture of items used in connection with a drug offense. Copies of the amendment are available in the Sergeant-at-Arms office, Room 318, State House.
Of Interest HB1476 relative to persons arrested while out on bail. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 2/9 11:00 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill provides that a person who commits an offense while on bail shall be detained without bail pending a hearing before a judge.
Of Interest HB1335 relative to the parole board and the procedure for medical parole of prisoners. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 2/9 1:30 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill revises the criteria necessary for determining if an inmate qualifies for medical parole and revises the membership of the adult parole board. The bill also renames the position of “executive assistant to the parole board” as the “parole board director of operations.”
Of Interest HB1512 relative to the parole of certain prisoners. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 2/9 3:00 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill changes the eligibility for parole for certain prisoners.
Oppose SB374 relative to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Health and Human Services Wed 2/9 10:30 AM SH Room 100 This bill prohibits a person from requiring that an individual who had COVID-19 or who is under the age of 18 receive a vaccination against the virus as a condition for employment, education, or access to businesses or entities open to the public. The bill also establishes an exemption as a matter of conscience against a vaccination mandate. The bill establishes a criminal penalty and a private right of action for enforcement.
Support HB1070 relative to the default budget in official ballot jurisdictions. Municipal and County Government Wed 2/9 9:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows for the default budget in an official ballot town or district to be reduced by any reduction to an appropriation the governing body made in the proposed operating budget.
Support HB1087 relative to zoning for single family housing lots. Municipal and County Government Wed 2/9 9:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill limits the authority of local land use planning boards relating to ordinances governing lot sizes.
Oppose HB1172 requiring composting and waste recycling to be made available to residents of public housing. Municipal and County Government Wed 2/9 11:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill requires towns to ensure that residents of public housing have access to a composting and waste recycling facility.
Of Interest HB1617 relative to housing projects of the community development finance authority and establishing a committee to prevent state subsidies for housing development that is not income-sensitive. Municipal and County Government Wed 2/9 12:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that the community development finance authority block grant program may be used for affordable housing projects. The bill also establishes a committee to prevent state subsidies for housing development that is not income sensitive.
Oppose HB1143 relative to medical mandates adopted by employers. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/10 10:00 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill requires an employer that implements a medical mandate as a condition of employment to submit the written policy to the state, and provide severance pay to any employee who is terminated as a result of opting out of the medical mandate.
Oppose HB1508 prohibiting discharge of volunteer firefighters or volunteer emergency medical technicians from other employment. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/10 11:30 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill prohibits an employer from discharging or disciplining an employee who is a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician and whose failure to report for work was due to such employee responding to an emergency.
Oppose HB1514 relative to an employee’s unused earned time. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/10 1:00 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill requires an employer to pay an employee for unused earned time.
Oppose HB1569 relative to the status of “totally unemployed” for purposes of unemployment compensation. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/10 1:30 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill provides that an individual who has not been terminated but has been prohibited from entering his or her place of employment shall be deemed totally unemployed for the purposes of unemployment compensation.

The post Bill Hearings for Week of February 07, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

NH HB 1027: Elected Officials Who Abuse “Emergency Powers” Could Incur Felony Charges of Treason

Free Keene - Wed, 2022-02-02 22:57 +0000

New Hampshire HB 1027 was introduced by Rep. Tim Baxter (R – Rockingham 20) and Rep. Josh Yokela (R – Rockingham 33) on January 5, 2022, followed by a public hearing on January 19th. It’s now sitting in committee until March 10, 2022.

  • “This bill establishes the crime of subversion of the legislative process-treason for any act to subvert the legislative process based on a false claim of emergency caused by COVID-19.”

Politicians and bureaucrats that violate our medical freedom by enforcing unconstitutional and unlawful mandates should go to prison. The legislative process is sacred. President Joe Biden is not a king, and the executive department cannot subvert the legislative process when it is convenient. It is up to individual state legislatures and the United States congress to enact legislation that impacts the citizens…It is well within the authority of the general court to protect its constituents from overreach of federal executive power. This bill aims to check the power of the federal government, and to defend the people of our state from unconstitutional executive actions and decrees that encroach on their ability to conduct business freely. This bill protects the right of private businesses to make their own decisions in what they require of their employees, and frees them from being shackled by executive overreach.” – Rep. Tim Baxter, HB 1027 public hearing, 1/19/2022 – watch here

 

Arguments Presented at the Public Hearing 

Rep. Baxter’s arguments focused on how covid-19 mandates in New Hampshire have affected employers/employees negatively by forcing them into catch-22 situations. One example was a mother in tears because she didn’t agree with the vaccine mandate, but would lose her job if she didn’t comply. Rep. Baxter argued that businesses should be in charge of setting their own parameters, without government intrusion or intervention whatsoever.

Rep. Yokela’s arguments focused on how using covid-19 as the basis for “emergency powers” is an abuse of the legislative system. Over two years into the pandemic, any “emergency powers” enacted are unnecessary, as the entire world is well aware of the situation. Employers do not need hand-holding, and employees should not be forced into unconstitutional positions by the government. Rep. Yokela argued that legislatures have enough time, at this late stage, to follow the legitimate legislative path instead of enacting laws by executive decree. If they do not follow the proper path, it should be considered an act of treason.

I became actively involved in this process in the end of 2021, beginning of 2022, and I was actually appalled with the way people are being discriminated against because of this pandemic. Not only in our communities, but right here in our legislative body. This bill would hold those people responsible and accountable at every level. It needs to be done. I was in a Senate hearing yesterday and one of the senators who spoke…said the bottom line is that we don’t want to approve this because we want everyone vaccinated. That’s not appropriate. That is not appropriate for someone to take that kind of a stand. He’s representing the people of New Hampshire. Not everyone in New Hampshire wants this vaccine. Not everyone in New Hampshire believes in this vaccine. Not everyone in New Hampshire trusts our federal government, or even our state government at this point. I’m here today to support this bill; it’s a good start.” – Russan Chester (NH citizen), HB 1027 public hearing, 1/19/2022 – watch here

 

Abusing “Emergency Powers” Is an Act of Treason

Skirting around the legitimate legislative process by proclaiming kingly “emergency powers” (when there is no emergency) is an act of treason against the state, and should be treated as such, the bill argues. Obviously if used as intended, the power of “the king” to enact spur-of-the-moment laws wouldn’t seem quite so shady. But creeping up past the two-year mark of the pandemic, there’s no reason to skirt around the legitimate legislative process anymore. If an elected official abuses their powers, this bill would allow for them to be charged with treason, carrying a minimum prison sentence of 20 years.

As this bill states, the legislative process is a core process of our democracy and a lot of people may think of treason as helping a foreign state. In fact, not only is it helping a foreign state, but undermining the core of our actual state. And there are some people who wish to subvert that core aspect of the legislative process in our country, and that should be taken with the utmost of seriousness. The use of covid-19, this far into a pandemic, is not a legitimate claim of emergency. The claim of emergencies that go around our legislative process are used so that in a short amount of time the people can react to changing circumstance. But two years into the pandemic, the legislature has ample time to assess and respond, legislatively. And so going around that legislative process is now unwarranted.” – Rep. Josh Yokela, HB 1027 public hearing, 1/19/2022 – watch here

 

Video of the Public Hearing for HB 1027: (5:20 – 16:00)

ALERT - FEB 9 Please Call or Email NH House Criminal Justice Committee Members before Feb 9

Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform – N.H. - Wed, 2022-02-02 15:34 +0000

Predicted Storm has postponed HB1105 hearing until Feb. 9 at 2:15 pm

The NH House Criminal Justice Committee will meet in LOB 202 and receive testimony on HB-1105, a proposal to reduce the “Earned Time Credit” of an inmate.

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Proposed NH Constitutional Amendment (CACR27): All State Court Judges Shall Be Subject to Recall and Removal by Petition

Free Keene - Wed, 2022-02-02 03:27 +0000

New Hampshire constitutional amendment concurrent resolution (CACR27), introduced January 5, 2022, would give “we the people” of NH the ability to boot out the corrupt and tyrannical judges that permeate the current landscape.

All state court judges shall be subject to recall and removal by petition and vote of registered voters pursuant to provisions established by the legislature.” – CACR27 summary

 

Introduced by Rep. Norm Silber (R), Rep. Michael Sylvia (R), Rep. William Foster (R), and others, a public hearing for the amendment took place January 12, 2022. Rep. Silber began the hearing by stating that many of his constituents (Gilford/Meredith) had come to him with “horror story complaints about their treatment by judicial officers in the court system in the state, most of whom are complaining about how they’re treated in family court. Some dealing with child custody, child removals, DCYF.” Current NH law only allows the removal of a judge through the process of impeachment.

The public hearing for CACR27 lasted about 40 minutes and ended with NH criminal defense attorney Richard Guerriero saying, “I think the greater issue at hand is a greater scrutiny of the courts…This would give the people a path to take should they not be able to inspire their representatives to protect them from government.”

It Seems Obvious This Should Be a Law

I, you, and everyone we know probably knows at least one person who’s gone through the court system only to find it, and the judge, totally corrupt. Obviously when it comes to child custody and child removal from a family, if a corrupt judge is installed entire generations could be destroyed. But really, all corrupt judges ruin lives, don’t they?

It seems obvious this constitutional amendment should be law. Doesn’t it? Why the hell isn’t it? This is New Hampshire! And while we’re at it, let’s vote out all the bad cops, too. It would really put the “public” back into the “servants,” don’tcha think? Sound like a plan? Let’s see what happens with this!

Watch the Public Hearing for CACR27: (4:59:23 – 5:38:00)

 

 

 

 

Senate Gold Standard – February 03, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Tue, 2022-02-01 22:51 +0000

(white) goldstandard-02-03-22-S.pdf
(gold) goldstandard-02-03-22-S-y.pdf

The post Senate Gold Standard – February 03, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

Bill Hearings for Week of January 31, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Mon, 2022-01-31 00:02 +0000
  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 108 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 13 and opposition of 16 with 22 being of interest.
Of the 27 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 0 and opposition of 0 with 5 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Of Interest CACR36 residency for the purpose of voting. Providing that only residents of the state may vote in elections. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 1/31 1:00 PM SH Room Reps Hall This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution provides that a person must be a resident of New Hampshire for the purpose of voting.
Of Interest HB50 apportioning state representative districts. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 1/31 1:45 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill establishes state representative districts.
Of Interest HB52 apportioning congressional districts. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 1/31 1:45 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill establishes new United States House of Representative districts in accordance with the latest federal decennial census.
Support HB314 relative to homestead food operation licensure. Executive Departments and Administration Mon 1/31 11:30 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill makes an adjustment to the maximum annual gross sales of food by a homestead food operation.
Of Interest HB1681 relative to the state building code. Executive Departments and Administration Mon 1/31 1:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill revises the definition of the state building code, addresses the version of the building code applicable immediately following adoption of an updated edition, and clarifies the role of the state building code review board. The bill also requires municipalities to submit local building ordinances to the state building code review board for informational purposes.
Support HB1191 relative to electrical work, plumbing, and fuel gas fitting in one or two family housing. Executive Departments and Administration Mon 1/31 1:45 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill modifies the exemption from licensure for individuals performing electrical work, plumbing, or gas fitting work on structures used as such individuals’ primary residence.
Of Interest HB1409 relative to the age at which a minor may receive mental health treatment without parental consent. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 1/31 9:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill allows a minor 16 years of age or older to consent to mental health treatment without parental consent. The bill also allows for reimbursement of such services from the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund.
Of Interest HB1126 permitting minors over the age of 16 to obtain a vaccination without parental consent. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 1/31 10:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill permits minors over the age of 16 to obtain a vaccination without parental consent.
Oppose HB1536 relative to expanding Medicaid to include certain postpartum health care services. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 1/31 2:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill directs the department of health and human services to submit a state plan amendment to expand postpartum coverage under Medicaid. The bill also establishes a quarterly reporting requirement.
Oppose HB1342 relative to municipal charter provisions for tax caps. Municipal and County Government Mon 1/31 11:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill clarifies the interpretation of override provisions for tax or spending caps in certain town and city charters.
Support HB1078 relative to budget procedures of the Gunstock Area Commission. Municipal and County Government Mon 1/31 1:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill requires the Gunstock area commission to submit a budget proposal to the county convention 90 days prior to the start of the next fiscal year and restricts all expenditures to those approved by the county convention.
Oppose SB324 establishing a condominium, homeowners’ association, and cooperative dispute resolution board and relative to the authority of homeowners’ associations. Commerce Tue 2/1 9:15 AM LOB Room 101 This bill establishes a dispute resolution board for condominiums, homeowners’ associations, and cooperatives. This bill also modifies requirements for homeowners’ association agreements.
Oppose SB237 relative to participation in the education freedom account program. Education Tue 2/1 9:00 AM SH Room 100 This bill requires annual determination of eligibility and requires ineligibility for certain periods upon a determination of misstatements or misuse.
Oppose SB432 repealing the education freedom account program. Education Tue 2/1 9:30 AM SH Room 100 This bill repeals the provisions of the education freedom account program
Oppose SB271 relative to the Burgess BioPower facility. Energy and Natural Resources Tue 2/1 9:15 AM SH Room 103 This bill permits the public utilities commission to revise its orders affecting the Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin.
Support HB1460 relative to minimum age requirements for certain occupational licenses. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 2/1 2:15 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill repeals minimum age requirements for certain occupational licenses.
Oppose SB445 appropriating funds to the broadband matching grant fund. Finance Tue 2/1 1:10 PM SH Room 103 This bill appropriates federal funding to the broadband matching grant fund.
Oppose HB1224 prohibiting state and local governments from adopting certain mandates in response to COVID-19; and prohibiting employers and places of public accommodation from discriminating on the basis of vaccination status. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/1 9:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill: I. Prohibits state or local government agencies from requiring masks or other facial coverings in response to COVID-19 or other infectious disease. II. Prohibits state or local government agencies from issuing immunity passports or similar standardized documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status. III. Prohibits businesses from requiring documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status. IV. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination status by state agencies, employers, and places of public accommodation.
Support HB1604 including state medical facilities in the statute providing medical freedom in immunizations. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/1 10:45 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill repeals the exemption of county nursing homes, the state hospital, and any other medical facility or provider operated by the state or a political subdivision from the statute pertaining to medical freedom in immunizations.
Oppose HB1003 prohibiting health care providers from refusing to provide care or services based on patient vaccination status. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/1 1:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill prohibits health care providers from refusing to provide care or services based on patient vaccination status.
Of Interest HB1099 prohibiting the department of health and human services from requiring vaccine passports for services. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 2/1 2:30 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill provides that the department of health and human services shall not require a vaccine passport for services.
Of Interest SB298 repealing the law relative to certain discrimination in public workplaces and education. Judiciary Tue 2/1 1:20 PM SH Room 100 This bill repeals the law relative to certain discrimination in public workplaces and education.
Oppose HB1240 relative to service of process for license suspensions or revocations. Transportation Tue 2/1 10:10 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill requires that a notice of driver’s license revocation or suspension be sent by first class mail when a summons was not hand delivered by a law enforcement officer. This bill also creates a presumption of service 3 days after the mailing of the notice.
Of Interest HB1463 relative to drivers’ licenses issued in accordance with the Real ID Act of 2005. Transportation Tue 2/1 10:50 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill modifies the requirements needed to obtain a driver’s license that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13.
Oppose SB447 establishing the electric vehicle and infrastructure fund. Transportation Tue 2/1 1:00 PM LOB Room 101 This bill establishes the electric vehicle and infrastructure fund within the department of transportation.
Support HB1028 relative to the form of individual health insurance policies. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 2/2 10:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill modifies the form of individual health insurance policies.
Oppose HB1162 relative to requiring insurance coverage for vaccinations, devices, and medications authorized for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 2/2 10:45 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill prohibits insurers from excluding coverage for any vaccination, device, or medication that has been authorized for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Oppose HB1580 relative to pharmacy benefits managers. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 2/2 2:30 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill establishes the licensure of pharmacy benefits managers.
Oppose HB1594 relative to assistance to certain students with disabilities in registering to vote. Education Wed 2/2 9:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill provides for students with an individualized education program or accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to discuss including voter registration in the student’s plan.
Support HB1233 prohibiting higher education institutions receiving state funds from requiring face masks and COVID-19 vaccinations for attendance. Education Wed 2/2 9:45 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill prohibits higher education institutions from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination or face masks for enrollment or attendance.
Oppose HB1332 excepting public universities and colleges from requirements under medical freedom in immunizations. Education Wed 2/2 10:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill exempts the university system and the community college system from the statute pertaining to medical freedom in immunizations.
Oppose HB1115 relative to record of educational attainment under the educational freedom account program. Education Wed 2/2 12:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires the statewide student assessment tests for the record of educational attainment under the education freedom accounts program.
Of Interest HB1670 relative to funds of the education freedom account program after termination of a student’s participation and responsibilities of the scholarship organization. Education Wed 2/2 2:00 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires that upon enrolling in a public school an education freedom account program student’s participation and funding are terminated. The bill also requires audits by the scholarship organization and investigation of misuses of funds.
Of Interest HB1669 requiring the department of education to administer the education freedom account program. Education Wed 2/2 2:30 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill changes the administration of the education freedom account program under RSA 194-F from scholarship organizations to the department of education.
Oppose SB422 establishing an adult dental benefit under the state Medicaid program. Health and Human Services Wed 2/2 9:00 AM LOB Room 101 This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to solicit information and to contract with dental managed care organizations to provide dental care to persons under the Medicaid managed care program.
Of Interest SB379 establishing the solid waste management fund and establishing a solid waste disposal surcharge. Ways and Means Wed 2/2 10:00 AM SH Room 100 This bill: I. Establishes the solid waste reduction management fund. II. Establishes a solid waste disposal surcharge. III. Repeals the existing surcharge on out-of-state waste.
Support HB1582 repealing the granite state paid family leave plan. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Thu 2/3 2:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill repeals the paid family and medical leave plan.
Of Interest HB1664 requiring certain non-public schools or education service providers that accept public funds to perform background checks on all employees and volunteers. Education Thu 2/3 9:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires nonpublic schools and education service providers that accept public funds to comply with requirements for criminal history background checks for employees and volunteers.
Of Interest HB1402 relative to inclusion of chartered public schools in school district bond issuance votes. Education Thu 2/3 9:45 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill establishes a procedure for a chartered public school to elect to include its planned land, construction, or renovation costs in the local school district’s vote to authorize bonded indebtedness.
Of Interest HB1663 relative to requirements for home education students. Education Thu 2/3 11:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 The bill clarifies provisions for home education programs concerning notifications required for students moving to a new district, educational evaluations, and termination of home education.
Of Interest HB1588 relative to students attending public schools that mandate the wearing of face masks without an emergency order in place. Education Thu 2/3 2:15 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill allows students in a school that has mandated face masks to transfer to a school or program in another school district and have the costs for such transfer paid by the resident district.
Support HB1149 relative to the number of names required for nomination by nomination papers. Election Law Thu 2/3 9:30 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill reduces the number of names of registered voters required to nominate a candidate by nomination papers.
Of Interest HB1166 requiring certain voters to declare a party affiliation prior to a state primary election and requiring candidates to be members of political parties for a certain amount of time prior to an election in which such candidates seek office. Election Law Thu 2/3 9:45 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill requires any undeclared voter who wishes to vote in a state party primary to declare a party affiliation at least 120 days prior to such primary. The bill also requires that any person seeking a nomination by primary be a member of the political party for which such candidate seeks a nomination for at least 6 months prior to the primary election.
Of Interest HB1174 relative to election challengers. Election Law Thu 2/3 10:00 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill permits election challengers to be permitted within 6 feet of any table where any ballots are hand counted and to maintain a line of sight on any electronic ballot counting device.
Support HB1197 relative to the definition of “party” for election purposes. Election Law Thu 2/3 10:15 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill modifies the definition of “party” for election purposes.
Oppose HB1124 requiring businesses to use the federal E-Verify system of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/3 10:00 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill requires employers to verify employment eligibility through the federal E-Verify system.
Support HB1165 repealing the Granite State paid family leave plan. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/3 10:45 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill repeals the Granite State paid family leave plan.
Oppose HB1472 prohibiting anti-union activities by employers. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/3 2:30 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill prohibits an employer from engaging in anti-union activities.
Oppose HB1403 establishing a commission relative to the minimum wage. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 2/3 3:15 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill establishes a minimum hourly rate commission which shall set and adjust the minimum hourly rate for all employees in New Hampshire.
Of Interest HB1136 requiring planning boards to list the type of studies required to render a decision. Municipal and County Government Thu 2/3 9:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill requires planning boards to list the type of studies required to render a decision.
Of Interest HB1161 relative to ethics obligations of elected local and county officials. Municipal and County Government Thu 2/3 9:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill prohibits any member of a governing body in the state from having an interest in any business or transaction that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest. This bill also requires the member abstain from any vote that may create a conflict.
Of Interest HB1335 relative to the parole board and the procedure for medical parole of prisoners. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 2/4 11:30 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill revises the criteria necessary for determining if an inmate qualifies for medical parole and revises the membership of the adult parole board. The bill also renames the position of “executive assistant to the parole board” as the “parole board director of operations.”
Of Interest HB1476 relative to persons arrested while out on bail. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 2/4 1:30 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill provides that a person who commits an offense while on bail shall be detained without bail pending a hearing before a judge.
Of Interest HB1512 relative to the parole of certain prisoners. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 2/4 3:00 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill changes the eligibility for parole for certain prisoners.
Of Interest HB1607 prohibiting unlawful discrimination in public and nonpublic schools. Education Fri 2/4 9:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires the state board of education to ensure there is no unlawful discrimination in any approved school tuition program, public school, nonpublic school, or educational service that receives public funds.
Of Interest HB1671 relative to the content of an adequate education. Education Fri 2/4 10:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill revises the requirements for the content, definition, and accountability for an adequate public education.
Of Interest HB1678 relative to the administration of the education freedom accounts program. Education Fri 2/4 1:00 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill clarifies certain provisions of the education freedom accounts program and the responsibilities of scholarship organizations and public schools.
Oppose HB1120 relative to education service providers under the education freedom accounts program. Education Fri 2/4 1:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill adds compliance requirements for education service providers requesting payment from education freedom account funds, including criminal history records checks of employees with direct contact with students.
Oppose HB1683 repealing the education freedom account program. Education Fri 2/4 2:30 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill repeals the provisions of the education freedom account program and reverts the unused funds to be deposited to the education trust fund.
Support HB1070 relative to the default budget in official ballot jurisdictions. Municipal and County Government Fri 2/4 9:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows for the default budget in an official ballot town or district to be reduced by any reduction to an appropriation the governing body made in the proposed operating budget.
Support HB1087 relative to zoning for single family housing lots. Municipal and County Government Fri 2/4 9:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill limits the authority of local land use planning boards relating to ordinances governing lot sizes.
Oppose HB1172 requiring composting and waste recycling to be made available to residents of public housing. Municipal and County Government Fri 2/4 11:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill requires towns to ensure that residents of public housing have access to a composting and waste recycling facility.
Of Interest HB1617 relative to housing projects of the community development finance authority and establishing a committee to prevent state subsidies for housing development that is not income-sensitive. Municipal and County Government Fri 2/4 12:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that the community development finance authority block grant program may be used for affordable housing projects. The bill also establishes a committee to prevent state subsidies for housing development that is not income sensitive.

The post Bill Hearings for Week of January 31, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

US Appeals Court Rules: DEA Allowed Access to NH Opioid Database Without a Warrant

Free Keene - Sun, 2022-01-30 04:07 +0000

On January 27, 2022, the US Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, Chief Judge Jeffrey Howard, ruled in “US Dep’t of Justice v. Jonas, No. 19-1243,” that the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) can “legally” access New Hampshire’s prescription drug database via an administrative subpoena, not a warrant. This is despite New Hampshire and United States laws to the contrary.

While 48 states have submitted to maintaining a networked prescription database (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program / PDMP), most people would argue that their personal medical and prescription records are protected by the 4th amendment (“no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”) Personal healthcare and medical information is generally protected under doctor-patient confidentiality laws and is regarded as almost sacrosanct in the healthcare world (think HIPAA.) In this case, confidentiality was further supported by the 4th amendment to the US Constitution.

Overwhelming Support From the Liberty Community

Michelle Ricco Jonas, manager of the New Hampshire PDMP in 2018, refused the DEA’s request to fork over 2.5 years’ worth of prescription data of a “person of interest.” After being subpoenaed she argued that the records belong to the state, not an individual person. Since March 12, 2019, when the notice of appeal was docketed, Michelle Jonas and New Hampshire state received an outpouring of support from the ACLU of California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island – in other words, all the districts represented by the 1st Circuit Court.

Over the past two grueling years of appeal, the ACLU supported Jonas, and questioned whether issuing a subpoena to a state employee is within the bounds of the district court. They argued that medical records, for all intents and purposes, are considered private information. While the DEA has the ability to subpoena an individual, the ACLU asked if that gave them the right to subpoena a representative, or employee, of the state. They also argued that the 4th Amendment requires law enforcement “to obtain a warrant based on probable cause only to secure records over which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.” The ACLU argued that medical records warrant an expectation of privacy.

The prescription records at issue in this case reveal intimate, private, and potentially stigmatizing details about patients’ health, including details of those patients’ underlying medical conditions. For that reason, as with other medical records, people have a reasonable expectation of privacy in them.” – Summary of Argument, US Dep’t of Justice v. Jonas, No. 19-1243

 

So What Was the Loophole?

In a nutshell, the “third-party doctrine” was the loophole the DEA used to secure a “victory” in this appeal. Basically, if you voluntarily share information with a third party (say a pharmacist at CVS who fills your prescription), you magically lose your right to the 4th amendment because you voluntarily shared your private information.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You have to share that private information in order to receive your prescription medications through lawful means. If you wanna live, if you wanna beat that disease, you have to give your name, address, phone number, and all the information they need so you can just get your pills. Right? So what exactly is the alternative? The grey market? Street drugs? A life of crime?

The Feds Will Stop at Nothing to Support the Prison-Industrial Complex

It seems obvious that personal medical information is personal. We share that information with medical professionals with the expectation that their oaths of ethics and doctor-patient confidentiality will keep it that way. Everywhere we go we see “HIPAA” emblazoned there, telling us how seriously our personal medical information is treated, at the risk of sanctions, medical license removal, and prison time. Medical professionals have an entire course in this topic, and it’s included in their jurisprudence board exams.

There’s really no way to “logic” around this ruling; it’s pretty cut and dried. The DEA will stop at nothing to reach their quotas, to perpetuate the prison-industrial complex, and to erode our Constitutional rights. Unfortunately this is one of many similar rulings in the United States.

It’s up to us to continue fighting for freedom, liberty, and our Constitutional rights. It’s up to us to determine if this is acceptable or whether it’s about time we stand up against this onslaught and say, “I’m not gonna take this anymore!”

I want you to get up right now. Sit up. Go to your windows. Open them and stick your head out and yell – ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take this anymore!’ Things have got to change. But first, you’ve gotta get mad! You’ve got to say, I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE! Then we’ll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first, get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!” – “Network” movie, 1976

 

Side Note

As of January 27, 2022, the exact date upon which this appeal was concluded, the presiding 1st Circuit Judge Jeffrey Howard announced his early retirement at the age of 66. This was the last case he will hear, and thankfully, the last case he will rule on.

Sources

  • 1st Circuit’s lone Replican-appointed judge to step down from active service
  • New Hampshire fights DEA bid to access drug database without a warrant
  • Medical prescription warrantless searches get new challenge
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (19-1243)
  • Docket for Case #: 19-1243
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • Chief Judge Jeffrey R. Howard
  • What is the prison-industrial complex?
  • Fourth amendment
  • 19-1243 judgment summary
  • Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)

The Constitutional Case for NH Independence (CACR 32)

Free Keene - Sat, 2022-01-29 03:10 +0000

This is an e-mail I sent to NH state reps around Jan 26, 2022.

—–

RepFolk: Here are some reasons you should feel “Constitutionally comfortable” voting for CACR 32…the right of the people to vote on whether we keep being ruled by an empire that starts a new war at our expense every three years or so.

What’s nice about the U.S. Constitution is that you generally don’t have to be a “Constitutional scholar” to understand it.

1) The Tenth Amendment makes the U.S. Constitution innocent of banning independence, until proven guilty. It reads: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” By default, “the powers,” thus includes the power of states and/or their voters to divorce D.C. In order for the U.S. to lawfully wield a power preventing that, such power would have to be “delegated to the United States by the Constitution.” Where does that Constitution clearly grant such power to D.C.? Why are the “anti-independence” Constitutional passages cited so unclear on this question when compared to the clarity of “The Tenth?”

2) Even if we were to assume, for the sake of discussion, that the Constitutional arguments against independence were valid…that leaves a different problem for Remainers. No one could credibly argue that the U.S. government has complied with its Constitution…not even during the last two hours, let alone the last two centuries. Have they voided their contract, perhaps millions of times? If they are not required to follow their Constitution, why are we?

3) If one could argue that the U.S. Constitution forbids the public from voting on independence this year, one could just as easily argue that the pre-existing NH Constitution *demands* it this year. Article 10 reads: “…whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government.” Has Washington endangered – or not endangered – “public liberty?” Are you currently able to “redress” your grievances with D.C.?

4) You face, perhaps for the first time, legislation which would actually end the central government’s practice of running employment bans and overseas TORTURE CHAMBERS* at NH taxpayer expense. Why have some of your House colleagues apparently picked *this* moment to begin pretending they follow either Constitution?

Dave Ridley
NHexit.com
“Independence without enmity”

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagram_torture_and_prisoner_abuse



NH HB 1022 – Permitting Pharmacists to Dispense Ivermectin Without a Prescription

Free Keene - Tue, 2022-01-25 20:34 +0000

Rep. Leah Cushman presents HB 1022 at the public hearing on 1/18/22

 

On January 12, 2022, Rep. Leah Cushman (R – NH) introduced New Hampshire HB 1022: an act permitting pharmacists to dispense the drug ivermectin by means of a standing order entered into by licensed healthcare professionals. The general argument is that many healthcare workers are unable to prescribe ivermectin, either because of hospital politics or outside pressures. This bill would override the need for a prescription for ivermectin, allowing everyone in New Hampshire to pick it up over-the-counter.

A public hearing for this bill took place on January 18, 2022. Rep. Cushman, House committee (Health, Human Services, & Elderly Affairs) members, doctors, and others took part in a lively discussion that spanned over two hours. The overall consensus appeared to be in favor of the bill, with a few speakers pleading that those who cannot (or do not) get the covid-19 vaccine need another readily-available, tried, and tested alternative.

The Benefits of Ivermectin Are Well Established

The only medicine for infectious diseases to win the Nobel Prize has recently been smeared in the mainstream media. Surprised? There are innumerable studies that have overwhelmingly shown the benefits of this drug to combat all types of disease. The difference is that now the media has portrayed it as livestock medicine, and nobody can seem to counteract the bad press–not even Joe Rogan.

However, most of those in attendance, including multiple committee members, fully supported pushing this bill further. Even those who believe that vaccines are the best option had to admit that withholding medicine to those who cannot or do not get the vaccine doesn’t make sense. In fact, people who have received the vaccine can benefit from ivermectin as well.

Dr. Paul Marik Was in Attendance

One speaker of note was Dr. Paul Marik, who traveled to the public hearing for NH HB 1022 all the way from Virginia.

A former professor of medicine & chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Dr. Marik famously sued the hospital he worked for in an effort to prescribe ivermectin to his patients with covid-19. The health system his hospital is part of has banned ivermectin. He ended up resigning in disgust December 31, 2021. During his public arguments in favor of HB 1022, Dr. Marik described ivermectin as “cheap, exceedingly safe, and exceedingly effective.”

If ivermectin had been promoted at the beginning of this pandemic, we would not be sitting here today.” – Dr. Paul Marik, NH HB 1022 public hearing, 1/18/22

 

Watch the Full 2 Hour Public Hearing Below: (6:01:00 – 8:00:00)

 

What’s Next?

The next steps are for the House Committee on Health, Human Services, & Elderly Affairs to deliberate, and eventually hold an executive session where NH HB 1022 will be voted on by attending committee members. Executive sessions are open to the public, but at the time of this writing no date has yet been set. Stay tuned!

 

Representative Brodie Deshaies: Ignorant or a Liar?

Free Keene - Tue, 2022-01-25 04:09 +0000

Brodie Deshaies at the hearing looking guilty while Carla Gericke calls him out for using scare tactics

Representative Brodie Deshaies from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire testified in front of the State-Federal Relations and Veteran Affairs Committee on January 20, 2022 concerning CACR 32. The legislation seeks to let the people of New Hampshire vote to amend the Constitution and become an independent nation, breaking ties with DC. He was the legislator asked by the committee chairman to do the bulk of the research before the hearing.

Looking closely at all the claims Deshaies made about the legality of this bill and the implications concerning lawmakers voting to recommend that the House pass it, it is hard to decide if he is ignorant and easily swayed by empire-loving “constitutional scholars” from DC or if he gave a speech full of lies to sway the vote. He used fear-mongering language directed at the committee, implying that they may be charged by Washington DC if they vote ‘Ought To Pass’ and supported the bill through the legal process. This article is a close-up look at his claims and will look at all the material he references to see if he is really making a constitutional argument against CACR 32.

Deshaies starts off with an acknowledgment of how the public perceives him. There are some people who are pretty upset with me in the room,” he says. This is already very indicative of his character. He sent Elliot “Alu” Axelman (the editor-in-chief of LibertyBlock.com and the author of multiple books on secession) an email full of misinterpretations of the US and New Hampshire Constitutions a few weeks ago. When Alxelman politely asked if he wished to engage in a public debate on the topic, Deshaies cowered and declined. Without the opportunity to debate Deshaies, and with no legislator agreeing to debate him, Alu published his rebuttal to Deshaies’ anti-independence letter on his website. The article destroys the few arguments that the anti-freedom legislator sought to make in his letter. Instead, Deshaies went on to publish the exact same letter in an op-ed article on NHJournal.com. So, now we know he knows how people feel about his twisting of the facts, but he just goes on to ignore the people and doubles down on his way of thinking. We see from this very first sentence that he isn’t the sort of person who feels he should be in office doing what the people of New Hampshire want. He feels he’s in office to rule over the citizens of New Hampshire with an iron fist.

He goes on to say that after speaking to many “constitutional scholars” such as David Williams, author of “The Mythic Meanings of the Second Amendment”, that he believes this committee was engaged in a “constitutional process” by voting Ought to Pass or Inexpedient to Legislate. Which means every vote cast is “aiding in the constitutional process,” and “approving it at each time along the way”.

Deshaies claims, “Every vote cast has a constitutional ramification judging by amendment fourteen of the US Constitution, section three. Some scholars would argue that this is rebelling, even if it’s peaceful. This very well could be an argument where voting for this, aiding and abetting in that process could very well be unconstitutional.”

So, there it is, folks. Deshaies spoke to a man who wrote a book arguing that the second amendment doesn’t really give all Americans the right to bear arms for advice on what the Constitution says. Then, he came up with a clever way to subtly scare the other members of the committee out of voting Ought to Pass on this bill. He used a mildly veiled threat of ‘insurrection’ and ‘rebellion’ to convince everyone on the committee to vote 21-0 against recommending the bill to be passed. Even the two committee members who told Axelman that they would support the legislation ultimately caved to the fear and voted to kill it.

Amendment Fourteen Section Three of the US Constitution is written in legalese, so here is an explanation of it from AnnenbergClassroom.org;

“Amendment XIV, Section 3 prohibits any person who had gone to war against the union or given aid and comfort to the nation’s enemies from running for federal or state office, unless Congress by a two-thirds vote specifically permitted it”.

This has nothing to do with a committee in New Hampshire voting ‘Ought to Pass’ on a bill that would allow the citizens of New Hampshire to vote to become an independent nation. The representatives already took their oaths. Hopefully, if they had gone to war against the federal government, that would have been looked into before they were sworn in. That is what the fourteenth amendment, section three is discussing. It’s a far cry from allowing the people the chance to possibly vote on peacefully separating from their abusive rulers in DC.

Even if the part of the US Constitution Deshaies cited was relevant, voting Ought to Pass on CACR 32 would not constitute rebellion. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, rebellion is defined as “Deliberate, organized resistance, by force and arms, to the laws or operations of the government, committed by a subject”. It is ridiculous to assert that by allowing an amendment of the New Hampshire Constitution to appear on the ballot by proper peaceful and lawful procedure, his fellow committee members would be engaging in violent resistance against the federal government. If Granite Staters voted and it became law, we would immediately no longer be a part of the federal government. That would not be rebelling, that would be peaceful separation.

Deshaies goes on to say that part one, article ten of the New Hampshire constitution does not apply to the federal government. The referenced article reads, “Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.” It does not specify “The New Hampshire government can be reformed or a new state government established.” It simply uses the word “government.” The authors of the NH Constitution were smart enough to know the difference. If they intended for the article to apply only to the state government, they would have said so. Brodie Deshaies gives no explanation for why he thinks article ten only applies to the state government. The right of revolution isn’t specifically granted to the federal government in the US Constitution, and according to the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution, that means that right is delegated to the states. Thankfully, the New Hampshire Constitution has this right clearly and articulately established. Granite Staters have the right to reform any government that has become perverse and/or establish a new one. CACR 32 would seek to reform the state government we have by striking all references to the United States in the New Hampshire Constitution, state statutes, and regulations.

Deshaies does acknowledge that people in New Hampshire today are upset about the amount of powers the federal government claims to have over them. He says “New Hampshire lost some of that sovereignty because we accepted federal dollars and we ceded a number of responsibilities. Now, we’re still sovereign, technically, over this. We can, through the constitutional process, freely take back those powers. It just means we’re going to have to be giving up the carrots. We took the carrot, we get the stick.” I’m not sure what carrot he’s referring to, because the federal government does nothing but leech off of New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a donor state, meaning Granite Staters pay hundreds of millions per year more in taxes to the federal government than the state government receives back in funding. Also, I’m pretty sure that the saying has to do with getting the carrot OR the stick. Brodie Deshaies would be free to move to another state if Granite Staters voted to leave the union and keep their wealth. Massachusetts is less than 100 miles from his house, and there he can take all the carrots and sticks he wants from the federal government.

Continuing to speak about the constitutional process, Deshaies says, “I think people are misguided and they’re providing an answer that isn’t the right answer, that isn’t the constitutional answer. They’re trying to work outside of the constitutional government to get this done.” That just isn’t true. CACR 32 went through all the proper channels and is a valid constitutional amendment. Just because Deshaies doesn’t think it is the right answer doesn’t mean Granite Staters should not be allowed to vote on the issue. He would be allowed to vote on the ballot like everyone else. The people deserve to have their say. As far as secession movements go, this is literally the most legal, peaceful method of seceding that any state has ever attempted in human history.

After the meeting, Joa of Breaking the Flaw confronted Deshaies publicly in the hallway of the Legislative Office Building and asked him why he would oppose this legislation so heavily and asked if he believed he was really representing the people. Deshaies stated, “I’ve had more constituents contact me to oppose it than I’ve had, you know I had two contact me to oppose it and I haven’t had any contact me to support it.” Deshaies didn’t represent his constituents that day if he believes two people contacting him to oppose CACR 32 is good enough for him to get in front of the committee and misrepresent what the US and New Hampshire Constitutions say to scare the committee into voting Inexpedient to Legislate for fear of being prosecuted by the federal government for rebellion.

Next, CACR 32 will go in front of the full House for a roll call vote, possibly on February 15th. Contact your representative and tell them you want them to defend democracy by supporting this bill, so that the people of New Hampshire can vote on it in November of 2022.

“COVID Carols” Now in Audio Form!

Free Keene - Mon, 2022-01-24 23:01 +0000

Captain Kickass’ “COVID Carols” – Click for Printable PDF.

In December of 2020, we gave you a super-fun Christmas gift in the form of the COVID Carols songsheet!  At the time, Captain Kickass wrote some awesome parody lyrics to four classic Christmas songs and you can download a PDF of the lyrics here to sing them yourself!

This Winter, the Captain has taken the time to produce a three-song EP and is offering them on his website, which features a bunch of other parody songs.

You can listen to them all for free and then buy the record for whatever price you want to pay!  Check them out on his Bandcamp page here.

Featuring:

  • “The Lockdowns Are Dumb” – to the tune of “Little Drummer Boy”
  • “Do you fear what I fear?” – to the tune of “Do you hear what I hear?”
  • “Sterile Little Christmas” – to the tune of “Have yourself a merry little Christmas”

Update: New NH HB 1025 Aims to Limit Witnessing Police

Free Keene - Mon, 2022-01-24 22:23 +0000

This bill would give police the right to tell any person they must stay back at least 30 feet.

 

A new bill was introduced to the NH House on January 5, 2022 that, if passed, could have serious, far-reaching consequences for 1st amendment auditors and anyone attempting to witness or film police interactions in New Hampshire.  

Introduced by Rep. Al Baldasaro (R – Rockingham 5) and cosponsored by Rep. David Love, Rep. Vanessa Sheehan, Sen. Sharon Carson, Sen. Bob Giuda, and other Republicans, the bill attempts to add an 11th section to Chapter 642 of the Criminal Code; (642:11 Impeding or Provoking a Law Enforcement Officer.) 

Update

NH HB 1025 was presented to the New Hampshire House Committee on January 19, 2022. Committee members voted unanimously to recommend ITL (inexpedient to legislate) status for this bill. Nineteen of the 21 members were present, with a final vote in favor of ITL: “Yea” – 19 votes; “Nay” – 0 votes; with 2 not voting. You can view the vote in the video below (48:35 – 52:10.)

Opens the Way for “Feelings-Based” Policing

In essence, the update would give police vague avenues by which to arrest someone if they deem that person is “interrupting, disrupting, hindering, impeding, or interfering” in any way with their police work. What one officer deems “disrupting” another may deem perfectly fine, so this appears to leave the door open for interpretation. It also leaves the door open for policing based on “feelings.” Generally when things are left open to interpretation based on “feelings” it is our Constitutional rights that go by the wayside. 

This bill would give police the right to tell any person that they must stay back at least 30 feet from any scene, for any reason. For example, if you’ve been told to stay back, and continue to approach, they could slap you with a class A misdemeanor for “interference” or any one of those other terms they’ll have at their behest. If a police officer tells you to stay back and you’re closer than 30 feet, if you don’t move back to the 30 foot mark, they could slap you with a class A misdemeanor. If an officer “feels” you’re provoking a physical response, same drill. See how this works?  

Impeding or Provoking a Law Officer (642:11)

  • I. After receiving a verbal warning from a law enforcement officer not to approach, no person shall:
  • (a) Violate such warning and approach;
  • (b) Remain within 30 feet of a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the lawful performance of any legal duty with the intent to:
  • (1) Interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere with the law enforcement officer   s ability to perform such duty; or
  • (2) Provoke a physical response from the law enforcement officer.
  • II. A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
  • 2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2023.

 

How Might This Affect the Filming of Police in New Hampshire?

The bill clearly states that if an officer verbally warns you not to approach, you cannot approach that officer or that scene at all: “After receiving a verbal warning from a law enforcement officer not to approach, no person shall violate such warning and approach.”

While HB 1025 does detail a 30-foot-distance rule once a person has been told to step back, it does not detail at what distance an officer is allowed to initially shout to you that you mustn’t approach a scene. Could it be a warning they shout at you from 100 feet away? What about when you’re 300 feet away? If they just don’t “feel” like “dealing” with someone filming them, could they technically shout to you from any distance not to approach?  

Many times, as we’ve seen in the news, video footage of police encounters is what clears the innocent and brings responsibility to police actions. This bill would allow the police to bar virtually any person from any scene that they deem a nuisance. When the ability to film police encounters is diminished, our Constitutional freedoms quickly follow. What starts as 15 feet will become 30 feet, then 50.

Breaking the Flaw, a well-known New Hampshire videographer, had this to say about the new bill: “As someone who likes to witness police interactions with a camera, I find it absurd that the direction of this bill will limit our ability for government transparency.”

 

Similar Legislation is Popping Up All Over

Recently, Rep. John Kavanaugh (R – Arizona), an ex-police officer, sponsored a bill that would require “anyone with a camera” to stay 15 feet away from a scene or police officer in Arizona. According to a MSM report dated 1/22/22, “The lawmaker said he has been approached by officers in Tucson who were concerned that people recording them were getting too close for the officers’ and their own safety.” 

In July of 2021, Rep. Alex Rizo (R – Florida) introduced a bill very similar in wording to New Hampshire HB 1025, making it unlawful to “interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere” with a police officer within 30 feet. Under Florida HB 11, any person who is deemed by an officer to cause a disturbance faces a 2nd degree misdemeanor. What constitutes a disturbance is completely based on how the officer “feels” in a given situation.

In May of 2021, Governor Kevin Stitt (R – Oklahoma) signed HB 1643, which took effect Nov. 1, 2021. Under this legislation, it’s unlawful to post a video or photo of a police officer with “threatening intent” (as defined by a judge or prosecutor.) In addition, HB 2273 makes it unlawful to publish any personally identifiable information of a law enforcement officer, including in video recordings. This includes an officer’s name, birth date, address, telephone number, driver license number, Social Security number, or place of employment, and includes “a photograph or any other realistic likeness of the person.”

 

Safety From Scrutiny

By “officer safety” they perhaps really mean “safety from scrutiny.”

Long has it been a curious thing to ponder how a camera can affect officer safety. If anything, filming the police has led to increased public safety by holding armed thugs with shiny badges accountable for their actions. While I can think of many examples of filming the police resulting in public safety, I can’t think of many instances where filming the police led to the police being harmed somehow. By “officer safety” they perhaps really mean “safety from scrutiny.”

“It’s hard to see such a blanket ban as anything but a targeted assault on First Amendment activity,” says Ari Cohn, a First Amendment lawyer who works at TechFreedom, a think tank dedicated to technology issues. “Cops have long tried claiming that the act of filming them in itself obstructs their ability to do their job…and now that this argument failed, they are rather transparently trying to create a safe space from observation by the people they are sworn to serve.”

What You Can Do

  • Contact your representatives
  • Contact the ACLU
  • Attend legislative sessions
  • Know your rights
  • Always film the police!

Brave NH Native Records in Court Lobby Despite Threats from Armed Goon

Free Keene - Mon, 2022-01-24 01:00 +0000

In October of 2021, nine peaceful people were arrested at a well-attended executive council meeting. It started when armed state goons approached activists Frank “Footloose” Staples and Terese Grinnell and requested they to follow them to a partitioned area in the back of the room. Once out of sight of the packed audience, the thugs arrested Footloose and Terese, causing them to verbally announce what was happening. Prior to being asked to walk out, the two were sitting in the audience quietly, so they are still unsure regarding why they were arrested in the first place, as they didn’t make any noise prior to the arrest. So far, the court process has yet to clarify the situation.

Seven other people were also arrested for speaking out during the arrests of Footloose and Terese. The “New Hampshire Nine” had a court hearing on Friday to deal with some pending motions and unlike the rest of the Nine, Footloose is representing himself in the case. If you’ve seen his other videos, you know that means it won’t be dull. Here’s a video with highlights from his visit, including he and other activists bravely refusing to stop recording when threatened by a masked court goon. You can see the full uncut series of videos he recorded at Concord district court on his Odysee.

It’s also worth noting that there is an unconstitutional “Supreme Court” of NH order in place prohibiting recording in all parts of state courthouses except the courtrooms themselves. Those restrictions were put in place because of Keene activists recording over a decade ago and haven’t been meaningfully challenged ever since. Kudos to New Hampshire native Footloose for standing up for the right to record and the right to transparency. It was nice to see him back down the armed goon AND he did it while on bail conditions for his previous ridiculous victimless arrests.

Stay tuned here to Free Keene for the latest on his saga.

Bill Hearings for Week of January 24, 2022

N.H. Liberty Alliance - Sun, 2022-01-23 21:54 +0000
  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 118 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 17 and opposition of 22 with 17 being of interest.
Of the 70 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 2 and opposition of 2 with 7 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Oppose HB1680 establishing a foundation opportunity budget program for funding public education. Education Mon 1/24 10:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill modifies the determination and funding for an opportunity for a constitutionally adequate education by establishing foundation opportunity budgets and state foundation opportunity grants.
Of Interest SB246 relative to qualified private communities. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 1/24 1:45 PM SH Room 100 This bill defines and regulates “qualified private communities.”
Of Interest SB425 relative to the establishment of an election information portal. Election Law and Municipal Affairs Mon 1/24 2:00 PM SH Room 100 This bill authorizes the secretary of state to develop an election information portal.
Of Interest CACR30 officers of the government. Providing that the elected positions of inspectors general are created. Executive Departments and Administration Mon 1/24 1:15 PM LOB Room 302-304 This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution establishes the positions of inspectors general to investigation elections fraud and fraud by elected officials, as well as allows an inspector general with probable cause to prosecute findings of fraud.
Of Interest HB1294 requiring the commission on demographic trends to consider data on race and ethnicity for the purpose of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in New Hampshire. Executive Departments and Administration Mon 1/24 2:15 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires the commission on demographic trends to consider data on race and ethnicity for the purpose of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in New Hampshire.
Of Interest HB1439 relative to hospital visitation policies. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 1/24 10:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill allows, with limited exception, a patient to designate a parent, spouse, family member, or other caregiver to be present while the patient receives hospital care.
Support HB1608 requiring the department of health and human services to contact certain individuals whose information was included in the state immunization registry. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 1/24 11:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill requires the department of health and human services to contact individuals who, pursuant to emergency order #76, were not given an opportunity to opt out of having COVID-19 vaccination information included in the state immunization registry.
Of Interest HB1405 allowing out-of-state mental health care providers to provide telehealth treatment during a mental health emergency. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Mon 1/24 2:15 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill allows out-of-state mental health care providers to provide telehealth treatment during a mental health emergency and requires insurance coverage for out-of-state mental health services provided through telemedicine.
Of Interest HB1518 relative to the requirements for appointed guardians. Children and Family Law Tue 1/25 10:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill establishes the requirement for guardians appointed by the court to receive a home visit within 30 days of their appointment to verify the safety and adequacy of the home for the minor and the consequences for failing to do so.
Of Interest HB1431 establishing the parental bill of rights. Children and Family Law Tue 1/25 2:15 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill establishes a parental bill of rights, a framework for notice of, and to report violations of, such rights, and consequences for affirmative findings of violations.
Of Interest SB217 relative to eviction notices. Commerce Tue 1/25 9:15 AM SH Room 100 This bill modifies the circumstances under which a landlord may evict a tenant and modifies the requirements relating to eviction notices.
Support SB249 prohibiting planning and zoning ordinances that prohibit short-term rentals. Commerce Tue 1/25 9:30 AM SH Room 100 This bill prohibits municipalities from adopting ordinances that ban short-term rentals. This bill also allows municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring the owner of a short-term rental to register the name of a person in state who can receive service of process.
Oppose HB1660 relative to school lunches and establishing the meals for students fund. Education Tue 1/25 9:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires schools to make free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch available to children who meet federal eligibility guidelines and provides for reimbursement to schools for offering meals at no cost to eligible students. The requirement is repealed in 2025.
Of Interest SB238 relative to special education services in chartered public schools. Education Tue 1/25 9:15 AM LOB Room 101 This bill requires chartered public schools to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a resident district of a student with disabilities who is attending the chartered public school concerning special education services.
Oppose SB426 relative to the adequate education grants for fiscal year 2023. Education Tue 1/25 9:45 AM LOB Room 101 This bill requires the commissioner of education to use highest of the average daily membership in residence for school years 2020, 2021, and 2022 in calculating adequate education grants for fiscal year 2023.
Of Interest SB261 relative to net metering participation. Energy and Natural Resources Tue 1/25 9:30 AM SH Room 103 This bill clarifies provisions relative to net energy metering participation and allows customer-generators to receive a payment for negative net energy usage during the subsequent billing cycle in an amount equivalent to certain credits.
Of Interest SB269 relative to the New Hampshire weatherization program. Energy and Natural Resources Tue 1/25 9:45 AM SH Room 103 This bill reduces the contractor pre-qualifications for contracts pertaining to the New Hampshire weatherization assistance program and calls for the weatherization of re-purposed buildings such as mill buildings.
Support HB1187 relative to milk pasteurization. Environment and Agriculture Tue 1/25 10:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows for the sale of products made with raw milk in certain circumstances.
Support HB1412 relative to gardening, homesteading, and organic food production. Environment and Agriculture Tue 1/25 11:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill provides that any person may cultivate vegetable gardens on their own property, or on the private property of another with the permission of the owner. This bill also adds a deduction from business profits and a credit against the business profits tax paid in the amount of the USDA Organic Certification fee.
Oppose HB1587 relative to determination of average final compensation under the retirement system and making an appropriation therefor. Executive Departments and Administration Tue 1/25 10:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill modifies the calculation of compensation paid in excess of the full base rate of compensation under the definition of average final compensation in the retirement system for persons hired after July 1, 2011. The actuarial cost of the change is funded from general funds of the current biennium.
Of Interest SB387 making an appropriation to the body-worn and dashboard camera fund. Finance Tue 1/25 1:00 PM SH Room 103 This bill makes an appropriation to the body-worn and dashboard camera fund and establishes a distribution process.
Of Interest HB1662 related to privacy obligations of the department of health and human services. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 1/25 11:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill establishes a data privacy and information technology security governance board within the department of health and human services to oversee data privacy risk calculation and risk mitigation efforts, as well as provides for 2 employees within the department to accomplish these objectives.
Support HB1619 relative to qualifying conditions for the therapeutic cannabis program. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 1/25 1:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill adds moderate to severe chronic migraine headaches to the qualifying conditions for the therapeutic cannabis program.
Support HB1455 relative to state enforcement of federal vaccination mandates. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Tue 1/25 3:30 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill prohibits state enforcement of any federal law, order, or rule that requires an individual, as a condition of employment or any other activity, to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or to submit more than once per month to COVID-19 testing.
Oppose SB344 relative to the quorum requirements under the right to know law of meetings open to the public. Judiciary Tue 1/25 2:00 PM SH Room 100 This bill removes the physical presence quorum requirement for meetings under RSA 91-A.
Oppose HB1250 requiring the public utilities commission to consider climate change in making rate-setting decisions. Science, Technology and Energy Tue 1/25 1:30 PM LOB Room 306-308 This bill requires the public utilities commission to consider climate change when setting rates, fees, or charges.
Of Interest HB1024 relative to local speed limits in business or urban residence districts. Transportation Tue 1/25 10:30 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill lowers the possible speed limit for local alterations for speeds limits in business or urban residence districts.
Support HB1138 exempting the display of a front license plate on certain vehicles. Transportation Tue 1/25 11:00 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill allows for an application and payment of a fee to exempt the display of a front license plate on certain vehicles.
Support HB1150 relative to temporary license plates. Transportation Tue 1/25 11:30 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill permits any New Hampshire resident who purchases a motor vehicle from another individual to display an existing valid New Hampshire license plate registered in their name for a period of 5 days from the date of sale.
Oppose SB449 relative to the retention of social security numbers by the division of motor vehicles. Transportation Tue 1/25 1:40 PM LOB Room 101 This bill gives an applicant for a driver’s license the opportunity to determine whether to have his or her complete social security number, or only the last 5 digits, retained in the records of the department of safety. This bill also permits the department to transmit the last 4 digits of an individual’s social security number to the department of state for voter identification purposes.
Support HB1445 relative to the identification of police vehicles. Transportation Tue 1/25 2:30 PM LOB Room 201-203 This bill requires certain law enforcement vehicles to display the agency name, law enforcement license plates, and emergency lights when being used for a valid law enforcement function.
Support HB1636 relative to prohibitions on carrying a loaded firearm on an OHRV or snowmobile. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 9:00 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill creates an exception to the prohibition on carrying a loaded firearm on an OHRV or snowmobile for any person carrying a pistol or revolver who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm by a New Hampshire statute.
Oppose HB1668 requiring a background check prior to any commercial firearm sale. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 9:45 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill requires commercial firearms sales or transfers in this state to be subject to a criminal background check and provides a criminal penalty for a violation. The bill excludes private, noncommercial sales or transfers between individuals, provided neither individual is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
Oppose HB1310 prohibiting the discharge of a firearm in the direction of a building, livestock, or pets. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 10:30 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill prohibits the discharge of a firearm in the direction of a building, livestock, or pets that are within eyesight of the person discharging the firearm while hunting.
Support HB1178 prohibiting the state from enforcing any federal statute, regulation, or Presidential Executive Order that restricts or regulates the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 11:30 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill prohibits the state of New Hampshire, a political subdivision of this state, or any person acting under the color of state, county, or municipal law from using any personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with any law, act, rule, order, or regulation of the United States Government or Executive Order of the President of the United States that is inconsistent with any law of this state regarding the regulation of firearms, ammunition, magazines or the ammunition feeding devices, firearm components, firearms supplies, or knives.
Oppose HB1151 prohibiting the display of a deadly weapon at a parade, funeral procession, picket line, march, rally, vigil, or demonstration. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 1:30 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill prohibits the open carry or display of a firearm at a parade funeral procession, picket line, march, rally, vigil, demonstration, or other similar event.
Oppose HB1096 prohibiting open carrying or display of a deadly weapon within 100 feet of a polling place. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 2:15 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill prohibits the open carrying or display of a deadly weapon within 100 feet of a polling place.
Support HB1281 relative to access to firearms confiscated from a person who is subject to a protective order. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Wed 1/26 3:15 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill authorizes a person other than a peace officer to store or dispose of weapons for a person subject to a protective order requiring them to relinquish such weapons.
Support HB1132 relative to applications for a charter conversion school. Education Wed 1/26 11:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill removes certain vote requirements for conversion of a public school to a chartered public school and adds the requirement for a majority vote of the school district at a regular annual meeting or special meeting.
Oppose SB403 re-establishing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Health and Human Services Wed 1/26 9:15 AM LOB Room 101 This bill re-establishes the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Oppose SB404 establishing a supplemental nutrition assistance program. Health and Human Services Wed 1/26 9:30 AM LOB Room 101 This bill establishes a supplemental nutrition assistance program outreach program.
Oppose SB414 relative to respite care services for persons caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and making an appropriation therefor. Health and Human Services Wed 1/26 10:00 AM LOB Room 101 This bill revises the definition of ADRD, Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and makes a $1 appropriation to the department of health and human services for respite care services for persons caring for individuals with ADRD.
Oppose HB1260 making immunization status a protected class. Judiciary Wed 1/26 9:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill makes immunization status a protected class.
Oppose HB1490 relative to equal access to places of public accommodation regardless of vaccination status. Judiciary Wed 1/26 10:30 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill provides that an individual shall not be denied access to places of public accommodation based on vaccination status or the decision not to use a medical device.
Oppose HB1316 directing the director of the state police to develop requirements for eFoil and electric hydrofoil surfboard watercraft. Resources, Recreation and Development Wed 1/26 9:00 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill directs the director of the state police to make rules relative to safety requirements for eFoil and electric hydrofoil surfboard watercraft.
Oppose HB1641 relative to vessel registration fees. Resources, Recreation and Development Wed 1/26 11:15 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill changes the way vessel registration fees are computed.
Of Interest HB1227 relative to the definition of prime wetland. Resources, Recreation and Development Wed 1/26 1:00 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill further defines prime wetland for local protection in fill and dredge permits.
Oppose HB1498 establishing a safety program for off highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles. Resources, Recreation and Development Wed 1/26 2:45 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill implements a safety training program for OHRV and snowmobile operation.
Of Interest HB1440 relative to surface water quality standards for perfluorinated chemicals. Resources, Recreation and Development Wed 1/26 3:30 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill requires the department of environmental services to make rules about perfluorinated chemical limits in surface waters.
Oppose SB441 relative to the municipal share of fines for motor vehicle speeding offenses. Ways and Means Wed 1/26 9:15 AM SH Room 100 This bill provides for municipalities to receive a portion of fines collected for motor vehicle offenses.
Oppose SB428 establishing a scholarship fund for certain small businesses applying for loans from the capital access program administered by the New Hampshire business finance authority. Commerce Thu 1/27 1:30 PM SH Room 100 This bill establishes a scholarship fund in the capital access program of the business finance authority to cover entry costs for socially and/or economically disadvantaged individual small business owners applying for loans from the program.
Oppose SB451 establishing a New Hampshire innovation program in the department of business and economic affairs and making an annual appropriation therefor. Commerce Thu 1/27 1:45 PM SH Room 100 This bill establishes the New Hampshire innovation program and the New Hampshire innovation fund in the department of business and economic affairs. The purpose of the program is to increase funding for research and development intensive start-up companies located in New Hampshire. The bill also makes an annual appropriation of $5,000,000 to the fund.
Support HB1613 establishing a limited farmers liquor manufacturer license. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Thu 1/27 10:30 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill establishes a limited farmers liquor manufacturer license.
Support HB1556 relative to on-premise and off-premise sales at a beverage manufacturer’s facility. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Thu 1/27 11:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill allows consumers purchasing beverage samples to drink to also purchase beverages for consumption off premise at the same point of sale in the licensee’s facility.
Of Interest HB1595 relative to establishing a statewide food truck license. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Thu 1/27 1:15 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill establishes a statewide food truck license.
Oppose HB1131 relative to facial covering policies for schools. Education Thu 1/27 10:30 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill prohibits school boards and accredited nonpublic schools from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering.
Support HB1371 relative to school district policies on facial masks of students in schools. Education Thu 1/27 11:15 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires school districts to adopt a policy leaving facial mask use to parents of students and not tolerating bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
Of Interest HB1373 relative to the best interest of the student for a change of school or assignment. Education Thu 1/27 1:00 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill allows for the consideration of parental concerns in the request for a change of school or assignment of a student.
Of Interest HB1672 relative to misuse of education freedom account funds. Education Thu 1/27 1:30 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires the transfer of funds from terminated education freedom accounts to the education trust fund, requires investigation of and ineligibility for misuse of funds, and requires the department of education adopt the rules on policies and procedures for administration of the program.
Of Interest HB1679 relative to the dissolution and repeal of cooperative school districts. Education Thu 1/27 2:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill requires cooperative school districts to review and adopt dissolution plans prior to January 1, 2024, and repeals authority for all cooperative school districts on June 30, 2025.
Oppose SB446 establishing a child care workforce fund and grant program and making an appropriation therefor. Health and Human Services Thu 1/27 10:15 AM LOB Room 101 This bill establishes a child care workforce fund to provide grants to eligible child care programs for child care workforce recruitment and retention bonuses and benefits. The bill makes an appropriation to the fund for the purpose of establishing and administering the grant program.
Of Interest HB1597 permitting arraignments for felonies and preliminary examinations to be heard in circuit court. Judiciary Thu 1/27 9:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill permits arraignments for felonies and preliminary examinations to be heard in circuit court.
Oppose HB1014 allowing public meetings to be conducted virtually. Judiciary Thu 1/27 11:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill establishes requirements for remote access to public meetings under RSA 91-A, the right-to-know law.
Oppose HB1088 relative to employee protections from COVID-19 in the workplace. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 10:30 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill establishes COVID-19 related workplace rights for employees.
Oppose HB1210 relative to exemptions from vaccine mandates. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 11:15 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill directs a private employer, postsecondary institution, or clinical site for educational programs to accept requests from employees or students for exemptions from vaccine mandates. The bill also prohibits an employer from requiring any medical treatment that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for emergency or experimental use.
Of Interest HB1351 prohibiting certain employers from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 11:45 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.
Oppose HB1352 relative to eligibility for workers’ compensation for an adverse reaction to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 1:00 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill provides that an adverse reaction to an employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccination shall be deemed to be an occupational disease for the purpose of determining eligibility for workers’ compensation.
Oppose HB1358 requiring public and private employers to establish procedures and exceptions for the use of mandatory intrusive testing as a condition of new or continued employment. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 1:45 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill requires any public or private employer in the state to allow an employee an exemption from intrusive testing requirements.
Of Interest HB1377 relative to unemployment benefits for employees terminated for refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 2:30 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill establishes rights for employees for noncompliance with an employer-required vaccination mandate.
Oppose HB1538 requiring prevailing wages on state-funded public works projects. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/27 3:30 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill requires certain workers employed in the construction of public works in the state of New Hampshire to be paid the prevailing minimum hourly wage and benefits.
Oppose HB1656 establishing a road usage registration fee and making an appropriation therefor. Public Works and Highways Thu 1/27 10:30 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill provides for an annual adjustment to motor vehicle registration fees to take into account gross vehicle weight and vehicle miles traveled, and directs the department of transportation to use part of the funds generated through vehicle registration for implementation of Type II noise abatement projects.
Support HB1468 relative to the legalization of cannabis. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/28 9:00 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill legalizes the possession and use of cannabis for persons 18 years of age or older.
Support HB1175 relative to recording interactions with public officials. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/28 9:45 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill allows for a person to record interactions with public officials during the performance of their duties.
Oppose HB1433 relative to penalties for poisoning dogs. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/28 1:15 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill includes poisoning as a type of cruelty to animals and makes it a felony to purposely poison an animal.

The post Bill Hearings for Week of January 24, 2022 appeared first on NH Liberty Alliance.

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