Liberty Wins of 2015

September 1st: HB0270 This bill permits a witness or victim of a drug overdose to request medical assistance in order to save the life of an overdose victim by protecting the witness or victim from arrest, prosecution, and conviction. The bill also provides immunity from arrest, prosecution, or conviction for a person who, in good faith and in a timely manner, requests medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a drug overdose or for themselves if they are experiencing a drug overdose.

June 24th: SB32 signed, This bill increases government transparency. Fiscal responsibility requires representatives to have accurate knowledge about spending by government entities. Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent. Reporting requirements are reasonable, and not arduous.

June 24th: HB468 signed, This bill will prohibit government agencies from tracking the location of citizens without a warrant. HB468 comports with part one article 19 of the NH Constitution and the fourth amendment to the US Constitution. HB468 defends the privacy rights of NH residents, and clarifies that government agencies shall not track their movements without a warrant from a judge based on probable cause. Technology has enabled some agencies in the U.S. to intercept cell phone signals and track citizens secretly, without oversight. This bill would prevent that from happening in NH.

June 24th: HB407 signed, This bill is an important first step towards halting the militarization of police forces in New Hampshire. Under the USDLA 1033 program, NH counties, cities, and towns have received over six million dollars worth of military grade rifles, armored trucks and personnel carriers, a grenade launcher, and more. In many cases, these acquisitions have been made over the objections of local voters. The use of military forces domestically is prohibited, however, since 2001 the line separating the military from the police has become increasingly blurred. The spirit of Posse Comitatus is undermined when police (many of whom are veterans with recent combat experience overseas) are provided with many of the same types of weapons and vehicles at home that were used in the invasion and occupation of Iraq or Afghanistan. Police should be peace officers, primarily tasked with de-escalating situations, and protecting life. Militarization can create a dangerous change in police mentality, which can come to view citizens as enemies to confront with overwhelming force.

June 24th: HB219 signed, This bill prohibits gross misuse of taxpayer funds. It is wrong to force taxpayers to fund purchases of non-essential goods like tobacco, tattoos, or piercings. These bills are common sense. The recipients of taxpayer money, which is intended to help purchase basic necessities, should be prohibited from spending that money on non-essential goods and services. While it is not currently, nor will it ever be possible to detect all types of fraud, it is still important for the legislature to clarify that these clear abuses of taxpayer money are unlawful.

June 22nd: Agents from the Department of Revenue attempted to enforce tax and licensing regulations at PorcFest, but left after being met by an unwelcoming crowd of festival attendees.

June 4th: HB572 signed, This bill protects the rights of property owners whose land is being taken by eminent domain. Under current law, companies taking private land for the development of a high pressure pipeline may only take land to be used for the pipeline, without compensating owners for damage to the value and usability of property immediately adjacent to the pipeline. This bill would provide at least some protection to homeowners against this unfair practice. If companies wish to acquire land for the construction of a high pressure gas pipeline, they should acquire it from property owners on a consensual basis, not using force via eminent domain.

June 2nd: HB0271 This bill exempts from the provisions of the controlled drug act a health care professional or other person who prescribes, dispenses, distributes, or stores an opioid antagonist, or who administers it to an individual suffering from an apparent opioid-related overdose.

May 28th: HB381 signed, This bill makes allows liquor manufacturers to receive on-premises licenses. This bill makes the law more consistent between breweries, wineries, and liquor manufacturers. Local artisan distilleries are a growth industry for NH, creating jobs, increasing tourism, and enhancing overall quality of life for NH residents. This bill helps New Hampshire businesses. The property rights of liquor manufacturers to choose to open a restaurant or bar should be protected.

May 28th: HB290 signed, This bill protects land owners from liability when others use the land for recreation. Land owners who allow their property to be used for recreation should not fear lawsuits from people who voluntarily engage in risky outdoor activities. This bill could encourage more landowners to allow their land to be used for outdoor recreational activities, and expand NH's trail systems. This bill will help reduce frivolous lawsuits.

May 28th: HB169 signed, This bill would allow charitable casinos to offer a greater variety of games. The primary effect of this bill would be to allow charitable casinos to offer no-limit and pot-limit style poker games. These types of games are far more popular than alternatives. Without access to these games, many poker players must currently travel out of state to play the games they most enjoy. Currently, poker players can play no-limit and pot-limit, but only as part of a tournament. This bill would allow these types of games in a "cash" format, which allows players to leave at any time. People have a right to make their own choices with their own money. The fact that some problem gamblers exist does not justify limiting the freedom of all gamblers.

May 14th: HB476 signed, This bill recognizes the right of patients with certain serious illnesses to obtain the medicine they need. This bill will help patients who are suffering get treatment and relief. Bureaucrats and politicians should not stand between patients and doctors in determining courses of treatment. Natural cannabis has demonstrable medical benefits as a treatment to certain symptoms and diseases, that no other drug (including synthetic alternatives) can match.

May 14th: HB206 signed, This bill requires notification of a parent and respects their right to opt out. NAY on committee and floor amendments. Support the bill as passed by the House. Children should not be subjected to surveys and questionnaires that pry into non-academic, non-school related matter for the purpose of data gathering without parental notification. Requiring districts have an opt out policy is respectful of parental rights. Requiring districts to make surveys and questionnaires available to parents prior to distribution to students is good policy and consistent with federal law.

May 14th: HB171 signed, This bill will allow insurance companies to hold contests with payouts greater than $1000. Insurance producers should be able to market their services through contests, sweepstakes, raffles, or drawings and not be limited to an arbitrary amount. This bill will put insurance companies on equal footing with other companies already allowed to hold contests, sweepstakes, raffles, or drawings.

May 7th: HB271 signed, This bill allows patients and family members access to life saving anti-overdose medication. The failed 'War on Drugs' has created a situation where last year alone, 100 people died due to heroin overdoses in NH. Many, perhaps most of these lives could have been saved if Naloxone or Narcan had been readily available and administered promptly. Those closest to a heroin user should be able to obtain this miracle medicine for use in case of overdose. Imagine a mother that is powerless to help her overdosing child as she waits for EMS when an immediate cure would have been available if only the state allowed her to have it. 27 States including Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut already have laws allowing access to Narcan for friends and family of those at risk. Restricting access to Narcan creates great harm and has no benefit, there is no danger of abuse or maladministration. This bill has zero cost to taxpayers.

May 7th: HB102 signed, This bill defends open access to government in small towns. The non-germane amendment protects the right of property owners to build accessory dwelling units. If residents of a town make the effort to put an article on the warrant, they should have confidence that it will be acted on in the town meeting, and not ignored. Many NH residents are currently prevented by arduous zoning laws from building accessory dwelling units. The needs and demographics of NH residents are shifting. Accessory dwelling units make it possible for aging parents to live with adult children, elderly residents to retain their independence by obtaining live-in aid, and young adult children to share housing costs with parents. The right of property owners to make their own choices about their property should be respected. Increasing housing flexibility benefits everyone.

April 30th: HB336 signed, This bill allows for crossbow seasons for various game animals and birds. Sportsmen should have the freedom to use the hunting weapons of their preference. Crossbow hunting is no less safe or effective than other forms of hunting. This bill makes current hunting law more consistent, by eliminating an arbitrary restriction on the use of crossbows for large game other than deer.

April 30th: HB200 signed, This bill allows properly labeled food from local homestead farms to be sold at retail outlets. Easing restrictions on sale of farm goods at retail outlets makes it more possible for NH residents to partially support themselves sustainably through small-scale farming. This bill will allow NH consumers access to healthier and more unique options, and will result in higher availability of affordable, locally sourced food.

April 15th: SB101 signed, This bill protects local control over educational standards. SB 101 prohibits the state from mandating Common Core standards thereby protecting local control. Federally funded "regional liaisons" recruited by the NH DoE have worked to implement Common Core in school districts without approval of parents or school boards. This bill protects local control in the face of on-going efforts to eliminate local decision making authority, including a No Child Left Behind waiver renewal that would require Common Core to be implemented in every school district.

April 15th: SB16 signed, This bill reduces regulations on competitive water skiing in certain circumstances. This bill is very limited, applying only to skiers on an officially permitted slalom course, using approved equipment. 13 other states already allow a mirror of appropriate size to be used in lieu of an observer, for both competitive and recreational skiing. NHLA would support an amendment to extend SB16 to also apply to recreational water skiing.

April 9th: HB534 signed, This bill increases government transparency. Fiscal responsibility requires representatives to have accurate and timely knowledge about spending by government entities, including the Housing Finance Authority. Requiring the disclosure of terms and conditions of loans or grants to municipalities helps prevent misunderstanding, and helps ensure local authorities are fully informed.

April 9th: HB122 signed, This bill repeals the prohibition on alcohol container labels referencing minors. HB 122 as amended repeals RSA 179:31, VII(a) which violates freedom of speech. This bill improves the current law on beer labels, which forbids any depiction of a minor no matter how innocent. The liquor commission would still be able to ban subject matter or illustrations that they determine is reasonably likely to induce minors to drink. The NHLA supports this bill, but is cautious about giving more discretion to regulators. Giving the commission the discretion to allow some artwork on labels also allows them to ban other artwork. How we exercise of our First Amendment rights shouldn't be decided by the liquor commission.