Legislative Update and Information

New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police- Week ending Feb. 15, 2008

Below are some brief summaries from Beth Sargent regarding the bills we covered at the Legislature.

Not listed below is the major retirement bill HB 1645.  We did testify in opposition to this bill and so did a number of the other organizations in the New Hampshire Public Employees Retirement Coalition.  The bill was distributed last week and our testimony can be found on the Retirement Link on our web site.

HB 16230FN - AN ACT relative to penalties for possession of marijuana

The subcommittee on HB 1623 voted Ought to Pass with Amendment (Vote 3-1). 

Voting yes were:  Reps. Tholl, Nielsen, and Welch.

Voting no were:  Rep. Burridge.

Rep. Welch feels that it is good for a conversation to take place and that is why he voted in favor of the bill although he said it may not pass the Criminal Justice Committee and it might not pass the House.  Rep. Tholl spoke in favor of the amendment, but he said that he may not vote for the bill when it gets to the full Committee.  Rep. Burridge said that in his experience, we need not be worried about the 30-year olds who have marijuana but the children.  He said this is the wrong message to send to children, and it would send us down a slippery slope.  He said he is voting, "No."

The amendment will be to change 1.25 ounces to .25 ounces.

Chief Crate spoke against this bill to the subcommittee and Steve Arnold, NH Police Association, also spoke against this bill.  A representative from the Attorney General's office testified in opposition as well.  She said the Attorney General does not want this drug legalized in the state of New Hampshire.  She also pointed out some technical problems with the bill as well.

The proponents of the bill, Rep. Fontas and Rep. Weed, do not want to see ordinary citizens penalized for what they see as recreational use.  They feel it is not a major drug, and they want the penalty for 1.25 ounces to be a violation.

This bill is scheduled to be voted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.  I have attached a link of the members of the Criminal Justice Committee so that you can contact them to express opposition to this bill before they vote next week.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H26 

HB 1222 - AN ACT prohibiting writing a text message while driving

The original amendment the subcommittee had proposed (enhancing the negligent driving statute) was not accepted by Legislative Services.  Therefore, the subcommittee's recommendation was No Recommendation, and the bill was debated by the full committee.

The House Transportation Committee voted Ought to Pass with Amendment (Vote 9-4) on HB 1222.

I have attached the amendment for your review.  There are some issues with the Amendment with wireless carriers, and the exception for law enforcement was left out of this amendment.  Earl Sweeney is aware of the issues, and we will be working on it in the Senate

HB 1470 - Relative to vehicular pursuits by police officers

The House Criminal Justice Committee passed HB 1470 with Amendment (Vote

was 17-0) this week.  The amendment is hand-written on page 2.  It

simply adds, " . . . and Sheriff's departments . . . "

It will now go on to the full House for a vote (probably March 5th).

HB 1129 - AN ACT relative to special number plates for municipal police department vehicles

The House Transportation Committee voted Ought to Pass (Vote 11-0) on HB 1129.

It will now go to the full House to be voted on (probably March 5th).

HB 1643-FN -AN ACT relative to medical benefits payment by the retirement system for eligible group I teachers and political subdivision employees in the retirement system.

The subcommittee on HB 1643 met again yesterday afternoon. 

Lisa Shapiro testified to the subcommittee that this is a workforce issue. 

The committee wanted to know if there really would be a "run" on the system of teachers retiring if they do not pass this bill.  It was also noted that this bill includes Group I division employees, in addition to the teachers.  The members of the subcommittee are each calling their school districts to get a better sense of what will happen if they pass this bill.  They plan to bring that information with them to the next subcommittee meeting next week.

They have scheduled one more subcommittee for next week, Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., Room 306, LOB.  They will vote at the end of that meeting

 HB 1519-FN - AN ACT relative to the determination of gainful occupation for a group II member receiving a disability retirement allowance from the retirement system

The subcommittee on HB 1519-FN voted Ought to Pass (Vote 4-1) yesterday.  It will now go on to the full Committee for a vote next week.

 HB 1235 - AN ACT relative to motorist duties when approaching highway emergencies

The House Transportation Committee voted Ought to Pass with Amendment (Vote 14-0) on HB 1235 this week.  This was an effort by AAA and is part of their Move Over Campaign.

It will be voted on by the full House on March 5, 2008.

HB 1364-FN - AN ACT relative to public employee collective bargaining negotiations under the public employee labor relations act.