GSNC

Should NH require rear-facing car seats for children under 2 years old?

Should NH require rear-facing car seats for children under 2 years old?

New Hampshire state law doesn’t require adults to wear seat belts, but the law is not so laissez-faire when it comes to infants. Passengers under age seven must be fastened by a child restraint system (e.g. a car seat) with specific rules spelled out by the federal government. Now, the Legislature is set to vote on SB 118, a bill that would require rear-facing car seats for children less than two years old.

Should New Hampshire lessen the penalty for driving without a driver’s license?

Should New Hampshire lessen the penalty for driving without a driver’s license?

There are a variety of reasons someone might break the law by driving without a valid driver’s license—they let it expire, or their family couldn’t afford drivers’ education courses, for example. If someone drives without a license because they can’t pass a safety test, however, it puts everyone on the road at risk. A 2015 law introduced stricter penalties for those who drive without a license. Now New Hampshire is considering HB 201, a bill to roll back some of thodrvse changes. 

Should NH remove the requirement for schools to offer free period products in bathrooms?

Should NH remove the requirement for schools to offer free period products in bathrooms?

This year there has been a lot of attention on school policies related to sex and gender, but not every bill has received the same scrutiny. One bill, HB 129, would ease the state requirements for schools to provide free pads and tampons in bathrooms. The bill received almost no attention in the House of Representatives but may hit some roadblocks in the Senate.

Should NH make it a misdemeanor to intentionally make false reports of child abuse and neglect?

Should NH make it a misdemeanor to intentionally make false reports of child abuse and neglect?

Sometimes, reporting instances of child abuse can mean the difference between life and death for children in troubled homes. But what about when someone makes a report of child abuse in bad faith? For example, what if a relative falsely reports that a family member is abusing or neglecting their children, simply to humiliate them? A bill before the New Hampshire Legislature would seek to punish such bad faith reports.

Should electric vehicle owners pay an annual fee to offset lost gas tax revenue?

Should electric vehicle owners pay an annual fee to offset lost gas tax revenue?

Over the past two years President Biden has championed transportation upgrades, from bridge repairs to electric vehicle tax credits. While federal funds for these initiatives will have a big impact on New Hampshire, they don’t address an underlying problem: New Hampshire relies on the gas tax to fund its transportation infrastructure, and those dollars are slowly dwindling. To help bridge the gap, the New Hampshire Legislature is considering a new fee structure for electric cars.

Should NH allow students to test out of the requirement to attend high school?

Should NH allow students to test out of the requirement to attend high school?

As tuition costs continue to rise, many have questioned whether college is worth the time and money it takes to get a degree. Many students who might otherwise have pursued a bachelor’s degree are finding it more attractive to begin working and building their careers right out of high school. A somewhat similar debate that has gotten far less buzz—whether high school is really necessary—is now taking place in New Hampshire thanks to HB 399.

Does NH need to license massage establishments?

Does NH need to license massage establishments?

For several years the New Hampshire Legislature has considered bills to license massage establishments, similar to how the state licenses nail salons and barbershops. At first glance this seems like many other licensing debates, with tension between public health and government overreach. A deeper look uncovers an ongoing discussion over how to fight human trafficking in the Granite State.

Should NH exempt domestic abuse victims from wiretapping law?

Should NH exempt domestic abuse victims from wiretapping law?

Part of what makes the study of public policy so fascinating is how even the most admirable proposals can warrant deeper scrutiny. A great example of this is found in HB 143, a bill before the NH House of Representatives that would allow domestic violence victims to secretly record their abusers without running afoul of the state’s wiretapping law. 

Democracy Toolkit: How do I write a letter to the editor?

Democracy Toolkit: How do I write a letter to the editor?

If you care deeply about an issue or want to convince people in your community to vote for your favorite candidate, a great option is to write a letter to the editor. A letter to the editor is a short essay that you can submit to your local paper for the chance to have it appear in print and online. Follow the steps below to get started.

Democracy Toolkit: How do I contact a legislator or other official?

Democracy Toolkit: How do I contact a legislator or other official?

Elected representatives and government officials are there to serve us, the people. Most of them are happy to receive feedback and requests from their constituents—it helps them do their job. If you try to reach out and an individual is unresponsive or not receptive to you, keep that in mind the next time you cast your vote.

How do I thoroughly research my candidates?

How do I thoroughly research my candidates?

If you wish to be a more informed voter, you’ll want to research your candidates thoroughly before you vote. While they may be running as Democrats or Republicans, there are self-proclaimed anarchists, secessionists, pacifists, socialists, scientists, massage therapists, chicken farmers, hometown heroes, and recent arrestees all on the ballot this year.

Should NH allow teens to work more hours during the school week?

Should NH allow teens to work more hours during the school week?

New Hampshire law places restrictions on the hours that minors can work a job while school is in session. The law, intended to make sure young people have time to focus on their education, could be significantly pared back if the governor signs SB 345. The debate has folks on both sides fired up, between business owners desperate for more help and those who say it puts business before education.

A recent history of redistricting in NH

A recent history of redistricting in NH

Every ten years officials must redraw voting districts to reflect population changes, according to the U.S. Census. Right now New Hampshire’s redistricting process is held up at multiple levels, with the governor and Legislature at odds and lawsuits before the state Supreme Court. New Hampshire candidates are scheduled to file their first campaign paperwork in June, so the clock is ticking to finalize new voting districts. Will the governor and legislators agree on redistricted maps that meet constitutional muster, or will the courts step in? If the courts act, will they keep current maps in place for now or will they draw completely new maps? Whatever the decision, it will have a big impact on who represents you. Looking back at the last three rounds of redistricting in New Hampshire provides some examples of how this year’s redistricting might play out.

Should NH institute a “housing champion certification program” to incentivize municipalities to develop workforce housing?

Should NH institute a “housing champion certification program” to incentivize municipalities to develop workforce housing?

It’s hard to think of a New Hampshire issue that impacts more people than the housing shortage. Whether you are a renter or you own your own home, the limited availability of housing in New Hampshire likely affects your finances directly or indirectly. As housing costs increase, the need for workforce housing in particular has come into focus. This year, the Legislature considered a large piece of legislation, SB 400, meant to address the problem. The bill, which was championed by Gov. Sununu, contained a slew of programs and incentives aimed at increasing the supply of workforce housing. The House tabled the bill on May 5, which means the bill is unlikely to pass this year. Still, many of the policies contained in SB 400 are repeats from previous years and might find their way into final bill negotiations. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on one of the more contentious parts of SB 400: the “Housing Champion Certification Program.”

Who should have the power to open roads to OHRVs: local officials or full town meetings?

Who should have the power to open roads to OHRVs: local officials or full town meetings?

In recent years New Hampshire’s Coos County has transformed into a mecca for off highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs). In addition to hosting a long system of trails, many North Country towns allow OHRVs to travel on regular roads. While this may have boosted roadside business, it has also increased conflict with town residents. In 2021 the Fish and Game Department announced it was so overwhelmed with calls, it would no longer respond to complaints about OHRVs on town roads; those calls would be left to local police. Now the New Hampshire Legislature is debating whether state law should require a full town meeting vote to open or close a road to OHRVs.