Voting Recommendations Senate Session May 11, 2017

Bill #

Title

Motion

HB151
(Judiciary)

Relative to industrial hemp as a controlled substance.

Re-refer

NAY

This bill is the same as HB494 (2015) that passed the House via voice vote before being ITL’d in the Senate, also via voice vote.
The House Criminal Justice Committee in 2015 recommended passage 16-0 stating: “It is the opinion of the committee that industrial hemp shall not be designated as a controlled substance.”
And this year, the Environment & Agriculture Committee in an 18-0 vote, recommended Ought To Pass, writing “Hemp is one of the most versatile plants on the planet. It should no longer be illegal to grow in New Hampshire… Unfortunately, the hemp issue has been confused and sometimes associated with the pro-marijuana movement in the United States. Unlike its cousin, hemp cannot be used as an intoxicant. It does not contain the psycho-active substances found in marijuana. Hemp could become a significant economic resource if widely cultivated. We buy and import hemp from Canada now which New Hampshire farmers could be profitably growing right here at home.”
We oppose the motion to Re-refer and support a motion on OTP.

HB171
(Executive Department & Administration)

Prohibiting the state or its political subdivisions from assisting a federal agency in the collection of electronic data without a warrant.

ITL

NAY

State and local police are not required to assist the federal authorities in violating your rights, or the rights of your constituents. HB171 simply seeks to require a valid warrant before state or local police assist federal authorities in collecting in the collection or use of a person’s electronic data or metadata, without that person’s informed consent.
We oppose the motion of ITL and support a motion on OTP.

HB209
(Executive Department & Administration)

Relative to the adoption of Atlantic Standard Time.

ITL

NAY

The change to AST would occur only if Massachusetts enacts the change to Atlantic Standard Time. This change has the desirable feature of removing the twice yearly shift to and from daylight saving time. More practically, if Massachusetts goes forward and New Hampshire does not, we would be left with the perpetual inconvenience of a time clock change every time we crossed the border.
Additionally, the Maine Senate has voted to adopt AST pending voter approval, and adoption by Massachusetts & New Hampshire. And legislators in Rhode Island will soon be considering a shift to AST.
We oppose the motion of ITL and support a motion on OTP.

Bill #

Title

Motion

Bill #

Title

Motion

HB97
(Executive Department & Administration)

Relative to the use of drones.

ITL

YEA

HB242
(Commerce)

Relative to the definition and regulation of e-cigarettes.

ITL

YEA

HB98
(Commerce)

Relative to brewpub licenses.

OTP

YEA

HB473
(Commerce)

Relative to the sale of gift certificates.

OTP

YEA

HB99
(Commerce)

Relative to beverage containers.

OTP

YEA