Voting Recommendations Senate Session May 31 & House Session June 1, 2017

HB215
(Judiciary)

Establishing a commission to study the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana.

OTP-A

NAY

We support passing this bill unamended, as we believe the amendment weakens the commission to study the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana by removing: ACLU, Marijuana Policy Project, Medical Society, Bar Association, 2 state representatives & 2 members of public; and by adding: Chief Justice of the New Hampshire superior court & banking commissioner.

HB580
(Finance)

Regulating online fantasy sports contests.

OTP-A

NAY

We support the amendment which eliminates the high fees.

However we oppose the bill as a whole. Some of the definitions are also confusing and appear to prohibit any contest where the point spread is within the point margin of any single player; and could be construed to prohibit filling out a March Madness bracket, as the outcome is “based on the performances of participants in collegiate athletic events”

HB562, which was retained by the House Ways & Means Committee, is a much better bill, in that it explicitly exempts “Online Gambling” from other gambling offenses.

HB164
(Finance)

Relative to poker in private residences.

OTP

YEA

HB372
(Election Law)

Relative to construction of the terms “resident,” “inhabitant,” “residence,” and “residency.”

Re-refer

YEA

HB170
(Judiciary)

Relative to posting notice and minutes of public meetings on the public body’s website.

OTP

YEA

SB3
(Election Law)

Relative to domicile for voting purposes.

OTP-A

NAY

Current law allows use of Age, Identity, Citizenship & Domicile Affidavits as proof of eligibility and qualifications to vote. SB3 would eliminate only the Domicile Affidavit, while retaining Age, Identity & Citizenship Affidavits.

There is no compelling government interest in eliminating only 1 of these affidavits.

The bill will make it more difficult for privacy advocates and homeless individuals to prove domicile, while still allowing both to use an affidavit to satisfy the Age, Identity & Citizenship requirements.

SB3 is a solution in search of a problem, and if passed will codify in statute: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

SB114
(Election Law)

Prohibiting a candidate from receiving the nomination of more than one party.

ITL

NAY

There have been several variants of this bill over the years to eliminate the limited fusion that exists in NH.

SB114 would still allow a party to nominate a candidate via write-in at the primary, however it would prevent a candidate from accepting the nomination of more than 1 party. If a voter can only be registered with one party, a candidate should only be able to be placed on the ballot one time.

Current statute allows what is akin to “forced fusion” that’s to say the Party has no final say over whether or not to jointly nominate a candidate. SB114 would prevent this forced fusion.

A better bill would grant party autonomy in determining nominees while preventing forced fusion.

HB160
(Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs)

Relative to use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.

Senate Amendment

CONCUR

HB247
(Election Law)

Relative to retention of voter registration forms.

Senate Amendment

CONCUR

HB389
(Election Law)

Relative to voters with physical disabilities.

Senate Amendment

CONCUR

HB640
(Criminal Justice and Public Safety)

Relative to the penalties for possession of marijuana.

Senate Amendment

CONCUR