Legislative Updates by Rep. Maureen Mooney for October, 2023

Greetings!

Next up in the New Hampshire House of Representatives is “Veto Day” on October 26, 2023. On this day, House members will vote to either sustain or overturn the Governor’s vetoed bills. A two thirds vote is required to overturn a veto (a higher vote standard than a simple majority).

In Part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution, it reads: “Every bill which shall have passed both houses of the general court, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor, if he approves, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it; if after such reconsideration, two thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with such objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and, if approved by two thirds of that house, it shall become a law. . .”

Here are some bills the Governor vetoed this year and summaries of his reasonings:

• HB 35 AN ACT requiring student identification cards to include the National Eating Disorders Hotline - “Since the legislature passed House Bill 35, the sponsor of the bill as well as numerous organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), have written to me asking for me to veto it. According to NAMI and multiple public reports, the National Eating Disorders Hotline staff were terminated, the call line was later shut down.” To read the Governor’s full veto message, click here: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/viewer.aspx?fileName=Calendars\2023\No%2040%20October%2006%202023.PDF

• HB 142 AN ACT relative to the operation of the Burgess Biopower plant – “New Hampshire ratepayers have been taken for over $200 million in order to subsidize the Burgess Biomass Plant in Berlin, NH. Enough is enough.” To read the Governor’s full veto message, click here: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/viewer.aspx?fileName=Calendars\2023\No%2040%20October%2006%202023.PDF

• HB 342 AN ACT relative to lead testing in children - “While I acknowledge the importance of blood lead level testing in children, this bill is redundant. Both RSA 130-A:-a and RSA 130-A:5-c require health care providers and parents or legal guardians to have blood lead level testing on children who are residing in New Hampshire at the ages of one and two. This bill raises the threshold for children who enroll in New Hampshire’s public schools and is an unnecessary barrier to entry. This bill may also incentivize future legislatures to require additional blood testing requirements for New Hampshire’s kids attending public school.” To read the Governor’s full veto message, click here: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/viewer.aspx?fileName=Calendars\2023\No%2040%20October%2006%202023.PDF

Community

I hope to see you at this Saturday’s (10/14/23) Central NH Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Merrimack Premium Outlets to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. This event is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide and approximately 1,250 people will participate in this year’s Walk in Merrimack.

The Merrimack Fire Rescue is having its annual Open House on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10am-2pm. Thank you to our Fire and Rescue personnel!

The Merrimack Police Department is having its annual Open House on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10am-1pm. Thank you to our Law Enforcement Officers!

See you around town!

Rep. Maureen Mooney is in her fifth term as a NH State Representative serving Merrimack. She serves on the House Finance Committee (Vice Chairman of Division III), the Fiscal Committee (alternate), and is co-chair of the Speaker’s Advisory Group. Her website is: www.votemooney.com and Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/maureenmooneynh.