The New Hampshire House of Representatives received a mandate from the voters of this state to cut state spending; reduce taxes and fees; return fiscal sanity to the state; promote economic development and create jobs; mend a state retirement system that was nearing insolvency; provide our children with an education based on excellence; protect the personal rights and freedoms of its citizens; and maintain transparency in state government. Listed here is a compilation of legislation passed by the 2001 New Hampshire House of Representatives in response to that message that they received in November from the voters:
Transformative Change:
- Passed a constitutional amendment to require a supermajority in the House and Senate to raise taxes or borrowing. (CACR 6)
- For the first time in NH history, that included more that 50 attempts in the legislature, the House passed a constitutional amendment to expand local control of education funding by returning authority to elected officials, not unelected judges. (CACR 12)
Setting an example for our citizens by “living within our means:”
- Passed a fiscally responsible budget that, (1) was balanced by using realistic revenue figures; (2) did not increase taxes or fees; (3) does not downshift onto local property taxpayers; and (4) does not increase borrowing, setting New Hampshire on a financially sustainable path will allow our economy to grow and create more jobs. (HB 1 & 2)
- Passed an education funding formula that maintains existing levels of aid to communities and allows additional targeted aid to needy cities and towns. (HB 337)
- Passed a bill to allow local communities to enact tax and spending caps. (HB 341)
Moving our economy forward, creating more jobs and putting out the “Open for Business sign” in New Hampshire once again.
- Passed a small business tax cut to protect reasonable compensation from the business profits tax.(HB 557)
- Passed a cigarette tax reduction to make New Hampshire more competitive in the region and enhancing cross-border sales. (HB 156)
- Passed legislation eliminating a tax on gambling winnings that was costing the state revenue. (HB 229)
- Passed a bill to reduce electricity costs by repealing the state’s cap-and-trade program. (HB 519)
- Passed numerous bills reducing regulations on business, which in turn will help to create more jobs for New Hampshire workers. (HBs 26, 30, 95, 109, 117, 133, 136, 141, 142, 143, 155, 173, 230, 248, 262, 276, 289, 291, 322, 333, 381, 404, 441, 450, 488, 503, 540, 570, 617, 651)
- Passed Right-to-Work legislation to expand opportunities to attract employers to New Hampshire (HB 474)
- Passed legislation to create an innovation business job growth function in the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to promote venture capital and job growth throughout the state. (HB 605)
Keeping New Hampshire safe for its citizens:
- Passed a bill to expand the death penalty to cover those who commit murder during a home invasion. (HB 147)
- Passed a bill to reform early release law to keep violent prisoners behind bars and restore discretion to the parole board for those who re-offend. (HB 524)
- Passed legislation allowing law abiding New Hampshire residents to carry concealed weapons without requiring a permit. (HB 330)
- Passed a bill to allow the Castle Doctrine which permits the use of deadly force in the defense of oneself. (HB 210)
Returning transparency to NH state government:
- Passed a bill to open up records of annulments of crimes. (HB 82)
- Passed legislation to post agency spending information on state website. (HB 331)
- Passed a bill to allow for the recording of law enforcement officers while working. (HB 145)
- Passed a bill to allow access to accident reports involving publicly owned vehicles. (HB 347)
- Passed legislation to have state government use open source software. (HB 418)
Reforming state government and changing the way we do business:
- Passed a bill to overhaul the state’s lower court system. (HB 609)
- Passed legislation to move the state pension (HB 580) and retiree health plan (HB 231) back toward financial solvency.
- Passed a reorganization of state agencies to promote streamlining of functions and easier access for our citizens. (HB 635)
- Passed a bill to enact a performance-based measurement system for state government. (HB 508)
- Passed a bill to consolidate the Racing and Gaming Commission into the Lottery Commission. (HB 348)
- Passed legislation prohibiting the use of preferences for race, sex, religion or sexual preferences in state hiring. (HB 623)
Protecting the rights of New Hampshire parents:
- Passed legislation to require parental notification prior to a minor having an abortion. (HB 329)
- Passed a bill to ensure that students are not forced to attend schools teaching material which parents find objectionable. (HB 542)
Making education work for our parents and students:
- Passed a bill to allow small schools more flexibility to develop staffing plans that meet their students’ needs. (HB 290)
- Passed legislation to allow school to receive accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. (HB 130)
- Passed a bill to allow teachers to protect themselves and stop disruptive students from injuring classmates. (HB 375)
- Passed a bill to allow schools more flexibility in transportation options in transporting students. (HB 172)
- Passed legislation allowing charter schools to receive support for leased space. (HB 505)