March 19, 2011
To the Editor
Last week was a marathon three day session in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. One day lasted until 10 PM in the evening. Here are some of the bills that passed or were killed.
HB 329 passed mandating for parental notification to parents before an abortion can be performed on a minor daughter. We are only one of seven states that does not have a parental notification or consent law.
HB 513 died. This bill would allow state sanctioned suicide and the government to condone and be involved in the end-of-life decision of a citizen.
HB 524 passed correcting last year’s law that allowed for automatic early release from prison of persons convicted of violent or sex crimes. The bill also restores the power of the Parole Board.
HB 337 was passed. This insures all towns the same state educational funds in each of the next two years as received this year. This will allow budgeting stability to our school districts.
HB 213 passed as a small but first step in encouraging economic recovery and jobs by a small reduction in the business profits tax.
Killed was HB 577, a bill that would have mandated in-store aisle markings in as many as six languages in retail establishments.
Killed HB 569, a bill that would have establishes homosexual domestic unions between siblings, father son etc.
HB 609 passed insuring that the Milford District Court will remain open.
HB 147 passes the House making it a capital murder for a killing during a home invasion.
HB 210 passed allowing a person to use deadly force when faced with the threat of serious bodily injury or death. Current law mandates force only used if retreat is impossible.
In the next few weeks there will be debates and votes on the state budget. At the present time the economy and state revenues are such that we will be facing a budget deficit as much as a $600 to 800 million. To balance the budget for the next two years, cuts to the budget will be necessary in the range of 15 to 18 percent.
Representative Robert H. Rowe