By DALE GIRARD
This past Thursday, Feb. 20, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted on several significant bills, reflecting a delicate balance between community engagement, public safety and individual rights.
HB107, removes the requirement to label political advertising in newspapers, periodicals, or billboards as “political advertising” and passed on a division vote. Previously, the responsibility for placing this notification fell on publishers and printers, rather than on political candidates or Political Action Committees (PACs). Supporters of the bill argued that the “political advertising” label provided little, if any, meaningful information to New Hampshire voters. However, the purpose of this long-standing requirement was to help citizens distinguish between political material and informational reporting. Opponents of the bill argued that instead of eliminating the requirement, it should be updated to address modern challenges, such as AI-generated deepfakes, and extended to cover digital advertising.
Meanwhile, HB260-FN, which proposed a commemorative license plate celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence, received strong support. As amended, the bill allows the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles to design and sell these plates, with proceeds benefiting the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. However, some lawmakers voiced concerns about potential complications for law enforcement and toll collection without front plates. Despite these concerns, the bill passed by voice vote and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
HB368, aimed at prohibiting smoking and vaping in vehicles when passengers under 16 are present, faced significant scrutiny. The Transportation Committee noted that the bill, as written, would be challenging to enforce, as it classified the offense as a secondary action — meaning a driver could not be pulled over solely for smoking. Additionally, questions were raised about the practicality of determining passengers’ ages and the extent of tobacco use. While there was broad agreement on the dangers of secondhand smoke, the committee concluded that the bill infringed on privacy and property rights without effectively addressing the issue. The House had a roll call vote to Inexpedient to Legislate, ending its progress.
Finally, HB243-FN, which seeks to penalize false reports of child abuse or neglect. The bill aims to deter malicious accusations by informing complainants of potential criminal and civil penalties. However, concerns were raised about the possibility of discouraging legitimate reports due to fear of legal repercussions. Protecting children from harm must always be a priority, and any legislation that might deter good-faith reporting deserves scrutiny. This bill was a voice vote Out to Pass and will now be heard in the Senate.
Looking ahead, the full House will not meet this week, but several committees are working to meet deadlines for bills scheduled for crossover in early April. Additionally, the Finance Committee is finalizing recommendations for the biennial budget, which will soon be presented to the House for a vote before moving to the Senate.
These votes reflect the ongoing challenges of balancing community involvement, public safety and privacy rights. As your representative, I remain committed to thoughtful decision-making that best serves the interests of our community.
