Four roll-call votes landed Thursday on elections and housing issues, while two bills moved into committee review.
The day’s activity centered on a cluster of voting-related bills and housing development measures, with all four roll-call votes splitting along party lines. Two housing bills also shifted to committee status.
Notable Votes
All four votes Thursday were party-line.
HB 317 passed the Senate and would require photo ID at the polls even when a checklist supervisor personally recognizes a voter — eliminating an existing exception that allowed supervisors to vouch for known residents.
HB 1062 would authorize the secretary of state to conduct random audits verifying the citizenship of registered voters. Supporters frame it as an election integrity measure; opponents argue it risks burdening eligible voters with additional verification requirements.
HB 1588 is currently in the Senate Commerce Committee and would create special assessment districts and expand a state grant program to fund water, sewer, and road upgrades tied to new housing construction. A state appropriation is included.
HB 1279 is before the Senate Judiciary Committee and would modify state law governing when the use of physical force in defense of a person is legally justified.
On the Move
SB 564 moved back into committee. The bill would bar municipalities from imposing certain development restrictions, targeting zoning rules that can limit new housing construction.
SB 481 also moved into committee. Sponsored by Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D), the bill sets terms for the state’s sale of the former Sununu Youth Services Center property, a facility that has been closed following documented abuse.
To see how your state senator and representative voted on any of these bills, visit nhpolitics.org/find-your-rep.