A bill that would have eliminated New Hampshire’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board was revived in committee today after previously being listed as dead. Several other bills moved through the Senate pipeline, including measures touching election security, utility ownership, and greenhouse gas revenue.
Killed
One bill died today:
- SB 44 — Would have required or allowed hand counting of ballots in elections. Killed via voice vote in committee.
On the Move
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HB 570 — A bill to repeal the NH Prescription Drug Affordability Board was revived and is back in committee. The board works to reduce prescription drug costs for state residents.
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HB 1541 — Requires the Secretary of State to provide all voting precincts with secure containers for ballot storage. Cleared committee on a unanimous 5-0 vote and is now active in the Senate.
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HB 1738 — Would change how revenue from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auctions is returned to NH ratepayers. Now active before the Senate Energy committee.
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HB 1775 — Would allow NH utilities to own natural gas and nuclear power generation facilities, reversing rules put in place during energy deregulation in the late 1990s. The bill passed the House twice — 191-149 and 198-153 — and is now active in the Senate.
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HB 1584 — Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to notify people about available medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements, and simplifies the exemption form. Passed the House 197-163 and is now active in the Senate.
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HB 208 — Would modify certification requirements for school nurses, aimed at addressing hiring shortages. Previously listed as dead, the bill is now back in the Senate.
Notable Votes
- HB 1541 passed its Senate committee 5-0, a unanimous margin that suggests broad bipartisan support for standardizing ballot storage equipment across precincts.
- HB 1775 passed the House twice with similar margins (191-149, then 198-153), indicating sustained but not overwhelming support for re-integrating utility generation ownership.
- SB 44 was killed by voice vote, meaning no individual roll call was recorded.
To see how your specific legislators voted on these bills, visit nhpolitics.org/find-your-rep.