Committee Summary for House Election Law (01/28/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB107 00:03:13.599 - 9:01:44 AM	Public Hearing	relative to political advertising printed in newspapers, periodicals, or billboards.	Perez, Kristine(R)[A]2024
HB336 00:22:44.200 - 9:21:15 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the placement of political advertisements on public right-of-ways.	Aron, Judy(R)[A]2024
HB423 00:41:54.760 - 9:40:25 AM	Public Hearing	requiring the consent of property owners for the placement of political advertisements on public property abutting their land.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[B+]2024
HB448 01:01:45.720 - 10:00:16 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study violations found by the April 25, 2023 ballot law commission.	Bernardy, JD(R)[A-]2024
HB626 01:48:23.239 - 10:46:54 AM	Public Hearing	directing the secretary of state to implement a vulnerability disclosure program for certain election systems.	McFarlane, Donald(R)
HB327 01:56:04.679 - 10:54:35 AM	Public Hearing	relative to filing for office and witnessing affidavits.	McFarlane, Donald(R)
HB630 03:07:04.279 - 12:05:35 PM	Public Hearing	preventing the dissemination of deepfake materials of political candidates before an election.	Cormen, Thomas(D)[CT]2024
HB474 03:32:43.960 - 12:31:14 PM	Public Hearing	requiring a second witness at the counting of write-in votes.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A]2024
HB327 03:46:39.120 - 12:45:10 PM	Executive Session	relative to filing for office and witnessing affidavits.	McFarlane, Donald(R)
HB626 03:48:12.840 - 12:46:43 PM	Executive Session	directing the secretary of state to implement a vulnerability disclosure program for certain election systems.	McFarlane, Donald(R)
HB389 03:52:12.800 - 12:50:43 PM	Public Hearing	requiring candidates to attest they have not spent more than $1,000 in an election.	Howard, Heath(D)[F]2024
HB336 04:03:00.760 - 1:01:31 PM	Executive Session	relative to the placement of political advertisements on public right-of-ways.	Aron, Judy(R)[A]2024
CACR3 04:23:56.960 - 1:22:27 PM	Public Hearing	relating to recall elections. Providing that the general court may authorize recall elections.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
CACR4 04:42:21.798 - 1:40:52 PM	Public Hearing	relating to voting eligibility. Providing that only legal resident citizens who are at least 18 years of age or older who reside in the place they claim as a domicile shall be eligible voters.	Ulery, Jordan(R)[A-]2024

HB107: Representative Perez Support00:03:13.599 - 9:01:44 AM; Representative Perez introduced HB107, describing it as a cleanup bill intended to reinstate a provision removed from a previous bill. The bill aims to relieve newspapers, periodicals, and billboards from the responsibility of marking political advertisements. This change was proposed following a case where a small newspaper owner in Londonderry was fined for not labeling political ads. Perez argued that it should not be the responsibility of the outlets to police candidate ads.
HB107: Kaye of Stadio, Durham voter and public policy fellow with Open Democracy Oppose00:05:08.160 - 9:03:39 AM; Kaye of Stadio testified against HB107, arguing that the existing statute requiring political advertisements to be labeled is rooted in common sense and essential for electoral transparency. They expressed concern that removing this requirement could lead to increased political misinformation. Kaye referenced a case where a newspaper publisher in Londonderry was fined for not marking political ads, emphasizing the importance of mandatory disclosure to hold candidates accountable. They urged the committee to vote against HB107 to preserve the integrity of campaign processes and media messaging.
HB336: Representative Judy Aaron, representing Alstead, Goshen, Lempster, and Washington Support00:22:44.200 - 9:21:15 AM; Representative Judy Aaron introduced HB336, aiming to clarify the law regarding the placement of political advertisements on public right of ways. She referenced an incident in Claremont where political signs were removed from the town green, leading to confusion and a legal exchange between the city and the Attorney General's office. The bill seeks to allow local municipalities to grant permission for signage on public land, addressing the inconsistency and confusion in the existing statute.
HB336: Representative Newsome Information Only00:26:39.159 - 9:25:10 AM; Representative Newsome asked about property rights in New Hampshire, specifically regarding the overlap between private property and public right of ways. They inquired whether the town could give permission to place signs in the right of way, which is also private property. Representative Aaron clarified that consent from both the municipality and the private landowner would be necessary if there was any overlap.
HB336: Representative P. Brian Information Only00:27:48.039 - 9:26:19 AM; Representative P. Brian sought clarification on the incident in Claremont that prompted HB336. They asked if the town had a tradition of allowing signs on the public green and whether the Black Lives Matter group could have placed their own signs there. Representative Aaron confirmed that historically, the town allowed signs and that the group was illegally removing signs, leading to the legal dispute with the Attorney General's office.
HB336: Representative Margaret Dry, Sullivan County District 7 Support00:29:58.600 - 9:28:29 AM; Representative Margaret Dry supports HB336 and shares her experience as an EMT and rescue personnel. She discusses the issue of political signs placed in the right-of-way causing distractions and safety concerns, particularly on country roads with sharp corners and blind driveways. She appreciates the bill's requirement for political subdivisions to grant permission for sign placement and hopes for clear guidelines to avoid confusion over what constitutes public land.
HB336: Sarah Burke Cohen, New Hampshire Municipal Association Support00:31:51.440 - 9:30:22 AM; Sarah Burke Cohen from the New Hampshire Municipal Association supports HB336. She explains that the bill clarifies where political advertising can be posted and the necessary consents for public and private property. The language in the bill aligns with property ownership and highway laws related to rights of way.
HB423: Representative Wier, Rockingham 14 Support00:41:54.760 - 9:40:25 AM; Representative Wier supports HB423 and shares his experience dealing with political advertising on his property. He discusses the confusion around RSA 664:17, which he believes gives him the right to control political advertising on his corner lot. He has faced challenges when removing signs, including a cease and desist order from the Attorney General's office. He proposes changes to the law to clarify the rights of abutters to object to and remove political advertising by laying it flat and attaching a note with their name and address. He hopes the committee will support these changes to improve the clarity of the law.
HB448: Representative JD Bernardi, Rockingham 36 (Hampton Falls, Kensington, South Hampton, Newton, Plaistow) Support01:01:45.720 - 10:00:16 AM; Representative JD Bernardi introduces HB448, which establishes a committee to study violations found in the April 5, 2023, ballot law commission report concerning the Senate District 24 election in 2022. He highlights the extensive volunteer work documenting over 100 election law violations, including issues with absentee ballot controls, counting machine operations, chain of custody, and voter registration lists. He notes that despite these violations being acknowledged by the ballot law commission and referred to the Attorney General, no legal action was taken due to the lack of attached penalties in New Hampshire election laws. He emphasizes the need for increased training, auditing, and penalties to address these issues and restore public trust in the election process.
HB448: Representative Mirad Information Only01:14:40.120 - 10:13:11 AM; Representative Mirad sought clarification on the actions and recommendations of the Ballot Law Commission regarding the findings and violations of election law. The commission identified the findings as legitimate but could not take action, so they referred the matter to the Attorney General. Mirad also corrected a typo in the bill's title, changing the date from April 25th to April 5th, and confirmed that the minutes of the April 5th meeting should include a discussion of these violations.
HB448: Representative Warry Information Only01:16:16.159 - 10:14:47 AM; Representative Warry asked for clarification on the scope of duties mentioned in the bill, specifically regarding training, auditing, and penalties. The response highlighted that the bill initially focused on penalties as a means to enforce compliance, but acknowledged the importance of training and auditing to improve compliance. Warry's inquiry was aimed at understanding the comprehensive approach needed to address election integrity.
HB448: Representative Gilmore Information Only01:17:47.440 - 10:16:18 AM; Representative Gilmore inquired about the existence of a list of violations, to which it was confirmed that such a list exists in a larger book containing 121 total violations, and copies could be made available if the committee decided to move forward with the bill.
HB448: David Scanlan, Secretary of State Information Only01:18:47.080 - 10:17:18 AM; David Scanlan, Secretary of State, provided an overview of the election process in New Hampshire, highlighting the role of citizens in running elections and the checks and balances in place, including recounts and appeals to the Ballot Law Commission and state courts. He discussed the human element in elections, comparing it to a classroom with varying levels of performance. Scanlan detailed the evolution of election procedures and training over the past 25 years, emphasizing ongoing training efforts and the need for resources to continue improving. He expressed concern about the punitive nature of the bill, fearing it might discourage people from participating in election roles due to fear of penalties for minor errors. He stressed the importance of education and oversight but cautioned against overly punitive measures that could undermine the willingness of citizens to serve as election officials.
HB448: Representative Wood Information Only01:28:03.040 - 10:26:34 AM; Representative Wood asked Secretary Scanlan about his position on the bill, to which Scanlan responded by supporting the need for transparency and oversight but expressed concern over the punitive language in the bill, which might discourage people from serving as election officials due to the fear of penalties for minor errors. He emphasized the importance of continuing education and resource allocation to improve election processes.
HB448: Representative Warry Information Only01:29:28.040 - 10:27:59 AM; Representative Warry inquired about handling situations of repeated non-compliance in a particular community. Secretary Scanlan explained the use of monitors in polling places where significant issues had been identified and the progressive steps taken to address these issues. He noted the role of the Attorney General's office in enforcement and mentioned instances where election officials were removed from office due to inappropriate actions.
HB448: Representative Gilmore Information Only01:32:36.199 - 10:31:07 AM; Representative Gilmore sought clarification on whether the bill targets local elected officials and not state personnel. Secretary Scanlan confirmed that the bill primarily focuses on local officials but emphasized the importance of accountability at all levels.
HB448: Representative Prudom Information Only01:33:27.679 - 10:31:58 AM; Representative Prudom shared an experience from their community where election law violations were addressed through the use of a monitor, which improved the situation. Secretary Scanlan agreed that monitors can be effective but noted challenges in finding qualified individuals to serve in this role.
HB448: Al Brandano, Kensington, NH Support01:35:16.760 - 10:33:47 AM; Al Brandano expressed disappointment in the lack of action on election integrity issues over the past four years, noting a decrease in public confidence. He discussed a citizen-led audit following a recount, highlighting serious issues with chain of custody and violations of election laws documented in multiple towns. Brandano emphasized the need for action to restore public trust, stating that habitual offenders must be addressed. He criticized the Attorney General's response to their findings and urged the committee to pass the bill to address these ongoing issues.
HB448: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:40:14.440 - 10:38:45 AM; The speaker expressed frustration with the lack of action from the committee over the past four years, particularly highlighting the negative impact of HB1154, which changed 22 election laws and was hidden within a health care bill. They questioned how the current bill would make a difference, suggesting that it could serve as a starting point for people to have hope. They emphasized the need for a review of election rules, pointing out issues with voluntary training (with less than 50% participation), habitual offenders, and the chain of custody of election materials.
HB448: Diane Fiser, Hampstead, NH Support01:42:12.719 - 10:40:43 AM; Diane Fiser shared a personal anecdote about a home plumbing issue to illustrate the need to identify and fix problems before they worsen, drawing a parallel to election integrity. She expressed her belief in the importance of the committee's work, emphasizing the need to examine election processes closely. Fiser mentioned having documentation and significant time invested in examining election issues, not just in her town but across the state and country. She stressed the importance of maintaining an open and fair election process and supported the bill as a means to ensure election integrity, while also acknowledging the Secretary of State's comments about punitive measures.
HB626: Representative Donald McFarland, Orange, NH Support01:48:23.239 - 10:46:54 AM; Representative McFarland introduced HB626, emphasizing the importance of election security and trust in the democratic process. He highlighted New Hampshire's history as a leader in election integrity, noting the state's paper trail law and high voter participation. The bill aims to allow security researchers to assess vulnerabilities in election systems and ensure transparent reporting of findings. McFarland stressed the nonpartisan nature of the bill, suggesting it could position New Hampshire as a national leader in election security. He proposed that the Secretary of State's office should create a test instance of the voter registration database for researchers.
HB626: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:53:03.280 - 10:51:34 AM; The speaker expressed support for the concept of the bill but raised a concern about potential vulnerabilities being publicly known before being fixed. They suggested adding a mechanism allowing the Secretary of State to address vulnerabilities before public disclosure.
HB626: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:53:37.360 - 10:52:08 AM; The speaker questioned the lack of a fiscal note on the bill, indicating potential costs associated with implementing the proposed security measures. They mentioned that the Deputy Secretary might have more information on this aspect.
HB626: Secretary Scanland Information Only01:54:23.560 - 10:52:54 AM; Secretary Scanland confirmed support for the bill's concept but suggested adding a provision that allows the Secretary of State's office to fix identified vulnerabilities before they are disclosed publicly.
HB327: Representative Donald McFarland, Orange, NH Support01:56:04.679 - 10:54:35 AM; Representative McFarland introduced HB327, which addresses challenges in the election filing process. The bill proposes allowing candidates in towns with limited clerk office hours to file directly with the Secretary of State and permits town clerks to witness affidavits without being notaries public. These changes aim to streamline the process and ensure equal access for all candidates. McFarland mentioned that the Secretary of State supports the proposal and urged the committee to recommend the bill for passage.
HB327: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:59:56.960 - 10:58:27 AM; The speaker suggested simplifying the filing process by allowing candidates to register either at the town clerk's office or the Secretary of State's office, without the need for specific hours or days. They asked McFarland if this change would be an issue, to which McFarland responded that it would not be a concern for him, though he suggested discussing it with the Secretary of State.
HB327: Bay Information Only02:00:34.719 - 10:59:05 AM; Bay, from the town of Orford, discussed the practical challenges of requiring town clerks to be notaries public. He referenced the town of Orford as an example, noting the difficulty in finding people willing to take up the role of town clerk due to low compensation and additional burdens such as notary qualifications. He expressed concern that adding more requirements could further deter potential candidates from serving as town clerks.
HB327: Aaron Hennessy Support02:02:05.239 - 11:00:36 AM; Aaron Hennessy, the Deputy Secretary of State, expressed support for the bill. He mentioned that their office currently handles filings for various offices and anticipates being busier during filing periods if the bill passes. He raised concerns about the language in the bill regarding the normal routine hours of clerks, suggesting it could be problematic due to limited access to such information. He was open to questions and suggested possible amendments to the bill.
HB327: C Information Only02:03:16.159 - 11:01:47 AM; Speaker C questioned the Deputy Secretary about concerns over clerks or deputy clerks not being notaries. The Deputy Secretary explained the timeline and potential issues related to becoming a notary, which could impact filing periods. There was a discussion about treating state representatives similarly to senators for filing purposes, and the Deputy Secretary confirmed this could be done. Additional concerns were raised about the background checks required for notaries and their potential impact on clerks.
HB630: Tom Corman, Representative from Lebanon Support03:07:04.279 - 12:05:35 PM; Representative Tom Corman, who represents Ward 3 of Lebanon, provided his background in computer science, having served as an Emeritus professor at Dartmouth College and previously chaired the computer science department. He highlighted his involvement with last year's bill HB1596, which he co-sponsored, aimed at prohibiting deceptive AI-generated deep fakes during elections. He explained that HB630 seeks to expand the definition of deep fakes covered under election laws to include those produced by any synthetic media technology, not just AI, to address the broader spectrum of digital manipulation techniques. He referenced a letter from Professor Hany Farid, a digital media forensics expert, who supports HB630 for its broader coverage of synthetic media. Corman argued that the current law's focus on AI-generated deep fakes is too narrow and does not cover other forms of digital manipulation like those created with Photoshop or Garage Band.
HB630: Representative Wood Information Only03:16:14.840 - 12:14:45 PM; Representative Wood questioned the necessity of the bill, expressing concerns that the focus on AI versus other digital manipulation techniques might be unnecessary, as many forms of digital illusions can already be addressed under existing election laws. He suggested that the bill might be redundant if current laws are sufficient to address these issues.
HB630: Representative Weary Information Only03:18:59.160 - 12:17:30 PM; Representative Weary sought clarification on the definitions within the bill, specifically regarding 'synthetic media' and 'deep fake'. He expressed reluctance to add new definitions if not necessary and questioned the use of 'deep fake' over a more general term like 'synthetic media message'. He also inquired if the term 'digital technology' was already included in the bill's initial definition of synthetic media.
HB630: Olivia Zinc, Executive Director at Open Democracy from Franklin Support03:21:58.399 - 12:20:29 PM; Olivia Zinc testified in support of HB630, emphasizing the need for disclosure of synthetic media used in elections due to the increasing prevalence of AI and deep fakes. She shared a personal experience of receiving a misleading voicemail before an election, underscoring the importance of transparency. She praised the committee's bipartisan efforts and urged support for the bill to strengthen protections against manipulated media in elections.
HB474: Representative Claudian Burnham Support03:32:43.960 - 12:31:14 PM; Representative Burnham expressed support for HB474, which requires a second witness during the counting of write-in votes. She argued that the bill addresses a gap in the current system where the moderator adjudicates write-in votes without a second set of eyes. According to Burnham, this change would ensure a bipartisan review, with the second witness being either a selectman or a town clerk as per the New Hampshire Constitution. She emphasized the importance of closing this gap to ensure that write-in votes are counted fairly.
HB474: Bro Dees, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose03:36:00.680 - 12:34:31 PM; Bro Dees from the New Hampshire Municipal Association opposed HB474, citing concerns over the bill's clarity and the additional burden it places on moderators. Dees highlighted the confusion over the requirement for a second witness from an opposing party, especially in nonpartisan offices like the moderator. He stressed that the process is already public and subject to scrutiny, with the option for party poll watchers, and questioned the necessity of the proposed change. Dees also mentioned the practical challenges in implementing such a requirement, including how moderators would appoint and swear in the second witness.
HB474: Representative Gilmore Information Only03:40:41.160 - 12:39:12 PM; Representative Gilmore shared their experience as a moderator for 12 years, explaining that they assign ballot clerks to count write-in votes manually due to their machine's limitations. They sought clarification on whether HB474 would require having a member of an opposing party involved in this process, especially since they do not know the party affiliations of their poll workers. This raised questions about the applicability of the bill to their situation and the practicality of implementing it.
HB474: Ain Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Information Only03:42:15.439 - 12:40:46 PM; Ain Hennessy, the Deputy Secretary of State, provided information on the application of HB474 specifically to electronic ballot counting devices that digitally display or print write-ins, like the Voting Works device. Hennessy explained the current training process, which involves two people working together to adjudicate write-ins, similar to the process with paper ballots. While not opposed to a team process being mandated by law, Hennessy raised concerns about the term 'opposing party' given the nonpartisan nature of the moderator's position. They suggested possible language changes to avoid politicizing the role of the moderator and clarified that the moderator can delegate this task to assistants.
HB474: Unnamed Representative Information Only03:44:15.520 - 12:42:46 PM; The representative asked the Deputy Secretary of State about the consistency of counting procedures in RSA 659:63 with the proposed changes in RSA 659:64a. They suggested amending 659:64a to explicitly state that the counting of votes should follow the principles outlined in 659:63 for public counting. The Deputy Secretary responded that if 659:63 requires public counting, then the votes in 659:64a would need to be counted publicly as well.
HB327: Unnamed Representative Information Only03:46:39.120 - 12:45:10 PM; The representative opened the executive session for House Bill 327 and expressed their support for the bill, which would allow anyone to sign up at the Secretary of State's office for affidavits, regardless of town clerk hours. Other representatives agreed with this sentiment, with Representative Gilmore mentioning their experiences in Orange and supporting the bill.
HB626: Unnamed Representative Information Only03:48:12.840 - 12:46:43 PM; The representative opened the executive session for House Bill 626, stating that the Secretary of State supports the idea of a vulnerability disclosure program but wants a provision allowing time to fix discovered problems before public disclosure. The representative found this concern reasonable. Representative Toner raised a question about potential conflicts with existing laws on public breaches, suggesting further review might be needed.
HB389: Representative Heath Howard, Strafford and Barrington Support03:52:12.800 - 12:50:43 PM; Representative Howard introduced HB 389, explaining that it requires candidates who do not spend or receive more than $1,000 in an election period to file a report. He highlighted that in 2022, a significant number of candidates did not file financial disclosures, which this bill aims to address by ensuring uniform compliance across all candidates through a simple checkbox system.
HB389: Deputy Secretary Hennessy Information Only03:53:58.960 - 12:52:29 PM; Deputy Secretary Hennessy discussed technical aspects of HB 389, confirming the system's capability to handle no activity reports. He noted a potential redundancy in the bill's language and suggested clarification on whether the bill applies to expenditures or both receipts and expenditures, referencing changes made in HB 1091 from the previous year.
HB389: Kaylee Estrada, representing Bob Perry, Open Democracy Support03:55:49.359 - 12:54:20 PM; Kaylee Estrada, representing Bob Perry of Open Democracy, supported HB 389, emphasizing its intent to minimize cynicism about non-filed financial reports. She stressed the importance of transparency in political spending as upheld by the Supreme Court and suggested the bill's checkbox mechanism would increase public confidence in candidates' compliance with financial reporting laws.
HB389: Olivia Zinc, Executive Director at Open Democracy, Franklin Support03:58:51.359 - 12:57:22 PM; Olivia Zinc supported HB 389, highlighting the inconsistency between online and paper forms for reporting campaign finance. She suggested that a checkbox would ensure uniformity and aid the Attorney General in investigations. She also recommended clarifying the language to state that candidates are under the reporting threshold, not just that there has been no activity.
HB336: Representative Mirad Information Only04:03:00.760 - 1:01:31 PM; Representative Mirad pointed out grammatical issues in HB 336, specifically a misplaced conjunction that could lead to confusion about whether permission from a political subdivision or the property owner is required for placing political signs. They suggested striking the political subdivision clause to clarify that only the property owner's consent is needed.
HB336: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:03:46.600 - 1:02:17 PM; The representative agreed with Representative Mirad's suggestion to strike the political subdivision clause from HB 336, emphasizing that signs on public rights of way over private land should only require the property owner's consent. They also discussed the bill's history, noting the sponsors' initial intent to allow signs on all public property, which they opposed.
HB336: Representative Newsome Information Only04:05:20.319 - 1:03:51 PM; Representative Newsome questioned whether the changes suggested for HB 336 would essentially maintain the status quo regarding sign placement. They noted the contradictory nature of current laws about signs on public property and highlighted the sponsors' attempt to address the underlying issue of where signs can be placed on public property.
HB336: Representative C Information Only04:06:07.720 - 1:04:38 PM; Representative C raised concerns about the need to differentiate between public property owned by the town and rights of way over private land, suggesting it could complicate the bill's application.
HB336: Representative Qua Information Only04:06:29.600 - 1:05:00 PM; Representative Qua supported the suggestion to remove the political subdivision clause from HB 336, arguing that it implied the subdivision could grant permission over private property. They suggested alternative language to clarify that signs on public property require the property owner's permission.
HB336: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:08:04.800 - 1:06:35 PM; The representative discussed the broader issue of where political signs should be allowed on public property, expressing a personal view against signs on public property altogether. They emphasized the need for clear policy on sign placement and raised questions about abutter rights related to signs on public land near private property.
HB336: Representative Toner Information Only04:10:22.560 - 1:08:53 PM; Representative Toner shared a similar view against littering public parks and commons with political signs but noted that their town allows signs in a designated area at the high school on election day. They questioned how this would fit into the proposed legislation.
HB336: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:11:09.800 - 1:09:40 PM; The representative clarified their position, stating they would be fine with towns passing ordinances to designate specific areas for political signs during elections but opposed a default allowance for signs on public property.
HB336: Representative Grill Information Only04:11:56.080 - 1:10:27 PM; Representative Grill agreed with the need for towns to designate specific areas for political signs and supported striking the political subdivision clause to defer to property owners. They also supported including language allowing for town-specific ordinances.
HB336: Representative Wood Information Only04:12:50.520 - 1:11:21 PM; Representative Wood expressed strong support for the use of political signs during elections, emphasizing their importance and the fun aspect of the political game. They argued against the bill's proposal to restrict signs on public property, citing the complexity and variability of local regulations and the engagement signs bring to the community. They mentioned that moving signs is a common practice and sometimes results in legal consequences, though they did not specify their stance on the bill itself.
HB336: The Chair Information Only04:14:23.640 - 1:12:54 PM; The Chair shared concerns about the cleanup of signs after primaries, noting that it often falls on local party members rather than the candidates themselves. They expressed a preference for stricter regulations on signs to prevent such issues and clarified that removing signs from one's own property is not a crime.
HB336: Ron Wilhelm Information Only04:15:09.279 - 1:13:40 PM; Ron Wilhelm, representing the North End of Manchester, discussed the potential for municipalities to regulate signs on public property. He expressed interest in working on an amendment that would allow signs in designated areas during certain periods but suggested a general ban otherwise. He also mentioned the complexity of handling state property and proposed an interim study to address the issue.
HB336: Representative Toner Information Only04:16:43.800 - 1:15:14 PM; Representative Toner clarified existing laws regarding political advertising on state-owned rights of way and federal property. They highlighted the conflict within election law and transportation statutes and suggested a need for clearer regulations. They also mentioned the issue of signs on state property in general, suggesting that the owner's permission should be required for any political advertising.
HB336: Representative O'Brien Information Only04:20:36.560 - 1:19:07 PM; Representative O'Brien shared observations about political signs in the community, noting the difference between signs on public and private property. They suggested that signs on private property signify a more personal investment in the candidate. They also mentioned an instance of a sign placed illegally on Route 89, indicating a need for better public understanding of sign placement rules.
HB336: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:22:08.119 - 1:20:39 PM; An unnamed representative shared an anecdote about their wife's reaction to political signs, indicating that excessive signs can become noise and fail to communicate effectively. They suggested using personal experiences to gauge public sentiment on political matters.
CACR3: Representative Mike Moffett, Merrimack District 4, representing Loudon and Canterbury Support04:23:56.960 - 1:22:27 PM; Representative Mike Moffett introduced CACR3, emphasizing the need for a recall procedure to allow citizens to remove elected officials before the end of their term. He highlighted the simplicity of the amendment, which adds only 22 words to the state constitution, enabling the legislature to develop a recall process. Moffett shared a story of a young girl's question about firing elected officials, underscoring the public's interest in such a mechanism. He addressed concerns about the existing two-year terms for state representatives but noted that the amendment primarily aims at municipal and county officials with longer terms. Moffett also mentioned the potential for addressing issues with appointed officials and responded to concerns about extremist groups misusing recall campaigns by citing examples from other states like California. He expressed confidence that the public would support this constitutional change.
CACR3: Representative Wood Information Only04:32:08.119 - 1:30:39 PM; Representative Wood inquired about existing methods for removing elected officials, specifically at the municipal level. They questioned the necessity of the proposed amendment, suggesting that current processes might be sufficient.
CACR3: Representative from Pittsfield Information Only04:32:55.159 - 1:31:26 PM; The representative from Pittsfield asked about the existing process for removing corrupt board members in any town, indicating that such processes are already in place but can be cumbersome.
CACR3: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:33:25.639 - 1:31:56 PM; An unnamed representative asked about the application of the proposed recall procedure to appointed officials, such as town clerks or state department heads. Moffett responded that the amendment would enable the legislature to create laws addressing such cases.
CACR3: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:34:57.520 - 1:33:28 PM; Another unnamed representative raised concerns about extremist groups using recall campaigns to challenge election outcomes frequently. Moffett responded by citing examples from other states and expressing trust in the American people to handle such situations appropriately.
CACR3: Representative Gusovsky Information Only04:36:32.680 - 1:35:03 PM; Representative Gusovsky questioned the necessity of the constitutional amendment, citing existing processes in Northwood for removing officials. They expressed concern about amending the constitution without a significant problem to address. Moffett acknowledged existing processes but argued for broader powers to handle more complex situations.
CACR3: Chair Information Only04:39:18.561 - 1:37:49 PM; The Chair announced the closure of the public hearing on CACR3, noting that there were no more speakers signed up. They mentioned the online and in-person sign-up counts: 9 in support, 32 opposed online, and 2 people signed up but did not speak, both against. The hearing was closed on schedule, and a two-minute break was announced before proceeding to CACR4.
CACR4: Jordan Oler, Hillsborough 13, Hudson Support04:42:21.798 - 1:40:52 PM; Jordan Oler, representing Hillsborough 13 from Hudson, introduced CACR4, emphasizing the need to clarify the term 'inhabitant' in the New Hampshire Constitution to ensure voting eligibility is restricted to legal residents who are at least 18 years old, citizens of the United States, and actually reside where they claim as their domicile. He mentioned recent cases where individuals from Massachusetts were charged for voting in Ashland, highlighting the need for clearer constitutional language to prevent such incidents and to codify the original intent of the constitution.
CACR4: Representative Wood Information Only04:44:34.560 - 1:43:05 PM; Representative Wood raised a question about the removal of the word 'inhabitant' in the bill text, specifically on page two, line 17. The speaker confirmed that it was an oversight and should be corrected, indicating attention to detail in the legislative drafting process.
CACR4: Liz Tantarelli, Manchester, League of Women Voters Oppose04:45:20.520 - 1:43:51 PM; Liz Tantarelli from Manchester, representing the League of Women Voters, opposed CACR4 due to the ambiguity of the term 'legal resident.' She argued that the term could confuse voters, particularly regarding the voting rights of homeless people, incarcerated individuals, and young adults without leases. She suggested that the existing constitutional language is clear enough and that adding 'legal resident' would only create confusion without enhancing voter eligibility criteria.
CACR4: Kaye Stadio, Durham, Open Democracy Oppose04:48:36.360 - 1:47:07 PM; Kaye Stadio from Durham, speaking on behalf of Open Democracy and Bob Perry, opposed CACR4. She argued that the amendment would remove the term 'inhabitant,' which has historical significance dating back to 1784, and could introduce ambiguity by not defining 'legal resident.' She highlighted the potential impact on students, overseas voters, and others who may not meet a strict residency requirement, urging the committee to vote ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) on the amendment. She also shared her personal situation as a student at UNH, emphasizing her connection to New Hampshire despite being from Massachusetts.
CACR4: Olivia Zinc, Franklin, Open Democracy Oppose04:52:27.798 - 1:50:58 PM; Olivia Zinc from Franklin, representing Open Democracy, opposed CACR4, expressing concern that the term 'legal resident' could inadvertently disenfranchise voters such as the homeless, recently divorced individuals, and elderly voters in nursing homes. She questioned the definition of 'legal resident' across various New Hampshire statutes and urged the committee to support voting rights by voting ITL on the amendment.
CACR4: Chair Information Only04:54:47.000 - 1:53:18 PM; The Chair closed the public hearing on CACR4, noting the online support and opposition counts: 110 in support and 95 opposed. They announced the next meeting schedule and the process for handling the bills heard that day, which would be noticed for executive sessions the following Tuesday. The Chair also mentioned needing to consult with the vice chairman about scheduling future bill hearings.

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