Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (01/14/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB41 00:05:09.479 - 12:04:16 PM	Public Hearing	changing the reckless driving minimum penalties.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024
SB14 00:16:06.519 - 12:15:13 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses.	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024
SB15 01:25:49.880 - 1:24:56 PM	Public Hearing	relative to establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024

SB41: Regina Berzel, State Senator for District 19 (Derry, Hampstead, Windham) Support00:05:09.479 - 12:04:16 PM; Senator Regina Berzel introduced Senate Bill 41, emphasizing its origin as a request from the Department of Safety due to increasing highway deaths and speeding issues. She highlighted the severity of speeding over 100 mph, noting a recent incident where a driver was clocked at 177 mph. The bill proposes penalties of $750 for the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses, along with license revocation for 90 days to one year, aiming to prevent accidents and deaths on highways.
SB41: Captain Matt Amuchi, New Hampshire State Police Support00:07:51.360 - 12:06:58 PM; Captain Matt Amuchi supported Senate Bill 41, presenting data on the increase in reckless driving, particularly speeds over 100 mph. He provided statistics showing a significant rise in such cases over the past few years and emphasized the need for increased minimum penalties as a deterrent. He addressed questions on the choice of 100 mph as the threshold and the effectiveness of penalties in deterring reckless driving.
SB14: Senator Bill Ganon, District 23 Support00:16:06.519 - 12:15:13 PM; Senator Bill Ganon introduced Senate Bill 14, aimed at increasing penalties for fentanyl-related offenses, highlighting the tragic impact of fentanyl on families in his district. He emphasized the need for mandatory minimums as a deterrent, citing testimonies from law enforcement and the stories of affected families. He proposed a three-legged approach of rehabilitation, punishment, and deterrence to combat the fentanyl crisis.
SB14: Jay Ruais, Mayor of Manchester Support00:23:18.679 - 12:22:25 PM; Mayor Jay Ruais of Manchester supported Senate Bill 14, emphasizing the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic, particularly fentanyl, on the city. He shared statistics on drug-related arrests and the success of local initiatives in reducing opioid overdoses. He advocated for the bill's mandatory minimum sentences for possessing significant amounts of fentanyl as a means to combat the crisis and protect the community.
SB14: Melissa Davis, Director of the Criminal Practice Clinic at UNH Law, New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Oppose00:28:25.880 - 12:27:32 PM; Melissa Davis opposed Senate Bill 14, arguing that mandatory minimums do not deter those with substance use disorders and could criminalize personal use. She highlighted the success of current harm reduction and treatment strategies in reducing overdose deaths and criticized the bill's potential to increase costs and legal complications without addressing the root causes of addiction.
SB14: Dan Morgan, Director of TLC Recovery Programs, Claremont and Lebanon Oppose00:38:50.599 - 12:37:57 PM; Dan Morgan opposed Senate Bill 14, stressing the importance of prioritizing treatment over punishment for those with substance use disorders. He shared personal and professional experiences to illustrate the ineffectiveness of mandatory minimums in addressing addiction and the potential negative impact on recovery efforts.
SB14: Michelle Lennon, Pastor of Northfield Tilton Congregational Church, Campton Oppose00:50:20.920 - 12:49:27 PM; Michelle Lennon opposed Senate Bill 14, sharing her personal experience with her husband's addiction and recovery. She emphasized the need for customized treatment and support rather than incarceration, arguing that mandatory minimums could harm families and hinder recovery efforts.
SB14: Jake Berry, Vice President of Policy at New Futures Oppose00:56:18.000 - 12:55:25 PM; Jake Berry opposed Senate Bill 14, arguing that mandatory minimums do not prevent overdoses or drug-related crimes and could undermine the state's treatment and recovery systems. He highlighted the importance of addressing substance use disorder as a health issue rather than a criminal one.
SB14: Sean Caruso, Assistant County Attorney, Hillsboro North County Attorney's Office, Manchester Support01:01:37.960 - 1:00:44 PM; Sean Caruso supported Senate Bill 14, clarifying that it would apply to those with prior convictions and intent to sell, not just possession. He argued that mandatory minimums could deter drug dealing and emphasized the need for a clear message that selling fentanyl has significant consequences.
SB14: Devon Chaffee, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire Oppose01:16:46.040 - 1:15:53 PM; Devon Chaffee opposed Senate Bill 14, arguing that mandatory minimums are expensive, ineffective, and unjust. He highlighted the historical rejection of such policies in New Hampshire and emphasized the importance of judicial discretion and evidence-based solutions like increased access to naloxone.
SB15: Senator Bill Ganon, District 23 Support01:25:49.880 - 1:24:56 PM; Senator Bill Ganon introduced Senate Bill 15, which proposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for the distribution of a controlled drug resulting in death. He stressed the importance of punishing those who knowingly sell drugs that lead to fatalities, using personal stories from his constituents to illustrate the need for such measures.
SB15: Melissa Davis, Director of the Criminal Practice Clinic at UNH Law, New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Oppose01:28:14.280 - 1:27:21 PM; Melissa Davis opposed Senate Bill 15, arguing that it could unfairly penalize drug users rather than dealers. She highlighted the need for judicial discretion in sentencing and the success of current prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies in reducing overdose deaths.
SB15: Sean Caruso, Assistant County Attorney, Hillsboro North County Attorney's Office, Manchester Support01:39:12.599 - 1:38:19 PM; Sean Caruso supported Senate Bill 15, emphasizing the need for a deterrent effect and punishment for those who distribute drugs leading to death. He noted the rarity and difficulty of prosecuting such cases and suggested that mandatory minimums could encourage cooperation in investigations.
SB15: Devon Chaffee, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire Oppose01:52:05.280 - 1:51:12 PM; Devon Chaffee opposed Senate Bill 15, arguing that it would not reduce overdose deaths and could unfairly target friends and family members of the deceased. He emphasized the lack of evidence supporting mandatory minimums and advocated for increased access to overdose prevention services.
SB15: Anina Hansen, Resident of Peterborough Oppose02:02:32.040 - 2:01:39 PM; Anina Hansen opposed Senate Bill 15, sharing her personal experience with addiction and loss. She argued that mandatory minimums would not help those struggling with addiction and could miss opportunities for effective interventions. She advocated for a more compassionate approach to addressing the drug crisis.

Gannon, Bill(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Abbas, Daryl(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Carson, Sharon(R)[C]2024
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2024	Reardon, Tara(D)