Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (04/29/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB514 00:06:07.600 - 12:04:53 PM	Public Hearing	allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.	Berry, Ross(R)[A-]2024
HB188 00:30:10.080 - 12:28:56 PM	Public Hearing	relative to contempt of the general court.	Packard, Sherman(R)[Spkr]2024
HB584 00:37:04.480 - 12:35:50 PM	Public Hearing	relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty.	Granger, Michael(R)[A+]2024
HB71 00:53:16.480 - 12:52:02 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) prohibiting the use of the facilities of a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education to provide shelter for aliens who have not been admitted into the United States and relative to department of health and human services contracts.	Harvey-Bolia, Juliet(R)[A]2024
HB511 01:21:54.320 - 1:20:40 PM	Public Hearing	relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A-]2024
HB584 02:18:40.000 - 2:17:26 PM	Executive Session	relative to public health, safety, and state sovereignty.	Granger, Michael(R)[A+]2024
HB2514 02:20:13.920 - 2:18:59 PM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB666 02:21:28.680 - 2:20:14 PM	Executive Session	relative to adding restitution payment for violations of the confidentiality of the library use records and adding library cards and membership status to the list of confidential matters.	Mazur, Lisa(R)[A]2024
HB522 02:22:37.720 - 2:21:23 PM	Executive Session	relative to the expectation of privacy in personal information maintained by the state.	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2024
HB381 1783S 02:23:37.800 - 2:22:23 PM	Executive Session	exempting firearms and firearm accessories manufactured for in-state use only from the National Firearm Act.	Belcher, Mike(R)[A]2024

HB514: Representative Ross Barry, representing the towns of Goffstown and Weare in Hillsborough County District 44 Support00:06:07.600 - 12:04:53 PM; Representative Ross Barry introduced House Bill 514, which aims to allow private persons to sue for violations of election law, addressing concerns raised from RSA 659. He explained that the current law restricts lawsuits to only be brought by the Attorney General, which limits citizens' ability to seek redress for election-related issues. The bill maintains the current procedure where complaints must first be filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ), but allows direct court action within 15 days of an election if necessary. It also preserves qualified immunity for election officials and limits attorneys' fees to prevent frivolous lawsuits. Barry responded to questions about potential issues with information release from the AG's investigations and emphasized the need for citizens to have the right to address election violations in court, especially given the time-sensitive nature of elections.
HB514: Representative Timothy Horgan from Strafford County District 6 Oppose00:14:18.600 - 12:13:04 PM; Representative Timothy Horgan expressed opposition to House Bill 514, stating that it could open the floodgates to unnecessary lawsuits despite the sponsor's assurances. He argued that existing mechanisms like the Department of Justice's election law division and the Ballot Law Commission are sufficient for addressing election irregularities. Horgan raised concerns about the bill's potential to burden the DOJ and criticized specific provisions, including the definition of political subdivisions as persons and the restrictions on attorneys' fees, which he believed might be unconstitutional. He recommended killing the bill or significantly rewriting it if it were to be retained.
HB514: Sarah Burke Cohen, representing the New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose00:17:52.000 - 12:16:38 PM; Sarah Burke Cohen from the New Hampshire Municipal Association opposed House Bill 514 due to its ambiguity, particularly around the potential for private rights of action against municipalities and by municipalities against the state. She also expressed concerns about the bill's language on attorneys' fees, suggesting it could interfere with contract law. Burke Cohen believed the bill could lead to an increase in vexatious complaints, which the Attorney General's office currently helps prevent.
HB514: Representative Henry Guay from Hillsborough County District 29 Support00:19:56.400 - 12:18:42 PM; Representative Henry Guay supported House Bill 514, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of the people, including privacy and the integrity of elections. He recounted instances in his district where government agencies released information to influence elections, leading to personal security concerns for affected individuals. Guay argued that the current system lacks a clear enforcement mechanism to prevent government interference in elections, and supported the bill's provision to allow private lawsuits as a means to hold officials accountable.
HB514: Kaylee Abstradio, Durham, Open Democracy Oppose00:21:47.559 - 12:20:33 PM; Kaylee Abstradio, a Durham voter and public policy fellow with Open Democracy, testified in opposition to HB514. She argued that the responsibility for enforcing election law should remain with the attorney general's office, as they are equipped to handle such matters impartially and with legal expertise. She expressed concern that shifting this authority to private citizens could lead to frivolous and politically motivated lawsuits, overwhelming the courts and wasting taxpayer dollars. Abstradio highlighted the potential chilling effect on local election officials, which could result in staffing shortages and increased caution among those who continue to serve, potentially undermining voter confidence and diverting resources from essential priorities like voter education and election security. She concluded by recommending consultation with the AG's office and urged the committee to find the bill inexpedient to legislate (ITL).
HB514: Kate Hill, Dover, Election Moderator Oppose00:24:41.880 - 12:23:27 PM; Kate Hill, an election moderator from Dover, spoke in opposition to HB514, highlighting her extensive experience in election management. She emphasized the effort put into recruiting and educating volunteers about election laws and procedures. Hill expressed concern that the bill would open election officials to litigation based on misunderstandings, potentially deterring people from serving in election roles. She shared her firsthand experience with voter education and addressing misinformation during elections, underscoring the potential negative impact of the bill on volunteer participation and election integrity.
HB188: Representative Steven Smith, Sullivan County District 3, Charlestown, Newport, Unity Support00:30:10.080 - 12:28:56 PM; Representative Steven Smith introduced HB188, a bill aimed at addressing the lack of a defined process for handling non-compliance with subpoenas issued by the House. He explained that the bill creates a statute regarding contempt of the general court, modeled after the federal contempt of Congress statute but tailored to the state legislature's operations. Smith noted that the bill passed the House without controversy and emphasized its purpose to provide a tool for extreme cases where documentation is withheld, potentially eliminating the need to use it if its existence deters non-compliance. He responded to questions about past instances where subpoena power could have been useful, citing an example where a state agency did not respond to a specific information request.
HB584: Representative Michael Granger, Strafford 2 Support00:37:04.480 - 12:35:50 PM; Representative Michael Granger introduced HB584, which aims to prevent public sector workers from enforcing mandates from international organizations in New Hampshire. He described globalism as an ideology seeking global governance and expressed concern about organizations like the WHO and the World Economic Forum acting as though they have sovereignty in the state. Granger argued that the bill is necessary to protect state sovereignty and prevent public employees from enforcing what he considers non-binding international edicts, particularly highlighting issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HB584: Kate Han, New Hampshire Association of Counties Oppose00:39:10.920 - 12:37:56 PM; Kate Han, representing the New Hampshire Association of Counties, opposed HB584 due to concerns about the private right of action it creates. She highlighted potential conflicts for counties, particularly in nursing homes, if policies recommended by international organizations are adopted by CMS. Han argued that counties would be forced to choose between facing lawsuits or losing their licenses, impacting their ability to serve vulnerable populations. She questioned the bill's clarity and potential unintended consequences on county operations.
HB584: Aubrey Freriedman, Bridgewater Support00:40:13.760 - 12:38:59 PM; Aubrey Freriedman from Bridgewater spoke in support of HB584, emphasizing the need to protect state sovereignty against potential future mandates from international organizations. He argued that while these organizations have not yet enforced mandates in New Hampshire, the possibility exists, especially considering past events like the COVID-19 lockdowns. Freriedman criticized the minority report's claim that the organizations listed in the bill would never issue enforceable mandates, pointing out the unpredictability of future scenarios and the importance of safeguarding against authoritarianism.
HB584: Representative Timothy Oregon, Strafford County District 10 Oppose00:43:49.359 - 12:42:35 PM; Representative Timothy Oregon from Strafford County District 10 opposed HB584, endorsing the minority report's view that the organizations listed in the bill have no direct influence over New Hampshire's governance. He acknowledged concerns about authoritarianism but argued that the World Economic Forum, WHO, and similar bodies do not have jurisdiction over the state. Oregon cited the WHO's positive role during the pandemic and questioned the necessity and potential counterproductivity of the bill, suggesting it be found inexpedient to legislate.
HB584: Melissa Blossk, Rebuild NH Support00:46:48.560 - 12:45:34 PM; Melissa Blossk from Rebuild NH supports HB584, which she refers to as the 'anti-globalist act'. She argues that the bill is essential for protecting New Hampshire's sovereignty by preventing the enforcement of mandates from international organizations like the WHO, UN, and World Economic Forum. She clarifies that the bill does not restrict the state from using research or guidance from these organizations but ensures New Hampshire is not forced into adopting mandates. Blossk highlights the ongoing efforts to amend the international health regulations by the WHO as a pressing concern, emphasizing the need for state sovereignty against potential international overreach.
HB584: Representative Henry Gis, Hillsborough 29th District Support00:49:36.880 - 12:48:22 PM; Representative Henry Gis, speaking from his perspective as a veteran, supports HB584. He stresses the importance of state and national sovereignty, arguing that international bodies should serve only as advisory. He mentions past decisions by the WHO and UN that he believes favored other countries over the U.S. and stresses that HB584 does not prevent following guidance from these bodies but maintains state sovereignty.
HB71: Juliet Harvey Bullia, Belknap District 3 Support00:53:16.480 - 12:52:02 PM; Juliet Harvey Bullia supports HB71, which is modeled after Senator Ted Cruz's 'Schools Not Shelters' bill. She emphasizes the negative impact of school closures during the COVID-19 period on children's mental health and stresses that schools should prioritize students. The bill prevents remote learning and the long-term use of schools for non-student populations, with exceptions for emergencies not exceeding 72 hours.
HB71: Aubrey Friedman, Bridgewater Support01:00:17.839 - 12:59:03 PM; Aubrey Friedman supports HB71, emphasizing that schools, funded by taxpayers, should be used for education, not housing. He mentions a non-germane amendment related to the patient bill of rights, which he supports for preventing discrimination based on vaccination status, referencing an incident at Dartmouth Hitchcock.
HB71: Representative Lee Supreme, Belknap District 8 Support01:02:33.599 - 1:01:19 PM; Representative Lee Supreme supports HB71, highlighting incidents at Logan Airport and a community center in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where facilities were used to shelter immigrants. She clarifies that the bill aims to ensure that publicly funded educational buildings are not used to house illegal aliens, with carve-outs for refugees and legal asylees.
HB71: Representative Henry Gis, Hillsborough 29th District Support01:06:10.720 - 1:04:56 PM; Representative Henry Gis supports HB71, clarifying that the bill does not prohibit emergency sheltering but ensures that tax-funded buildings, particularly schools, are used for their intended purposes. He argues against using these facilities for long-term housing, citing potential damage and increased law enforcement needs, and suggests the bill should extend to all municipal facilities.
HB71: Representative Timothy Han, Strafford County District 10 Oppose01:09:29.080 - 1:08:15 PM; Representative Timothy Han opposes HB71, arguing that the term 'alien' used in the bill is broader than 'illegal alien' and could include many legally present non-citizens. He points out that the bill might affect private and religious schools receiving state funds and questions its relevance since no cited examples involved schools.
HB71: Representative Stringham, Grafton County 3rd District Oppose01:13:34.640 - 1:12:20 PM; Representative Stringham opposes HB71, highlighting potential conflicts with federal guidance that could lead to a loss of up to $18 million in federal funding. He questions the practicality of the bill, noting that the conditions for it to apply (exclusively using schools for housing) are unlikely to occur.
HB71: Melissa Blasik, Rebuild NH Support01:17:55.080 - 1:16:41 PM; Melissa Blasik supports a part of HB71 unrelated to immigration, which adds language to the patient bill of rights to prevent denial of medical treatment based on vaccination status. She recounts an incident at Dartmouth Hitchcock where a patient was denied a kidney transplant due to her refusal of the COVID vaccine, despite the existing law, and suggests that adding this language to contracts would enforce the patient bill of rights more effectively.
HB511: Joe Sweeney, Representing Rockingham, District 25, Salem Support01:21:54.320 - 1:20:40 PM; Representative Joe Sweeney introduced HB511, emphasizing its purpose to ban sanctuary cities and policies in New Hampshire. He stressed that the bill requires state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities by honoring immigration detainers. Sweeney argued that sanctuary policies invite lawbreakers and compromise public safety. He highlighted that HB511 prioritizes public safety and supports law enforcement, clearly stating that illegal immigrants committing crimes in New Hampshire will face consequences without exceptions. He urged the committee to support the bill, emphasizing its role in protecting New Hampshire families and communities.
HB511: Senator Information Only01:24:49.199 - 1:23:35 PM; The Senator asked Representative Sweeney about potential conflicts between HB511 and other laws, specifically regarding participation in the 287G program, which allows local law enforcement to partner with federal immigration authorities. Sweeney clarified that HB511 includes a carve-out for 287G agreements, suggesting no conflict would arise.
HB511: Senator Information Only01:26:11.760 - 1:24:57 PM; The Senator further questioned the implications of HB511 on local governance, specifically whether the bill would usurp the authority of municipal boards over their law enforcement agencies. Sweeney responded that the bill empowers law enforcement agencies to partner with federal authorities independently of local government decisions, aligning with existing state requirements for law enforcement.
HB511: Mike Lambert, Hillsborough County Oppose01:28:09.360 - 1:26:55 PM; Mike Lambert from Hillsborough County opposed HB511, viewing it as part of a broader anti-immigrant legislative agenda used by the current administration to divide people. He argued against the dehumanization of immigrants, suggesting that instead of punitive measures, the state should help immigrants gain legal status and integrate into society. Lambert urged the rejection of HB511, promoting a more inclusive approach towards immigrants.
HB511: Tim Lethbridge, Superintendent of the Grafton County Jail, representing the New Hampshire Association of Counties Oppose01:31:25.080 - 1:30:11 PM; Tim Lethbridge testified in opposition to HB511 as written, emphasizing that while he does not advocate for sanctuary policies, the bill's requirements could impose significant costs on local jails. He explained that jails in New Hampshire cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the National Crime Information Center, notifying ICE of holds on inmates. However, he highlighted the challenges and costs associated with housing civil detainees separately from the criminal population to prevent predation and victimization, which could lead to lawsuits. He cited an example from Straford County where a medical emergency involving an ICE detainee incurred significant costs. Lethbridge suggested that the bill should only apply to jails with existing agreements with ICE to share the liability and costs, rather than burdening local taxpayers.
HB511: Linda Field, Peterbr, New Hampshire Oppose01:37:05.199 - 1:35:51 PM; Linda Field, from Peterborough, New Hampshire, opposed the bill, expressing concerns about the implications of local police involvement with ICE. She recounted an incident in her town where a long-term resident was detained by ICE, questioning the lack of due process. Field drew a parallel to historical events like the Holocaust, emphasizing the dangers of bystander behavior mandated by law. She argued against forcing local communities to act against their will, particularly when they have voted to be sanctuary cities, and expressed fear over the potential for actions against non-criminals, including children.
HB511: David Robbins, Reverend, Harrisville, New Hampshire Oppose01:41:50.400 - 1:40:36 PM; Reverend David Robbins from Harrisville, New Hampshire, opposed the bill, focusing on two main points. Firstly, he discussed a past town meeting where residents were concerned about losing local control over their police to ICE without any mention of sanctuary policies. He argued that ICE operates independently and does not need local police assistance. Secondly, he raised concerns about the financial implications and potential lawsuits resulting from the bill, citing the estimated cost of hiring an additional assistant attorney general as an example of the state's financial burden. He expressed concern over the state pressuring local towns against their inclinations.
HB511: Representative Timothy Oregon, Straford County District 10, Durham, New Hampshire Oppose01:46:39.840 - 1:45:25 PM; Representative Oregon expressed opposition to HB511, highlighting the inconsistency in American attitudes towards immigration. He noted that the Straford County Jail, which he is familiar with, houses individuals primarily for immigration-related issues rather than serious crimes. He argued that while legal immigration is preferred, the process is overly difficult, and shared an anecdote about a Brazilian police officer who fled to the U.S. due to a scandal. Oregon emphasized that most immigrants are not violent and suggested that towns and cities should be allowed to have sanctuary policies, citing potential issues with mass deportation and the impact on community members.
HB511: Glennifer Gillespie, Peterbr, New Hampshire Oppose01:50:27.920 - 1:49:13 PM; Glennifer Gillespie, a legal immigrant from South Africa, strongly opposed HB511, particularly clause one, which she believes infringes on the town of Peterborough's right to make decisions about their police department's involvement with ICE. She moved to New Hampshire for its grassroots democracy and supports local control over policing decisions. Gillespie cited an incident in Peterborough where local Mexican restaurant workers were removed by ICE, emphasizing that these individuals were not criminals and that local decisions should prevail.
HB511: David Blair, Harrisville, New Hampshire Oppose01:56:44.800 - 1:55:30 PM; David Blair opposed HB511, describing it as an unfunded mandate that would stretch local police resources thin. He argued that local law enforcement should focus on community safety rather than federal immigration enforcement. Blair also criticized the bill for potentially encouraging racial profiling and undermining trust between immigrant communities and local police, which could lead to less safe cities. He shared his experience working with immigrants and refugees, emphasizing the importance of trust in law enforcement.
HB511: Representative Ross Barry, Gothtown and Wear, New Hampshire Support02:03:27.480 - 2:02:13 PM; Representative Barry, a co-sponsor of HB511, supported the bill and suggested it should be expanded to include judges to prevent incidents like one in Milwaukee where a judge allegedly helped an illegal immigrant avoid ICE. He argued that New Hampshire, being a Dillon rule state, has the authority to prevent towns from adopting sanctuary policies. Barry emphasized that illegal entry into the country is a crime and should be treated as such, criticizing towns like Peterborough and Harrisville for not upholding the rule of law. He also referenced a case in Rye involving a convicted mass murderer from Brazil to underline his point.
HB584: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:18:40.000 - 2:17:26 PM; The speaker proposed an Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) motion for HB584, stating that the bill created a new private right of action, which was opposed by Miss Oregon and the municipalities. They noted that the bill seemed overly broad with four huge sections, suggesting that it should be voted down.
HB2514: Unnamed Speaker Oppose02:20:13.920 - 2:18:59 PM; The speaker proposed an ITL motion for HB2514, expressing concerns that the bill would have a chilling effect on community volunteers who might fear being sued. Technical issues were also mentioned, specifically the problem with a 5 to 10-day requirement for document redaction, which could expose private information. They agreed with the chair that the bill would deter potential poll workers.
HB666: Unnamed Speaker Oppose02:21:28.680 - 2:20:14 PM; The speaker proposed an ITL motion for HB666, describing it as the library card bill and criticizing it for being imprecise. They also felt the penalty in the bill was too extreme. The motion passed.
HB522: Unnamed Speaker Oppose02:22:37.720 - 2:21:23 PM; The speaker proposed an ITL motion for HB522, noting that it conflicted with federal privacy laws. Senator Raiden supported this view, recalling similar reasons for opposing it in a previous session. The motion passed.
HB381 1783S: Unnamed Speaker Oppose02:23:37.800 - 2:22:23 PM; The speaker proposed a 'not to pass' motion for HB381 and introduced amendment 1783S. They discussed the amendment's intent to protect firearm manufacturers from liability for optional features, such as fingerprint technology, while still holding them accountable for actual defects. The discussion highlighted concerns about the bill's potential to absolve manufacturers from strict liability for inherently dangerous products and the inconsistency between the sections of the amendment. Another speaker argued against singling out the firearm industry for favorable legislation, citing ongoing lawsuits against a manufacturer for defective products. Despite these concerns, the amendment passed with a vote of 3 to 2, and the bill as amended also passed with the same vote.

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