Legislative Action Alert

Week of April 11, 2011

Jackie Cilley
jcilley@aol.com

By all accounts and by tradition, the week following cross-over, when bills
from one chamber are sent to the other for new hearings and consideration,
is rather quiet. Bills are being assigned, hearings are being scheduled and
the work of the legislature grinds on. As we’ve come to expect, however,
there simply doesn’t appear to be anything typical about this particular
legislature.

Some of the most significant bills of the session such as the misleadingly
titled “Right to Work” bill were heard in the Senate, budget presentations
also began in the chamber, and the House’s business – as has become a
daily, if not hourly occurrence – was again overshadowed by irritable verbal
syndrome and adolescent behavior by those physically well past those years.

Below is a compilation of the week’s highlights and lowlights, an overview of

important legislation being taken up in each chamber, and both the House
and Senate Calendar with notable legislation highlighted. In response to
requests to add summary passages to each section, these will now be
included after headings and sub-headings to the fullest extent of my abilities.

Please keep the suggestions and feedback coming as they help to shape the
content and (eventually) the form of the Legislative Action Alerts. While
everything can’t be accomplished overnight, many things are in the works
such as incorporating the use of social media tools to help with the
distribution of these communications. Also, please send comments to those
who are now posting these on blogs and websites so that they know the
Alerts are serving a purpose in bringing information to others.

As always, for the full details of House and Senate calendars, please visit the
General Court website at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/. You may also
want to download the Journals from that same site for each chamber. In
those you can read the remarks made by legislators during debates on
legislation – always good nighttime reading entertainment! Additionally, the
Journals contain the roll call votes of each legislator. You will be able to see
how your legislator voted on any bill of importance to you.

For your reading convenience, the remainder of the Legislative Action Alert is
comprised of three principal sections with their attendant sub-sections.
Down on the Farm is a compilation of outtakes on specific legislators, their
remarks and their behaviors. This is offered in the belief that folks have a
right to know the character, the ideology and the conduct of those who
purport to represent us in state government. This section covers in brief the
conflict between certain members of the General Court and the Catholic
Church, the strong arm tactics that are being used by House leadership and
other outside entities to extract their desired outcomes, recent resignations
of certain legislators as well as the attendance records of some of those who
may well want to resign, and some messages that legislators have sent to
constituents.

From the Chicken Coop is an overview of significant bills coming before

House committees in the upcoming week. Details are provided on SB 129, a
bill requiring photo identification in order to vote; SB 3, a bill making changes
to the NH Retirement System; SB 57, legislation welcoming back payday
lending and title loans; SB 88, yet another bill supporting deadly force and
waving a gun around; and CACR 14 (the Senate counterpart to CACR 12
passed by the House) that will remove the courts from oversight of school
funding and standards.

The last section within this alert, To the Rooster Perch, covers the action
in the Senate. It focuses on several bills likely to be of interest to a broad
cross-section of our citizens including SB 370, a bill making changes to the
recently passed school bullying law; the decrease in the tobacco tax likely to
decrease state revenues by $15 million; and the Finance Committee
presentations.

Down on the Farm

The happenings at the Statehouse over the past week call to mind the old
nightly comedy Green Acres, complete with Arnold who really does believe
he is a boy – just as some of the folks inhabiting the Statehouse these days
really do believe they are legislators. The comedic activities would have
been wonderful entertainment and truly funny if you set aside the realization
that people’s lives, our citizens’ standard of living, our economy, our state’s
livability and the reputation of New Hampshire are taking a back seat to the
barnyard antics continuing to be played out under the Gold Dome.

If you are willing to suspend those more sobering thoughts for a few
moments, the following “meet some of your legislators” may provide some
interim comic relief.

The Barnyard Chorus

The feud between a growing number of legislators and the Catholic Church
continued to escalate throughout the week. You may recall that this was
touched off by Majority Leader, DJ Bettencourt referring to Bishop
McCormack as a “pedophile pimp.” Not willing to be out-radicalized, a
number of Bettencourt admirers (or just those currying favor) chimed in,
giving the Speaker, not to mention the Church hierarchy, serious indigestion.

• Bantam rooster, Rep. Tim Comerford, r, Freemont, backed Bettencourt

and did him one better by calling the Bishop a corrupt scumbag.
[Just as an aside, an English teacher of mine once said that folks tend
to use the only language that they know and understand. Just
saying…]
• Free Stater and resident barnyard ass, Rep. Andrew Manuse, r, Derry,
ratcheted up with rhetoric by saying “I am now considering a bill to
remove the Church’s tax exempt status in New Hampshire…”
[Once again we have a self-proclaimed constitutionalist who doesn’t
seem to know his wheelbarrow from his wheelwright. Would someone
out there please explain to Rep. Manuse he’s suggesting a violation of
Part1, Article 5 of the NH Constitution.]
• Screeching hen, Rep. Lynn Ober, r, Hudson, couldn’t resist jumping into
the fracas and sent an e-mail to Catholic League President Bill
Donahue saying “I agree that it is certainly unfortunate that the
Catholic League chooses to harbor a person who helped
pedophiles continue abusing children.”
• Donahue responded that “Never in the nearly 18 years I have spent as
president of the Catholic League have I seen more totally irresponsible
statements issued by the lawmakers in any one state….Why doesn’t
Ober take the next step by personally accusing me of
harboring a person who helped pedophiles continue to abuse
children. Organizations can’t sue for libel, but individuals
can.”
• Needless-to-say, this all sent the Choir Director, Speaker O’Brien, into
paroxysms of frustration leading to the following e-mail plea “Recent
comments are distracting from all of our legislative accomplishments.
Please, no more emails, comments, interviews, discussions or any of
the like concerning the Catholic Church, priests, church scandals, etc.
If you feel you must make a comment, contact me first. My cell
number is 219-5869.”

Taken to the Woodshed

Discipline in the New Hampshire House appears to be swift and indifferent.

Speaker O’Brien is quickly gaining a reputation as a ruthless ruler who exacts
a price whenever his directives are not obeyed. Shouting matches have been
heard emanating from his office on the third floor of the Statehouse. Long-
standing State Representatives have emerged in tears simply for trying to
represent their districts as their constituents ask.

A number of tactics are employed to encourage the rank and file to do the
ideological bidding of leadership – note, voters’ wishes are not relevant in
the least. Chairs of Committees are informed of leadership’s desired
outcome on bills. When that doesn’t work, the rent-a-rep program kicks in
whereby obstinate members are temporarily relieved of their duties by those
more compliant.

To ensure that no Representative forgets how s/he is expected to vote on

any given bill that comes to the floor of the House, there are floor leaders
who operate like crossing guards at school crosswalks who wave either a red
or green cloth just before the vote takes place. That’s right folks, if your
State Representative is a member of the current majority party they
must watch for the green or red flag in order to know how to vote.
[You may remember that Rep. Marty Harty acknowledged that he didn’t
know what he was doing and contended that others didn’t either. So, the
little flags help them out – green flag means push the green button, red flag
means push the red button. Hope the state didn’t pay too much for training
this bunch!]

When subtle tactics such as those above fail to work then the hammer
comes down as it did for Rep. Lee Quandt, r, Exeter this week. Rep. Lee
Quandt, r, Exeter, was removed from the powerful NH House Finance
Committee for committing the cardinal sin of representing the wishes
of his district and for disagreeing with leadership about public employees.
[Rep. Quandt actually thinks public employees provide valuable services and
deserve a fair process.] Rep. Quandt joins Rep. John Reagan, r, Deerfield and
Rep. Shawn Jasper, r, Hudson who have lost assignments following a falling
out with the speaker.

Brutish tactics appear to run deep within Tea Party nation. A number of
elected officials and constituents have complained of the abrasive,
intimidating tactics employed by the “no government” crowd. Over this
weekend, however, a line was crossed with one official. Joe Barton, Chair of
the Newmarket Republican Town Committee called Senator Sharon Carson,
r, Londonderry to request her support of the Right to Work [for Less] Bill.
When she attempted to explain her well-researched and well thought-out
reasons that this legislation would be harmful to New Hampshire, Barton
resorted to the bullying tactics for which his group is becoming well-known.
He made it clear that he had no interest in any reasoning; rather, he just
insisted that she support a bill that her constituents have clearly indicated
they want her to oppose.

“I know where you live and I’m coming for you,” Barton told Sen.
Carson. The words themselves and the manner in which this was said lead
an otherwise unflappable Carson to file a report with the Londonderry Police
Department. At this writing, Barton claimed that he didn’t say quite that in
quite that way – but, he didn’t deny calling her. The police are continuing to
investigate and have issued a no trespassing order against Barton.
Who Left the Barn Door Open?

The special elections, along with their attendant costs, are increasing. First,
there was Rep. Bob Mead who took the much more lucrative position as the
Speaker’s Chief of Staff. That left a vacancy and need for a special election
in Hillborough, District 4. Then, Rep. Marty Harty departed due to the, now
infamous, eugenics statements and that left Strafford, District 3 open.

This past week saw the loss of two more State Reps from the majority. Rep.
Gary Wheaton, r, Seabrook, resigned after being charged with speeding and
driving with a suspended license. In an almost comical attempt to deflect
responsibility, Wheaton alleges that he was targeted by police because of his
vote in favor of the House budget – this, despite not having legislative plates
on -- so how the police would have known he was a legislator is anybody’s
guess. AND, HE WAS SPEEDING AND DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE. So
much for the personal responsibility gang. This leaves a vacancy in
Rockingham, District 14.

Along with Wheaton, a less talked about resignation came from Rep. Robert
Huxley, r, Greenville. Rep. Huxley has been a no-show at the legislature and
has not cast a single vote, nor has he been excused for his absences. That
leaves a vacancy in Hillsborough, District 3. [I do hope that Rep. Huxley
turned back the check he received for being elected. I would hope that
these smaller government, reduce spending folks haven’t conned the
taxpayers, grabbed the money and ran!!]

While we’re on the subject of no-shows in the legislature, if one of the

following is your State Rep perhaps you would like to ask if they actually
intend to serve and if they have spent the money they received for being
elected to represent you. According to our sources

• Rep. Ronald Belanger, r, Rockingham, District 4 doesn’t seem to have

shown up at all, hasn’t voted and hasn’t been excused.
• Rep. Thomas Beattie, r, Hillsborough, District 17, showed up one day,
March 30, and cast 9 votes. You may recall that the secessionist bill as
well as HB 2, trailer bill to the biennial budget, were up for votes on
that day. Wonder which was sufficiently important to draw him to
Concord??
• After having been reported as missing in action by the Union Leader,
Rep. Sean Coughlin, r, Amherst finally showed up on February 23, but
missed the first 5 roll call votes of the day. He went missing again on
March 2, March 16, March 17 and for the first six votes of March 30.
• Rep. Timothy Hogan, r, Nashua was also reported by the UL as not
having attended a session day this term. He didn’t cast a roll call vote,
 nor was he excused, but he did surface on March 15. Alas, he was
gone again on March 30 and March 31.

It is our understanding that there are a total of twelve State Reps who are
AWOL all or most of the time. We are compiling information on others so
that you can help us find them to explain their responsibility to them.

Barn Swallows – Singing Away

Below are snippets from public testimony or e-mails that certain State
Representatives sent to their constituents. The latter were shared with us to
pass along in order to shine a light on some of our legislators interact with
their constituents and to glean their thinking on important pieces of
legislation.

• In response to an exhortation from fellow Representative Robert Rowe,

r, Amherst, to “…keep our disagreements in the family,” Rep. Tony
Soltani, r, Epsom replied “My job is to represent my people and
effectuate change. Also, my job is to ensure that the minority is heard
and respected…With all due respect, Bob. You have lost your mind.
You are not the man I knew when I chaired the committees.” Tony
Soltani (Soul Intact) [Way to go, Tony!!]
• Rep. Stella Tremblay’s, r, Auburn vitriolic tirade against working men
and women was so over the top that the Chair of the committee
reprimanded her to just “stick with the bill.” Among the other gems
was this one: “Union bosses get a cut of the action by sucking off
dues like parasites.” Tremblay contended that corporations were the
creators of wealth and unions were just “parasites.” [I wonder who
she thinks does the work of the corporations??] For the full tape of
her inglorious testimony see http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=r9gJ1NgvcB4&feature=player_embedded It is noteworthy that in her
campaign literature, Rep. Tremblay had this to say: “…It is important
for elected officials to love their country…and to understand and apply
the Constitution; remembering that it is a document inspired by God.”
I would definitely not argue with the passage about it being important
to love one’s country. I certainly do, which is why I have my shoulder
to the wheel in hopes of sending Miss Stella back to her she-cave. The
latter part about the Constitution being inspired by God [and I suspect
that she means here only her God] – that’s straight from the now
[thankfully] discredited Glenn Beck [somebody please tell me that his
show has been picked up by some right wing fringe faction in East
Angolia!!].
• “The bill is like 16 pages long and I didn’t feel like reading it so I voted
with the party,” by Representative John Sytek, r, Salem, in response to
a constituent question.
• When a constituent wrote to him saying that she “…agrees with Bishop
Gene Robinson that the legislature is tightening its belt around the
 necks of the needy,” Rep. Kevin Reichard, r, Derry, had this to say:
“Mary, please send your personal check to General Fund Concord N.H.
03301 and be sure to direct them how you wish funds to be allocated.
Thanks for the additional revenue source. God knows we need it.
Please feel free to forward this address to Gene and perhaps he could
get a special collection next Sunday.
God Bless you for your contribution.”
• In what can only be described as a Freudian slip, Cornerstone
Research, the ultra-rightwing group that provided much of the funding
for those we now have representing us said this on their website last
week: This Legislature has put our money where their mouth
was...And we should thank them for it! The font and Italics are
theirs, not mine. Kinda telling, don’t you think?? [Some may
remember that a few weeks ago Speaker O’Brien interjected his
opinion on the defunding of Planned Parenthood’s healthcare services
that ‘…you cannot kill the bill because Kevin wants this one.’
[That would be Kevin Smith of Cornerstone.] It bears mentioning –
again and again and again because there are those who keep trying to
perpetuate the myth – NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS GO TO FUND
ABORTIONS. Let’s try that again, Tea Partiers, NO TAXPAYER
DOLLARS GO TO FUND ABORTIONS. But that won’t stop
Cornerstone and its followers from doing all that is in their power both
at the state and federal level to eliminate a vitally important source of
healthcare for low and moderate income women.

From the Chicken Coop

The NH House will meet for a floor session on Wednesday, April 13 at which
time it will take up nine bills on the consent calendar (consent calendar
items are those for which there is unanimity in support or opposition) and
three on the regular calendar. This is an atypically light load to bring 400
State Representatives together. However, given the number of folks who
were critical of the House for meeting in an unprecedented three day
marathon session two weeks ago, leadership may be thinking it’s best to
deal with as much as they can as they go along. Additionally, it allows for
some actual work to be done by some of the folks collecting mileage checks
for hanging out at the Statehouse.

One of the most important voting rights bills that has passed the Senate and
is now scheduled for a hearing in the House is SB 129, a bill that would
require a voter to present a valid photo identification to vote in
person or have his/her photograph taken by an election official to be kept on
file. SB 129 will be heard before the House Election Law Committee
on Tuesday, April 12 at 1 p.m. in Rm. 308, LOB (Legislative Office
Building).

The following analysis of this legislation was graciously submitted by former

Senator Maggie Hassan of Exeter. Many thanks go to her for her efforts in
explaining this bill.

SB 129 is the second bite being taken at the student voting apple, but it’s
not just students and military personnel who are at risk. Instead, SB 129
will discourage the elderly, those with disabilities, members of
ethnic and racial minorities, and students from voting – EVEN IF
THEY ARE ALREADY LEGALLY REGISTERED TO VOTE.

SB129 requires voters to present a narrowly-defined photo identification in

order to vote, regardless of whether they are already registered. The only
identifications acceptable under the bill are those issued by the United
States, the state of NH, an educational institution accredited by the NH
Postsecondary Education Commission (this excludes Dartmouth and all high
schools in the state), or an institution or business “recognized by local
election officials” (a perfect excuse for cronyism at the local election site.)
The identification must also have an expiration date and the expiration must
occur after the individual votes.

So, if you are elderly and let your passport and/or state driver’s license to
expire, even though it still identifies you correctly, you cannot vote. If you
just moved to NH – or are here as a student—and have another state’s
driver’s license, you cannot vote. Given that the purpose of the bill is
supposed to be to prevent a single type of possible voter fraud – that of
people assuming another voter’s identity—any officially issued photo
identification by any state should serve the purpose. This raises the
possibility that the real intent of the bill is to narrow eligibility for voting to
those who are NH “residents” rather than, as the NH Constitution
requires, those who choose NH as their domicile. (Domicile is the place you
decide is your long-term home – for example, Rahm Emmanuel kept his
domicile in Chicago even though he became a resident of the Washington DC
area while he worked for the President.)

Tens of thousands of currently eligible voters in NH don’t have the type of

identification required by the bill – including a lot of students, even in
institutions accredited by the NH Postsecondary Education Commission, as
most educational institutions don’t issue identifications with expiration dates
on them. (Students graduate over a variety of time periods these days.)
Those who don’t drive will have to find someone to drive them to the DMV or
passport office in order to obtain the right kind of photo identification, at a
cost, just to vote – even if they are already registered, have been voting for
years, or are well known to election officials.
Finally, the bill provides that those who don’t have the correct type of
identification will have their photographs taken at the polling place – a photo
that will be stored indefinitely by election officials in their databases. This
raises issues of cost and privacy, not to mention the need for local officials to
engage in extensive training concerning new digital photography equipment
and processes, just as our local communities are facing unprecedented
budget cuts.

NH has some of the most stringent voting laws in the country, and has had
very few cases of documented voter fraud, despite the insistence by some
that it is a problem. The only documented case of a person assuming
another voter’s identity in the last 20 years happened a few years ago when
a 17 year old young man cast his out-of-town father’s vote for George Bush.

This bill establishes barriers that will make it harder for honest, law abiding
citizens to vote and will encourage cronyism at the polls. We should be
encouraging greater voter participation, not discouraging it -- especially
when our system isn't broken -- and doesn't need a fix.

CACR 14, the Senate’s version of a constitutional amendment to bar

court involvement in school funding decisions comes before the
House Special Committee on Education Funding Reform on Monday,
April 11 at 9:30 a.m. in Rm. 210-211, LOB. Supporters of this recurring
legislation claim that it will allow the state to more easily target aid to poorer
communities that need it. Opponents have repeatedly pointed out that it will
allow the state to walk away from its responsibility to fund education within
New Hampshire. Some things seem certain. Given that the House has
already passed its version of a constitutional amendment in CACR 12 as well
as the fact that the Governor has long supported such legislation, there will
be a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot. This issue will be
undoubtedly be fought out in a PR war before voters. It will take a two-thirds
majority of voters to pass.

The credit-challenged are one step closer to having another option for
borrowing – but some argue that it is an option likely to only cause more
distress in the long run. SB 57, welcoming back into the state payday
lending and title loans has passed the Senate and will be heard
before the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee on
Tuesday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. in Rm. 302, LOB. Although the bill was
amended before passage in the Senate, the affective interest rate remains at
approximately 300% per annum for these types of loans and the legislation,
if passed into law, it would still allow one’s single largest possession to be
used as collateral. Those who oppose these types of loans contend that
consumers often lose their only means of transportation and that the
configuration of the loans leads to a recurring spiral of debt with no way out.
Seriously, can you ever have enough laws to allow you to wave a
gun around or to use deadly force to defend yourself?? There has
been a seemingly endless number of bills this session to allow guns on the
floor of the Statehouse (regardless of whether any of its vociferous
advocates can’t manage to keep his holster on!), walk around the
Statehouse, parade up and down in front of a school (reportedly something
that happened recently by someone demonstrating his second amendment
rights), using deadly force to protect oneself (I swear I’ve seen this two
dozen times – maybe some of the original bills were rolled into one??), and to
wave a gun around (honestly, what is that all about anyway?). We have yet
another before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee in
the form of SB 88.

SB 88 removes a person’s duty to retreat from an encounter involving deadly

force, provides that a person is not justified in using deadly force when s/he
has provoked the situation (thank God for small blessings) and allows a
person to display or brandish a weapon to warn off a threat. SB 88 will be
heard on Tuesday, April 12 at 1 p.m. in Rm. 204, LOB.

SB 3, a comprehensive and contentious overhaul of the New Hampshire

Retirement System was passed with an amendment by the Senate Executive
Departments and Administrative Committee. Among other things, SB 3 will
increase contributions by employee members of the Retirement System
(increasing Group I contributions from the current 5% of salary to 6% next
year and 7% the following year; Group II will increase from the current 9.3%
to 10.3% in 2012 and 11.3% in 2013). Additionally, other major changes
include altering the definition of earnable compensation, increasing the
number of years from 3 to 5 for determining the retirement annuity,
increasing the number of years that Group II members must work from the
current 20 years to 25 years as well as increasing the age of retirement from
the current 45 to 50 years of age to retire, and changing the composition of
the NH Retirement System Board of Directors.

Although some of the changes offered by SB 3 were prudent, the totality of

this legislation places the burden of compensating for legislative neglect and
irresponsibility onto the shoulders of those who paid into the system week in
and week out. It bears noting that despite the rhetoric that has come
out of the Senate on this bill, most notably from Sen. Jeb Bradley,
the system is not near bankruptcy and the several billions of dollars
in unfunded liability is largely the debt owed by the state and
municipalities and will be covered by the now credible funding
formula put into place in 2007. Moreover, that debt accrued from
an irresponsible formula that the legislature knowingly put into
place in 1992 and was voted for by, then, Rep. Bradley. He
participated in playing politics with promises made to our public employees
almost two decades ago and he’s playing politics once again. SB-FN-A-L
will be heard before the House Special Committee on Public
Employee Pensions Reform in Representatives Hall on Wednesday,
April 13 at 2 p.m.

To the Rooster Perch

The NH Senate will meet for a floor session on Wednesday, April 13 to take
up some 48 bills. The full Senate calendar can be viewed at
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/scaljourns/

In comparison to the House, the Senate seems to have been far more
productive over the past week. It is increasingly clear, however, that the
House takes a rather dim view of the efficiency of the Senate and rumors are
already flying about the strong words between members of each body.

Of the bills for which the Senate will cast a final vote, five came out of their
respective committees with a recommendation of “Inexpedient to
Legislative” (aka “kill the bill”). At least a couple of those are high priority
items for the House and their extremist supporters.

For example, HB 542, a bill that would allow parents to conscientiously

oppose a specific school or specific educational program was recommended
ITL by the Senate Education Committee on a 4-1 vote. If this bill were to
pass there is a serious question as to what the value of a diploma would be
worth if it cannot convey surety that a student has attained a specific level of
competency and met specific criteria. Despite the resounding
recommendation by the Education Committee, The Republican Liberty (if you
agree with us!) Caucus of NH is pushing hard for passage of this bill and has
directed folks to call their Senators to ask them to overturn the
recommendation of the committee.

Another recommendation that is likely to rile the House is the unanimous

motion for ITL on HB 231, a Rep. Neal Kurk-sponsored bill (you know the
fellow who said, If we could just get public employees to pick up smoking,
they’d die younger and be less of a burden on the Retirement System.) This
legislation would knowingly underfund the payment of medical benefits for
public employees who are already retired. The State made a promise to
these folks to fund their medical benefits, but Rep. Kurk has no problem with
breaking such promises. When there was a backlash against changing the
individual benefit and it was also determined to be illegal, Kurk changed
tactics and simply underfunded the benefit by 24% in 2012 and 30% in 2013.
If this were to pass it would undoubtedly lead to retirees being significantly
under-insured for needed medical attention and procedures. Can everyone
say ‘DEATH PANELS.’
The Haystack of Senate Hearings

The NH Senate is on full throttle for hearings in the upcoming week. In

addition to a number of Senate Finance Committee presentations on
Department budgets, the other Senate committees will be taking up some 33
pieces of legislation sent over from the House. A select few of these bills are
profiled below.

The decrease in the cigarette tax that has received national attention will be
taken up by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. HB 156 will lower the
cigarette tax by 10 cents per pack and will result in a decrease of up to $15
million in state revenues. Economists differ considerably on the impact of
this decrease with a NH Grocer-sponsored assessment of increased sales
leading to increased revenues. That is countered by estimates that sales
remain roughly the same for a net decrease in state revenues. HB 156 will
be heard before the Senate Ways and Means Committee on
Tuesday, April 12 at 2 p.m. in Rm. 100, SH (Statehouse).

Although it doesn’t rise to the level of importance of other legislation being

considered, HB 380, a bill that will exempt the Commission on the Status of
Men from repeal on June 30, 2011 is interesting for what it says about this
particular legislature – namely that it is much more concerned about men’s
rights than it is about women’s rights. Here is the support for that
statement. In 2010 a commission to study the continuation of committees
and commissions conducted arduous work in reviewing almost 400
established committees and commissions. Even though these are all
volunteer bodies, legislators who serve on them receive mileage so they do
have some attendant definable costs. Additionally, there was considerable
attention paid to whether each committee or commission could function on
its own without the necessity of imprimatur of government.

Among the many other entities recommended for decommissioning, both the
Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on the Status of
Men were discontinued as government-sponsored entities. [It is worth
pointing out that the Commission on the Status of Women was
recommended for discontinuation as a governmental entity at a time when
an historic number of women served in the legislature. A standardized list of
criteria was applied to every decision that was made by the Commission on
the status of Committees and Commissions on which I served.]

Nothing in that action prevented each of these Commissions from continuing

on their own with their important work or having their recommendations and
reports recognized by legislatures in consideration of future bills.
Nonetheless, HB 380 resurrects only one of these Commissions. It does so at
a time when so many other actions by this legislature speak to their desire to
remove government from involvement in areas that many of us would argue
are actually necessary. HB 380 will be heard before the Senate
Executive Departments and Administration on Thursday, April 14 at
9:30 a.m. in Rm. 100, SH.

Before New Hampshire’s new anti-bullying bill has had time to take hold and
be quantitatively and qualitatively measured, the House passed a bill, HB
370, watering it down. Two individuals who had a great part in the passage
of the original bill, Rep. Donna Schlachman of Exeter and Carol Croteau of
Bully Free NH have been kind enough to offer for publication here their
assessment of the impacts of HB 370.

NH’s bullying law is new and needs time to be implemented before making
changes. If we allow the bullying law passed in 2010 to be utilized by NH’s
schools, then there will be an opportunity to analyze data collected by the
NH Department of Education. This important data may be able to help us
better understand how the bullying law is working or not working and what
changes, if any, need to be made in the future.

HB 370 makes 3 changes to the law:

1. Removing “Off Campus” bullying language

Current Law: A school will only intervene when the off campus bullying
interferes with a students’ educational opportunities or disrupts the orderly
operations of the school or school-sponsored activity or event. It is key that
a school has the ability to intervene in these situations especially in off
campus cyber bullying case. 70% of cyber bullying happens off school
property, and does impact a target at school -- especially if the targeted
student must sit next to their cyber bully the next day in school.

HB 370 states that school board members and school employees have to
report even the “awareness” of bullying off school property: this language is
in fact an overreach. The current law only intervenes when bullying
interferes with a student’s educational opportunities at school or disrupts
a school’s orderly operation. For instance, it makes any student’s
behavior fair game to reporting and will interfere with a parent’s ability to
deal with their student’s bad behavior.

Interestingly, the sponsors of HB 370 claim that the law makes schools
responsible for bullying 24/7/365.....in fact, HB 370 does exactly that and
removes entirely the boundaries that we carefully crafted in the current law.

2. Parental Rights and Bullying

Both parents and students were behind the writing of the new law in 2010.
The passage of last year’s anti- bully law is about parent’s rights and student
rights. In fact, HB 370 removes a basic parental right to know about
any bullying incident by removing the 10 day limit on
communicating between schools and parents. Parents were reporting
that schools were not communicating with them after they reported bullying
their student’s faced in school. The reality was schools were not
communicating with parents. This left parents and students wondering what
the school was doing to prevent further bullying. Parents and students need
to know that the school investigated their reports of bullying and that the
school took appropriate action when reports of bullying are substantiated. In
short, HB 370 does not hold schools accountable to parents.

You will not see this in HB 370 because the drafter made an error and did not
include this as "crossed out" in the bill so the 10-day piece just disappears
altogether!

3. Enumerated groups: HB 370 removes from the "Purpose and Intents"

section the enumerated groups of students who have historically
been bullied or subject to discrimination. This was done because the
sponsors believe it in not needed and is a law suit waiting to happen of a
student who does not fit in this group is bullied. (Our attorneys say this
claim is ridiculous.)

The sponsor told us that kids are not bullied because they are "gay", for
example, they are bullied because of their behavior. In other words, its
OK to "be" gay but it is not OK to "act" too gay. The law is very clear
that any student can be a target. The reason to keep the enumerated
groups in the law is to acknowledge the TRUTH that we are not beyond
marginalizing groups based on race, religion, sexuality etc. The fact is that
Cornerstone, who exerts considerable influence on our current legislature,
does not want to see any language in State Law that gives protection to
gays, etc. While Cornerstone is publicly not campaigning in favor of HB370,
they are not opposed to it either.

On the off chance that you finish reading the Alert before week’s end and are
looking for other sources of entertainment or news about the activities in
Concord, you might consider checking our www.pickuppatriots.com. This
lively site, using satire and creative approaches to shining a bright spotlight
on the Statehouse, will keep you informed with up-to-date happenings in
only the way that pickuppatriots.com can!

House Committee Hearings

 MONDAY, APRIL 11

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FUNDING REFORM, Rooms 210-211, LOB

9:30 a.m. CACR 14, relating to public education. Providing that the general court shall
have the authority to define standards for public education, establish
standards of accountability, mitigate local disparities in educational
opportunity and fiscal capacity, and shall have full discretion to determine the
amount of state funding for education.
Executive session may follow.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (BANKING/BUSINESS DIVISION), Room 302,
LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 28, establishing an exemption from the licensing requirements for
nondepository first mortgage bankers and brokers for persons providing loans
for certain seller-financed transactions.
10:30 a.m. SB 57, relative to regulation of title loan lenders.
1:15 p.m. SB 62, relative to persons participating in the return to work program.
2:00 p.m. SB 116, relative to the manufactured housing installation standards board.
Work sessions on these bills may follow the public hearings.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 52-FN, excluding persons convicted of violent crimes and sexually violent
persons from mandatory early release on probation or parole.
1:00 p.m. SB 88, relative to physical force in defense of a person and relative to the
brandishing of a firearm or other means of self-defense.
Executive session may follow.
ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:15 a.m. SB 135-FN-A, relative to election returns and election records.

10:45 a.m. SB 115, relative to observing voter check-in.
11:00 a.m. SB 190, relative to the duties and membership of the executive branch ethics
committee.
11:30 a.m. SB 193, relative to nomination of political organizations.
1:00 p.m. SB 129-FN, relative to presenting photo identification to vote in person and
relative to the election fund.
Executive session may follow.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 33-FN, relative to retired state employee contributions for medical
benefits costs.
10:45 a.m. SB 152-FN, relative to participation in state employees' group insurance by
members of the general court.
11:30 a.m. SB 81-FN, relative to powers and duties of commissioners of executive
branch agencies, and relative to the extension of the expired term of a
commissioner or agency head.
Executive session may follow.
1:30 p.m. Full committee tour of the State Print Shop, Hills Avenue, Concord.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB

10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 51, relative to the establishment of a state
leadership team to address issues concerning certain adults with
developmental disabilities who may present a substantial risk to the
community.
11:00 a.m. SB 151-FN, relative to contracts of the department of health and human
services.
Executive session may follow.
1:00 p.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 93, relative to pharmacist administration
of vaccines.
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 12-FN, relative to screening panels for medical injury claims.
10:30 a.m. SB 109, establishing a committee to study the foreclosure process in New
Hampshire.
11:00 a.m. SB 70-FN, relative to remedies in landlord-tenant actions.
Executive session may follow.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB

10:15 a.m. SB 49, relative to tip pooling arrangements.

10:45 a.m. SB 86, requiring the department of labor to warn employers of certain
violations prior to imposing a fine.
11:30 a.m. SB 121, relative to the application of the worker adjustment and retraining
notification act.
Executive session may follow.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB91, relative to automatic fire suppression sprinklers.

Executive session may follow.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305, LOB

10:30 a.m. SB 100, relative to the size limitations on OHRVs operating in Jericho
Mountain state park, and the definition of utility terrain vehicle.
11:15 a.m. SB 144, relative to extending certain permits and approvals.
1:00 p.m. SB 154-FN, reforming and renaming the comprehensive shoreland
protection act.
Executive session may follow.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING, Room 308, LOB

3:30 p.m. Work session regarding criteria guidelines for redistricting.

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202, LOB

10:00 a.m. CACR 5, relating to the governor's power to reduce appropriations. Providing
that the governor shall have line item reduction power of items in any bill
making appropriations of money.
10:45 a.m. SB 58-FN-A, adding qualified community development entities to the
definition of "qualified investment company" under the business profits tax
and the business enterprise tax.
1:00 p.m. SB 147-FN, relative to Medicaid managed care.
Executive session may follow.
1:45 p.m. Presentation by the Department of Environmental Services.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206, LOB

1:00 p.m. SB 30, relative to including a parent's residence in the parenting plan.
Executive session may follow.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSIONS REFORM, Representatives
Hall

1:00 p.m. SB 75-FN, relative to clarification of part-time service in the state retirement
system.
2:00 p.m. SB 3-FN-A-L, making comprehensive changes to the state retirement
system.
Executive session may follow.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14
CAPITAL BUDGET OVERVIEW COMMITTEE (RSA 17-J:2), Room 201, LOB

2:00 p.m. Regular business.

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (INSURANCE/CONSUMER PROTECTION
DIVISION), Room 302, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 148-FN, relative to health insurance coverage and declaring that the
attorney general should join the lawsuit challenging the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act.
11:00 a.m. SB 162-FN, relative to federal health care reform 2010.
1:15 p.m. SB 122, establishing a committee to study the laws relating to electronic
prescriptions.
2:00 p.m. SB 89, establishing a study committee on the procurement of health
insurance by employee leasing companies.
Work sessions on these bills may follow the public hearings.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB

1:00 p.m. Executive session on SB 52-FN, excluding persons convicted of violent crimes
and sexually violent persons from mandatory early release on probation or
parole, SB 88, relative to physical force in defense of a person and relative to
the brandishing of a firearm or other means of self-defense, SB 123, relative
to notification if a person found incompetent to stand trial and civilly
committed is released into the community, SB 180, establishing a committee
to study the availability of community supervision programs for prisoners
released on probation or parole.
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. SB 37, relative to the determination of residency for certain pupils.
10:30 a.m. SB 45, relative to criteria for designation as a Granite State scholar.
11:00 a.m. SB 117, relative to private postsecondary career schools and the student
tuition guaranty fund.
1:00 p.m. SB 82-FN, extending the state board of education's authority to approve
chartered public schools and relative to the funding of chartered public
schools approved by a school district.
Executive session may follow.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 40, making technical corrections to meals and rooms tax laws.
10:45 a.m. SB 76-FN, relative to the authority of the department of revenue
administration to adopt rules and to administer state tax laws.
Executive session may follow.
1:30 p.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 161-FN, relative to procedures for
adoption of agency rules under the administrative procedures act and
retained HB 458-FN-A, establishing a sunset review process for executive
agency and judicial programs and making an appropriation therefor.
1:45 p.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 625-FN-A, relative to New
Hampshire correctional industries.
2:00 p.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 137-FN-L, relative to the state
fire code and the state building code.
2:30 p.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 157-FN, relative to the division of weights
and measures and fees for licensing weighing devices and the definition of
service technician.
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 139-FN, relative to state recoveries of public assistance caused by fraud.
11:00 a.m. SB 36, relative to the permanent siting of the Hampton-Exeter District Court.
Executive session may follow.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 91, relative to automatic fire suppression sprinklers.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FUNDING REFORM, Rooms 210-211, LOB

9:30 a.m. Full committee work session on CACR 14, relating to public education.
Providing that the general court shall have the authority to define standards
for public education, establish standards of accountability, mitigate local
disparities in educational opportunity and fiscal capacity, and shall have full
discretion to determine the amount of state funding for education.
10:30 a.m. Or immediately following work session, executive session on CACR 14,
relating to public education. Providing that the general court shall have the
authority to define standards for public education, establish standards of
accountability, mitigate local disparities in educational opportunity and fiscal
capacity, and shall have full discretion to determine the amount of state
funding for education.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (BANKING/BUSINESS DIVISION), Room 302,
LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 160-FN, relative to the definition and regulation of installment loans.
10:45 a.m. SB 54, relative to the definition of declarant under the condominium act and
the duties of the committee to study laws relating to condominium and
homeowners’ associations.
2:00 p.m. SB 50, making various changes to laws regulating trusts and trust companies.
2:45 p.m. SB 156-FN-L, authorizing retail vehicle dealers to act as agents of the
division of motor vehicles for vehicle registrations and title applications.
Work sessions on these bills may follow the public hearings.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 92, establishing an economic strategic commission to review the

relationship between business and government.
10:45 a.m. SB 166, relative to medical benefits for beneficiaries of a police officer or
firefighter killed in the line of duty.
11:30 a.m. SB 170, relative to the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting
Association.
Executive session may follow.
1:15 p.m. Executive session on SB 33-FN, relative to retired state employee
contributions for medical benefits costs, SB 40, making technical corrections
to meals and rooms tax laws, SB 68, relative to records of disciplinary actions
taken by the electricians' board, SB 76-FN, relative to the authority of the
department of revenue administration to adopt rules and to administer state
tax laws, SB 81-FN, relative to powers and duties of commissioners of
executive branch agencies, and relative to the extension of the expired term
of a commissioner or agency head, SB 92, establishing an economic strategic
commission to review the relationship between business and government, SB
152-FN, relative to participation in state employees' group insurance by
members of the general court, SB 153-FN, relative to the regulation of real
estate appraisers by the New Hampshire real estate appraiser board, SB 157-
FN, relative to the division of weights and measures and fees for licensing
weighing devices and the definition of service technician, SB 161-FN, relative
to procedures for adoption of agency rules under the administrative
procedures act, SB 166, relative to medical benefits for beneficiaries of a
police officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty, SB 170, relative to the
New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association, SB 173,
proclaiming January 24, 2012 as Granny D. Day.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 104, relative to certain agricultural operations and certain bonds for
excavation and driveways.
11:00 a.m. SB 2, relative to adoption of spending caps by municipalities.
Executive session may follow.
TRANSPORTATION, Rooms 201-203, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 27, relative to speed limitations for boats.

Executive session may follow.
2:00 p.m. Executive session on SB 98, revising the international registration plan, SB
99, relative to trailer brakes.
 THURSDAY, APRIL 21
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 90, directing the legislative oversight committee to study the
consolidation of school administrative units.
10:30 a.m. SB 194, transferring all real and personal property from the former
department of regional community-technical colleges to the board of trustees
of the community college system of New Hampshire.
11:00 a.m. SB 172, relative to performance-based school accountability criteria.
1:30 p.m. SB 67, establishing a committee to study school vouchers and school choice.
Executive session may follow.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 104, relative to certain agricultural operations and
certain bonds for excavation and driveways, SB 2, relative to adoption of
spending caps by municipalities.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 82-FN, extending the state board of education's
authority to approve chartered public schools and relative to the funding of
chartered public schools approved by a school district.
10:30 a.m. SB 96, relative to amending the charter of The Pinkerton Academy.
11:00 a.m. SB 192, establishing a commission to identify strategies needed for
delivering a 21st century education.
1:30 p.m. SB 196, relative to the renomination or reelection of teachers and prohibiting
assessing teacher performance based solely on assessment scores.
Executive session may follow.

TUESDAY, MAY 3
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (BANKING/BUSINESS DIVISION), Room 302,
LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 197, regulating guaranteed price plans and prepaid contracts for heating
oil, kerosene, or liquefied petroleum gas.
10:45 a.m. SB 189, relative to the definition of mortgage loan originator.
1:15 p.m. SB 111, relative to short sales of a homeowner's residence.
2:15 p.m. SB 120, relative to alcoholic beverage advertising restrictions.
Executive session may follow.

Senate Hearings
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011
Monday, April 11:
ONDAY, APRIL 11, 2011
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen.
Forrester, Sen. Gallus
AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE
9:00 a.m. Department of Health and Human Services – Mental Health & Substance
Abuse
(Bureau of Behavioral Health & Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services)
10:30 a.m. Department of Health and Human Services – Mental Health & Substance
Abuse
(NH Hospital & Glencliff Home)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. BREAK
1:00 p.m. Department of Health and Human Services – Developmental Disability (Bureau
of
Developmental Services)
2:00 p.m. Department of Health and Human Services – Elderly Services (Bureau of
Elderly
Adult Services)
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Tuesday, April 12
UESDAY, APRIL 12, 2011
COMMERCE, Room 102, LOB
Sen. Prescott (C), Sen. White (VC), Sen. De Blois, Sen. Houde, Sen. Sanborn

9:00 a.m. HB 143, relative to the sale of stove polish.

9:10 a.m. HB 617, repealing the prohibitions on Sunday business activities.
9:20 a.m. HB 276-FN, relative to wine manufacturers.
9:40 a.m. HB 489-FN, (New Title) establishing a health information organization
corporation.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

EDUCATION, Room 103, LOB

Sen. Stiles (C), Sen. Forsythe (VC), Sen. Carson, Sen. Kelly, Sen. Prescott

1:00 p.m. HB 650-FN-L, authorizing a school district to call a special meeting in the
event
of changes in the amount of state education funding.
1:20 p.m. HB 290, relative to staffing exceptions for small schools.
1:35 p.m. HB 386, adding Granite State college to the university system of New
Hampshire
corporate charter and adding a student trustee from Granite State college to
the
university system board of trustees.
1:50 p.m. HB 528-FN-L, requiring school districts to develop a facility maintenance and
capital improvement program.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 101, LOB

Sen. Barnes (C), Sen. Forrester (VC), Sen. Boutin, Sen. Merrill, Sen. Stiles

9:00 a.m. HB 86, relative to filling a vacancy among county officers.

9:20 a.m. HB 115, relative to the temporary removal or transfer of prisoners from a
county
correctional facility.
9:35 a.m. HB 132, adopting and implementing the United States flag code.
9:55 a.m. HB 109, relative to residential fire sprinklers.
10:30 a.m. HB 316, (New Title) relative to penalties for failure to file a property tax
inventory
blank or for refusing inspection of property.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 100, SH

Sen. Odell (C), Sen. Luther (VC), Sen. Boutin, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen. Morse, Sen. Rausch

1:00 p.m. Economic Forecast Presentation by Dennis Delay

2:00 p.m. HB 156-FN-A, reducing the rates of the tobacco tax.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Wednesday, April 13
EDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen.
Forrester, Sen. Gallus

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. LBAO will present an overview of HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees,
funds, revenues, and expenditures.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Thursday, April 14
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 102, LOB
Sen. Odell (C), Sen. Gallus (VC), Sen. Bradley, Sen. Lambert, Sen. Merrill

9:30 a.m. HB 144, (New Title) relative to energy efficiency and clean energy districts.
9:45 a.m. HB 196, relative to the certificates of completion of a basic hunter education
program or bow hunter education program.
10:00 a.m. HB 230, exempting the repair of certain structures from compensatory
mitigation requirements.
10:15 a.m. HB 381, authorizing net metering for micro-combined heat and power
systems.
10:30 a.m. HB 387, requiring providers of prepaid cellular telephone service to provide
subscriber information to the enhanced 911 system.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 100, SH

Sen. Carson (C), Sen. Groen (VC), Sen. Larsen, Sen. Luther, Sen. White

9:00 a.m. HB 43, relative to the adoption of forms under the administrative procedures
act.
9:10 a.m. HB 47, relative to inactive license status for real estate brokers and
salespersons.
9:20 a.m. HB 92, relative to expiration of licenses issued by the board of foresters.
9:30 a.m. HB 380, exempting the commission on the status of men from repeal on June
30, 2011 and adding a duty to the commission
9:40 a.m. HB 503, allowing a master electrician to have 2 apprentice electricians under
his
or her supervision.
9:50 a.m. HB 150, relative to benefits of judicial branch employees who transfer from
the
judicial branch to state service in the executive branch or the legislative
branch.
10:10 a.m. HB 450, relative to the regulatory authority of the board of barbering,
cosmetology, and esthetics.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

FINANCE, Room 103, SH

Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen.
Forrester, Sen. Gallus

AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE

1:00 p.m. Department of Corrections
2:00 p.m. Department of Justice
2:30 p.m. Judicial Council
3:00 p.m. Judicial Branch
4:00 p.m. Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 100, SH

Sen. Bradley (C), Sen. De Blois (VC), Sen. Kelly, Sen. Lambert, Sen. Sanborn

1:00 p.m. HB 442-FN, relative to the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
2:00 p.m. HB 295, relative to the use of long-term antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme
disease.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

JUDICIARY, Room 101, LOB

Sen. Houde (C), Sen. Carson (VC), Sen. Groen, Sen. Luther

1:00 p.m. HB 146, (New Title) relative to the right of a jury to judge the application of
the
law in relationship to the facts in controversy.
1:15 p.m. HB 174, relative to insurance coverage for court-ordered counseling in
divorce
proceedings.
1:30 p.m. HB 254, relative to offers of judgments.
1:45 p.m. HB 259, requiring the supreme court to adopt rules of evidence for the
judicial
branch family division.
2:00 p.m. HB 478-FN-L, relative to testimony by video teleconference.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

TRANSPORTATION, Room 103, LOB

Sen. Rausch (C), Sen. Boutin (VC), Sen. Forsythe, Sen. Kelly, Sen. Stiles

9:30 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION

Friday, April 15
RIDAY, APRIL 15, 2011
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen.
Forrester, Sen. Gallus

AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE

9:00 a.m. Governors Commission on Disability
9:15 a.m. Office of Energy and Planning
9:30 a.m. Department of Administrative Services
10:30 a.m. Cultural Resources
10:45 a.m. Veterans Home
11:15 a.m. Department of Insurance
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. BREAK
1:00 p.m. Department of Revenue Administration
1:45 p.m. LCHIP
2:00 p.m. State Treasury
2:30 p.m. Board of Tax and Land Appeals
2:45 p.m. Department of Transportation
4:00 p.m. Adjutant General
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Tuesday, April 19
UESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011
EDUCATION, Rooms 305-307, LOB
Sen. Stiles (C), Sen. Forsythe (VC), Sen. Carson, Sen. Kelly, Sen. Prescott

1:00 p.m. HB 370, making changes to the pupil safety and violence prevention act.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW