Legislative calendar for the next two weeks
NH Lawmakers begin holding public hearings next week on bills that matter to you. Here is the legislative calendar for the next two weeks, with key bills highlighted in bold. If you would like to see our written testimony on those bills, let me know at cldornin@aol.com. Please attend as many hearings as possible. Hearings that are well attended indicate support or opposition so be sure and sign the position sheet at the back of the room to indicate why you are there. Please let us know if you can attend any hearings and if you will consider testifying. We can help you with your testimony. (Read More)
We may call you on key bills that really need a strong turnout of prison reformers. Chris Dornin, co-founder, CCJR, 228-9610, cldornin@aol.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY JOINT WITH SENATE JUDICIARY,
Representatives Hall 9:00 a.m.
SB 576, relative to the penalty for possession and use of fentanyl-class drugs, insurance coverage for substance use disorders, the acceptance of general funds by the controlled drug prescription health and safety program, the membership of the board of medicine and prescribers of controlled drugs and making an appropriation therefor. SB 447, relative to the controlled drug prescription health and safety program and establishing a commission to study Narcan.
House Election Law Room 308, LOB
1:30 p.m. HB 1532, permitting state or county prisoners to vote by absentee ballot. Bill was written by CCJR and would empower prisoners as voting constituents of candidates for office. We might see a few would-be senators and presidents coming through the cellblocks.
1:45 p.m. HB 1646, relative to the disclosure of felony convictions by individuals seeking an elected office.
Finance Committee, 210-211 LOB
2:30 p.m. HB 1215-FN-A, changing the allocation of penalty assessment funds, establishing a compensation fund for victims of crimes against the person, and continually appropriating a percentage of penalty assessments to such fund.
HHS 205 LOB
1:30 p.m. HB 1668-FN, establishing a registry for persons convicted of heroin-related offenses and requiring registration of heroin offenders. The bill would cut heroin users off from any state aid programs and would keep them from ever rebuilding their lives. The state police could divulge this information, but there would not be an internet registry on offenders, at least in the beginning.
Wednesday, January 13
HOUSE JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
10:00 a.m. HCACR 13, relating to the administrative head of the courts. Providing that the chief justice of the supreme court shall make rules governing employees of the courts and the practice and procedure to be followed in the courts.
10:30 a.m. HCACR 15, relating to the election of judges. Providing that judges be elected for specific terms. The bill would destroy the independence of judges and force them to play the fear card in elections the same way county attorneys and senators so often do.
11:00 a.m. HB 1677-FN, abolishing the supreme court general counsel position and the judicial council.
11:30 a.m. HB 1217, relative to the duties of and meeting requirements for the judicial council.
January 13th from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. in Manchester
All House members and legislative staff are cordially invited to Keeping America Safe: National Security in the 21st Century on Wednesday, January 13th from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Manchester Downtown in the Webster Room. Hosted by the Charles Koch Institute, please join moderator John Stossel 8 january 2016 HOUSE RECORD 11 of Fox Business for a featured conversation with Andrew J. Bacevich of Boston University, Stephen Kinzer of Brown University, Christopher Preble of the Cato Institute, and William Ruger of the Charles Koch Institute, with a reception to follow. The Charles Koch Institute is an educational organization focused on the importance of free societies and how they increase well-being for the overwhelming majority of people. Rep. Brad Bailey
Thursday January 14
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, lob 1:00 p.m. HB 1584-FN, relative to minimum and maximum sentences for felony convictions. Executive session on pending legislation may be held. The bill reduces the penalty for class A felonies and slightly increases the penalty for class B felonies.
Senate Rules committee Room 103 State House
2:35 p.m. CACR 26, relating to the appointment of the attorney general. Providing that the attorney general shall be appointed by a vote of the general court. It is bad enough that county prosecutors have to run for election and re-election now. This bill would trample the separation of powers and force them to play by the rules of the NH House. These days that would be especially unwelcome.
Friday, January 15
HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB 9:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 576-FN-A, relative to the penalty for possession and use of fentanyl-class drugs, insurance coverage for substance use disorders, the acceptance of general funds by the controlled drug prescription health and safety program, the membership of the board of medicine and prescribers of controlled drugs and making an appropriation therefor; SB 447-FN, relative to the controlled drug prescription health and safety program and establishing a commission to study Narcan.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, room 204, LOB 10:00 a.m.
HB 1675-FN-A, relative to the legalization and taxation of marijuana.
10:15 a.m. HB 1694-FN-A-LOCAL, relative to the legalization and regulation of marijuana.
1:00 p.m. HB 1626-FN, relative to drug take-back programs.
1:45 p.m. HB 1610-FN, legalizing the possession and cultivation of marijuana for personal use.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB 10:00 a.m. HB 1311, relative to solitary confinement.
11:00 a.m. HB 1506, establishing a committee to study the use of solitary confinement in New Hampshire.
11:00 a.m. HB 1507, amending the procedures for the use of solitary confinement and establishing a committee to study the use and effectiveness of solitary confinement in New Hampshire. This bill was written by Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform with huge help from the Civil Liberties Union. Many states are cracking down on the over use of solitary confinement and it’s time New Hampshire did so.
1:00 p.m. HB 1451-FN, allowing persons convicted of certain nonviolent first offenses to petition for an annulment of the criminal record.