The House session of February 10 dealt with early House bills, many of which had to be referred to a second committee.

For example, HB 1696, the Medicaid expansion bill, passed the House on a 207-136 bipartisan vote but needs to go to Finance before coming back to the House for another vote. If passed by the House again, the bill still needs to go to the Senate, where changes to the bill can be made. The bill would then have to be reconciled in a conference committee between the House and the Senate.

HB 1563, relative to funding for full-day kindergarten in public schools, failed on an Inexpedient ToLegislate (ITL) motion of 205-152.

HB 1644, relative to screening and treatment for dyslexia, a bill that my good friend Representative Karen Ebel of New London pushed for, passed the House on a 186-172 bipartisan vote. It was referred to Finance.

HB 1564, establishing an independent redistricting commission, failed on a 210-151 vote.

HB 1674, a perennial bill aiming to label GMOs, failed again on a 239-122 vote.

HB 1560, an anti-abortion bill, failed on a 163-136 vote, as did another, HB 1627, on a 167-116 vote.

HB 1673, a bill that would affect the retirement system, was tabled on a vote of 188-127.

HB 1616, a bill relative to Real ID, would allow residents of New Hampshire to acquire a federally compliant ID if they want to. Real ID is now required on most flights. It passed 264-67.

HB 1368, requiring firearms owners to have liability insurance, failed on a 287-22 vote.

HB 1694, legalizing and regulating marijuana, Colorado-style, failed on a 168-122 vote.

Two broadband expansion bills I helped put through, HB 1180 and HB 1479, both came out of committees with an ITL recommendation. HB 1180 would allow municipalities to bond for broadband projects in unserved or under-served areas that the industry is simply not interested in serving. HB 1479 would establish a broadband expansion study committee. I will fight for both of these bills on the floor when we return from a week of vacation. I believe we can still prevail.

The House will meet again on March 9.

I am always available at 735-5440 or MarioRatzki@nullgmail.com.