Committee Summary for House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/21/2025)

Roy, Terry(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Murray, Alissandra(Clerk)(D)[D-]2025	Rhodes, Jennifer(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Harriott-Gathright, Linda(D)[CT]2025	Proulx, Mark(R)[C+]2025	Lascelles, Richard(R)[B+]2025
Morency, Pete(R)[B]2025	Paquette, Kathleen(R)[B+]2025	Murphy, Nancy(D)[CT]2025
Newman, Ray(D)[F]2025	Meuse, David(D)[F]2025	Devoid, Ricky(R)[A-]2025
Scherr, Buzz(D)[D-]2025	Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)[A-]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB59 00:08:22.720 - 9:06:38 AM	Executive Session	relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer.	Mannion, Dennis(R)[B+]2025
HB87 00:09:56.760 - 9:08:12 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting the posting of land not owned by the poster.	Love, David(R)[B+]2025
HB245 00:13:47.959 - 9:12:03 AM	Executive Session	establishing the speed enforcement and awareness fund and providing for grants to municipal law enforcement for speed enforcement and speed awareness traffic equipment.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
HB500 00:15:21.680 - 9:13:37 AM	Executive Session	establishing enhanced enforcement zones for motor vehicle speed enforcement, increasing penalties for speeding in those zones by 50 percent, and establishing the enhanced enforcement zone fund to assist with funding enhanced enforcement.	Pearson, Stephen(R)[B-]2025
HB109 00:17:14.679 - 9:15:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to false reports to law enforcement.	Mannion, Dennis(R)[B+]2025
HB109 2025-0453h 00:25:05.919 - 9:23:21 AM	Executive Session	relative to false reports to law enforcement.	Mannion, Dennis(R)[B+]2025
HB62 0282H 00:57:22.359 - 9:55:38 AM	Executive Session	relative to protection of persons from domestic violence and military protective orders.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025
HB640 01:05:06.559 - 10:03:22 AM	Executive Session	relative to the transparency of federal agency operations within New Hampshire.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
HB159 01:12:09.320 - 10:10:25 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for voluntary surrender of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025
HB159 01:12:09.320 - 10:10:25 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for voluntary surrender of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025
HB146 01:12:55.719 - 10:11:11 AM	Executive Session	relative to the use of body-worn cameras.	Flanagan, Jack(R)[B]2025
HB162 01:13:45.800 - 10:12:01 AM	Executive Session	relative to informed consent for law enforcement searches of houses or other property.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025
HB776 03:02:08.560 - 12:00:24 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated and relative to proclaiming the Virginia opossum the state marsupial of New Hampshire.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025

HB59: Chair Information Only00:08:22.720 - 9:06:38 AM; The chair announced that the executive session on House Bill 59 would be recessed until the following week due to ongoing discussions with other stakeholders. The chair apologized to those present who expected a vote on the bill that day but noted that the bill was not being killed and invited anyone who wished to speak to do so. However, no one present chose to speak.
HB87: Representative Saor D Sha Support00:09:56.760 - 9:08:12 AM; Representative Saor D Sha moved for the bill to pass, emphasizing that it protects property rights by prohibiting individuals from posting signs on land they do not own.
HB87: Representative Lels Support00:09:56.760 - 9:08:12 AM; Representative Lels seconded the motion to pass the bill but did not add further comments.
HB87: Representative CS Support00:10:42.760 - 9:08:58 AM; Representative CS elaborated on the issue, explaining that the bill addresses a problem where individuals, particularly activists against hunting, post no trespassing or no hunting signs on property they do not own, leading to legal issues for hunters who are unaware of the false postings.
HB87: Representative Har Gather Oppose00:11:29.000 - 9:09:45 AM; Representative Har Gather expressed concern over the bill's proposed penalty of a Class B misdemeanor, suggesting it might be too severe and proposing a violation level offense with a fine instead.
HB87: Representative M Oppose00:12:16.199 - 9:10:32 AM; Representative M supported Representative Har Gather's view on the penalty, arguing that a misdemeanor B for what could be considered a prank was too harsh, especially when it could lead to criminal charges for hunters on falsely posted land.
HB245: Representative Shabor D Sha Oppose00:13:47.959 - 9:12:03 AM; Representative Shabor D Sha moved for the bill to be deemed inexpedient to legislate, arguing that establishing a separate fund for speed enforcement was unnecessary.
HB245: Representative Rhods Support00:13:47.959 - 9:12:03 AM; Representative Rhods seconded the motion to deem the bill inexpedient to legislate, expressing agreement with the motion.
HB500: Representative Appr Oppose00:15:21.680 - 9:13:37 AM; Representative Appr moved for the bill to be deemed inexpedient to legislate, stating that it was unnecessary to instruct the state police on where to patrol and that setting up enhanced zones was not needed.
HB109: Representative Rhs Support00:17:14.679 - 9:15:30 AM; Representative Rhs moved for the bill to pass, explaining that false reports about police officers can lead to investigations and damage to the officer's reputation and career, hence the need for a misdemeanor penalty for such actions.
HB109: Representative Appr Support00:17:21.640 - 9:15:37 AM; Representative Appr seconded the motion, highlighting the current lack of penalties for false reports and the severe impact on an officer's career and life during investigations.
HB109: Representative PR Support00:18:08.039 - 9:16:24 AM; Representative PR supported the bill, noting the significant effect a false report has on an officer's life and the need for a penalty to deter such actions.
HB109: Representative Harriet Gather Information Only00:19:39.200 - 9:17:55 AM; Representative Harriet Gather asked for clarification on the difference between misconduct and criminal conduct in the context of the bill, to which Representative Manning explained that misconduct covers non-criminal actions like using a racial slur, while criminal conduct involves accusations of theft or assault.
HB109: Representative Manning Support00:19:39.200 - 9:17:55 AM; Representative Manning clarified the definitions of misconduct and criminal conduct in response to Representative Harriet Gather's query, and further explained the legal definition of 'knowingly' as it pertains to the bill.
HB109: Representative M Oppose00:21:56.159 - 9:20:12 AM; Representative M opposed the bill, expressing concerns that it might discourage reporting of actual police misconduct and noted potential overlap with existing statutes on false reporting.
HB109 2025-0453h: Representative Approv Support00:25:05.919 - 9:23:21 AM; Representative Approv supported the amendment to HB109, explaining that the bill addresses concerns raised during public hearings about the lack of a process for individuals receiving no trespass orders. The amendment introduces a replace all approach, providing a clear process for requesting a hearing and appealing no trespass orders. It also includes safeguards for the issuer of the order, allowing extensions and the possibility of a one-year order for repeat offenders within two years.
HB109 2025-0453h: Representative RHS Support00:26:40.159 - 9:24:56 AM; Representative RHS supported the amendment, emphasizing the need for a process to revoke no trespass orders. They confirmed that the amendment addresses the appeal process, noting that it now requires a two-thirds vote rather than a unanimous decision.
HB109 2025-0453h: Representative Harry GTH Oppose00:28:13.080 - 9:26:29 AM; Representative Harry GTH opposed the bill, arguing that it interferes with 14th Amendment rights and believes it should be handled at the city or town level, not by the state.
HB109 2025-0453h: Representative M Oppose00:28:58.120 - 9:27:14 AM; Representative M criticized the amendment for not addressing concerns raised during public hearings, particularly regarding the New Hampshire School Board Association's request for no additional meetings and a simple majority vote instead of a two-thirds supermajority. They felt the amendment did not reflect the public testimony and required further work.
HB109 2025-0453h: Representative RHS Support00:32:19.360 - 9:30:35 AM; Representative RHS apologized for not forwarding an email from the bill's sponsor to other committee members and expressed hope that if the bill advances to the Senate, further adjustments could be made to address remaining concerns.
HB109 2025-0453h: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:56:11.799 - 9:54:27 AM; An unnamed speaker informed the committee that the amendment for House Bill 62 was being circulated, which had caused the delay in starting the session.
HB109 2025-0453h: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:56:11.799 - 9:54:27 AM; The speaker concluded their remarks on HB109 at 00:56:11.799, just before the transition to the next bill.
HB62 0282H: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:57:22.359 - 9:55:38 AM; The speaker opened the executive session on House Bill 62 and introduced amendment number 0282H. They explained that the amendment was requested after discussions with stakeholders, including the Coalition and the Department of Defense. The amendment aims to make military protective orders admissible as evidence in civil court proceedings for obtaining another protective order.
HB62 0282H: Representative Harry G Information Only00:59:38.480 - 9:57:54 AM; Representative Harry G requested a moment to read through the amendment as it was replacing the original version provided.
HB62 0282H: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:01:12.880 - 9:59:28 AM; The speaker expressed concerns about drawing a line between local and federal government involvement, indicating they were struggling with the decision but leaning towards support.
HB62 0282H: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:04:16.200 - 10:02:32 AM; The speaker called for a vote on the amendment to HB62, which passed unanimously with 16 votes in favor. The executive session was then closed.
HB640: Representative Subor D Support01:05:06.559 - 10:03:22 AM; Representative Subor D moved to pass HB640, emphasizing government efficiency and the need to understand federal government activities within the state.
HB640: Representative Ro Support01:05:06.559 - 10:03:22 AM; Representative Ro seconded the motion but chose not to speak further on it.
HB640: Representative Here at GA Oppose01:05:52.839 - 10:04:08 AM; Representative Here at GA opposed the bill, citing concerns about the cost to the state, particularly the potential addition of three positions, and the state's current budget struggles.
HB640: Unnamed Speaker Support01:06:38.680 - 10:04:54 AM; The speaker supported the bill despite cost concerns, believing it was a policy matter and that the finance committee and the Department of Justice would handle the cost estimates.
HB640: Representative Murray Oppose01:07:24.920 - 10:05:40 AM; Representative Murray supported the idea behind the bill but opposed the quarterly reporting requirement, suggesting it might overburden the AG's office. They would be more likely to support if it were less frequent.
HB640: Representative Muse Oppose01:08:10.400 - 10:06:26 AM; Representative Muse opposed the bill, questioning its effectiveness and seeing it as an unnecessary burden on the Attorney General's office. They suggested that the money could be better spent on improving state agency websites.
HB640: Representative Newman Information Only01:08:58.960 - 10:07:14 AM; Representative Newman asked about the implications if the federal government did not voluntarily provide the requested data, to which it was clarified that nothing would happen if the federal government declined.
HB640: Representative Share Oppose01:09:46.198 - 10:08:02 AM; Representative Share opposed the bill due to cost concerns and doubts about the effectiveness of the proposed system, where the AG's office would request data from federal agencies that might not respond.
HB640: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:11:17.320 - 10:09:33 AM; The speaker called for a vote on HB640, which passed with 9 votes in favor and 7 against. Representative Saor D was to prepare the majority report.
HB159: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:12:09.320 - 10:10:25 AM; The speaker opened and closed the executive session on HB159, advising that language work was still being done and the bill would be addressed again the following Wednesday.
HB159: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:12:09.320 - 10:10:25 AM; The speaker opened and closed the executive session on HB592, noting that it was being worked on for language purposes and would be addressed again the following Wednesday.
HB146: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:12:55.719 - 10:11:11 AM; The speaker opened and closed the executive session on HB146, stating that it would be held over to the following Wednesday due to an upcoming amendment.
HB162: Representative Sher Support01:13:45.800 - 10:12:01 AM; Representative Sher moved to pass HB162, explaining that it extends the requirement for police to inform individuals of their right to refuse consent to search, a practice already in place for vehicles, to include searches of houses and other properties. They mentioned having discussed this with the police chief in Portsmouth, who reported no issues with the existing process.
HB162: Unnamed Speaker Support01:14:31.239 - 10:12:47 AM; The speaker seconded the motion and recalled writing a similar bill six or seven years ago. They supported the bill, emphasizing the educational aspect of informing individuals of their rights during searches.
HB162: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:16:48.719 - 10:15:04 AM; The speaker called for a vote on HB162, which passed unanimously with 16 votes in favor. The executive session was then closed.
HB776: Unnamed Speaker Information Only03:02:08.560 - 12:00:24 PM; The speaker opened and closed the public hearing on HB776, noting that no additional testimony was needed as it had been held over.