My votes in the NH House session
of February 5, 2026

This was the first session day of the year in which we voted on bills whose hearings were in 2026. Before voting, we heard Governor Ayotte’s State of the State address. From the point of view of my committee, the most interesting point she made was directing the Department of Energy to Energy to build pathways to “foster the next generation of nuclear power generation here in New Hampshire.” She asked the department to “bring together stakeholders, lawmakers, and organizations focused on nuclear generation to ensure our state is at the forefront of this pivotal technology.” In an interview that aired on WMUR CloseUp on Sunday, February 8, she did admit that next-generation nuclear is years away.

Minority Leader Alexis Simpson moved to Suspend House Rules for late introduction of a bill that would allow municipalities to refuse ICE facilities within their borders. This would-be bill was, of course, inspired by confirmed reports that ICE is planning a detention warehouse in Merrimack. Not only are the people of Merrimack strongly against it, but so is their state senator, Tim McGough, a Republican. Suspending the rules requires a 2/3 majority, and the motion failed on a roll call vote, 162-187; I voted Yea. So even though the community of Merrimack does not want an ICE facility located there, and even though their own Republican state senator agrees, the House Republicans refused to even allow the bill to be drafted and introduced. It is also worth noting that in the same interview on CloseUp, Governor Ayotte said that the local community should decide whether to accept a detention facility, so apparently she disagrees with House Republicans here.

HB 1793-FN

A campus carry bill, it would prohibit public colleges and universities from banning weapons, including guns, on campus. It applies to everyone including visitors, such as the Brown University shooter. Drunk college students with guns—what could go wrong? The prime sponsor is Republican Rep. Sam Farrington, a UNH student.

HB 1832-FN

Another pro-Education Freedom Account bill, it adds students whose parents are on active military duty to the EFA priority list. I voted against it, not because I’m anti-military, but because I will always vote against expanding EFAs.

HB 1487-FN

Would have created an independent commission to draw redistricting maps. Polls show that up to 82% of voters favor an independent commission, even when their own party is in power.

HB 1196-FN

Repeals the Housing Champions program, an incentive-based program for state-local partnership to create housing. Why?

HB 1405-FN

Would have created a low-risk state guarantee program for loans to create or preserve affordable housing.

HB 1612-FN

You might notice that I voted against the Democratic caucus on this one. It would have prohibited landlords using price-fixing software to determine rents. Although I am against landlords using price-fixing software, I voted for the motion to Table because the bill is poorly written. For example, it does not define price-fixing software. If you’re going to prohibit something, you need to define what it is that you’re prohibiting. After the session day ended, Rep. David Paige, the ranking member of the Housing Committee, told me that they will try to fix the bill. I hope that they do.

HB 1661-FN

Would have expanded the Community Heroes program, which has already helped 184 essential workers purchase homes in their communities.

HB 1485-FN

I write about this bill, which passed on a voice vote, because I was the prime (and only) sponsor. It was a request from a constituent, Bob Moses. When you buy gasoline or diesel fuel, 18 cents per gallon goes toward “road tolls,” which really means that it goes toward maintaining state highways. But if you don’t use the fuel on a vehicle that goes on the road—such as farm equipment, construction equipment, or off-road vehicles—you can apply for a refund of that 18 cents per gallon. You have to apply by April 1. State agencies are allowed to apply late, but not the general public. This bill allows the general public to apply late, but with a small penalty: 5% of the amount of the refund or $50, whichever is greater. Bob Moses requested it because he owns Britton Lumber, and they use diesel for their machinery. The refund request paperwork got buried in someone’s desk and was not filed in time. A judge ruled that they could get the refund, but said that the legislature should fix the law. This bill does that. Even better, it was supposed to go to the Finance Committee (because it has a fiscal note—the FN part of the bill number), but the chair of Finance waived it off. So the bill now goes over to the Senate, where I will be introducing it and Bob Moses will testify.

HR 45

This stupid House Resolution urges Congress to find that the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor lie in New Hampshire, not Maine. Aside from the inanity of changing state borders, it would bring new costs to New Hampshire, including bridges, traffic, and other infrastructure currently taken care of by Maine.