My votes in the NH House session
of February 12, 2026

Mostly losses today, but a few wins. My favorite was tabling HB 1002, discussed below. I also voted against the Democratic recommendation on three bills.

HB 1570-FN-LOCAL

This bill would have required a local governmental budget authority, such as county commissioners or a town council, to approve a law enforcement agency to sign a 287(g) agreement to assist ICE with immigration enforcement. It would also have required the law enforcement agency to document their efforts in assisting ICE. The Republicans, great fiscal shepherds that they are, saw no reason to ensure that New Hampshire tax dollars spent on a federal responsibility should have local fiscal approval.

HB 1716-FN

The Republicans do not want any additional accountability for Education Freedom Accounts, so this bill died.

HB 1636-FN

This bill would have directed the Department of Revenue Administration to study options for generating state revenue and supply five suggestions. The caucus position, which was not unanimous, was that we already have the Ways and Means Committee, whose job is to examine revenue bills. I voted Nay on the ITL motion, meaning I supported the bill, because Ways and Means has not exactly done a stellar job in coming up with revenue sources. I figured that perhaps some professionals might have a few ideas.

HB 1584-FN and HB 1719-FN

Two more anti-vaccine bills. I marvel at the way the Republican Party rejects the clear science that vaccines are safe and effective.

Reprimand of Rep. Paige Beauchemin

During Governor Ayotte’s State of the State address, Democratic Rep. Paige Beauchemin made an obscene gesture toward the governor. Paige was my seatmate in the previous session, so I know her well. But she sits several rows behind me now, and I did not see what she did. Paige defended herself in a speech in which she said that she was sorry for what she did, but also detailed her frustration with Republican policies in New Hampshire and the nation. There are no consequences to a reprimand other than that it appears in the permanent journal.

The vote to reprimand was overwhelming, 264-89, so that several Democrats voted to reprimand. (I would tell you how many, but I cannot find the name-by-name result of the roll call vote.) I was one of the 89 who voted not to reprimand. I certainly do not condone what Paige did, but Republicans have done much worse with no consequence. For example, in 2024, two Republicans, Cyril Aures and Terry Roy, almost came to blows on the floor of the House. (I suspect that at least one of them, if not both, were armed at the time.) Neither was censured. We were told that Aures and Roy would apologize at the well of the House, but I am still waiting for that to happen. Until Aures and Roy apologize, I am not voting to reprimand any Democrats.

HB 1607-FN

This bill about road salt had broad support, including a unanimous vote for OTP in the Public Works and Highways Committee. But the chair of the committee moved to Table the bill, citing an error in the bill that he would like to have corrected. I was one of only three Democrats to vote to Table, figuring that the committee, which is perhaps the most bipartisan of all our standing committees, should correct the error.

HB 1002

This bill came out of my committee, Science, Technology and Energy, with a partisan 10-8 vote. Currently, 153 municipalities in New Hampshire allow a tax exemption for solar panels. Each of these municipalities voted for their local tax exemption, and each can vote to rescind it if they wish. Yet, this bill would rescind the tax exemption for the entire state, overriding local control. The Republican argument in favor of the bill was that it was a matter of “tax fairness” and that it was invalid because in town meeting, a small number of town residents voted for the exemption. Of course, what about all the other votes in town meeting? Are they also invalid?

We were concerned that this bill would pass, but we also knew that many of the Republicans represent towns that voted for the tax exemption. Republican Rep. Joe Guthrie (96 years old, but looks a lot younger) of Hampstead, one of the 153 municipalities, moved to Table the bill. The motion passed by 30 votes, which was remarkable considering that we had been losing most votes by 20–30.

HB 1542-FN

Another bill that came out of my committee with a partisan 10-8 vote. This one takes the money in the Renewable Energy Fund (REF) and rebates it to electric ratepayers. The REF goes toward various programs, including low- to moderate-income solar and municipal and school pellet boilers (saving taxpayers some money). The REF is a terrific economic engine, generating $9 of investment for every $1 granted. And, of course, money from renewable energy stays in the state, rather than going to oil and gas producing locales. But the bill passed. I hope that the Senate kills it, but I’m not holding my breath.

HB 1580-FN-LOCAL

This bill would have taxed non-primary residences. I would have supported it, but it would keep the tax revenue in the municipality of the residence. Towns with expensive second homes, such as Wolfeboro, don’t really need the additional revenue. And places like Claremont don’t have second homes, so they’d see no additional revenue. To put it simply: the rich towns would get richer, and the poor towns would get nothing. So I voted for the ITL motion.