New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire House Bill HB1495

Introduced
12/11/23  
Refer
12/11/23  

Caption

Making provisions for the prospective of all legislative acts on a sliding scale based on the vote count when passed by the house of representatives.

Impact

This bill significantly alters the legislative process by incorporating a mechanism that essentially links the durability of a law to the level of consensus it garners in the initial voting. This could lead to increased stability for highly supported laws while allowing for easier repeal of those that pass with lower thresholds of support. Consequently, it could impact the legislative environment in New Hampshire by potentially limiting the longevity of laws passed with weak support, fostering a need for renewed debates on contentious issues over a shorter time frame.

Summary

House Bill 1495 is a legislative proposal that seeks to modify how laws enacted by the legislature are designed with a prospective repeal clause depending on the voting margins at the time of passage in the House of Representatives. The bill stipulates that various durations for these prospective repeals will be applied across three categories based on the percentage of support from present members. If a bill receives at least 80% of votes in favor, it will have a repeal period of 10 years; for 65-79%, a 7-year period; and for 51-64%, a 3-year period. In situations where the vote count cannot be determined, such as voice votes, the 3-year period will also apply.

Sentiment

The response to HB 1495 has sparked discussions around the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislative process. Proponents argue that embedding prospective repeals based on legislative support is a sensible approach to ensuring that only laws with broad consensus endure. Critics, however, may express concerns that such legislation could undermine the ability to enact necessary outcomes by creating an environment of instability where laws are overly susceptible to repeal, thus creating hurdles for sustained policy initiatives.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1495 include discussions about the implications of predetermined repeal periods which could constrain the legislature's capacity to address issues robustly in the long term. Critics warn that this may lead to a potential overemphasis on attaining high percentages of votes rather than focusing on the substantive merit of the legislation itself. Additionally, the requirement for a certain number of registered voters to initiate a repeal further complicates the process and may create obstacles for grassroots movements seeking legislative change.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH S2545

Joint Rules for the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session

NH S15

Proposed Joint Rules for the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session.

NH S18

Proposed Joint Rules for the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session.

NH HCR106

Adopting a Joint Rule of the Senate and House of Representatives assigning to each bill passed by the legislature a legislative act number.

NH LB541

Eliminate online voter registration, restrict voter registration by mail, require grounds for early voting, require hand counts of ballots, and change provisions relating to voter registration and voting

NH HR0041

A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.

NH H2025

Order relative to the adoption of permanent Rules of the House of Representatives for the 194th General Court governing the 2025-2026 legislative sessions

NH H2024

Order relative to the adoption of permanent Rules of the House of Representatives for the 194th General Court governing the 2025-2026 legislative sessions

NH SF0114

AN ACT relating to elections; providing for the election of representatives to the Wyoming house of representatives; specifying requirements for nominations and elections; specifying apportionment and counting procedures for elections of representatives; making conforming amendments; providing for the apportionment of house legislative districts and the number of representatives for each district; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

NH H5016

HOUSE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS 2023-2024 (Requires that all legislative grants allocated to the senate be distributed in accordance with the rules of the Senate and that all legislative grants allocated to the House of Representatives be divided equally among the 75 legislative districts.)

Similar Bills

MI SB0372

Housing: landlord and tenants; reuse of certain tenant screening reports; allow. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds secs. 1e, 1f, 1g & 1h.

NJ A1580

Exempts judges and justices from jury duty.

NJ A1956

Clarifies excuse from jury service for members of the military or reserve under certain circumstances; repeals N.J.S.38A:4-6.

AZ HB2128

Environmental remediation; liability; release

MI HB4995

Housing: landlord and tenants; prohibition of the use of prospective tenants' credit scores as a sole deciding factor for lease eligibility and allowance for landlords to accept reusable screening reports; provide for. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds secs. 1e, 1f, 1g & 1h.

WI SB1057

Access to prospective tenants’ credit scores and consumer credit reports.

WI AB1058

Access to prospective tenants’ credit scores and consumer credit reports.

UT HB0141

Adoption Modifications