Hold on – It’s going to be a bumpy ride is a famous line from an old movie and as I start to review legislation being proposed for the upcoming 2012 House Session, the line applies quite nicely. Earlier this year legislators filed bills for the upcoming January session, and after careful crafting and re-writes by the Office of Legislative Services to ensure it addresses the sponsor’s intent, they are distributed to members as well as put on-line. The public can review the proposed legislation by going to the NH House website http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/default.htm
Amid the bills being proposed by this republican legislature are the following samples of the strange, ridiculous and absurd! Bills that meddle with International Affairs, a fear of the Federal Government, abolishing art & culture and of course their seemingly favorite topic – GUNS – lots of bills regarding guns!
If they’re successful – the United States will not only withdraw from the United Nations (HCR-32) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (HCR-34), but also privatize Social Security (HCR-39), as well as inform the US Congress that the NH National Guard shall not serve outside the borders of New Hampshire absent a declaration of war (HCR-21). I believe there’s another bill to form a NH Defense Force who I guess will protect us from those suspicious knaves to the north - the Canadians. Apparently, the Canadians are a serious concern & potential threat as we’re proposing removing Canada from the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (HB-1248-FN). Note (FN) signifies there is a fiscal cost to the legislation and ultimately the taxpayer. Sadly they have forgotten, or are unaware, how a decade ago when a couple of NH state troopers were killed by a gun toting extremist, it was the Canadian border cops who were among the first on the scene, or how often Hydro-Quebec has sent teams here to work with NH utilities in restoring power. Sometimes a short memory can be dangerous thing! But, it’s not just the Canadians we’re worried about, there’s also legislation (HB-1412) that requires the Department of Transportation to post signs on roads that cross the border with Massachusetts, apparently Maine & Vermont are still OK (for now). Maybe we can use that proposed Defense Force they’re talking about forming to staff border crossings into Massachusetts – “papers, papers ver are your papers!”
Last session these legislative extremists pretty much emasculated the NH Department of Cultural Resources, but just to make sure, they now want to repeal the State Art Fund (HB1285-FN) whose job it is to administer any federal funds received from the National Endowment of the Arts for the State. Now since these are the same people who want New Hampshire to refuse accepting all federal funds there probably is some odd logic here. Of course – for those who prefer the full frontal (why use a scalpel when an axe will do) approach – there is HB-1274-FN that calls for abolishing the department of Cultural Resources completely. Still, let’s not forget HB-1145 that prohibits Public Television (Channel 11) from being affiliated with the University System of NH.
There are several bills dealing with restricting government and deregulation that if passed may limit the abilities of municipalities and school districts. Specifically, HB-1167 which if passed will eliminate the requirement that public school education be provided for a minimum of 180 days [yeah! kids should go to school for fewer days per year – that’ll make us more competitive in the global marketplace!] There are also bills addressing the licensure of hawkers & peddlers (HB-1359) as well as workforce housing (HB1282-FN). House Bill-1265 establishes criteria for the regulation of occupations & professions and provides that an individual may engage in a legal occupation without being subject to laws that regulate the occupation or profession which are arbitrary, unnecessary, or substantially burdensome.
Then there’s HB-1131 which calls for a committee to study what the impact would be if we abolished both the Supreme & Superior Courts! Also, some want to mandate that the Governor will need the approval of the executive council and general court (yes all 424 members) before seeking federal aid for emergency assistance (HB-1218). Any legislator even considering this – should take a ride along Rte 4 from White River Junction to Rutland Vermont. Even now in December ’11 the damage from Hurricane Irene is visible – so does it make sense to slow down the process?
Several legislators have filed a bill (HB-1126) requiring the NH General Court to nominate candidates for US Senator. Also, in response to the ongoing hysteria that’s jammed NH legislators email boxes for months from out of staters, regarding how we’ve elected as President someone who isn’t a US citizen, HB-1164 comes to the rescue and requires presidential candidates to submit documentation that they meet the qualifications for office as stated in the US Constitution.
Last but not least are the GUN Bills: HB-1375 allows persons convicted of nonviolent felonies to purchase and keep firearms; HB 1246 permits residents to apply to the director of the State Police or county sheriff for a license to carry a pistol or revolver, thus going around local police. HB-1341 repeals the statute prohibiting unauthorized use of a firearm in the compact of a city or town, and HB 1335 limits Fish & Game’s ability to deny a hunting license only if the person is prohibited under federal or state law from possessing a firearm. However, there’s more, HB-1318 will permit anyone to carry a loaded firearm openly or concealed, on their person or in a vehicle, and HB-1220 repeals the criminal history record and protective order check for the sale of firearms.
This is just a sampling – there’s more to come – but as an old statehouse reporter said last week when asked about this NH House – YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP! So stay tuned.
