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Flurry of action on ’17 bills

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On Wednesday, January 3 the New Hampshire House and Senate kicked off the 2018 legislative session by voting on roughly 100 bills leftover from 2017.

Here are the most notable bills to pass:

SB 247

This bill creates stricter rules regarding lead exposure. For example, this bill requires universal lead blood testing for children under age three. 

The House passed an amended version of SB 247 on January 3. The Senate needs to approve those changes before the bill heads to the governor’s desk.

“New Hampshire has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation, which puts us all at a heightened risk of lead poisoning. SB 247 will allow every child in New Hampshire proper and prompt access to lead testing.”

- Gov. Chris Sununu

HB 485

The House amended this bill to give the Department of Environment Services more power to regulate PFC pollution in the air, soil, and water. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Mindi Messmer, who is also sponsoring many 2018 bills related to PFC contamination

HB 485 now heads to the Senate.

“To permit a private or industrial actor to knowingly pollute our groundwater is unacceptable, and I do not believe in passing the buck to our children and grandchildren. … When this bill reaches my desk, I look forward to signing it on behalf of the people of New Hampshire.”

- Gov. Chris Sununu

SB 193

This bill allows some students to take their share of state education funding and spend it on private or home schooling. The House amended the bill by limiting eligibility for the scholarships, requiring the students to pass annual assessments, and reimbursing public schools for some of the lost funding.

The Senate must approve the House changes.

“This is the first step in ensuring that New Hampshire’s education system continues to be on the forefront of innovation, closing the opportunity gap and opening pathways like never before, regardless of economic status. I applaud the House of Representatives for reaching a compromise that puts New Hampshire families first.”

- Gov. Chris Sununu

HB 372

This bill makes the legal definitions of “residency” and “domicile” equivalent. As a result, voters would have to be New Hampshire residents – not just domiciled in New Hampshire. This bill would have the biggest impact on out-of-state college students. 

The House must approve the Senate version of this bill. Unlike many other bills passed on Wednesday, Gov. Sununu opposes HB 372.

“I will never support anything that suppresses the student vote. End of story.”

- Gov. Chris Sununu

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