Reigning in PFAS in NH
A bill prohibiting the sale of select products that contain PFAS, such as food packages, children’s products, cosmetics & carpets, passed the House on a roll call vote of 233-140. By passing HB 1649, we protect our families, future generations, and the environment from the harmful effects of ‘forever chemicals’ such as PFAS. Taking these steps is vital in curbing the worsening impacts of PFAS.
Wednesday, the EPA directed that drinking water utilities nationwide remove certain PFAS chemicals at a concentration of 4 parts per trillion. This directive serves as another urgent reminder of the severe hazards associated with this chemical family, as PFAS has been associated with liver problems, thyroid issues, kidney disease, decreased immunity, maternal health hazards, and cancer.
HB 1649 is a common-sense step to protect Granite Staters' health and the beautiful New Hampshire environment we know and love. Now is the time to take a strong stand. These forever chemicals should not be in the air we breathe, the water we drink, or in the soil we walk on.
Bail Reform Compromise
The New Hampshire House voted to pass HB 318, the final bipartisan compromise bill to address issues with the bail reform statute. The bipartisan legislation gives law enforcement and the court system the funding and tools to do their work, including data sharing across municipalities, the establishment of magistrate judges, increased training and wages for bail commissioners, and further clarity of violent crimes that do not warrant release. This legislation will allow police, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and courts to make informed decisions about pre-trial release and detention without delay.
This compromise addresses the real issues facing our communities without needlessly incarcerating people and rolling back all the progress we have made in the last decade to preserve Granite Staters’ rights and liberties.
Increased Support for Public Education
The New Hampshire House passed two bills, HB 1583 and HB 1656, which increase state funding for public education. Both bills now head to the Senate for review. House Bills 1583 and 1656 are both critically important to our schools, our local communities, and our students. By further increasing state support for public education, we are helping our local communities and taking recent court decisions seriously.
HB 1656 greatly improves the formula to determine state support for special education, the cost of which varies greatly from year to year and from community to community. Increasing state support for special education will help stabilize municipal budgets and protect property taxpayers from sudden spikes.