Marijuana, Casino, Gas Tax, Stand Your Ground

Medical marijuana, casino gambling, "stand your ground" and the gas tax face critical votes in the New Hampshire House and Senate this week. 

The House convenes in regular session at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22. The Senate meets in session at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Casino vote looms. Will the House reject the bill to legalize casino gambling in New Hampshire? Or will its independent-minded members overturn a committee report recommending the bill be killed? We'll know come Wednesday, but you can be sure the vote wrangling is on high. Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord), the chairwoman of the House "special committee" that voted 23-22 last week to recommend the House kill the bill, writes in the committee report that the bill "short circuits the regulatory process that would ensure a casino would indeed be 'highly regulated' and able to serve the best interests of the people of New Hampshire." She further questioned the revenue muscle of the proposal, arguing that the bill would do the opposite of one purpose – funding essential safety net services. Her other points in her report include:

• The Lottery Commission is given primary oversight responsibility, but it's a three-person, part-time board.
• It does not give the Attorney General enough regulatory oversight.
• This bill asks us to balance new jobs with an increase in social problems and costs in ways that are not well-quantified
• "This bill asks us to balance new jobs with an increase in social problems and costs in ways that are not well-quantified."

What frustrates supporters of one highly regulated casino? Some of the concerns expressed by Wallner would have been addressed by amendments proposed last week, but the full committee never took them up.

And the minority report touches up on this.  Rep. Peter Leishman (D-Peterborough) writes about the "inexpedient to legislate" recommendation:

"If the ITL is overturned, an amendment crafted by the minority that will significantly strengthen the bill will be offered. Changes will ensure that appropriate regulations are in place when needed, the application process is fair to all prospective bidders, stringent background checks are completed, close oversight and enforcement is provided to deter criminal activity, and any undue influence is prevented. Additional changes will also encourage the hiring of NH residents, enhance protections for charitable gaming and existing entertainment venues, and encourage energy efficient construction and the provision of child care."

Medical marijuana. Supporters of the medical marijuana bill, aka "cannabis for therapeutic purposes," were not happy with a committee stripping a "home grow" option from the bill. The option, which would allow up to three mature plants, would be eliminated by amendment, an amendment that was proposed after Gov. Maggie Hassan expressed opposition to the "home grow" option. This bill, House Bill 573, is on the Senate floor this Thursday.

Running on Empty? The bill that proposes a 12-cent increase in the state gas tax over three years faces an uncertain future after a Senate committee voted 3-2 to re-refer it to committee. Rep. David Campbell (D-Nashua), the sponsor of the bill, said the first increase in the gas tax in 22 years is necessary to dedicate revenue to important road and bridge projects. The proposed increase is also attached to the budget trailer bill, so whatever happens when the Senate votes on this bill Thursday, the debate will continue another day.

Stand Your Ground. The proposed repeal of the "stand your ground" law passed the House, but a Senate committee voted 4-1 that it be defeated. This is House Bill 135, and it's up for a vote Thursday in the Senate.

Late Night Liquor Sales. The Senate will take action Thursday on the bill that proposes businesses with on-premise liquor licenses be allowed to sell alcohol until 2 a.m. It's a proposed hour later than state law now allows. An amendment stipulates a local ordinance process, by which licensees may be prohibited from selling after 1 a.m. The proposed amendment wording is as follows:

(b) On-premises licensees may sell from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., 7 days a week. The licensee may sell until 2:00 a.m. under conditions authorized by the legislative body of the city or town in which the premises are located if the legislative body adopts an ordinance authorizing such sales.

Other bills on the Senate calendar for Thursday include:

• House Bill 659, increasing the cigarette tax from $1.68 to $1.88 a pack. Committee recommends defeat.

• House Bill 595, relative to photo identification of voters. Committee recommendation: ought to pass with amendment. The amended analysis:  "This bill modifies the forms of identification required of voters under current law and changes the effective date of prospective changes to voter identification requirements from September 1, 2013 to September 1, 2015."

• House Bill 390, which would allow companion dogs of restaurant patrons in the outdoor areas of restaurants. Recommendation: ought to pass. 

• House Bill 501, establishing a state minimum hourly wage ($7.25) Committee recommendation: inexpedient to legislate.

• House Bill 253, which allows a nano brewery to "obtain a license upgrade exempting the licensee from sales limitations where the nano brewery has an existing on-premises beverage and wine license and sells food." Committee recommendation: ought to pass with amendment. The amendment language:

II.(a) The annual fee for each license issued under this section shall be $240. Any licensee meeting and maintaining the requirements of RSA 178:20 and paying an additional annual fee of $240, shall be exempt from the limitations stated in subparagraph III(e). Nothing in this subparagraph shall be interpreted as an exemption from subparagraph III(a).2013-1592.

Centennial celebration. The 100th anniversary of the law that created the original New Hampshire Presidential Primary will be celebrated May 21 at the Statehouse. It's at 10:30 a.m. in Executive Council chambers. One hundred years.