Legislative Updates by Rep. Maureen Mooney for December 2024

Greetings!

The 2025-2026 New Hampshire Legislature was sworn-in by Governor Sununu on December 4, 2024 per Part II, Article 3 of the New Hampshire Constitution. The Republicans are in the majority in both the New Hampshire House and Senate. Kelly Ayotte, the Republican Governor-Elect, will be sworn-in in January, 2025.

Soon, state legislators will receive their committee assignments. For a list of House Committees, click here. NH Senate Committees are here. In January 2025, the 1,000+ bills filed for next year will be assigned to committees for hearings and full committee recommendations.

Before the content of a bill is published, it is called a “LSR” (Legislative Service Request). LSR’s are published “by title only” until the prime sponsor approves the LSR language to become a bill. Here is the list of LSR’s “by title only” for next year: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/LSR_Results.aspx

Here are just a few descriptions of LSR’s for next year (remember the full text is not published until the LSR becomes a bill):

LSR 2025-0565 relative to the base annual cost per pupil of providing the opportunity for an adequate education and statewide education property tax rate. Currently, a lawsuit is on appeal in the NH Supreme Court to increase student adequacy aid from $4,100 per public school pupil to $7,300 per public school pupil. This LSR would increase adequacy aid to approximately $7,300.

LSR 2025-0027 eliminating the statute of limitation on civil actions relative to damage caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This LSR would remove deadlines for filing a legal claim caused by PFAS. This same concept has been filed in a previous term.

LSR 2025-0031 prohibiting the removal of claws from cats. This LSR would outlaw the declawing of cats in New Hampshire.

Around Town

A special thank you to Merrimack Town Councilor Tom Koenig who is leaving his office at the end of this month. I have known Tom for many years and always knew him to be informed, friendly and dedicated. Councilor Koenig will be missed in Merrimack! Those interested in applying for the vacant Town Council position have until 4:30pm on December 20, 2024 with details here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you around town!

Rep. Maureen Mooney is in her sixth term as a NH State Representative serving Merrimack. Her website is: www.votemooney.com and Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/maureenmooneynh.