SB 63 (2024): relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities.

SB 63 (2024)

relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Municipalities

The Story

It was introduced on January 5, 2023 and referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 17, 2023. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate send it back to committee, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 9, 2023 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate kill it. On January 3, 2024 the Senate rejected a motion to kill it on a voice vote. A floor amendment (2023-2430s), offered by Sen. James Gray, was rejected on January 3, 2024. On January 3, 2024 the Senate voted to lay it on the table on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Chandley. On February 21, 2024 the Senate adopted “Remove From Table” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On February 21, 2024 the Senate adopted “Without Objection, Rule 3-17 is Suspended to Allow Non-Germane Amendment #2024-0583s ; 2/3 Necessary”. A floor amendment (2024-0583s), offered by Sen. James Gray, was adopted on a voice vote on February 21, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On February 21, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 22, 2024 and was referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 17, 2024, with 69 people signed in online: 20 in support, 36 in opposition and 13 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on April 23, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On May 2, 2024 the House rejected a motion to pass it on a roll call 181–182. On May 2, 2024 the House adopted “Lay SB63 on Table” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Joe Sweeney. On May 9, 2024 the House adopted “Remove from Table” on a roll call 185–180, on a motion by Rep. Joe Sweeney. On May 9, 2024 the House rejected a motion to kill it on a division vote 179–187. On May 9, 2024 the House adopted “Reconsider OTP” on a division vote 186–180, on a motion by Rep. Bill Boyd. On May 9, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 186–180. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on July 2, 2024. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On October 10, 2024 the Senate voted 13–10 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Rep. Gregory Hill (R - Merr 2)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 17, 2023, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• October 31, 2023, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 100
• April 17, 2024, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• April 23, 2024, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303

Votes

• February 9, 2023, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
• January 3, 2024, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, failed
• January 3, 2024, Senate: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 12, nays 12, failed
• January 3, 2024, Senate: Laid on Table — voice vote, passed
• February 21, 2024, Senate: Remove From Table — voice vote, passed
• February 21, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0583s — voice vote, passed
• May 2, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 181, nays 182, failed
• May 2, 2024, House: Lay SB63 on Table — voice vote, passed
• May 9, 2024, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 179, nays 187, failed
• May 9, 2024, House: Reconsider OTP — yeas 186, nays 180, passed
• May 9, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 186, nays 180, passed
• May 9, 2024, House: Remove From Table — yeas 185, nays 180, passed
• May 9, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 186, nays 180, passed
• October 10, 2024, Senate: Veto Override — yeas 13, nays 10, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 147:1

Related Bills

• HB 230-LOCAL (2025): relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 6
• SC 9
• SC 40
• HC 17, page 23
• This page’s data as JSON