The House, Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Rep. Max Abramson (R - Rock 40)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker, today I rise in support of the Ought to Pass motion from the committee in support of making the red-tailed hawk our state raptor. The red-tail, as it's also known may nest here in New Hampshire, but like our pioneer ancestors and their rugged pioneer spirit. Yes, this raptor makes its way out into the brave western frontier for the first time in its life, just like those who graduate from our New Hampshire schools. We know that most don't stay here. This raptor, like our unique progeny, does not want anyone else to care for him. He wants to care for himself. He does not want instruction from the time he leaves the nest to begin his six or seven-year journey of the Americas. He does not want to be controlled by others. While they may live longer in captivity, these birds, these raptors, choose to live free or die. They are rugged, independent, fiercely loyal to their lifelong mate and capable of surviving the most extreme weather changes imaginable. While the purple finch, our State Bird, flies South for the cold winter, the red-tailed hawk may adapt here or venture as far South as Central America. Mister Speaker, what better animal to recall to the Granite State, to all of our young students, our future leaders, future lawmakers, our inventors, our pioneers. Those young people who today propose all of the state animals, the state dogs, state songs, state frogs, state tartan, state wildcat or state reptile. Even those who have participated in the annual New Hampshire's dumbest law contest of which I am sure you have read about in the papers, the only business that the founders explicitly protected by our constitution. In traveling across our great country with 49 other states almost as free as the Granite State, years from now on some road trip or traveling by train, will they then look up and we do today? Will they then see a bird, no a raptor, looking down on them as the red-tailed hawk looked down on our ancestors over the last 400 years, no the last 1,500 years. Will they be reminded of raptors who can draw and recall their own heritage independent back to the time of the dinosaurs? Will they be reminded of a hunter who builds his home, patrols the earth, skims the water, trains his chicks and soars with the clouds all without permission? Will they remember then that one can only live free when one is willing to die free? Will our future pioneers then find themselves, as our ancestors did in this very same stage of life, looking back at this same raptor, a hunter who watched the discovery, the development and the conquest of the Americas?

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is the recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass. The Chair recognizes the member from Hampton, Rep. Cushing, to speak in support of the recommendation.

Rep. Robert Renny Cushing (D - Rock 21)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Members of the House, 4 years ago I received a letter from a group of 4th-graders at the Lincoln Akerman School in Hampton Falls suggesting that the red-tailed hawk would make an appropriate state raptor and asked me if I would consider being a sponsor of such legislation. I went to the school and met with them and their teacher and as I discussed with them why they though the red-tailed hawk would be an appropriate symbol for the State of New Hampshire, one thing above everything else stuck in my mind when they said one of the reasons why they liked the red-tailed hawk is because both parents participate in the raising of the offspring. I thought at this particular time what a great symbol that is and what a great example that we could follow, maybe as humans we can follow. I was pleased to sponsor the bill. It was before the House 4 years ago and something happened on the way to passage where a piece of legislation that was designed to provide an important symbol for the State of New Hampshire was hijacked into becoming a proxy for a debate about a social issue that really had nothing to do with the intentions of these 4th-graders and that bill did not pass. Sometimes you learn the process doing legislation and you learn things, not just about the bill, but also about the people who back them and one of the things that I appreciated in December going back to talk to those then 4th-graders who are now the 8th-graders sitting in the gallery, is how much they can teach me about what had transpired in the past 4 years. Listening to them talk about what their experience was, I was most struck by one of the students who said that 4 years ago I didn't even understand what Planned Parenthood was about. Now that I know what it is about, I can say that what that Representative did was really inappropriate. I think this is an opportunity for us to establish a symbol that works for the State of New Hampshire but also is a way to pay respect for tenacity, for perseverance and respect for those 8th-graders. Please thank them and support this bill.

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is the committee recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass. The Chair recognizes the member from Concord, Rep. Bartlett, to speak against the recommendation.

Rep. Christy Bartlett (D - Merr 19)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. I'm here to oppose once again this effort to designate the red-tailed hawk as another state symbol. You may have already heard the history of the bill, so I'll just summarize. This bill was brought forth by a class of 4th-graders in 2014. It was defeated by the New Hampshire House. These same students are now in 8th grade and their former teacher decided to try again. In committee the students were asked if they had learned anymore about the red-tailed hawk since 4th grade and their answer was not really. They said they wanted to finish what they had started. Not a bad goal of course. One of the sponsors of the bill told them the reason he ran for his seat was because he wanted to see them succeed in having this bill passed. Really? My reasons to oppose are, shouldn't a state symbol say something unique about New Hampshire? The red-tailed hawk is common throughout the whole country. Also, we are now up to 39 state symbols. In 2014, we had 31 symbols. These 4th-grade teachers have been busy with the state symbol lesson. The House has about 1,000 bills to handle each year. To originate, publish and distribute each bill, the cost is about $1,700. Many cases, these bills just move forward through the Consent Calendar because we just don't have time to oppose them. About 20% of all bills proposed are actually passed. With so many bills we sure could use the teachers and the students help with some of them. There are many causes that students have undertaken where they have delved into an issue and testified and made a real difference. This week there are bills that deal with the use of plastics. I think there are many students who are becoming aware that plastics and improper disposal are affecting our waterways, animals and environment. We have another bill regarding the transporting of students. This bill might affect them directly. There is even one regarding the regulation of coyote hunting and it would have been great to have had assistance if the students had an interest. Let's get back to this bill. If we had to have a state raptor, why not pick the Peregrine Falcon or the American Bald Eagle? These birds were endangered. A great deal of money, energy and research have been invested in their successful recovery in New Hampshire. This class, now 8th-graders, must have many issues of interest. They have the maturity and ability to help the legislature make good law. Lastly, this is a budget year, which brings forth many bills. Representatives on both sides of the aisle feel that our attention and energy need to be invested in how the people of New Hampshire will be affected by our decisions. I was recently reminded, however, by a very caring and smart woman that sometimes it's better to be kind than right. Maybe this is the year the students can ponder subjects about which they can help us in another year? If we pass this one, could we invite you back next year? Would you help us with a subject for which you have a passion? We would love to have you. Thanks for helping me set my priorities. Thank you.

Speaker ShurtleffThe Chair recognizes the last speaker on this issue, Rep. Janvrin, the member from Seabrook.

Rep. Jason Janvrin (R - Rock 40)Thank you, Mister Speaker and I promise to be very brief. We all heard what happened 4-years ago, but I want to share a story of what happened eighteen months ago. I went through a training that taught me a little about how to be a leader and how to be a better person. One of those lessons that I learned, one of those many lessons that I learned was to leave a legacy. I met with these students in December and we talked at great length with the Rep. from Hampton and the other Rep. from Seabrook that has already spoken. One thing that stuck in my mind was when one of these students said, "Hey I'm graduating from this school and I'm going off to Winnacunnet next year and I want to leave a legacy." I hope that you will help these students leave that legacy.

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is the committee recommendation that this bill Ought to Pass. Are you ready for the question? A roll call has been requested. Is that sufficiently seconded? It is sufficiently seconded. This will be a roll call vote. Members will kindly take their seats. Just a reminder to please turn your buttons on. This will be a roll call vote. The question before the House is the committee recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass. The Chair recognizes Rep. Bixby for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 17)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker, if I know that getting involved in the legislative process, whether by helping repair outdated legislation or by introducing a new state symbol, is a powerful educational experience for our youth. And, if I know that the red-tailed hawk is a species in which both the mother and the father nurture their young is an excellent symbol for the Granite State. And, if I know that when I look up and I see a red-tailed hawk, whether it is patrolling my garden for voles or soaring over the hills of California, I feel proud to be from New Hampshire, would I then press the green button to officially make the red-tailed hawk a New Hampshire State Symbol?

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is the committee recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass. This is a roll call vote. If you are in favor, you'll press the green button. If you are opposed, you'll press the red button. Voting stations will be open for 30 seconds. Rep. Edwards, we are in the voting mode. You need to be in your seat. If I can't escape, nobody escapes. Have all members present had an opportunity to vote? The House will be attentive to the display of the vote. With 333 voting Yea and 11 voting Nay, the recommendation of the committee is adopted. Thank you. REGULAR CALENDAR CONT'D

Rep. Steven Smith (R - Sull 11)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Instead, may I be recognized for a motion?

Speaker ShurtleffI'm sorry. You asked me if you could make a motion? You have been recognized to speak on the bill against the majority recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended. Somebody else can make a motion and apparently everybody is coming down here to do it. You must speak on why you were called to the well, against the recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended. If everyone else that is hovering around could please take their seats?

Rep. Steven Smith (R - Sull 11)Just to clarify, a tabling motion is out of order?

Speaker ShurtleffNo, it's not out of order, but it's out of order for you to make that motion because you were not recognized for a motion. You asked to speak against the recommendation of the majority of the committee so that is what you must speak to.

Rep. Steven Smith (R - Sull 11)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker, I decline to speak.

Speaker ShurtleffSo be it. The member from Londonderry is recognized for a motion, I assume.

Rep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 5)Thank you, Mister Speaker, you are so right. I'd like to make a motion to table this.

Speaker ShurtleffThe motion to table is in order. Rep. Ley has requested a roll call on the motion to table this bill. Members will stand if they second it and they do. It is officially seconded. This will be a roll call vote. The question before the House is the motion to table HB 397. This will be a roll call vote. The Chair recognizes Rep. Steven Smith for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Steven Smith (R - Sull 11)Thank you, Mister Speaker. If I know that section one of the bill is printed in the House Calendar on page 60 because we just adopted the committee amendment. And, if I further know that that amendment on page 60 identifies a class of people, New Hampshire residents not using a social security number for identification. If I know that in committee it was made perfectly clear that the licenses we are talking about are "the same as the one in your pocket." And, if I know that on page 61 of the House Calendar, it says that we will treat this class of people differently under the law because they will pay triple what you pay for your license initially and double for every renewal after that. Mister Speaker, if I think we should stop progress on this bill until we check with the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, would I press the green button to table this bill?

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is to table HB 397. The Chair recognizes Rep. Ley for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Douglas Ley (D - Ches 9)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker, if I know that this bill has garnered a great deal of public interest and ought to be considered by this House. And, if I know Mister Speaker that the reference to cost is to cover the additional fees for processing these sorts of applications on the part of the DMV. And, finally Mister Speaker, if I know that laws such as this exist in other states and will help to make the roads of New Hampshire safer for all of us to drive on, would I now press the red button and reject the motion to table? Thank you.

Speaker ShurtleffThis is a roll call vote. The question before the House is the motion to table HB 397. If you are in favor, you will press the green button. If you are opposed, you will press the red button. Voting stations will be open for 30 seconds. Have all members present had an opportunity to vote? The House will be attentive to the state of the vote. With 139 members voting Yea and 201 voting Nay, the tabling fails. The question before the House is the recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass as Amended. The Chair recognizes the member from Lebanon, Rep. Sykes to speak in support of the recommendation. Just so you know what the status is, there will be no further speakers on this bill, but a roll call has been requested by Rep. Baldasaro. Is that sufficiently seconded? It is sufficiently seconded. This will be a roll call vote. Members will kindly take their seats. This will be a roll call vote. The question before the House is the recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass as Amended. The Chair recognizes Rep. Packard for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 5)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker, if I know that we are being asked to supply driver's licenses to illegal aliens and that this group of people have broken federal laws by either entering the country illegally or by staying past their visas. If I know this same group of people have admittedly broke New Hampshire law every day by driving without a license and have admitted to doing so for years. And, if I know this has nothing whatsoever to do with the safety of our roads. And, if I know that documents, according to this bill, sold on a street corner in Mexico, could be used to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license. And, finally Mister Speaker, if I know that we should not be rewarding people who break our laws, would I now press the red button so an ITL motion can be made?

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is the recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass as Amended. The Chair recognizes Rep. Conley for a parliament inquiry.

Rep. Casey Conley (D - Straf 13)Thank you, Mister Speaker. If I know that a New Hampshire driver's license only proves who someone is, where they live and that they are permitted to drive in our state. And, if I further know that this bill will improve safety on our roadways, reduce the number of uninsured motorists and provide the same privacy protections that all other New Hampshire motorists enjoy.

Speaker ShurtleffWill the member suspend for a moment? The House will be in order. The member has a right to be heard. Please proceed.

Rep. Casey Conley (D - Straf 13)And, if I also know that undocumented people who live in our state may have come here at a young age for no fault of their own. And, finally Mister Speaker, if I know that ten states plus Washington D.C. already allow undocumented people to obtain driver's licenses, would I then press the green button? Thank you.

Speaker ShurtleffThis is a roll call vote. The question before the House is the recommendation that the bill Ought to Pass as Amended. If you are in favor, you'll press the green button. If you are opposed, you will press the red button. Voting stations will be open for 30 seconds. Have all members present had an opportunity to vote? The House will be attentive to the state of the vote. With 204 members voting Yea and 137 voting Nay, the recommendation is adopted.