David Borden has been working hard for the people of New Hampshire:
State Budget
The legislature overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan state budget that restored many of the previous cuts to education and critical social services. Includes restored funding to Children in Need of Services, increased funding for mental health services, and eliminated the developmentally disabled wait-list for services. Restored funding to the New Hampshire Community College System and the University System of New Hampshire, freezing tuitions for NH families at current levels. All of this was accomplished without any increases to fees or taxes. HB 1 & HB 2 (2013)
Medicaid Expansion
This compromise, bipartisan legislation will provide access to health insurance coverage for 50,000 New Hampshire citizens using federal funds that otherwise would not be returned to NH. Increasing the number of residents insured and accessing preventative care will lead to lower costs in the health care system. The NH Hospital Association, the BIA and the New Hampshire Medical Society are among those who have endorsed Medicaid expansion in NH. SB 413 (2014)
Funding for Roads & Bridges
NH’s deteriorating infrastructure is in need of significant action in order to help build a solid, modern transportation system that is the foundation for long-term economic growth. Transportation of goods & services for businesses as well as NH’s tourist industry depend on a sound state-wide infrastructure. This bipartisan transportation funding bill is the most significant state-level investment in transportation infrastructure in 23 years. The revenue raised will increase highway block grant funding to municipalities, increase bridge aid to towns and cities, resurface and reconstruct secondary roads, and complete the I-93 expansion. Even with the modest 4.2 cent increase to the road toll, NH still has the least expensive fuel charge in New England. This legislation received
Medicaid Enhancement Tax (MET)
This bipartisan legislation implements the agreement with 25 New Hampshire hospitals and settles the court case brought about because of legislative changes made during 2011. The agreement will ensure stability to NH’s budget and provide continued health care services to NH citizens. SB 369 (2014) had widespread support from the business community including the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, various local chambers of commerce and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. SB 367 (2014)
PASSED LAWS TO ENSURE JUSTICE AND SECURITY FOR OUR CITIZENS
Joshua’s Law: Making Domestic Violence a Crime
This law is named for Joshua Savyon, the young boy killed by his father during a supervised visitation in August of 2013.This legislation establishes the crime of domestic violence by taking charges that are commonly used in domestic violence related cases and reorganizes them under one crime of “Domestic Violence”. This important distinction in statute will allow our justice system, child protection agencies, law enforcement, and advocates to more effectively coordinate community responses to assist victims of domestic violence and their children and hold abusers accountable. SB 318 (2014)
Human Trafficking
Updating NH’s trafficking laws will give prosecutors the tools they need to successfully prosecute individuals who traffic children, women and men in sex and labor trafficking. The law enhances the criminal penalty for sex trafficking of minors. The legislation also provides protections to victims testifying in court against their trafficker, making it easier for prosecutors to call victims as witnesses for trial. SB 317 (2014)
NH Paycheck Fairness Act
Updates state law to eliminate loopholes, increase transparency in wages and ensure that all workers have the appropriate tools and resources to help them earn a fair and equal paycheck, without fear of retaliation. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen the economic security of hard-working citizens and eliminate an unnecessary strain on New Hampshire families. It is the most significant piece of legislation for women in New Hampshire’s workforce in over a decade. SB 207 (2014)
Home Heating Fuel Consumer Protection
Protects consumers by adding failure to deliver home heating fuel from a prepaid contract a violation of the Consumer Protection Act. It establishes minimum inventory, registration, and reporting requirements for home heating oil, kerosene, or liquefied petroleum gas dealers who offer prepaid contracts. HB 1282 (2014)
ENACTED BUSINESS-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION
Business Corporations Act
Revised the New Hampshire Business Corporations Act, which updates business laws that had not changed in twenty years. The revisions include allowing the delivery of documents to the secretary of state by electronic transmission; authorizes remote participation by shareholders at a shareholder meeting; and simplifies the process for entities to convert to corporations, and for out-of-state corporations to re-domicile in New Hampshire. (SB 41/2013)
Research and Development
Passed legislation that doubles the Research and Development tax credit from $1 million to $2 million annually. SB 1 (2013) New Hampshire Working Program Expanded the New Hampshire Working program by creating a program called “Pathway to Work,” which provides the pathway for unemployed participants to work with our state’s Small Business Development Center to engage in entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance. This will allow our unemployed citizens to have access to resources and training needed to establish a business and become self-employed. SB 143 (2013)
Economic Development Strategy and Plan
Requires the Division of Economic Development (DRED) to develop a rolling 2-year state economic development plan, to be used as a guide to deliver economic development services. The plan will enhance and preserve the welfare of New Hampshire citizens, business and industry by stimulating economic and job growth through the application of sound operating practices and utilization of available resources. HB 1416 (2014)
Benefit Corporations
This legislation enables companies to take on a social responsibility as well as a fiduciary responsibility by becoming a benefit corporation. Benefit corporations (B Corps) are an increasingly popular form of corporate entity for socially conscious and sustainable businesses. Many young people, shareholders and businesses are looking to work for, or invest in, businesses that formally focus on social good alongside profits. The legislation makes New Hampshire the 4th New England state to authorize B corps. SB 215 (2014)
C-PACE program for businesses
The program will allow municipalities to create districts that can borrow or channel energy-efficient loans to businesses in exchange for a lien on the property. By tying investments in energy-related projects to the building through property assessments, as opposed to the owner, this bill enables much more ambitious projects such as deep retrofits of existing buildings and will help businesses invest in energy efficiency by freeing up capitol, a significant barrier to private investment in energy efficiency projects. HB 532 (2014)
Economic Revitalization Zone Tax Credits
This action will extend the sunset date of the economic revitalization zone tax credits program from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2020. The annual cap of credits issued by DRED is limited to $825,000; this will allow DRED to carryover any un-awarded credits to a future year. DRED awarded the full amount of available credits in 2013 and expects to in 2014. Since inception, 53 NH communities have benefited from the program. SB 327 (2014)
Automobile Dealers Bill of Rights
Updated the Automobile Dealers Bill of Rights pertaining to business practices between motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and dealers. This update to the law will include Tractor & Equipment Dealer protections which are necessary for this small segment of dealerships and will provide strong protections for local dealers and consumers while providing manufacturers reasonable control in their business relationship. (SB 126/2013)
Granite State Farm to Plate Program
This bill establishes official state policy to encourage and support local food and farming, which will aid in promotion and help New Hampshire remain in the forefront of the local food movement. Encourages the production and consumption of fresh, healthy food and strengthens the “eat local” and “support local business” movements which are critical to the sustainability of New Hampshire farms. SB 141 (2014)
WORKING TO SAFEGUARD NEW HAMPSHIRE’S NATURAL RESOURCES
Siting Process for New Energy Projects
The newly revamped Site Evaluation Committee (SEC), which reviews and acts on proposals for power plants, gas pipelines, transmission lines, wind farms, and other renewable energy projects, had its size reduced from 17 members to a more manageable 9 members - removing some state officials and adding two public members to the committee, thereby ensuring that local community opinions will be heard. This legislation improves how state government works, saves money and supports thoughtful energy development while safeguarding our natural, historic, and aesthetic resources. SB 245 (2014)
Save the Loons!
This law protects New Hampshire’s loon population by prohibiting the use and sale of toxic lead fishing sinkers and jigs weighing one ounce or less. Lead poisoning, through the ingestion of toxic lead sinkers and jigs, is the largest known cause of adult loon mortality in New Hampshire. Loons and other wildlife species are economically valuable and an important part of our state’s natural heritage. Wildlife watchers support roughly 4,500 jobs and bring $281 million into New Hampshire annually. The prohibition on sales of lead fishing sinkers and jigs takes effect June 1, 2016. SB 89 (2013)
Oil Spill Preparedness
Requires the owner of an oil pipeline facility to submit a spill response plan to the Department of Safety. The Portland Pipe Line Company runs a pipeline through more than 70 stream and wetland crossings through five North Country towns. A spill anywhere along this route could have a devastating impact on the North Country's communities, environment, and tourist-oriented economy. SB 325 (2014)
Updating RGGI
Passed legislation that allows New Hampshire’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to lower the cap on emissions to assure that there continues to be a market for New Hampshire CO2 allowances and requiring the Public Utilities Commission to allocate proceeds from the energy efficiency fund to the low-income core energy efficiency program. HB 306, HB 630 (2013)