Some notable bills that made it out of the House last week include HB 345, which tightens identification requirements for voter registration. The bill requires voters to present a driver’s license or another form of government-issued identification in order to register. Those who forget their ID can sign an affidavit that they are eligible to vote. The bill also allows those without ID to vote if a poll worker recognizes a person and knows that he or she is eligible.

Also passed was HB 621, a bill requiring lobbyists to disclose gifts and campaign contributions to the New Hampshire secretary of state. The bill also forces candidates to disclose any donations they receive from registered lobbyists. Sponsored by Rep. Peter Sullivan (D-Manchester), the bill narrowly made it out of the Election Law Committee, with the majority of the committee recommending the bill be killed. However, the full House voted against the majority recommendation, instead siding with Sullivan and co-sponsor Rep. Jim Splaine (D-Portsmouth). Splaine said in an e-mail that the bill is “sunshine at its best” because it gives a much clearer picture of who is giving money to whom.

The House also approved changes to state law regarding citizen access to local government. HB 626, amends the current right-to-know law to include telephone and e-mail or other electronic conversations in the definition of “meetings” that should be public. However, chance encounters are exempted from the law.

in committee this week
The House Judiciary Committee will look at a bill by Rep. Richard Marple (R-Hooksett) that would establish a “common law court.” Such a court would not be run by judges, lawyers and other members of the legal profession, but by regular citizens who “shall be deemed to have common sense,” according to the bill.

Abortion proponents and opponents will have their work cut out for them next week.

On Thursday, Feb. 9, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1719, which defines life as “beginning at the moment of fertilization.” Rep. Barbara Hagan (R-Manchester) is sponsoring the bill. A similar bill was introduced in the House in 1990 but was not passed.

The Judiciary Committee will look at a similar issue on Tuesday, Feb. 14 when public hearings are scheduled for two bills dealing with the morning-after pill. HB 1492 would grant immunity from liability to pharmacists who refuse to dispense emergency contraceptive pills, while HB 1682 would require pharmacists to notify the parents or legal guardians of anyone under the age of 16 who has been given the pill. That same day, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee will look at SB 343, which combines the provisions outlined in HB 1492 and 1682 into one bill.

Rep. Barbara Hagan (R-Manchester), primary sponsor of HB 1719 and a co-sponsor of HB 1492, said some pharmacists have approached her and other sponsors of HB 1492 to express their discomfort with administering the morning-after pill.

“It’s not something we want to have a person have to worry about. There are laws saying they have to engage in this activity, which goes against everything they believe in,” she said.

As for HB 1719, this is the second time Hagan has sponsored such a bill. She first introduced a similar measure in 2001, but it was voted down in the House. According to Hagan, science has proven that human life begins when sperm and egg meet.

“I think it’s time to accept that fact,” she said, adding that the bill does not have a religious agenda. “Sometimes facts are hard to accept, so I think there will be a very passionate discussion, but that’s always good.”