State lawmakers are back in session this week, taking on everything from living wills to hemp farming, the Patriot Act and the English language.

The House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on HB 656, which would clarify the state's regulations on advanced directives, Do Not Resuscitate orders and living wills on Monday, March 14. The bill is an attempt to put the state's current statutes in "ordinary English, not legalese" and educate people on the importance of planning for difficult medical decisions, according to Rep. Hilda Sokol (D-Hanover), the bill's sponsor.

"It's really to encourage people to think about what they want in the case that they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves," she said.

Some things that need to be clarified include how medical personnel address DNRs, Sokol said. For example, there is no easy way for paramedics or EMTs to identify someone who does not wish to be resuscitated. Possible solutions include some form of ID bracelets or a badge with the DNR order on it.

"It's a complicated issue, and we just hope by having the statutes really put up to date and with more language that can be understood ... that more people will really be motivated to fill these things out and make things easier for the family and the medical profession ... when you have a life or death situation," she said.

The State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee will look at HCR 6, Rep. Elbert Bicknell's (R-Northwood) bill that urges Congress to make English the official language of the United States.

"Declaring English the official language of the U.S. is essential and beneficial for all Americans. English unites all Americans ... by providing a common means of communication," Bicknell said.

Bicknell said other states have passed similar legislation. Proposals to make English the official language of the state appeared before the legislature in 1989, 1991 and 1995, but were not passed. However, a law was passed in 1995 requiring that all state government business be conducted in English.

The committee will look at that bill on Monday, March 14. Also on Monday, they'll hold a rescheduled public hearing for HB 520, Rep. Dick Marple's (R-Hooksett) bill that calls for the state to repudiate the USA Patriot Act. Four other states-Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Vermont-have passed similar resolutions.

On Tuesday, March 15, the House Environmental and Agricultural Committee will present its findings on a bill that would establish a hemp industry in the state. Response to the bill has been favorable, said sponsor Rep. Derek Owen (D-Hopkinton).

"I've been trying to get it passed for a number of years," he said. "Hemp is one of the most remarkable crops we can grow."

Bills in support of industrial hemp have appeared before the state lawmakers five other times. Most of the objections have come from federal officials and members of the law enforcement community, Owen said.

"The problem is you can't get the feds...to recognize there's a difference between marijuana and hemp. If you've ever smoked rope or cornstalks, you just don't get very far. It's a completely different crop; you don't grow it the same."

Hemp has limitless uses, Owen said, producing everything from paper and cloth to rope and beer. Owen said the bill also has a number of safeguards built in to address police and federal concerns. Some of the safeguards include a minimum of five acres for hemp crops and a prohibition against buying hemp seeds by anyone with a criminal record.

"Tobacco is on its way out. Farmers are desperate for something to grow," he said. "It has some economic benefits, but it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's such a versatile crop."

All meetings are open to the public. For a full calendar, visit the Legislature's Web site at http://gencourt.state.nh.us.