State lawmakers this week will look at bills that would make it easier for residents to carry concealed weapons, allow landlords to ask for an additional month’s rent during lease signings, and make sure money in the state’s substance abuse treatment fund is used only for treatment programs.
On Jan. 28 at 2:30 p.m., the House Judiciary committee will hold a hearing on HB 269, which allows landlords to collect an additional month’s rent at the signing of a lease. Currently, landlords can collect only first month’s rent and a security deposit equal to the first month’s rent. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Duarte (R-Candia), would allow landlords to ask for rent for the last month of the lease, calculated at the same rate as the first month’s rent.
Also this week, lawmakers will look at a constitutional amendment that would prevent state officials from using money in the state’s substance abuse treatment fund for anything other than treatment programs. The bill, CACR 7, is sponsored by Rep. Pamela Brown (D-Nashua); the hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. In previous budget cycles, lawmakers have turned to dedicated funds like the substance abuse treatment fund and the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) to help fill holes in the budget.
Finally, the Senate will hold a hearing on SB 116, a measure sponsored by Sen. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) that would allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. State law currently allows residents who can legally own a gun to carry openly without a license; however, a permit, obtained from local police, is required for concealed weapons. The bill also extends the length of gun licenses from four to five years and requires state police to work with surrounding states to make sure New Hampshire’s gun license rules are recognized in those states. This is the second major piece of gun legislation lawmakers have taken up this month — when the House began its session on Jan. 7, representatives voted to once again allow concealed weapons on the House floor. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.