Name: NH House votes for bill to forgive fines to businesses that flouted pandemic orders
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NH House votes for bill to forgive fines to businesses that flouted pandemic orders

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AdvertisementGovernor says bill would 'incentivize law-breaking'NH House votes for bill to forgive fines to businesses that flouted pandemic ordersGovernor says bill would 'incentivize law-breaking'Hide TranscriptShow TranscriptSEXTON REPORTS, THE BILL IS PITTING GOVERNOR CHRIS SUNUNU AGAINST HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS. ADAM: STATE LAWMAKERS ARRIVED AT THE BEDFORD SPORTSPLEX, THE CURRENT MAKESHIFT HOME OF TH NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE, TO OFFERS OF FREE PPE AND THANKS FOR BRAVING THE DANGERS OF THE PANDEMIC. INSIDE, SPEAKER SHERMAN PACKARD TRIED TO STAY ON TOP OF COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS. REP. PACKARD: AND I WILL ALSO REMIND THE MEMBERS THAT IF YOU GET OUT OF YOUR CHAIR, YOU HAVE TO WEAR YOUR MASK. ADAM: WITH LEGAL EFFORTS TO OBTAIN REMOTE PARTICIPATION DENIED, 24 DEMOCRATS WERE ABSENT TODAY, MANY OF THEM SUFFERING FROM HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT PUT THEM AT HIGH RISK FOR COVID-19. REP. SCHULTZ: THERE ARE DEFINITELY PEOPLE HERE, ME INCLUDED, WHO ARE HERE AGAINST OUR DOCTORS’ ORDERS. ADAM: THE ABSENCES LIKELY PLAYED A ROLE IN THE FATE OF SEVERAL CONTESTED PIECES OF LEGISLATION, INCLUDING HOUSE BILL 63. IT WOULD ABSOLVE BUSINESSES THAT FLAUNTED THE GOVERNOR’S PANDEMIC EMERGENCY ORDERS AND FACED DISCIPLINE, RESTORING REVOKED OR SUSPENDED LICENSES AND REFUNDING ANY FINE REP. TOROSIAN: TO SAVE AND HELP CREATE MORE NEW JOBS AND FORGIVE VIOLATIONS OF AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXECUTIVE ORDER. ADAM: OPPONENTS SAY GIVING VIOLATORS A FREE PASS WILL UNDERMINE PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES. REP. MEUSE: FREEDOM FROM ACCOUNTABILITY DURING A PANDEMIC ISN’T FREEDOM. IT’S ANARCHY. ADAM: GOVERNOR CHRIS SUNUNU RELEASED A STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE LEGISLATION, SAYING, "WE CAN’T CLAIM TO SUPPORT LAW AND ORDER, THEN INCENTIVIZE LAW BREAKING AND REWARD THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE RULES." BECAUSE THERE’S A FISCAL IMPAC , THIS BILL IS NOW HEADED TO THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE GOVERNOR’S OPPOSITION MIGHT CHANGE THINGS, BUT KEEP IN MIND , THERE ARE SEVERAL REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO VIEW HIS PANDEMIC ORDERS AS OVERREACH, AND BELIEVE UNDOING THEM IS A FORM OF RELIEF. REP. TRUE: THE PEOPLE AND THE BUSINESSES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH, AND WE MUST STOP ADDING TO THEIR PAIN AND ADDING TO THEIR FINANCAdvertisementNH House votes for bill to forgive fines to businesses that flouted pandemic ordersGovernor says bill would 'incentivize law-breaking'New Hampshire House lawmakers, meeting in-person at a giant indoor sports complex in Bedford, voted in favor of forgiving fines and penalties for New Hampshire businesses that violated pandemic emergency orders.State lawmakers arrived at the Bedford Sportsplex, the current makeshift home of the New Hampshire house, on Wednesday to offers of free personal protective equipment and thanks for braving the dangers of the pandemic.Inside, Speaker Sherman Packard tried to stay on top of COVID-19 precautions. "And I will also remind the members that if you get out of your chair, you have to wear your mask," Packard said.With legal efforts to allow remote participation denied, 24 Democrats were absent, many of them suffering from health conditions that put them at high risk for COVID-19."There are definitely people here, me included, who are here against our doctors' orders," said Rep. Kris Schultz, D-Concord.The absences may have played a role in the fate of several contested pieces of legislation, including House Bill 63. The bill would absolve businesses that flouted the governor's pandemic emergency orders and faced discipline, restoring revoked or suspended licenses and refunding any fines."To save and help create more new jobs and forgive violations of an unconstitutional executive order," said Rep. Peter Torosian, R-Atkinson.Opponents said giving violators a free pass will undermine public health guidelines. "Freedom from accountability during a pandemic isn't freedom. It's anarchy," said Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth.Gov. Chris Sununu released a statement condemning the legislation supported by his fellow Republicans."We can't claim to support law and order, then incentivize law-breaking and reward those who do not follow the rules," Sununu said. "Our reasonable public health guidelines allowed us to keep our economy open. Rewarding the small handful who recklessly thwarted public health and safety after outreach and educational attempts is a complete disservice to the thousands of small businesses who worked tirelessly to keep their employees and customers safe while enabling our economy to stay open for business."Because there's a fiscal impact, the bill is now headed to the House Finance Committee. The governor's opposition might change things, but there are several Republican lawmakers who view his pandemic orders as overreach and believe undoing them is a form of relief."The people and the businesses in New Hampshire have suffered enough, and we must stop adding to their pain and adding to their financial losses," said Rep. Chris True, R-Sandown.New Hampshire House lawmakers, meeting in-person at a giant indoor sports complex in Bedford, voted in favor of forgiving fines and penalties for New Hampshire businesses that violated pandemic emergency orders.State lawmakers arrived at the Bedford Sportsplex, the current makeshift home of the New Hampshire house, on Wednesday to offers of free personal protective equipment and thanks for braving the dangers of the pandemic.AdvertisementInside, Speaker Sherman Packard tried to stay on top of COVID-19 precautions. "And I will also remind the members that if you get out of your chair, you have to wear your mask," Packard said.With legal efforts to allow remote participation denied, 24 Democrats were absent, many of them suffering from health conditions that put them at high risk for COVID-19."There are definitely people here, me included, who are here against our doctors' orders," said Rep. Kris Schultz, D-Concord.The absences may have played a role in the fate of several contested pieces of legislation, including House Bill 63. The bill would absolve businesses that flouted the governor's pandemic emergency orders and faced discipline, restoring revoked or suspended licenses and refunding any fines."To save and help create more new jobs and forgive violations of an unconstitutional executive order," said Rep. Peter Torosian, R-Atkinson.Opponents said giving violators a free pass will undermine public health guidelines. "Freedom from accountability during a pandemic isn't freedom. It's anarchy," said Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth.Gov. Chris Sununu released a statement condemning the legislation supported by his fellow Republicans."We can't claim to support law and order, then incentivize law-breaking and reward those who do not follow the rules," Sununu said. "Our reasonable public health guidelines allowed us to keep our economy open. Rewarding the small handful who recklessly thwarted public health and safety after outreach and educational attempts is a complete disservice to the thousands of small businesses who worked tirelessly to keep their employees and customers safe while enabling our economy to stay open for business."Because there's a fiscal impact, the bill is now headed to the House Finance Committee. The governor's opposition might change things, but there are several Republican lawmakers who view his pandemic orders as overreach and believe undoing them is a form of relief."The people and the businesses in New Hampshire have suffered enough, and we must stop adding to their pain and adding to their financial losses," said Rep. Chris True, R-Sandown.Loading more articles...

AdvertisementGovernor says bill would 'incentivize law-breaking'NH House votes for bill to forgive fines to businesses that flouted pandemic ordersGovernor says bill would 'incentivize law-breaking'Hide TranscriptShow TranscriptSEXTON REPORTS, THE BILL IS PITTING GOVERNOR CHRIS SUNUNU AGAINST HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS. ADAM: STATE LAWMAKERS ARRIVED AT THE BEDFORD SPORTSPLEX, THE CURRENT MAKESHIFT HOME OF TH NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE, TO OFFERS OF FREE PPE AND THANKS FOR BRAVING THE DANGERS OF THE PANDEMIC. INSIDE, SPEAKER SHERMAN PACKARD TRIED TO STAY ON TOP OF COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS. REP. PACKARD:...

NH House votes for bill to forgive fines to businesses that flouted pandemic orders

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