2022 PPNHAF House Scorecard
In New Hampshire, there are 400 state representatives who serve in the House of Representatives, which is one of two chambers of the Legislative Branch. State representatives draft, debate, and vote on legislation – around 1,000 bills a year. They are elected every two years, in even-numbered years; this fall, New Hampshire residents will have the next opportunity to vote for their state representatives.
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and, in turn, the loss of the federal constitutional right to an abortion, the future of abortion access in New Hampshire now depends upon the state legislature. Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (“PPNHAF”) compiled nine key votes on six critical reproductive rights bills, which either passed the full House or failed by a slim margin, so members of the public can better understand where their state representatives stand on reproductive rights and abortion access.
2021-2022 was not a typical biennium, due to the coronavirus pandemic. While some committee meetings were held remotely, session days (the term used for the days on which the full House meets to vote on bills) were always in person, requiring state representatives to be physically present to vote on legislation. Some legislators with chronic health conditions were unable to participate in any session. Representatives who previously made the PPNHAF Reproductive Health Honor Roll, but were unable to attend any votes this term, submitted a questionnaire, linked in the scorecard, to help members of the public better understand their commitment to reproductive health and rights.
PPNHAF calculates a representative’s score by dividing the number of pro-reproductive rights and health votes during the most recent biennium by the total number of votes taken, excluding all absences. Representatives who scored 100%, for example, voted with PPNHAF on every vote they participated in. Any recorded votes by the full House are eligible to be scored; for additional bills that PPNHAF was invested in but not scored, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
This scorecard is for informational purposes only and therefore should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any candidate.
Scorecard
The 2022 House Scorecard can be viewed by county or alphabetized by last name. Find your state representative(s) here.
Scorecard, alphabetized by last name
For more information on the bills scored by PPNHAF, please use this chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I find out who my state representative is?
- On the General Court website, use the dropdown menu to select your town. The page will update to show your state representative(s) and state senator. Most Granite Staters have more than one state representative.
- Where is the information on this scorecard from?
- All roll call votes can be found on the General Court’s website. You first search by year of the vote, then you can search by bill number, state representative’s name, or session date.
- How can I find out more about each of these bills?
- In the column header for each bill, we included a hyperlink for more information. We also created a chart with a brief overview of each bill. Additionally, you can visit PPNHAF’s 2022 Legislative Issues page.
- What does “OTP” and “OTP/A” mean?
- “OTP” stands for “Ought to Pass.” This is a motion made with the intent to pass the bill. “OTP/A” stands for “Ought to Pass as Amended.” This is a motion made with the intent to pass an amended version of the bill. All amendments for a bill – whether passed or not – can be found on the bill’s docket on the General Court’s website.
- What does “ITL” mean?
- “ITL” stands for “Inexpedient to Legislate.” This is a motion made with the intent to defeat a bill.
- What does “Special Order” mean?
- “Special Order” is a motion made to move when a bill is voted on from later until earlier or earlier until later. Each session has a calendar, which lists the bills in order of when they will be voted on. A state representative can make the motion to “special order” a bill that appears later in the calendar to earlier in the day (or in the week, for multi-day sessions), for example.
- I heard about other bills this session. Why aren’t they on here?
- While every bill in New Hampshire receives a vote, not every bill has a roll call vote in the legislature – some votes are by voice vote (the side that is the loudest wins!) or by division vote (individual representatives are anonymous, but there is a number attributed to Yea and Nay).
- While PPNHAF did not score lawmakers on their votes on the bills listed below, they may be useful to you in considering how your state representative(s) voted during the last biennium.
- HB 2: “relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.” State budget policy bill
- HB 1674: “relative to reproductive rights.” (Access to Abortion-care Act)
- CACR 18: “relating to reproductive medical decisions. Providing that the state shall not infringe or unduly inconvenience the right of reproductive medical decisions.”
- HB 1077: “repealing the prohibition on conversion therapy for minors.”
- HB 1180: “relative to state recognition of biological sex.”
- HB 1431: “establishing the parental bill of rights.”
- HB 458: “relative to provision of menstrual products for students in need.”
- Why are some votes listed as “excused” or “unexcused”?
- An “excused” absence is granted by the Speaker in advance of session. “Unexcused” can have a variety of meanings, but simply means the legislator was not present during the vote.
- Why did my state representative vote a certain way?
- The only way to know why a state representative voted a certain way is to ask that person – and because there are 400 state representatives in New Hampshire, they are incredibly accessible! You can find their contact information on the General Court’s website.
- I see my state representative was supportive but isn’t running for re-election. How do I learn more about who is running in my district?
- First, thank your representative for their commitment to public service and to reproductive health and rights! Being a New Hampshire state representative is a lot of work for almost no money ($100 per year). Find their contact information and say thanks!
- To learn more about who IS running in your district, check out the NH Secretary of State’s website and try finding them on social media to learn more about their campaign!
- I see my state representative wasn’t supportive and is running for re-election. How do I learn more about who is running against them in my district?
- First, reach out to them and let them know you are disappointed in their votes. They need to hear from their constituents.
- To learn more about who IS running in your district, check out the NH Secretary of State’s website and try finding them on social media to learn more about their campaign!
- Why aren’t state senators listed on this scorecard?
- This scorecard focuses exclusively on the House; Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund PAC* does not endorse candidates in the House. However, in the upcoming weeks, Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund PAC will endorse candidates for state Senate. This page will be updated after Senate endorsements are made.
- Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
- Email any additional questions to [email protected] with the subject “2022 House Scorecard.”
* Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. The Action Fund makes independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to targeted candidates for public office. PPNHAF maintains a separate, segregated political committee and fund to make direct campaign contributions to endorsed candidates (the PAC). The Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund PAC is nonpartisan and makes endorsements and direct campaign contributions to candidates running for elected office in New Hampshire.