Legislative Committee Updates
The Legislative Committee has developed our “first pass” at a Legislative Strategy. At the last Board meeting we thought it would be a good idea to let you, the membership, know how to determine who your Representative is and how to contact them. We have been fortunate to have the input of a five-term Legislator who is very familiar with the legislative system. He has also been working for years with our federal representatives and senators in Washington and we are fortunate to receive his advice.
He wanted us to know one thing above all; our State and Federal Representatives need to know what we, as constituents and as members of NHLA, think is important to us and the Association, BEFORE they write and participate in Legislation.
So this leaves two big questions. The first one is how do you feel about our existing laws that apply to the landscape industry in NH. For example; Do we need more restrictive pesticide laws or are they too restrictive now? What about labor and minimum wage? Insurance? DOT? How about invasive species? I know, the list is endless!
The second question is how do I contact my state representatives and senators to let them know what we want them to focus on? Here’s how to find out who your State Legislators are. Reach out to them. Remember, it’s about letting our elected officials know what’s important to you, so their work benefits what we care most about.
To find your State Representative, follow this link, select your town and hit “GO”, (Members e-mail is on the left side of the page): www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx.
It does not matter what side of the isle you are on or what your politics are. What does matter is that our elected officials understand that we as an association, want our members to be heard. We have had several offers from state and federal legislators to attend some of our meetings so that we can hear what their position is on various issues and give them our feedback on their work. If you disagree with a policy this will be the perfect time to tell them why, and how it effects you. Please do so respectfully.
We have an awesome opportunity to get ahead of legislation, rather than reacting to it.
If you would like to help us trace legislation and be involved, contact the Legislative Committee Chair, Peter DeBrusk.
House Bill 495
A proposal to substantially limit and reduce pesticide use at schools, day care centers and state parks had its status changed to “Inexpedient to legislate.” This means that it has been killed and it can not reappear “in its same or similar form.” New bills regarding pesticides can and probably will be introduced in the next legislative session. Clearly there is some grey area regarding the wording “similar form” so it will be interesting to see what form new bills will take.
For now it appears that NH pesticide laws will remain the same. However, there are five new bills being debated in the Maine legislature and five in Vermont as well. Both of these states are not only debating the use of pesticides but also the use of certain fertilizers that contain phosphorus and nitrogen.
If your business depends on the application of pesticides and fertilizers you should keep your eye on the House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Agriculture for new bills.
If you would like to help us out keeping track of legislative bills, please contact me at pldturf@tds.net.
Peter DeBrusk
pldturf@tds.net
For updates on NH State Legislation bills, go to: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/default.htm