Deborah Aylward
Serving as: NH House Merrimack County District 05
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse in 2023. The measures are not intended to present a ranking or rating of any kind. Average is that of all state elected officials in this chamber. Gov. Sununu is still in the process of signing and vetoing 2023 bills, so the number of prime sponsored bills that became law may increase.
Session days attended
Party unity score/partisanship
Participated in official roll call votes
Bills sponsored (as prime sponsor)
Prime sponsored bills that became law
Voting Record
HB 10 (2023)
Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child"
"The right to be physically present at any health care facility ... at which their minor child is receiving hospital care"
"The right to consent in writing before a biometric scan of his or her minor child is made, shared, or stored"
HB 106 (2023)
Establishes a procedure for issuing "extreme risk protection orders" to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. An extreme risk protection order would restrict a person's access to firearms, and is also known as a "red flag law."
HB 2 (2023)
State budget bill (part 2). The governor presented his proposal for the next state budget February 14. The House and Senate both made changes to that proposal. Click here to read a summary of the 2023 budget process.
HB 208 (2023)
Establishes greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. This bill also requires the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan by July 1, 2024, that includes evaluation of best available information, considers inclusion of strategies, programs and compliance mechanisms with measurable goals and targets, considers opportunities to encourage investment in low/moderate income, rural and minority communities, makes recommendations on retraining and apprenticeship opportunities, and coordinates with other state agencies.
HB 224 (2023)
Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.
HB 367 (2023)
Increases the maximum household income limit for participation in the Education Freedom Account program, from 300% to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Education Freedom Account program allows families to spend the state's per-pupil share of education funding on private or home school expenses.
The House amended the bill to only increase the income limit to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.
HB 523 (2023)
Increases the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts. This bill also modifies the transition of tariffs applicable to some customer-generators.
HB 557 (2023)
Removes the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services to require vaccinations beyond those in state law. This bill specifically notes that the requirements for chickenpox, Hepatitis B, and Hib vaccinations will expire in 2026.
HB 567 (2023)
Requires at least 30 days written notice for a rent increase. Large, multi-unit rental owners must provide at least 60 days notice. If the rent increase is over 15%, large multi-unit landlords must provide at least 6 months notice.
HB 57 (2023)
Gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next three years, with future adjustments based on the consumer price index. This bill also raises the tipped minimum wage from 45% to 50% of the regular minimum wage. Lastly, this bill allows a minimum wage of $8 per hour for youth under age 18 for the first six months of employment.
HB 59 (2023)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks.
HB 624 (2023)
Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.
HB 639 (2023)
Legalizes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. The bill allows limited home-growing of marijuana. A new Cannabis Commission would oversee licensing and regulations related to the manufacture, testing, and sale of legal marijuana. Cannabis sales would be taxed under the Meals and Rooms tax system. Alternative Treatment Centers, which currently serve the state's medical marijuana patients, would be allowed to apply for a "dual use certificate" that allows them to participate in recreational marijuana business. Towns could limit marijuana businesses.
SB 263 (2023)
Permanently reauthorizes the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid. Previous law ended the program on December 31, 2023. This bill also reestablishes and revises the commission to evaluate the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid.
SB 272 (2023)
Establishes a parental bill of rights in education. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to access and review all medical records of a child maintained by a school or school personnel"
"The right to inquire of the school or school personnel and to be truthfully and completely informed if the child is being identified or referred to by school district staff, as being of a gender other than that of which the child was identified or referred when enrolled"
Completed our 2022 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Such a tax would only serve to grow the government. I signed the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayer pledge to '[o]ppose all efforts to impose a sales, income, or other broad-based tax on taxpayers...'"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I signed the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayer pledge to '[o]ppose all efforts to impose a sales, income, or other broad-based tax on taxpayers...'"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"A former entrepreneur, I am pro-business and support lower business taxes to encourage economic growth in the state., especially during post-pandemic recovery."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"The gradual phase-out of taxing citizens on their savings (i.e. unearned income) will allow New Hampshire to become truly income tax-free."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?
"This appears to be a method of shifting the burden of student loan debt onto the backs of taxpayers and to which I am opposed. Businesses can offer contributions as perquisite to employment, but not at taxpayers' expense."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Speaking with numerous business owners, they've informed that they are already paying wages that exceed proposed increases and that it's not the government's place to interfere with the conduct of their businesses."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"The Legislature gave municipalities the power of 'local control'. Citizens are at liberty to remedy any so-called zoning barriers to housing development at the local level by proposing zoning ordinance amendments if there is such a demand. Permissive type zoning ordinances allow for 'special exception' if a type of land use is not expressly allowed."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?
"NH is property-tax-centric. To reduce dependence on property taxes, some other type of tax would need to be implemented to fund schools. I signed the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayer pledge to '[o]ppose all efforts to impose a sales, income, or other broad-based tax on taxpayers...' Taxpayers need to provide much-needed oversight of school governance to assure fiscal responsibility."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the state law that bans teaching certain concepts, such as the idea that people may be "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I am for the Rule of Law, and the current law appears to be a fair and reasonable solution to this complex moral dilemma. Because a woman is guaranteed the right to obtain an abortion up to 24 weeks, exceptions for rape and incest need not be enumerated. Common sense dictates that the life of the mother and fetal viability are decisions to be made by and between biological parents and medical professionals, not as imposed by the government. However, I firmly believe consenting adults have a responsibility to assure against unwanted pregnancies, and that abortions must not be funded by taxpayer money."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I am for the Rule of Law, and the current law appears to be a fair and reasonable solution to this complex moral dilemma. Because a woman is guaranteed the right to obtain an abortion up to 24 weeks, exceptions for rape and incest need not be enumerated. Common sense dictates that the life of the mother and fetal viability are decisions to be made by and between biological parents and medical professionals, not as imposed by the government. However, I firmly believe consenting adults have a responsibility to assure against unwanted pregnancies, and that abortions must not be funded by taxpayer money."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"I am for the Rule of Law, and the current law appears to be a fair and reasonable solution to this complex moral dilemma. Because a woman is guaranteed the right to obtain an abortion up to 24 weeks, exceptions for rape and incest need not be enumerated. Common sense dictates that the life of the mother and fetal viability are decisions to be made by and between biological parents and medical professionals, not as imposed by the government. However, I firmly believe consenting adults have a responsibility to assure against unwanted pregnancies, and that abortions must not be funded by taxpayer money."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"I am for the Rule of Law, and the current law appears to be a fair and reasonable solution to this complex moral dilemma. Because a woman is guaranteed the right to obtain an abortion up to 24 weeks, exceptions for rape and incest need not be enumerated. Common sense dictates that the life of the mother and fetal viability are decisions to be made by and between biological parents and medical professionals, not as imposed by the government. However, I firmly believe consenting adults have a responsibility to assure against unwanted pregnancies, and that abortions must not be funded by taxpayer money."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"As long as adults are not harming others, they are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which includes the use of cannabis if so chosen in my opinion. Numerous states regulate cannabis use, it is a multi-billion dollar industry creating jobs and tax revenue. Regulated cannabis replaces trafficking by violent cartels and gangs. Unless citizens actually show up and support passage of legalization, the questions are moot."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"As long as adults are not harming others, they are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which includes the use of cannabis if so chosen in my opinion. Numerous states regulate cannabis use, it is a multi-billion dollar industry creating jobs and tax revenue. Regulated cannabis replaces trafficking by violent cartels and gangs. Unless citizens actually show up and support passage of legalization, the questions are moot."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"As long as adults are not harming others, they are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which includes the use of cannabis if so chosen in my opinion. Numerous states regulate cannabis use, it is a multi-billion dollar industry creating jobs and tax revenue. Regulated cannabis replaces trafficking by violent cartels and gangs. Unless citizens actually show up and support passage of legalization, the questions are moot."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?
"Against"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"This question is too vague. With the phrases 'do more' and 'climate change' not defined, an informed response can't be formulated."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a fee or mileage charge for electric vehicle owners to help pay for transportation and/or electric infrastructure?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"I believe in election integrity, and that there is too much room for error and tampering with mail-in voting."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline?
"I believe in election integrity, and that there is too much room for error and/or tampering with use of provisional ballots."
