Diane Pauer
Serving as: NH House Hillsborough County District 36
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse in 2025. 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. Ayotte is still in the process of signing and vetoing 2025 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 1 (2025)
State budget bill. The governor presented her proposal for the next state budget February 13. Click here to read a summary of the budget process.
HB 10 (2025)
Establishes a Parental Bill of Rights. The bill requires schools to adopt a policy to promote parental involvement in the public school system. The bill also establishes a right to sue schools that violate the law.
The final version of this bill requires schools to respond to parental inquiries "regarding any and all matters related to their minor child," within ten days.
The final Senate version of this bill also does not require parents to give written consent to any medical procedure or treatment; that provision was removed after much debate.
HB 148 (2025)
Adds an exception to state anti-discrimination laws for bathrooms, locker rooms, sports, prisons, hospitals, and treatment centers to classify individuals based on biological sex.
HB 198 (2025)
Removes the legal penalties for possessing and using marijuana and cannabis-infused products for those over age twenty-one. This bill does not include any mechanism for legal sales or taxation.
HB 238 (2025)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 282 (2025)
Increases the maximum compensation for first responders' critical injury benefits from $500,000 to $1,000,000.
HB 324 (2025)
Prohibits K-12 schools from making "any material that is harmful to minors" available to students. The bill defines this material to include various content related to sex. This bill also requires school boards to adopt complaint resolution policies to address complaints regarding harmful material by parents or guardians.
HB 357 (2025)
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.
The House added the text of this bill to SB 60.
HB 377 (2025)
Makes it a felony to provide hormone treatments and puberty blockers to a minor unless a minor is "born with a medically verifiable disorder of sex development."
The Senate amended the bill to allow doctors to continue hormone treatments and puberty blockers started prior to January 1, 2026.
The Senate amended the bill to also recognize Children's Environmental Health Day, similar to SB 184.
A conference committee of representatives and senators agreed to those Senate amendments.
HB 53 (2025)
Allows qualifying medical marijuana patients and caregivers to grow marijuana at home. There would be limits on the size of the growing operation.
The House added the text of this bill to SB 118.
HB 56 (2025)
Requires sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks. This bill also establishes a 3-day waiting period for firearm transfers. The bill includes some exceptions, such as transfers between immediate family members.
HB 60 (2025)
After six months of renting, this bill adds the expiration of the term of the lease or tenancy as grounds for an eviction.
The Senate amended the bill so that it will only take effect if there is a 4% vacancy rate in the state. The amended bill also increases in the minimum lease term to twelve months before eviction.
A conference committee of representatives and senators agreed on a final version of the bill. Landlords could evict without cause after twelve months, and the law would take effect regardless of the vacancy rate.
HB 649 (2025)
Removes the requirement for physical safety inspections and on-board diagnostic tests for passenger vehicles and eliminates funding for the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Abatement Fund.
SB 14 (2025)
Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for supplying fentanyl. The minimum starts at three years and six months and goes up for higher quantities.
The House amended the bill to also increase penalties for dealing fentanyl to a person who overdoses and dies, similar to SB 15. The amendment also decreases the penalty for possessing 3/4 of an ounce or less of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to a misdemeanor.
SB 228 (2025)
Modifies the scope and capacity limits of community solar projects. Generally speaking, this bill increases the size of projects that can participate in net energy metering. The bill also allows nonprofit educational institutions and public housing authorities to operate as “municipal hosts” for net metering.
The Senate added some of this bill to HB 710.
SB 284 (2025)
Limits zoning laws to require no more than one parking spaces per residential unit, with exceptions for certain workforce housing and multi-family developments.
The House amended the bill to remove those exceptions.
SB 287 (2025)
If an absentee voter asks for a ballot to be mailed to an address other than the address shown on the voter checklist, this bill adds additional verification requirements. In particular, the voter must show a copy of their photo ID to the clerk or include a notarized signature on their absentee ballot application. If an absentee voter does not complete either step, "his or her signature on the application for an absentee ballot shall be compared to his or her signature on the absentee ballot affidavit on election day in the same manner as other voters."
SB 295 (2025)
Removes the household income limit to participate in the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program.
The Senate amended the bill, adding a 10,000 enrollment cap for the EFA program. If there are 9,000 EFA applicants in a year, the enrollment cap would increase by 25%.
SB 62 (2025)
Prohibits state and local government from blocking law enforcement participation in a federal 287(g) program. That program allows local law enforcement to perform some immigration enforcement duties.
The House amended the bill to add the text of SB 71, which prohibits state and local governments from adopting "sanctuary policies," which prohibit or impede law enforcement cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
Completed our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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?
"I support school choice and the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. The EFA program should be available to every NH student so that NH parents have the freedom to choose the best educational setting for their children. Under the EFA program, the per-pupil share of state school aid follows the student. School choice and the EFA program increases competition and improves student outcomes, whether in private, public, or home school settings."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"While I am pro-life, I support the current NH law that permits abortions until 24 weeks (i.e. 6 months) gestation, with exceptions after 24 weeks for fatal fetal anomalies and to save the life of mother, as specified in RSA 329:44 and outlined at https://www.abortionfactsnh.org ."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"While I am pro-life, I support the current NH law that permits abortions until 24 weeks (i.e. 6 months) gestation, with exceptions after 24 weeks for fatal fetal anomalies and to save the life of mother, as specified in RSA 329:44 and outlined at https://www.abortionfactsnh.org ."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I oppose any state income tax in order to protect the NH Advantage."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I oppose any broad-based sales tax in order to protect the NH Advantage."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I support business tax relief including modest reductions in the Business Enterprise Tax (BET) and Business Profits Tax (BPT) in order to make N.H. more business friendly. This will attract more businesses to NH and create good paying jobs for NH citizens."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"I oppose new taxes, including a tax on capital gains."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"I support protection of natural resources such as clean air and water. Any climate action must be balanced with the economic impact on our state."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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 support the current law that requires in person voters registering in NH for the first time who do not have a valid ID use an affidavit ballot, which will be counted if the identifying documents are returned to the Secretary of State within 7 days. I oppose voters registering to vote in NH on election day without a valid ID using a regular (non-affidavit) ballot. In order to preserve election integrity, only the votes of legal NH citizens must count in our elections."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"I support repealing unreasonable local zoning that unduly restricts housing development. While local control of zoning is important, it is imperative that local zoning ordinances balance the desires of the community with the need for affordable housing opportunities. Importantly, any state directives must take into account the minimum lot density required when public water and sewer utilities are not available. "
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?
"Details on any proposal to increase the net energy metering capacity cap must be carefully drafted, importantly to ensure fair rates are used."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"While I am pro-life, I support the current NH law that permits abortions until 24 weeks (i.e. 6 months) gestation, with exceptions after 24 weeks for fatal fetal anomalies and to save the life of mother, as specified in RSA 329:44 and outlined at https://www.abortionfactsnh.org ."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"I support the current system and funding levels for child care. In order to make child care more accessible and affordable, I support the removal of local zoning ordinances that restrict where child care providers can operate. Such actions will increase the supply and bring down the cost of child care for working NH families."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
"I support the current system of public school funding. Since public school spending is approved locally, it makes sense that the majority of public school funding is raised and appropriated at the local level. Additionally, any expanded state education aid should go towards local property tax relief instead larger school budgets, especially with declining student enrollment. In an effort to better control local property taxation, I support enabling/adoptable provisions, such as local tax caps and school district budget caps, to guide local school boards and budget committees in developing long term sustainable and affordable school budgets."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"I oppose legalizing the recreational use of marijuana as it is a proven gateway drug to stronger, more addictive and dangerous drugs and is related to illegal drug trafficking and crime. However, I do support the legal use of cannabis for medical use as prescribed by a medical provider as medically indicated."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"I oppose legalizing the recreational use of marijuana as it is a proven gateway drug to stronger, more addictive and dangerous drugs and is related to illegal drug trafficking and crime. However, I do support the legal use of cannabis for medical use as prescribed by a medical provider as medically indicated."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"I oppose legalizing the recreational use of marijuana as it is a proven gateway drug to stronger, more addictive and dangerous drugs and is related to illegal drug trafficking and crime. However, I do support the legal use of cannabis for medical use as prescribed by a medical provider as medically indicated."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"I support the free market to determine wages. The federal minimum wage is appropriate. Moreover, NH businesses can chose to raise employee wages based on their business needs and in general are paying employees far higher than the minimum wage. "
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?
"State laws do not extend beyond the borders of the state, so such legal protections are unnecessary."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"While I am pro-life, I support the current NH law that permits abortions until 24 weeks (i.e. 6 months) gestation, with exceptions after 24 weeks for fatal fetal anomalies and to save the life of mother, as specified in RSA 329:44 and outlined at https://www.abortionfactsnh.org ."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"I support that local law enforcement cooperate with federal immigration enforcement by notifying proper federal agencies of individuals in custody who have violated NH law and have a federal detainer. I oppose sanctuary cities in our state."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I support the U.S. Constitution and the N.H. Constitution which includes the right to bear arms. Moreover, law abiding citizens' rights should not be infringed upon by the government. N.H.'s constitutional carry must be protected."
