Diane Pauer

Republican

Serving as: NH House Hillsborough County District 36

Statehouse Effectiveness 2023

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

100% Present

Average 95%

Party unity score/partisanship

98% With Party

Average 95%

Participated in official roll call votes

100% Roll Call Votes

Average 93%

Bills sponsored (as prime sponsor)

3 Prime Sponsored Bills

Average 2

Prime sponsored bills that became law

2 Became Law

Voting Record

Voted for "Parent Bill of Rights" without mention of gender

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"

Voted against allowing extreme risk protection orders ("red flag law")

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."

Voted for final Senate version of state budget

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.

Voted against greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, to net zero by 2050

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.

Voted to keep penalties for health care providers who violate state ban on abortion after 24 weeks

HB 224 (2023)

Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.

Voted to increase household income limit for Education Freedom Accounts, from 300% to 350% of federal poverty guidelines

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.

Voted against letting larger electric generators participate in net metering

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.

Voted to remove authority of DHHS to require vaccinations

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.

Voted against requiring 30-day to 6-month notice period before a rent increase

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.

Voted against raising minimum wage to $15 per hour

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.

Voted against expanding background checks for firearms

HB 59 (2023)

Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks.

Voted against requiring 24-hour public notice of immigration checkpoints

HB 624 (2023)

Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.

Voted against legalizing private marijuana sales with a 12.5% excise tax

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.

Voted against permanent reauthorization of expanded Medicaid program

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.

Voted to consider the "Parents' Bill of Rights in Education" in the future

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"

Declined to complete our 2022 State Candidate Survey

Position on Issues

Broad-based sales tax
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"I will protect the N.H. Advantage--no broad-based taxes of any kind."

Broad-based income tax
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"I oppose a state income tax, including any tax on earned income. Therefore, I oppose a mandatory Family Leave Act payroll deduction, which is an income tax. Additionally, I support the repeal of the existing interest and dividends tax."

Business tax decrease
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"I support business tax relief in order to make N.H. more business friendly. Moreover, I would support further reductions in the Business Profits Tax (BPT) to 7.5% and the Business Enterprise Tax (BET) to 0.5%."

Minimum wage increase
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"The federal minimum wage is appropriate. Individual businesses can chose to raise employee wages based on their business models. I support the free market to determine wages."

Stricter gun laws
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

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."

Extending renewable energy portfolio standard
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?

"I oppose the extension of the renewable portfolio standard (RPS), a program that forces electricity distributors to purchase increasing percentages of renewable electricity from prescribed energy classes at above market rates or face penalties. Instead, I support legislation to terminate the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). I also support legislation to rebate funds from the RPS back to the ratepayers. Such programs that mandate energy purchases from expensive green sources ultimately result in higher utility rates for the consumer. The free market should determine sources and pricing."

Mail-in voting
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

"I support absentee voting and unequivocally oppose mail-in ballots for all voters. The process for absentee voting is prescribed and rigorous, thereby guarding against potential voter fraud. On the other hand, indiscriminately mailing out ballots to names at addresses on voter registration lists that are demonstrably inaccurate is irresponsible, and such a practice unequivocally undermines election integrity in N.H. The government must do everything in its power to maintain fair and accurate elections and to ensure that every legal N.H. voter's vote is not negated by fraudulent votes such as by an illegal voter (e.g. out of state and/or non U.S. citizen) voting in our elections."

Marijuana legalization with state-run stores
Against| Read My Position

Voting Record, 2022

Voted against a bill to legalize marijuana with the Liquor Commission regulating sales (HB 1598)

"Education Freedom Account" program
For| Read My Position

Voting Record, 2023

In 2022, Pauer voted to keep Education Freedom Account program (HB 1683). In 2023, Pauer voted for two bills that would expand eligibility for the Education Freedom Account program (HB 367 and HB 464).

Conditional, affidavit ballots for new voters
For| Read My Position

Voting Record, 2022

Voted to create a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418)

Marijuana legalization with private sales
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2020 Citizens Count issue survey, Pauer wrote, "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."

Repeal ban on abortion after 24 weeks
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

When asked about a 24-week abortion ban on the Citizens Count issue survey, Pauer wrote, "I support the right to life from conception (to natural death) with exceptions for rape, incest, and health complications in which the life of the mother is at risk. These exceptions, in which a crime against the mother has occurred and/or severe fetal anomalies are present which endangers the life of the mother, are extraordinary instances in which decisions are best made by the mother, father, and parents, in the case of a minor, with the advice of their medical providers. Each case is unique and complex, and the government should not be involved in these instances. Notwithstanding, every effort should be made to protect and preserve the lives of both the unborn and the mother at all times; and in the case of severe fetal anomalies, the Principle of Double Effect should be followed when possible." In 2021 Pauer voted against HB 625, a 2021 bill to prohibit abortion after 24 weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. The bill did not include exceptions for rape or incest.

Public school funding through local property taxes
No Response