Donald McFarlane
Historical Details
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?
"Our education system is key to our society's future. No community should fail to provide its children with an education. As a parent, as a town officer, and if elected as a state representative, I cherish the interest of a well-rounded classical education including modern scientific learnings. It is my strong belief that education should be kept local, and that parental rights should be respected, including their rights to make educational choices for their children."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"I do not feel that any detailed discussion in school of sexuality is necessary or appropriate for children of that age."
No Response
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"?
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."
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?
"As we have seen (for example) at the federal level with the CARES Act, and at the state level with 2018's SB564, such approaches create an uneven playing field and often disproportionately benefit large employers, favored industries, etc. Generally speaking, I do not support these kinds of tax credits."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Taxes on businesses are a tax on those businesses' consumers. A decade ago, New Hampshire had the third highest taxes on business nationally. The reductions in BET and BPT which have been achieved since then have made NH more competitive regionally, and have helped New Hampshire business rebound better than many of its neighbors. I support reducing the tax burden on businesses in the state, including small businesses."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Preserving the natural beauty of New Hampshire is something which I believe many if not all residents want, for themselves and for future generations. It is reasonable that the state may collaborate to protect the commons, nevertheless I have not yet seen a related project for which I would support government spending or mandate."
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?
"We require ID to drive, to fly, to open a bank account, to close a bank account, and to perform countless other daily tasks. I have personal knowledge of voter fraud, in New Jersey, and in New York. The New Hampshire attorney general has found evidence of voter fraud in New Hampshire. We have thousands of illegal aliens entering the US every day. Yes, I support that when our new neighbors first register to vote, we should ask them to show ID and demonstrate that they are in fact US citizens."
No Response
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?
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"It should not take two or three years to navigate a large town's approval process for a single development, and there are examples of this happening across the state. It is reasonable for landowners to expect that their zoning and planning submissions will be heard and acted upon timely."
Against| 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?
"From a resilience standpoint, I am in favor of distributed energy generation including at the residential level. Nevertheless, New Hampshire's current net metering system is structured so as to create perverse incentives which serve to negatively impact our most reliable energy producers and increase our rates. New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and I reject this action which would further increase energy costs and negatively impact already-stressed local households."
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?
"New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and Eversource recently raised their supply rates by 112%. I am concerned about rising energy costs and its impact on already-stressed local households. I believe that, for example, clean nuclear power (not considered renewable) is preferable to expensive renewable sources which cannot support base load requirements and which require significant subsidy. I will seek to let the market - including consumers who choose to support renewable sources - drive an appropriate mix."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"Against"
Other| 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?
"Our education system is key to our society's future. No community should fail to provide its children with an education. As a parent, as a town officer, and if elected as a state representative, I cherish the interest of a well-rounded classical education including modern scientific learnings. It is my strong belief that education should be kept local, and that parental rights should be respected, including their rights to make educational choices for their children."
For| 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?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"For"
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Against"
No Response
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?
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"For"
Other| 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?
"Of course people should be free to obtain healthcare in the place of their choosing. It is my belief, supported by strong constitutional evidence, that US citizens have a right to freedom of movement within these united states. I have seen no evidence to suggest that any amendments or additions to either our New Hampshire statutes or our state constitution are warranted."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"New Hampshire should require federal immigration enforcement and federal prosecutors to comply with federal law. Under existing federal law it is an imprisonable offense to employ, harbor or otherwise aid illegal aliens. I support legal immigration. Illegal immigration is a a national catastrophe."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I am a staunch advocate of the natural right to self-defense, and the constitutional right to keep and bear arms."
Voting Record
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 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 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.
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 282 (2025)
Increases the maximum compensation for first responders' critical injury benefits from $500,000 to $1,000,000.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 238 (2025)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
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 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.
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 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 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.
