Ellen Read
Serving as: NH House Rockingham County District 10
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
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?
"By draining funds from an efficient education system that covers everyone, you are disproportionately cutting funding to the remaining students. So, if a class of students costs 70K, with all overhead, to run a year - and 3 students take their 'share' and deplete the funding by 10K, now there is only 60K left. But the teacher is still doing full time work, the building still needs upkeep, electricity, etc. BUYING IN BULK IS EFFICIENT."
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 support Roe v. Wade trimester structure. In the first trimester, when 98% of abortions happen, abortion is HEALTHCARE - and should be FREE (as I believe all healthcare should be) and accessible to all. The other 2% of abortions are mostly due to the health of the mother or viability of the fetus, again making it HEALTHCARE. These scenarios should ALWAYS be protected. I would only support keeping the ban in the 3rd trimester if it was coupled with free accessible abortion services for healthcare, as I've defended."
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 support Roe v. Wade trimester structure. In the first trimester, when 98% of abortions happen, abortion is HEALTHCARE - and should be FREE (as I believe all healthcare should be) and accessible to all. The other 2% of abortions are mostly due to the health of the mother or viability of the fetus, again making it HEALTHCARE. These scenarios should ALWAYS be protected. I would only support keeping the ban in the 3rd trimester if it was coupled with free accessible abortion services for healthcare, as I've defended."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Our society already teaches about love, marriage, having kids, etc. To withold truth about the variety of people's experiences and understandings of those topics DOESN'T protect children."
Against| 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"?
"Whie people are NOT inherently racist, sexist, etc., the specific law prevented the teaching of simple historical facts or societal analysis that 'might' make some people feel 'uncomfortable'. The truth is what matters."
Other| 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 should be in concert with a statewide student loan refinancing program. The credit should be less than 1-1 for repayment contributions."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I could support stabilization of taxes for small local businesses if larger corporations and out of state businesses are taxed appropriately."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"The science is BEYOND clear - it is our greatest existential threat."
For| 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?
"There should be no hindrance to voting. Voter I.D. issues are generally best handled by allowing the option of the town to take a photo of the person registering when they register with I.D.s, so they don't have to bring it at election."
Against| 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?
"Registration fees should be based on weight and mileage alone."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"While I do respect the need to defend oneself, the need to hunt for food, and the dangers of democracy failing, NH is one of the most lenient gun states in the U.S. I support universal background checks, and licensing, and including psych screenning and proficiency class/exams, for anything more powerful than a pisto or hunting long gun."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I support a high-end income tax and luxury-item tax, as well as financial transaction tax."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"I prime sponsored this in 2017. The majority of other states allow this - it increases the ability for people to engage politically."
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?
"The state selling cannabis would go a long way to end our funding woes and allow for much needed services. All people over 18 should be able to privately grow and recreationally use cannabis - it is safer than alcohol on ALL metrics."
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?
"The state selling cannabis would go a long way to end our funding woes and allow for much needed services. All people over 18 should be able to privately grow and recreationally use cannabis - it is safer than alcohol on ALL metrics."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"The state selling cannabis would go a long way to end our funding woes and allow for much needed services. All people over 18 should be able to privately grow and recreationally use cannabis - it is safer than alcohol on ALL metrics."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"In truth, according to the math, the min wage should be close to $30/hour on the Seacoast just to create a livable wage. A min wage should include a COLA and be adjusted per county. Tip wage should be at least 50% minimum."
For| 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?
"Property taxes are one of the top reasons housing is unaffordable for young people. Bringing down property taxes, especially for LMI, will bring in the much needed younger generations."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"This is unearned income that is disproportionately represented in the well-off and wealthy, and should be taxed. Exemptions could be made for low-income."
Against| 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?
"Every child should receive the same resources for education, not the rich more than the poor, which is what happens when you fund education locally."
Other| 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?
"We should strive for 100% renewable ASAP."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I support Roe v. Wade trimester structure. In the first trimester, when 98% of abortions happen, abortion is HEALTHCARE - and should be FREE (as I believe all healthcare should be) and accessible to all. The other 2% of abortions are mostly due to the health of the mother or viability of the fetus, again making it HEALTHCARE. These scenarios should ALWAYS be protected. I would only support keeping the ban in the 3rd trimester if it was coupled with free accessible abortion services for healthcare, as I've defended."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I support Roe v. Wade trimester structure. In the first trimester, when 98% of abortions happen, abortion is HEALTHCARE - and should be FREE (as I believe all healthcare should be) and accessible to all. The other 2% of abortions are mostly due to the health of the mother or viability of the fetus, again making it HEALTHCARE. These scenarios should ALWAYS be protected. I would only support keeping the ban in the 3rd trimester if it was coupled with free accessible abortion services for healthcare, as I've defended."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I support a high-end income tax and luxury-item tax, as well as financial transaction tax."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"I've personally sponsored/prime sponsored minimum ADU number recognition and a LMI Homestead Exemption, and would support the limit on lots of minimums (no more than 2 acre min.)"
