Howard C. Pearl
Serving as: NH Senate District 17
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 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 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 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 104 (2023)
Establishes regulations for online gambling, with the proceeds going to a new community college scholarship fund.
SB 117 (2023)
Changes the definition of "child" in the law about negligent storage of firearms, raising the age to anyone under age 18.
SB 144 (2023)
Gradually increases the minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 1, 2024.
SB 220 (2023)
Allows any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. The bill also allows partial processing of absentee ballots prior to Election Day.
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?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"For"
Undecided| 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?
"Undecided"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"New Hampshire has a housing shortage and all local government leaders should work together to determine how to adjust regulations to allow for smart and efficient growth in our communities."
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?
"We currently share the rooms and meals tax revenue and I support increasing that higher than it currently is to help reduce local property taxes."
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?
"The system is far from perfect but many other alternatives have been discussed and they all rely on more broadbased taxes which I am firmly opposed to as it would be an economic disaster for New Hampshire. We should continually pursue expanding school choice opportunities for families."
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?
"Parents should be able to access the funds that come out of their own pocket for education for what they believe is the best way to educate their child. The state should be striving to expand parental rights in education as much as possible, not remove parental rights, as has been attempted by the federal government bureaucrats in Washington."
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"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I support New Hampshire's current law which bans the abhorrent practice of late term abortions. I will review other legislation when and if it is proposed"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I support New Hampshire's current law which bans the abhorrent practice of late term abortions. I will review other legislation when and if it is proposed"
Undecided| 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 New Hampshire's current law which bans the abhorrent practice of late term abortions. I will review other legislation when and if it is proposed"
Undecided| 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 New Hampshire's current law which bans the abhorrent practice of late term abortions. I will review other legislation when and if it is proposed"
Undecided| 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?
"I am supported medical marijuana programs and decriminalization. I will give full consideration to any bill relating to full recreational use, homegrown, and state run distribution facilities. The challenge with many of these bills is in the details of the language. In the past I have supported some and not others."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"I am supported medical marijuana programs and decriminalization. I will give full consideration to any bill relating to full recreational use, homegrown, and state run distribution facilities. The challenge with many of these bills is in the details of the language. In the past I have supported some and not others."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"I am supported medical marijuana programs and decriminalization. I will give full consideration to any bill relating to full recreational use, homegrown, and state run distribution facilities. The challenge with many of these bills is in the details of the language. In the past I have supported some and not others."
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"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Climate change alarmists and activists are using their crusade to drive up the cost of energy and electricity which is at an all-time high. Granite Staters are starting to lock in their home heating oil rates for the winter and many cannot afford the outrageous prices. We need to reduce the cost of energy not give in to climate change alarmists."
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?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"New Hampshire has one of the best and successful election systems in America. We need to keep our system in place and not allow a Washington takeover of our elections as Washington has tried to do this past year"
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?
"For"
