Sharon M. Carson
Serving as: NH Senate District 14
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"
Declined to complete our 2022 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Union Leader Voter Guide, 2014
"The New Hampshire Advantage of No Sales and No Income tax! "
Against| Read My Position
Union Leader Voter Guide, 2014
"The New Hampshire Advantage of No Sales and No Income tax! "
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Carson voted against HB 611 and HB 1672, both bills that would allow any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. Sen. Carson also voted against SB 220, a 2023 bill that would allow any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. SB 220 also allowed partial processing of absentee ballots prior to Election Day.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2020
Voted against SB 124, a bill to revise the required minimum percentages of renewable energy in the Renewable Portfolio Standard, particularly to extend goals from 2025 to 2040.
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted to create a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters without ID (SB 418)
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted against legalizing possession of 3/4 oz marijuana with home growing, no sales (HB 629)
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted to keep the law aimed at banning critical race theory in schools (SB 298)
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
In 2022, Sen. Carson voted to keep the Education Freedom Account program (SB 432). Carson also voted for HB 367, a 2023 bill which increases the maximum household income limit for participation in the Education Freedom Account program, from 300% to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.
No Response
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?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
Other| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Sen. Carson voted to eliminate the Interest and Dividends tax as part of HB 2 (2023). Sen. Carson also voted to kill a bill that would have stopped the phase-out of the Interest and Dividends tax at 4%, SB 261 (2023).
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Sen. Carson voted for SB 145, a 2023 bill to establish a New Hampshire Housing Champion Designation Program. Generally speaking, cities and towns that adopt land use regulations, water infrastructure, public transportation, and other programs that promote the development of workforce housing would have preferential access to state funds.
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?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
