Suzanne M. Prentiss
Historical Details
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?
"We are diverting public dollars to private schools. NH has not yet addressed fair and equitable funding for ALL schools and ALL children. The program is over budget and lacks true transparency - we have a responsibility to ALL children."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire ban abortion after 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"These are deeply personal, complex medical decisions. This is private medical decision-making of which the NH Senate has no place."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"These are deeply personal, complex medical decisions. This is private medical decision-making of which the NH Senate has no place."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Against"
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"?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Against"
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 is and will continue to be one of the ways we can attract a diverse workforce to NH."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"the current framework does not prove beneficial for vital and local priorities - we could apply this revenue to public education, retirement systems gaps, property tax relief."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"Undecided"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the tax on cigarettes?
"Its public health issue. This should be a deterrent for those who smoke, as well as we need to consider to the healthcare costs of managing smoking related illnesses and deaths."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"We have not yet updated the State's Climate Action Plan since 2008. The goals for emissions reductions need to be updated, state government agencies should be integrated into the process, and certainly the business community."
Against| 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?
"I think we have created an unnecessary barrier. We are not trusting our local election officials and we are impacting our overseas military members. This will decrease voting privacy and is already being challenged in court."
Undecided| 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?
"Undecided"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add restrictions to the governor's powers during a state of emergency?
"Every state of emergency is different, will depend on the nature, scope and size. I need to see exactly what a proposal would be."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"This is one of the ways that we can address the affordable housing crisis - we need local governments to have the tools they need to address this crisis. Additionally, I think we can better support local zoning and planning boards through training."
For| 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?
"One of the main reasons Granite Staters will suffer this winter and into the future is that we have not moved on decreasing our dependency on fossil fuels. If we had a healthy renewable portfolio, the cost of energy would not be crushing us today."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"These are deeply personal, complex medical decisions. This is private medical decision-making of which the NH Senate has no place."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"Many states do this effectively and with integrity guardrails in place."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
"With proper addiction programs put in place at the same time."
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?
"This is a needed source of revenue. However, the state should stay out of this based on federal implications. Other New England states have managed to create systems for sale, regulation and management of revenue."
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?
"This is a needed source of revenue. However, the state should stay out of this based on federal implications. Other New England states have managed to create systems for sale, regulation and management of revenue."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"This is a needed source of revenue. However, the state should stay out of this based on federal implications. Other New England states have managed to create systems for sale, regulation and management of revenue."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"we are the only state in New England that does not support raising the minimum wage - we should not be proud of this - in the shadow of COVID, the workforce shortages have made it increasingly clear we need to provide better support."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
"For"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?
"Undecided"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
"For"
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?
"As a former municipal elected official, I understand the impact of when this funding, promised to us, was not available. We are in need of diversified revenue locally, it could be used for property tax relief, local projects as local elected officials see fit."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"the current framework does not prove beneficial for vital and local priorities - we could apply this revenue to public education, retirement systems gaps, property tax relief"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Do you support Gov. Sununu's proposal to allow employers and employees to opt-in to a private, paid family and medical leave insurance plan, based on a pool of state employees, excluding coverage for personal illness?
"Against"
Other| 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 current system does not work - I am for equitable funding and believe it's up to the legislature to deliberate further, and once and for all solve the problem"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"These are deeply personal, complex medical decisions. This is private medical decision-making of which the NH Senate has no place."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a road usage fee?
"Undecided"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a statewide family and medical leave program, paid for with a percentage of employee wages, with no opt-out?
"small percent of employee wages, as in the 2020 legislation, .5% payroll deduction."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"We should focus on gun safety - we can address safe storage, and we should address red flag issues including putting in place a mechanism to identify those who are at risk, and placing a hold on the sale of a gun while rapidly providing due process. The focus IS on safety. We should not allow guns in schools/school grounds and improve background checks."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire provide student loan debt repayment programs for workers in industries with labor shortages?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add tax incentives for affordable housing development?
"Affordable housing is a workforce issue in NH, we have more jobs that places for workers, families to live. We need to support the work of local governments is being creative and inclusive in these important efforts."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
"Against"
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
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.
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.
SB 144 (2023)
Gradually increases the minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 1, 2024.
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.
SB 104 (2023)
Establishes regulations for online gambling, with the proceeds going to a new community college scholarship fund.
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"
SB 117 (2023)
Changes the definition of "child" in the law about negligent storage of firearms, raising the age to anyone under age 18.
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 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.
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 624 (2023)
Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.
HB 1431 (2022)
Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
HB 227 (2021)
Allows a landlord to evict a tenant at the expiration of the term of the lease or tenancy, if the term is longer than six months. The House amended the bill to also require the landlord to give 30 days' notice.
HB 1022 (2022)
Authorizes pharmacists to dispense Ivermectin pursuant to a standing order from a physician or APRN.
The Senate amended the bill to also establish a commission to study the use of Ivermectin to treat Covid-19 and to provide a recommendation regarding whether to make the standing order permanent.
HB 1131 (2022)
Prohibits public schools from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering.
HB 1178 (2022)
Prohibits any state or local enforcement of any federal laws or actions aimed at limiting firearms.
SB 418 (2022)
Establishes "affidavit balloting" for voters who do not have a valid identification at the polls. Those voters would be given a prepaid envelope to return with documentation proving their eligibility to vote, and their "affidavit ballots" would be numbered and counted separately. Any voter who fails to provide documentation proving their eligibility to vote within ten days of the election would have their ballot pulled and their votes deducted from the official vote totals.
HB 1661 (2022)
Requires sending district schools and career and technical education (CTE) centers to enter into an agreement to include scheduling, access, transportation and credits for CTE students.
The House amended the bill to also set aside $35 million for a new legislative parking garage. The Senate revised the bill to lower this number to $9.35 million.
The Senate also amended this bill to add the substance of SB 430, an omnibus bill about care covered under Medicaid, childcare regulations, and more.
HB 1609 (2022)
Revises the law banning abortions after 24 weeks gestation to include exceptions for rape, incest, and fatal fetal anomalies. This bill also repeals the requirement to conduct an obstetric ultrasound before every abortion. Lastly, this bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to compile and publish an annual report of statistics relative to abortions after 24 weeks.
HB 307 (2021)
Prohibits any "public entity," from school districts to local governments, from regulating the sale, use, or possession of firearms, knives, and related accessories. The bill includes levels of fines and damages up to $10,000.
HB 1455 (2022)
Prohibits state enforcement of any federal law, order, or rule that requires an individual, as a condition of employment or any other activity, to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or to submit more than once per month to COVID-19 testing.
HB 1495 (2022)
Prohibits employee vaccine requirements for any state or local government employees or government contractors. This bill has an exception for medical providers when there is a direct threat present.
The House amended the bill to prohibit any state or local government from requiring businesses to implement a vaccine mandate, with an exception for medical facilities.
SB 432 (2022)
Repeal the Education Freedom Account program. The program allows the parent of a school age child to receive funds from a scholarship organization to pay for education expenses.
SB 298 (2022)
Repeals the law aimed at banning critical race theory in public schools and workplaces. That law prohibits the teaching of certain concepts in school and public employee trainings. For example, the law prohibits teaching that people of a certain race or sex are "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously."
HB 1221 (2022)
Reduces the Business Profits Tax rate from 7.6% to 7.5% and the Business Enterprise Tax rate from 0.55% to 0.50% for taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2023.
The House amended the bill to only cut the Business Profits Tax to 7.5%.
The Senate amended the bill to also provide towns and cities with 7.5% of their retirement contribution costs for teachers, police officers, and firefighters for one year.
HB 629 (2021)
Legalizes possession of up to 3/4 oz of marijuana for adults over age 21. This bill also allows adults to cultivate six marijuana plants at home and creates a $100 fine for publicly smoking marijuana.
HB 1080 (2022)
Creates a right for health care providers to conscientiously object to participating in providing abortion, sterilization, or artificial contraception services.
HB 1210 (2022)
Requires public employers, private employers, and postsecondary education institutions that receive public funds and mandate a vaccination or other inoculation procedure to accept an employee's or student's request for a medical, religious, or right of conscience exemption.
SB 137 (2021)
Changes the tipped minimum wage from 45% of the regular minimum wage to $3.27 per hour, if the federal government raises the regular minimum wage. The Senate amended the bill to also set a fixed minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for tipped employees who are licensed as secondary game operators (such as croupiers); the House removed this amendment.
SB 61 (2021)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 89 (2021)
The House voted to add a new section to the bill that states New Hampshire election laws will not be affected by the passage of the federal "For the People Act." Supporters argue that this is an important measure to protect the integrity of New Hampshire elections from federal interference. Opponents argue it is unconstitutional to attempt to nullify federal laws, and this measure could require New Hampshire to run two separate election systems, one for state officials and one for federal officials.
HB 1 (2021)
State budget bill. The governor presented his version of the next state budget February 11. The House passed a revised version of his budget on April 7. The Senate passed a different version on June 3. The House and Senate passed a final version on June 24. Click here to read a summary of the 2021 budget proposals.
HB 2 (2021)
State budget bill (part 2). The governor presented his version of the next state budget February 11. The House passed a revised version of his budget on April 7. The Senate passed a different version on June 3. The House and Senate passed a final version on June 24. Click here to read a summary of the budget proposals.
HB 542 (2021)
Excludes religious gatherings from any prohibition on in-person gatherings during a state of emergency. The House amended the bill to more broadly protect religious activities. The Senate amended the bill to narrow its scope again; the Senate version requires the state to allow religious services and other activities to proceed to the same or greater extent as other essential business activity during a state of emergency.
HB 177 (2021)
Prohibits the siting of new landfills, excluding expansions of existing landfills, within 2 miles of state parks. "State parks" do not include state historic sites and recreational rail trails.
The House voted to add this bill to SB 103, but the Senate rejected that change.
SB 80 (2021)
Establishes a fifteen member independent redistricting commission, appointed by House and Senate party leaders after an application process.
SB 141 (2021)
Authorizes the FBI to conduct all National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) searches concerning the purchase, sale, and transfer of firearms through Federal Firearm Licensees operating in New Hampshire. This bill then abolishes the "gun line" in the State Police and repeals the state’s partial point of contact system for handguns, allowing the authority to remain exclusively with the FBI.
