Thomas Southworth
Serving as: NH House Strafford County District 11
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse in 2025. 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. Ayotte is still in the process of signing and vetoing 2025 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 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 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 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 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.
HB 238 (2025)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 282 (2025)
Increases the maximum compensation for first responders' critical injury benefits from $500,000 to $1,000,000.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
Completed our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Southworth voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program in 2022 (HB 1683). In 2023, Southworth also voted against two bills that would expand eligibility for the Education Freedom Account program (HB 367 and HB 464). In 2024 Rep. Southworth voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Southworth also voted for HB 1512, which would limit the EFA program to a budget.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Voted against HB 591, a bill that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion after detecting a fetal heartbeat.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2016
Southworth voted against various abortion restrictions in 2016, including a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation (HB 1636).
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"A broad based income tax might be part of the mix, but the formula would need to be analyzed closely. Any new taxes should be considered in the context of relief for property tax payers."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I serve on the Ways and Means Committee. NH's reliance on property taxes places an unfair/unequal burden on NH residents. An alternative mix of taxes must be explored to provide sustainable revenue for the state. A sales tax would be one of the least useful choices."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"NH needs more revenue to address funding gaps in many critical areas such as education, health (including COVID and opioid), roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects. The property tax burden may impact businesses more than the business tax. Loopholes should be closed."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"A capital gain tax for high income brackets should be considered. The legislation should include exemptions to protect seniors and middle in come earners."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Voted for HB 208, a bill to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. The bill also required the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted against creating a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418)
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2025
In 2024 Rep. Southworth voted for a few bills that would ease zoning requirements. For example, Southworth voted for HB 1291 (to increase rights of property owners to build accessory dwelling units), HB 1399 (to make it easier to convert single family residence into two units), and HB 1400 (to limit parking requirements, plus add tax credits for office conversions). In 2025 Rep. Southworth voted to limit parking requirements in zoning laws (SB 284) and voted to prohibit planning boards from differentiating based on the number of bedrooms in a residential development (SB 174).
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted for a constitutional right to abortion before 24 weeks (CACR 23).
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted to consider starting a Child Care Workforce Fund to recruit and retain New Hampshire child care employees (HB 1611)
Against| 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?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2020 Citizens Count issue survey, Southworth wrote, "I would like to learn more about the experiences in other states and unintended consequences that NH might face."
In 2020 he voted against HB 1648, a bill that would permit adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permit adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. This bill also allowed adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2020 Citizens Count issue survey, Southworth wrote, "I would like to learn more about the experiences in other states and unintended consequences that NH might face."
In 2019 he voted against HB 481, a bill to legalize and tax marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. A Cannabis Control Commission, similar to the Liquor Commission, would be responsible for licensing and enforcement. The bill also allowed limited home-growing of marijuana for personal use.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted against a bill to legalize marijuana with the Liquor Commission regulating sales (HB 1598)
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"I would support a gradual increase to $15. It's not an easy shift and it would be important to work with small businesses and other stakeholders for a smooth transition."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted for HB 368, a bill that would provide various legal protections for persons receiving gender-related health care. For example, HB 368 would prohibit New Hampshire from enforcing an order from another state to remove a child from a home based on a parent allowing their child to receive gender-affirming health care.
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
When asked about a 24-week abortion ban on the Citizens Count issue survey, Southworth wrote, "Irregardless of my personal view, these decisions should always be made by the woman. Hopefully, she can access support from family, friends, and health care professionals."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I support reasonable gone safety measures that are in line with public opinion. Safety can be increased without undue effect on the majority of responsible gun owners."
