William "Will" Darby
Serving as: NH House Hillsborough County District 11
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
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"New Hampshire has a deep rooted history of avoiding broad-based taxes on individuals. While limited funding may require creative solutions to find money for essential expenses such as public education and services, it has the benefit of allowing people to keep more of their paychecks, and increases the impact of local town and city governments."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"New Hampshire has a deep rooted history of avoiding broad-based taxes on individuals, including an income tax. While limited funding may require creative solutions to find money for essential expenses such as public education and services, it has the benefit of allowing people to keep more of their paychecks, and increases the impact of local town and city governments."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"While New Hampshire benefits from a dearth of broad-based taxes on individuals, the state has a responsibility to educate its children, and provide for the health, welfare and safety of its residents. Lower business taxes reduce the state funds available to pay for these essential expenses, which results in a downshift in costs as towns are forced make up the difference with local property taxes. Businesses that benefit from the state's economic advantages should pay a fair share, particularly large national and international corporations."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"The elderly and retired make up a substantial percentage of those who pay the interest and dividends tax. Individuals of limited means should not be required to pay this tax simply because their interest and dividends exceeds $2,400 yearly. However, the tax is an important component of the complex formula of New Hampshire state government funding. As such, companies and wealthy individuals that benefit from the state's economic advantages should continue to pay their fair share."
For| 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?
"The burden of student loan debt causes early career professionals to delay life events including marriage, home ownership and having children. Students graduating from New Hampshire higher education institutions with debt have the highest average debt of any other state. Allowing companies to help their employees pay down this debt by offering a tax credit will benefit young adults and encourage them to make New Hampshire their home."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"New Hampshire has the lowest minimum wage in New England. This forces our young people to move to other states to find a living wage. Increasing the minimum wage will stimulate the state's economy without reducing our competitive advantage over surrounding states."
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 very low, unhealthy rental vacancy rate. This results in excessively high rents causing many of our young people to move out of state to find affordable housing. One of the causes of the low vacancy rate is zoning laws that discourage multi-family development. Adding more affordable housing is essential to reduce the cost of living and make New Hampshire livable for its young families."
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?
"New Hampshire previously eliminated its contributions to the New Hampshire Retirement System and dramatically reduced support for school building aid. These downshifted costs should should be shared with the state to reduce local property tax burden."
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?
"The state's current education funding through SWEPT may be found unconstitutional. It is certainly unjust as people from adjacent towns attending the same school district may pay radically different property tax rates. The state's businesses benefit from one of the top 5 educational outcomes in the country; thus they should contribute fairly to ensure continued education success of its students."
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?
"Education vouchers are not necessary in New Hampshire. Prior to the voucher program, the state had one of the top 5 education outcomes in the country. Additionally, the vast majority of people taking advantage of these vouchers were already sending their children to private schools. The primary impact of 'Education Freedom Accounts' has been redirecting money from state education funds, which will result in more cost downshifting to cities and towns."
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"?
"Local school boards must be given the freedom to set the curriculum for their schools. Additionally, teacher's should not be intimidated or threatened to teach the history of the US and age-appropriate literature."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Children come from a wide variety of family situations. Preventing students and educators from discussing this diversity will contribute to mental health issues of children and adolescents."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Abortion is healthcare. Women should be trusted to make personal healthcare decisions with their medical providers. Women's reproductive rights must be guaranteed."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Abortion is healthcare. Women should be trusted to make personal healthcare decisions with their medical providers. Women's reproductive rights must be guaranteed."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is healthcare. Women should be trusted to make personal healthcare decisions with their medical providers. Women's reproductive rights must be guaranteed."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is healthcare. Women should be trusted to make personal healthcare decisions with their medical providers. Women's reproductive rights must be guaranteed."
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?
"Adult use marijuana is available in several New England states. Medical marijuana has been demonstrated to significantly help patients with certain medical conditions. By prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana to adults, New Hampshire is losing the tax revenue on this readily accessible product."
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?
"Adult use marijuana is available in several New England states. Medical marijuana has been demonstrated to significantly help patients with certain medical conditions. By prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana to adults, New Hampshire is losing the tax revenue on this readily accessible product."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Adult use marijuana is available in several New England states. Medical marijuana has been demonstrated to significantly help patients with certain medical conditions. By prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana to adults, New Hampshire is losing the tax revenue on this readily accessible product."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"'Gun Control' is an overloaded term. Background checks should be improved to keep guns from getting into the wrong hands."
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?
"Renewable energy is a critical component of a diverse energy solution that will help to buffer energy prices across the state. Additionally, renewable energy is essential to reducing green house gas emissions that are direct contributor to the world's escalating climate change crisis."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Climate change is a global crisis. Average temperatures around the world are rising as predicted by scientific models, but at a faster rate of change than expected. It has already resulted in economic impacts in New Hampshire from increased coastal flooding, to a shortened winter recreation season, to a reduction in maple syrup production and leaf peeping tourism. It is in New Hampshire's best interest to take dramatic efforts to fight against the causes of climate change."
For| 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?
"Roads, bridges and other infrastructure are funded in large part by gas taxes. Electric vehicles should contribute to the costs of building and maintaining this infrastructure based on their usage."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"Several states have demonstrated the effectiveness of mail-in ballots. This make voting easier and increases voter turnout without an increase in fraud or other irregularities affecting election outcomes."
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?
"There are very few proven cases of voter fraud each election. New Hampshire's existing laws to prevent fraudulent voting, including severe penalties, are sufficient to dissuade someone from casting an illegal vote. Forcing votes to be cast provisionally awaiting documentation will add to the burden of local election officials, possibly delay election results, and cause some people to decide against voting without offering protections beyond those of the existing process."
