Floor fight on #SB129 requiring id to vote-passed259 to 116. I voted in minority. blurb attached #nhhouse #nhpolitics

SB 129-FN, relative to presenting photo identification to vote in person and relative to the election fund.  MAJORITY:  OUGHT TO PASS.  MINORITY:  INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.

Rep. Charles E Sova for the Majority of Finance:  The fiscal notes for this bill left a great deal to be desired.  The data was mostly guesses and the preparers when pressed admitted there was no way to really know what is going to happen.  However this bill provides an opportunity to collect data in the 2011 city elections, the 2012 Presidential primary and the 2012 municipal elections that would lead to more accurate fiscal calculations.  The question of whether the legislation was legal or not also kept coming up.  Due to the November 1, 2012 effective date for using photo ID, in order to receive a ballot or a provisional ballot should you not have an ID on the day of the election, it will provide more than ample time to answer all these fiscal and legal questions.  Finally, if the data or legal questions produce unfavorable results for the bill, there will be time next year to fix the legislation or delay its implementation. Vote 18-8.      

Rep. Robert A Foose for the Minority of Finance:  The minority cannot support the committee recommendation on SB 129 and asks that a vote of ITL be made.  Reacting solely from the perspective of how SB 129 would impact the budget, there will be an additional cost to the secretary of state's budget.  While there also was inconclusive testimony regarding the impact on cities and towns, there was a clear indication that there will be some level of additional costs downshifted from the state.  The minority believes that, in a period that demands fiscal restraint, it is not logical to incur additional budgetary pressure.  Regarding the transition period before the law is fully implemented, the minority has a real concern that the recent improper behavior by the clerk in New Boston may be repeated across the state with real consequences on voter access unless a serious budgetary investment is made in additional training and voter education.