(CONCORD) The New Hampshire Senate has approved new regulations on corporate and non-profit political activity that would require businesses to register with the Secretary of State’s Office if they spend $10,000 or more in a single election cycle on political speech. The controversial provisions in HB 1459 were added by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-Exeter) in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which overturned long-standing restrictions on independent political activity by corporations.

(CONCORD) A Florida law similar to the political speech registration bill under consider today by the New Hampshire Legislature has already been overturned by a U.S. District Court. In Broward Coalition v. Browning, Judge Stephen Mickle threw out an electioneering law which would have required any organization running issue ads prior to an election to register with state authorities. The New Hampshire Senate takes up HB 1459 this morning, which would impose similar registration requirements in New Hampshire.

The Union Leader joins the chorus opposing Senator Maggie Hassan’s bill to register political speech in New Hampshire.

(CONCORD) A last-minute compromise on controversial bill to require registration of political speech violates New Hampshire House rules, and could complicate passage of the measure should it reach the House floor.

(CONCORD) A Legislative Conference Committee has reached agreement on new regulations on political speech for New Hampshire companies. The House-Senate Committee of Conference on HB 1459 announced a deal this morning that would exempt certain non-profits from registering with the state before they could undertake political or issue advertising, but still require the filings from businesses and other non-profit groups.

The new language, crafted overnight by Democratic Party attorney Kathy Sullivan, would exempt 501(c)3 organizations, but still cover 501(c)4 groups, corporations, LLC’s, and partnerships. It also adds a $10,000 threshold in any single election cycle before the reporting requirements kick in. The previous requirements that non-profit groups disclose their donors has been removed. The penalty for violations has been reduced to $250 per violation, and the $25 filing fee has been removed. The agreement would require corporations to show proof that their board of directors have approved political activity, but no longer requires that that vote caps the maximum amount that can be spent.

(CONCORD) House and Senate negotiators have recessed for the day without reaching agreement on a sweeping set of regulations on political speech by private businesses and non-profit groups. The Committee of Conference on HB 1459 will reconvene Thursday morning at 8:30am, according to Rep. Ed Butler (D-Hart’s Location), who is chairing the panel.

“We have been unable to get everyone together that we need in order to complete the Committee of Conference,” Butler announced shortly after the Committee was due to reconvene at the Legislative Office Building.

UPDATED
(CONCORD) A New Hampshire Conference Committee has recessed without reaching agreement on new restrictions of political activity by corporations, private businesses, and non-profit organizations. The Senate approved version of HB1459 includes a provision drafted by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-Exeter) which would require organizations to register with state authorities before engaging in political speech.

(CONCORD) House and Senate negotiators are meeting this morning to consider whether New Hampshire companies would have to register with state authorities in order to speak out on issues before the New Hampshire Legislature.

The Nashua Telegraph comes out against Senator Maggie Hassen’s hospital price control bill.

Foster’s argues that Senator Maggie Hassan has missed the target with her hospital price-setting bureaucracy.