CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Senate and House lawmakers in New Hampshire disagree over whether armed career criminals should face mandatory minimum prison sentences.
Existing state law says anyone who has been convicted of at least three felonies for homicide, sexual assault and a variety of other crimes will face a 10-year minimum sentence if they are found to possess a firearm. The House backs removing that mandatory minimum, but senators voted on Thursday to keep it. Domestic violence advocacy groups in particular had expressed concerns about the changes.
Democratic Sen. Donna Soucy of Manchester said the change might send “a bad message” and “sweep violent offenders into sentences that are too lenient.”
The two chambers will negotiate their differences in June. Sen. Dan Feltes, a Concord Democrat, said he’d also like to discuss minimum sentences for drug-related offenses during the negotiations. Both chambers agree on a provision that would remove mandatory minimums for some driving-related crimes, such as driving with a suspended license, which now carries a sentence of at least one week.
Thursday’s session also included a series of spirited debates over eminent domain laws, civil asset forfeiture and the gambling game keno.
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EMINENT DOMAIN
The Senate is backing a bill aimed at protecting homeowners and landowners who may be subject to eminent domain for natural gas pipeline projects. The bill says if part of someone’s land is taken by eminent domain, he or she can demand their entire parcel be taken for compensation. Republican Sen. Andy Sanborn said the bill provides an important line of defense for residents.
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CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE
Debate raged over how the state should use profits from selling personal property seized in criminal investigations. A portion of the money now goes to law enforcement to help fight the state’s drug crisis. Some lawmakers say it should go to the general fund instead, citing worries that police may unfairly seize property if they think it will generate more money.
Efforts to change the existing funding setup ultimately failed.
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KENO
The never-ending fight over gambling continued Thursday, but senators eventually rejected House-backed efforts to legalize the gambling game keno.
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