N.H. panel mulls bill defying Patriot Act

CONCORD, N.H. – Lawmakers are considering a bill that says New Hampshire no longer recognizes the federal anti-terrorism Patriot Act because it endangers freedoms.

The measure, House Bill 1246, was discussed Tuesday before the New Hampshire House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee.

The bill says the Patriot Act violates both the constitutions of New Hampshire and of the United States. It says that security is not of paramount interest to the creators of the act, because commercial treaties and agreements with other countries such as NAFTA and GATT have given U.S. production and supply capability to “foreign powers and influences.”

Its prime sponsor, Rep. Henry McElroy Jr., R-Nashua, said the bill was meant to show New Hampshire supports homeland security, but wants to ensure traditional constitutional protection.