Elizabeth Iacovelli

I support this bill because, as a New Hampshire resident who makes a real effort to participate in local and state government, I have too often felt unheard and unrepresented. Last year in particular, I watched bills move forward in ways that shocked and even disgusted me—decisions made with little visible regard for the voices of the people who showed up, wrote in, and spoke at hearings. When citizens take time out of busy, complicated lives to engage in the process, their input should not disappear into a void. This bill restores trust by requiring committees to preserve public comments and explain how those comments did—or did not—influence their decisions. That transparency matters. Even when I don’t “win,” I want to know that my voice was seriously considered. Democracy doesn’t mean every citizen gets their way; it means citizens are respected enough to be heard, recorded, and answered honestly. This bill strengthens accountability, honors civic participation, and makes our government more worthy of the people it serves.