Mary Hakken-Phillips

Mr. Chair & Members of the Committee: I oppose HB1322 on the basis that creating a duplicate system of discipline for the judicial branch is a waste of taxpayer funds, when the existing system of judicial professional discipline is working appropriately. I fear that the motivation of this legislation is on behalf of a minority group of people who have had adverse outcomes in the court system, and not the will of the people of NH. Of course, if you lose in court you are not happy and would rather blame a judge or the system itself, than look inwardly to determine what behaviors caused yourself to land in court in the first place. This is not the way to forward judicial disciplinary reform and I think the state of NH will lose important taxpayer money to bring back this antiquated idea of a conduct commission. I urge you to vote ITL on HB1322. Thank you. Rep. Mary Hakken-Phillips