House Committee Information
Committee Name: FinancePosition: Member
Committee Function:It shall be the duty of the Committee on Finance to examine and consider the state of the treasury and the budget; subjects concerning the financial interest of the state; all measures carrying appropriations of state money except claims against the state and such other matters as may be referred to it. Prior to the report of the Finance Committee to the House, the Speaker may refer the budget of certain self-sustaining state agencies to appropriate committees for study and recommendation.
Finance - Division IPosition: Member
RulesPosition: Member
Committee Function:It shall be the duty of the Committee on Rules to consider all matters pertaining to House procedural rules and deadlines; and to recommend rules of proper debate.
Personal Biography
Karen Ebel is serving her seventh term representing New London and Newbury. She has served as Deputy Speaker (2018-2019) and the Democratic Leader Pro Tempore (2020-2021 & 2022-2023), the position she holds again this term.
Karen is serving her second term on Division 1 of the House Finance Committee, has served five terms as member of the House Public Works and Highways Committee and three terms on the House Rules and Facilities Committees.
As Deputy Speaker, she oversaw the conversion of House Standing Committees to remote status to continue legislative work during the pandemic. Karen chaired the House Committee on Committees for two terms, reviewing the status of 200+ statutory commissions with related administrative agencies and methods to make them more effective.
She chairs New Hampshire's Solid Waste Working Group, focusing on the state's increasing solid waste disposal challenges. She previously chaired the legislative study committee on Recycling Streams and Solid Waste Management in NH.
She has served on multiple legislative statutory committees, including the IT Council, the State Parks Advisory Council and the Exotic Weeds and Aquatic Species Committee, as well as the LCHIP Board.
Karen is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Trinity College (VT).
After practicing law in Washington, DC for several years as a corporate attorney, the Ossipee native returned to her home state in 1988, moving to New London where she currently resides with her husband.
Local Government Involvement
Karen has served on many non-profit and municipal boards, including The Nature Conservancy, the American Cancer Society, the New London Hospital Board of Trustees and almost two decades on the New London Planning Board.