Senate Considers Anti-Terror Package

The anti-terror bill makes it a felony offense to use or threaten the use of biological and chemical weapons....The bill would also exempt all information regarding terrorism from the state�s right to know law. To proponents....such policies amount to common sense��Governor Shaheen says the bill is needed to protect a vulnerable citizenry.
This developed as a result of event that happen after September 11 it�s important to act now to address a potential situation in the future�.That�s what this legislation does.

If the governor�s tone lacked urgency�.perhaps it�s because she�s confident of the measure�s likely passage. The bill cleared the house by a margin of 208 to 147 and boasts bipartisan senate support�..The measure�s lead sponsor, House speaker pro tem, Robert Clegg was also optimistic.. He stressed that the bill has been vetted by a wide rage of experts.
The ACLU had a representative,�the attorney from the governor�s�.an attorney of the house�..the attorney from the municipal associate�..an from the department of safety and an attorney from the attorney general�s office�.Six attorney actually agreed it was a good bill�..

But critics say the measure is anything but�.According to Portsmouth representative Jim Splaine the plan amounts to a knee jerk reaction.
I don�t think sept 11 changed the world. It changed our paranoia. I think the current laws protect us. I can see state official under this legislation�even though they have good intent�.Saying don�t worry be happy�no comment�.

And under the bill as written, that is indeed possible.�.Specifically, the bill would allow state, county or municipal officials to bar the release of any information relating to the �thwarting of a deliberate act that could result in widespread property damage or loss of life.� According to Assistant Commissioner of Safety John Stephen that language would allow safety official to do their job�.without fear important information falls into the wrong hands.
Stephen bite
But some on the senate Committee showed frustration with the heavy handedness of the bill champions�..Committee chairman Ned Gordon expressed confidence the appropriate balance between safety and public trust could be struck�.but said the plan would likely change�
Gordon bite

The committee is will likely vote on the plan in next week.