David Watters is a Democratic state senator from New Hampshire who has represented District 4 since December 2012 and is seeking re-election on November 3, 2026.[1][2]His professional experience includes working as a University of New Hampshire professor, and he previously served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for Strafford 4 from 2008 to 2012.[1]
Watters was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated from Kingswood High School.[1]He earned a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College in 1972 and a Ph.D. in English from Brown University in 1979.[1]His professional experience includes working as a professor at the University of New Hampshire.[1]
Watters assumed office in the State Senate on December 5, 2012, and in the 2025-2026 session serves on the Capital Budget, Energy and Natural Resources, and Senate Finance committees.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
On the version voted Dec 17, 2025: Makes school district transportation for half-day kindergarten students optional rather than required, while districts must still transport full-day students in kindergarten through grade 8 who live more than two miles from school.
Creates a 10-member commission to study the efficiency and structure of school administrative units, including options for consolidation and property tax relief, with a report due November 1, 2026.
Requires credentialed public school educators to answer parents' written requests for information about their child honestly and completely within 10 business days, unless barred by law or a response would risk abuse or neglect. Takes effect January 1, 2027.
As introduced, legalizes possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 10 grams of concentrate, or products with up to 2,000 mg of THC by adults 21 and older, and sets a fine of up to $100 for first-offense public smoking or vaping.
On the version voted Dec 17, 2025: Lets school district voters decide by majority ballot vote to elect school district officers in partisan elections run under town partisan election rules, and to return to nonpartisan elections by the same kind of vote.
On the version voted Jun 26, 2025: Doubles the two-year cap on total critical-injury benefits for first responders to $1 million, and also revises how state education adequacy grants are calculated and makes several changes to public employee retirement benefits and contributions.
On the version voted Jun 26, 2025: Makes the law, fee and program changes that carry out the state budget for fiscal 2026 and 2027, including allowing video lottery terminals, adding Medicaid premiums for enrollees above set income levels, barring diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public entities, and changing education aid.
As introduced, legalizes possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 10 grams of concentrate, or products with up to 2,000 mg of THC by adults 21 and older, and sets a fine of up to $100 for first-offense public smoking or vaping.
Lets registered therapeutic cannabis patients or their designated caregivers grow cannabis at a home location reported to the state, in a locked, enclosed space not open to public view, within a 50-square-foot canopy (100 if shared), with caregivers growing for only one patient.
Legalizes drug checking equipment such as fentanyl and xylazine test strips by removing it from the definition of drug paraphernalia, shields people who use or distribute it from arrest, and bars using test results as criminal evidence.
Creates a seven-member state committee to approve or deny sites for new solid waste facilities taking over 100,000 tons a year, gives state environmental regulators sole approval over landfill expansions, and pauses state permits for new capacity at other large disposal facilities until July 1, 2027.
Sets separate rules for animal cruelty cases involving livestock: officers may confiscate livestock only when someone is charged, or its life is in imminent danger, and the investigating officer must be accompanied by the state veterinarian, a designee, or a licensed veterinarian.
On the version voted Aug 19, 2026: Lets landlords accept an extra deposit of up to one month's rent from applicants who fail disclosed screening criteria such as credit score, income, prior evictions, unpaid judgments or references, with written notice and a right to re-screening; also says advance rent need not be escrowed.
As introduced, allows landlords to evict tenants when a lease or tenancy of six months or longer expires, if the landlord gives at least 60 days' written notice that the lease will not be renewed.
As amended, allows data centers in commercial and industrial zoning districts, subject to local land use regulations, and lets planning boards adopt regulations with local legislative body approval.
relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.
What it does: On the version voted Jun 26, 2025: Makes the law, fee and program changes that carry out the state budget for fiscal 2026 and 2027, including allowing video lottery terminals, adding Medicaid premiums for enrollees ab…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 7–1, Republicans 2–14
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SB 552 · NH SENATE
permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
NoVOTED
Motion: VETO MESSAGE - Roll Call Required
Provides that classifying people by biological sex, defined as male and female, is not unlawful discrimination in multi-user restrooms and locker rooms, sports where strength, speed or endurance favors biological males, and prisons and involuntary-commitment facilities. Does not require entities to separate by sex.
relative to regulation of public school materials.
NoVOTED
Motion: VETO MESSAGE - Roll Call Required
Requires school boards to adopt a policy by November 1, 2026 for parent complaints about material that is obscene and harmful to minors, and a complaint procedure by November 1, 2027 with set deadlines for investigation, decision, written response and appeal to the school board.
relative to enabling alternative treatment centers to operate a greenhouse cultivation location.
YesVOTED
Motion: VETO MESSAGE - Roll Call Required
Lets registered alternative treatment centers request state authorization to run a greenhouse cultivation location, with department rules on location and security, a plan to cut energy costs and patient prices, local zoning compliance, and local input.
Repeals and reenacts the law on pooled risk management programs for local governments: lets the secretary of state require abatement of insufficient assets or seek receivership, requires pro rata member assessments for deficiencies, sets contingency reserve standards, and requires public disclosures.
Removes the 3-year deadline for new-trial petitions by people with felony or class A misdemeanor convictions who are serving or affected by the sentence and allege innocence from newly discovered evidence; adds prima facie review and victim services. Effective January 1, 2027.
Sets separate rules for animal cruelty cases involving livestock: officers may confiscate livestock only when someone is charged, or its life is in imminent danger, and the investigating officer must be accompanied by the state veterinarian, a designee, or a licensed veterinarian.
(New Title) relative to the practice of pharmacy, the dispensing of certain medications by pharmacists, and permitting treatment of certain severe illness under the right to try act.
relative to the general court's authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, and other matter pertaining to firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self-defense tools.
NoVOTED
Motion: Conference Committee Report
As amended by conference committee, extends the local-rule bar to stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray and other self-defense tools, allows damages suits (actual or $1,000, if greater) by aggrieved people, and limits state agency rules to expressly authorized ones, lapsing July 1, 2029 unless renewed.
