N.H. House Votes to Ban Sobriety Checkpoints

Concord — Police would no longer be allowed to set up sobriety checkpoints under a bill passed by lawmakers in the New Hampshire House.

The bill’s supporters argued that checkpoints are inefficient and said that according to one trooper, fewer than 1 percent of drivers who are stopped are charged with drunk driving. Supporters also said checkpoints can erode relations between police and the public because drivers don’t like being stopped, and that because officers get paid overtime it makes the practice expensive as well.

The bill’s opponents unsuccessfully argued that lawmakers should not ban a tool that police can use to protect the public from drunk drivers.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Vermont Has Plan to Release Documents in Ski Resort Fraud

Montpelier — The state of Vermont has a plan to release documents related to the ongoing investigation of investment fraud at the Jay Peak ski area.

On Friday, the Department of Financial Regulation and the Attorney General’s office filed a court motion to expedite disclosure of documents relating to the investment program used to fund projects at Jay Peak and other projects in northeastern Vermont. Financial Regulation is working with a vendor to remove personally identifiable information from documents. The first 5,000 documents are ready to be released. A judge recently approved a legal settlement with resort owner Ariel Quiros.

Quiros and his business partner, William Stenger were accused in 2016 of misusing more than $200 million raised from foreign investors through the federal EB-5 visa program.

Massachusetts Joins 4 Other States in Gun Safety Coalition

Boston — Massachusetts is joining a coalition of states that are promising to expand existing efforts to share information on illegal guns and ultimately make progress on gun safety measures.

The Boston Globe reports Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts will join the information-sharing group, which includes Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Four Democratic governors announced the formation of “States for Gun Safety” on Thursday. They urged other governors to join the group at a National Governors Association meeting this weekend in Washington, D.C. Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said they can’t wait for the federal government to act.

Vermont State Police Special Investigator Promoted to Major

Waterbury, Vt. — The Vermont State Police trooper who had served as the head of the special investigations unit is now the commander of the largest division within the state police.

The promotion of Major John Merrigan was announced recently by the head of the Vermont State Police and the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Before his promotion, Merrigan, of Brattleboro, had served as commander of Special Investigations where he led state police efforts to combat the statewide opiate crisis. Merrigan has been with the state police since 1996.

The field force commander oversees all 10 state police field stations, special operations, recreational enforcement and safety programs. Merrigan is succeeding Major Rick Hopkins who is retiring.

N.H. House Passes Bill to Allow Entertainers to Drink at Work

Concord — The New Hampshire House has passed legislation that would allow workers to drink on the job, in very limited circumstances. The bill was approved Thursday.

It would allow entertainers and dancers in establishments that serve alcoholic beverages to drink while performing.

It would modify a state law that bans employees of liquor license holders from drinking alcohol at work. The bill now heads to the Senate.

— Wire reports