Transcript Highlights:

• And so what’ll result is a lot of places popping up, very little investment, $6,800 license fee, you
• fee, you could $6,800 uh license fee, you could probably<01:16:13.280> make<01:16:13.440> that
• I don't see cocktail lounge licenses listed on your fee structure within the bill.
• The cocktail lounge license fee is $1,200, and that's broken up.
• There's also a $10050 fee for license.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to brokerage fees um fees related to brokerage fees um fees related to administering<01:03:41.839
• Like those of us who don't see fees, there's a reason why we don't see fees.
• They have the ability to charge cannabis businesses licensing fees, and there were other aspects of the
• /c><01:41:14.960> other<01:41:15.719> uh licensing fees and there were other uh licensing
• And again, they already do get to charge a licensing fee to defray those costs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, we have a license to manage it. A long-term license to manage it.
• Just to follow up, are they for someone going in to get a license, say a hunting license.
• , there was a fee increase.
• Licensing on online buying licenses.
• One thing that I would mention when they ask about the hunting license, the fees making a difference

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there a $500 late fee for that license.
• a $500 late fee, if you will, an expiration fee.
• license expire. license expire.
• scrap license uh license expire. scrap license uh license expire.
• Are you aware of that provision a couple years ago that has a $500 expiration fee, license fee, and if

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management. The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence. The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0. Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• fee per location. licensing fee.
• Taxation and license fees won't cover the cost of regulation, much less.
• Like they have the resources to do it, and if we need to raise the license fees, we can.
• Raise your license fees. License fees are cheap. We're talking like 250 bucks per license per year.
• So if you guys pass this with that $10,000 licensing fee a year, I get nothing.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to service fees and how service fees are treated under New Hampshire law.
• It relates to service fees and how service fees are treated under New Hampshire law.
• It relates to service fees and how service fees are treated under New Hampshire law.
• service fees. service fees.
• credit card fees?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• commerce and it adds a CPA licensing commerce and it adds a CPA licensing option<00:07:27.280>
• under the existing licensing under the existing licensing requirement.<00:07:34.560> This
• for both the public and licensed for both the public and licensed professionals.<00:10:54.800>
• temporary permit to provisional license temporary permit to provisional license which<00:13:31.440
• Thanks. towards becoming licensed that reside in towards becoming licensed that reside in Kentucky<00

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 00:05 Roll Call 1:00 HB 357 Discussion 4:53 HB 357 Vote 6:40 HB 45 Discussion 8:00 HB 45 Vote 9:29 HB 48 Discussion 15:00 HB 48 Vote 16:25 HB 212 Discussion 20:17 HB 212 Vote 21:50 HB 49 Discussion 25:55 HB 49 Vote 27:16 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 387. The bill was presented as a measure to ensure veterinarians are not subject to controlled-substance reporting requirements through regulation or other means, while also revising the controlled substance council to remove an emergency medicine physician and an acute care nurse and add two veterinarians. Supporters said the change was needed because veterinary reporting would be overly complicated, especially in rural Kentucky and for large-animal practices. The committee adopted the committee substitute, approved a committee amendment, and passed the bill unanimously, including the title amendment and emergency clause. The committee then heard House Bill 45, which would modernize Kentucky CPA licensure. The sponsor and the State Board of Accountancy said the bill updates outdated rules, supports workforce mobility and remote practice, reduces barriers to interstate commerce, and adds a new licensing option to address time and cost concerns for candidates. The committee passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 48 followed, a long-updated physical therapy practice act revision. Testimony said it would clarify and streamline the statute, add definitions for physical therapist assistants, change certification language to licensure, allow expungement of minor non-patient-harm violations, clarify sexual misconduct language, adjust disciplinary and fee-setting provisions, and ease requirements for some internationally trained practitioners. The committee again passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 212 was next and would allow licensed veterinary technicians, under direct veterinarian supervision, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The sponsor and Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association said the change would help shelters, humane societies, and mass vaccination clinics, improve recordkeeping, and address rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. The committee approved the bill unanimously. Finally, House Bill 49 was presented by Representative Matt Cook and the Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors as a scholarship program funded by $5 from each annual license renewal plus fines and penalties, aimed at encouraging Kentucky students to enter engineering and surveying and remain in the state for six years after graduation/licensure. Members asked about the service commitment and funding source; the sponsor said the program would use existing funds and not raise renewal rates. The committee passed the bill unanimously, with the chair noting it as a positive example of board modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• medical provider attesting that a single patient is suitable for licensed health aide care for a licensed
• It also defines a licensed medical provider as one of the following: a physician, a nurse practitioner
• Madam Chair and members, HB 4056, as passed by the House, prohibits a public body from charging a fee
• Madam Chair, members, HB 2946, municipalities, counties, development fees.
• It changes the fees that the finance authority can charge to process and consider these petitions.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, with members generally indicating the sponsors intended to concur on most measures. Topics included public health and medical regulation (HB 2086 on face coverings/vaccinations, HB 2140 on gold and silver bullion investments, HB 2195 on nursing facility complaint timelines, HB 2189 on licensed health aides, HB 2932 on Access reimbursement and prior authorization, HB 2557 on medical records timing, and HB 2641 on PFAS firefighting foam), criminal justice and courts (HB 2673 creating an inmate mental health study committee, HB 2028 on community restitution for indigent homeless defendants, HB 2662 on expert testimony in parenting-time cases, HB 2440 on prisoner transition services, and HB 2594 on address confidentiality in family court), and education-related bills (HB 2830 on prenatal development instruction, HB 2249 on parents’ rights and social transitioning, HB 2481 on school district financial record compliance, HB 2482 on school construction job-order caps, HB 2895 on Native American language proficiency, HB 2423 on automatic advanced math enrollment, HB 2621 on special education and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2592 on AI rules, HB 2379 on school board training, and HB 2380 on out-of-state travel and public meeting materials). Other bills addressed transportation, development, housing, and local government issues, including HB 2909 on distracted driving, HB 2369 on photo enforcement citations, HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 2946 on development fees, HB 2999 on infrastructure finance districts, HB 2244 on eviction record sealing, HB 2342 on HOA shade structures, and HB 2752 on Commerce Authority trade offices. Several members raised concerns or asked questions on bills such as HB 2932, HB 2249, HB 2830, and HB 2028, but no formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting ended with adjournment after brief discussion of the final bills on Caucus Calendar 19, including HB 2248 on medical intervention requirements for businesses and schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• entry fees?
• fees.
• just entry fees? just entry fees?
• . fee. fee.
• They're going to pay a $60 initial fee, then a $30 annual fee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it doesn't have a cancellation fee.
• So that's why we're talking about let's increase bonding, let's increase licensing fees, because there
• That they would be required to be licensed with the state, have bonding requirements, and pay a licensing
• The bill would require suppliers and brokers to pay up to $10,000 in annual licensing fees, as opposed
• I also want to say we never charge early termination fees.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4577, relating to driver's licenses. Third reading of the bill.
• Of West Virginia driver's licenses in those countries.
• with recognizing foreign driver's licenses.
• This is in addition to license revocation for life.
• is corrected to ensure that county fees for fire and ambulance services are also paid.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• talking about here is the $50 annual fee talking about here is the $50 annual fee for<00:05:06.520
• That was a creation of the legislature in 2011, and it represents all of the fees, fines, licenses, every
• If the inspection fee is $100, do you think the inspection fee is adequate?
• So let's talk... last time the fee was um increased yeah last time the fee was um increased yeah uh<00
• want to represent if the inspection fee want to represent if the inspection fee is<00:11:46.760>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later. The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously. A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the mineral fees, the fees that get paid?
• And then during session, I believe the request was to increase their fees.
• I am currently a license holder here in North Dakota.
• And currently, our child care licensing rules only allow them to license through the...
• Our child care licensing rules only allow them to license through the age of 12.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we were continuing to add fee after fee after fee.
• after fee after continuing to add fee after fee after fee.<05:08:26.240> Let<05:08:26.320>
• fee. Let me read. Let me read to you. fee. Let me read. Let me read to you.
• B's qualifying fees. >> Okay.
• is, or they can charge for a flat fee. is, or they can charge for a flat fee.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what the amendment does is creates a new license. This license is only $100.
• What the amendment does is creates a new license. This license is only $100.
• And this license uh is only license.
• it was available for um any licensed it was available for um any licensed professional<03:38:51.520
• Uh, well, this bill assumes that they have a driver's license.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 297 and a new amendment, 2462, which combined the original Senate bill with the Carson amendment and added a proposed alternative regulatory system, RSA 420R. The chair and members discussed that the amendment was intended to give the Senate what it had asked for while also creating a dual system for public entity risk pools. Members asked whether the new structure would affect ownership or governance of health trusts, and the chair explained that 420R would be a separate regulatory statute while existing 420J-style arrangements could remain in place. The committee also noted that a paragraph had been accidentally deleted from the amendment and that another amendment would be prepared to correct it, with the subcommittee recessed while that was done. Public testimony focused on School Care, represented by Executive Director Lisa Ducette, who opposed the shift to Department of Insurance oversight under 420R. She argued that public entity risk pools are not insurance companies, that they are accountable to member entities and taxpayers, and that the proposed dual regulation would add unnecessary costs through examinations, higher reserves, and additional accounting requirements. She said the change could threaten tax-exempt status and create an uneven playing field, and she urged the committee to support SB 297 with the Carson amendment instead of moving to 420R. Committee members questioned whether the amendment would actually affect pools that stayed under the Secretary of State model, and one member cited support from the New Hampshire Municipal Association for the dual system. The discussion then shifted to amendment 245 on ambulance reimbursement and contracting timelines. Members reviewed a provision giving insurers 45 days and ambulance providers 60 days in the contracting process, and one member suggested making both periods 60 days. The chair and others said the current language was intentional and part of a broader compromise aimed at ending balance billing and forcing insurers to establish reimbursement rates. Members noted that the measure was unusual and that its effects would be reviewed over the next two years, with one member saying the bill would likely be difficult to roll back later. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:45.840> dispensary<00:08:46.320> licenses cannabis licenses dispensary licenses
• cannabis licenses dispensary licenses micro-dispensary<00:08:47.720> employees<00:08:48.240><
• The license may employ from 10 to 20.
• The amendment licensed physician.
• professional dispensing fee.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and proceeded through a series of committee reports and floor actions, mostly on House bills. Several measures were advanced without opposition, often after brief floor explanations and unanimous adoption of committee amendments. Topics included behavioral health rate-setting modernization (HB 772), expedited Medicaid eligibility for relocated individuals with developmental disabilities (HB 1015), perinatal behavioral health screening and coverage (HB 1118), mammogram notices about breast arterial calcification (HB 1364), menopause provider training and coverage (HB 1365), cannabis licensing and training changes (HB 622), cemetery sale and transfer oversight (HB 892), travel services insurance requirements (HB 994), cash transaction rounding authorization (HB 1026), specie as legal tender (HB 1312), menstrual hygiene product ingredient labeling (HB 1357), health care quality reporting and a health centralization commission (HB 1372), special pediatric hospital transfer and review procedures (HB 1376), telehealth continuity of care for out-of-state counselors (HB 1483), and child placement protections for unlicensed settings and pediatric overstay patients (HB 1559). Most of these bills were ordered passed for third reading after the chamber adopted the committee amendments and favorable reports. The Senate also considered environmental and consumer-related measures. HB 146 would delay implementation dates for onsite wastewater system regulation and licensing requirements, while striking provisions on inspections and pumping for rental properties and sales. HB 254, a Department of Natural Resources bill, was described as facilitating community engagement in planning and development of departmental projects. HB 969 on retail electric vehicle fuel sales and charging equipment requirements was also taken up and reported favorably. In each of these cases, members noted no committee opposition and no fiscal impact, and the bills were advanced. Two bills were set aside rather than immediately acted on. HB 1037, concerning a Public Service Commission study on broadband and voice over internet protocol service, was special ordered until Friday at the request of a senator. HB 1312, the specie/legal tender bill, prompted questions about the definition of specie and was also special ordered for consideration the next morning. No roll-call votes were recorded in the excerpt; actions were taken by unanimous consent on amendments and committee reports, with multiple bills ordered to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• regulated utilities are assessed a fee regulated utilities are assessed a fee for<00:42:51.280><
• Okay, but they still have to buy a license unless they buy themselves a lifetime license.
• If you buy a lifetime license, you still have to buy certain tags every year, but you have the license
• a license okay yeah a themselves a license okay yeah a lifetime<01:08:49.159> license<01:08:49.920
• of license again.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We collect that through premium taxes, licensing fees, and administrative fines.
• we license many different licensing we license many different types<00:33:40.720> of<00:33:41.240
• <05:10:54.638> uh<05:10:54.878> licensing safe manner um licensing uh licensing safe
• retail, 223; and special one-day licenses, 177, making our total 6,281 licenses.
• retail, 223; and special one-day licenses, 177, making our total 6,281 licenses.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vehicles other than buses, increasing registration fees for passenger vehicles, requiring additional
• registration fees for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and distributing the additional
• fees to the state road fund, adjusting certain formulaic distributions of motor vehicle fees.
• They will be here to assist you with your vehicle titles, placard renewals, license plates, and other
• Don't let your license plate lapse like some people that I know. Me. The red plate means nothing.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their 2024 annual report for spirit fees, beer tax, wine tax, and liquor license fees comes to $265 million
• Their 2024 annual report for spirit fees, beer tax, wine tax, and liquor license fees comes to $265 million
• Their 2024 annual report for spirit fees, beer tax, wine tax, and liquor license fees comes to $265 million
• Their 2024 annual report for spirit fees, beer tax, wine tax, and liquor license fees comes to $265 million
• Their 2024 annual report for spirit fees, beer tax, wine tax, and liquor license fees comes to $265 million

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with House Bill 242, a liquor bill concerning brew pub licenses. Testimony from the New Hampshire Beer Distributors Association, the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, and the Liquor Commission explained that the bill is intended to correct a clerical error from the prior session and restore the agreed-upon language. The bill would allow a brew pub, within the existing 2,500-barrel limit, to self-distribute its own product to one authorized on- or off-premise license; otherwise it must use wholesale distribution. Witnesses said the measure is a narrow fix specific to brew pubs and does not affect other manufacturing licenses. No opposition was raised during the hearing, and the chair closed the hearing after no committee questions remained. The committee then heard House Bill 81, which would allow patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restaurant restrooms. The sponsor argued the current prohibition is outdated and can create safety risks by forcing people to set drinks down, citing concerns about drink tampering and a personal story about a friend who was drugged and assaulted after leaving a drink unattended. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would increase liability for restaurants, how enforcement would work, and whether the current law is aimed at preventing underage handoffs or drink spiking. The sponsor said the bill would be permissive for establishments, not mandatory, and that liability would still depend on overservice and Liquor Commission investigations. The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association testified in opposition, saying the bill could raise liability and create concerns about underage consumption in bathrooms. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting the bill would move on to further committee/subcommittee consideration.