Transcript Highlights:

• especially when we are doing exec especially when we are doing exec sessions<00:31:02.720> I<
• <00:31:14.600> sessions getting substitutes for exec sessions getting substitutes for exec
• bill and what has been said is in exec bill and what has been said is in exec session<01:13:00.080
• bill<01:22:11.040> say motion in exec session for the bill say motion in exec session for
• done as soon as possible after the exec done as soon as possible after the exec session<01:23:34.480

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• comments for executive session. comments for executive session.
• Uh, so I will close out the hearing for HB 1157 and, um, I will open up an exec session for... well,
• >> Close<02:47:57.040> the<02:47:57.200> exec<02:47:57.600> session<02:47:
• 58.240> on >> Close the exec session on >> Close the exec session on 11:57<02:48:01.040
• committee work session. committee work session. >> Sure.<04:19:23.040> Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mean we won't get more but if we exec mean we won't get more but if we exec them<00:07:16.479>
• <00:08:19.479> those To caucus if we decide to exec those three bills in, yeah.
• As long as I don't exec them before the time I say we're going to exec them, and I'm told I have the
• HB 568 ought to pass uh when you do exec HB 568 ought to pass uh when you do exec it<00:16:26.120
• if you want to have a general session if you want to have a general session available<03:53:59.479

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, or might we just hold execing it to see what happens over in the Senate?
• Chairman, or might we just hold execing it to see what happens over in the Senate?
• <00:58:59.760> early floor and in our last full session early floor and in our last full session
• will allow it during executive session will allow it during executive session um<03:09:36.399>
• <03:30:19.120> um I'm very uncomfortable execing um I'm very uncomfortable execing um legislation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is, um, today is an exec session. Uh, no bill is being heard.
• Uh this is um today is an exec session.<00:10:31.200> Uh<00:10:31.519> no<00:10:31.760>
• <00:10:32.880> The session. Uh no bill is being heard. The session.
• execing have already had their hearings. execing have already had their hearings.
• I wish to move right into the uh exec I wish to move right into the uh exec session<01:49:38.960

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 72, a parental rights in education measure, and considered an amendment offered by Representative Raymond. Raymond explained that his changes were intended to narrow the bill so it would not force schools to act as “surveillance operatives” for parents, especially regarding older students, and to avoid requiring teachers to disclose private family matters such as a student’s sexual orientation or pronouns. He also struck the bill’s “clear and convincing” standard and replaced it with a lower “evidence” standard, arguing teachers should have some basis for concern but not a burden equivalent to terminating parental rights. He said the amendment was meant to preserve due process, avoid weaponizing the bill in civil disputes, and reduce the risk of lawsuits. Members then debated the scope of the bill and amendment. Supporters said schools should not withhold information about a child’s health, school environment, behavior, bullying, self-harm, or criminal conduct, and argued that parents have a right to know about serious issues such as mental health concerns, sexual assault, drug use, or other misconduct. Several members emphasized that teachers do not diagnose mental illness, but should report observable concerns and involve school administrators or counselors when necessary. Opponents argued the bill would chill communication between students and trusted adults at school, especially for children from dysfunctional or unsafe homes, and said it could force outing of gay or trans students and increase the risk of harm or self-harm. One member cited the Department of Education’s trusted-adult approach and said teachers are not covered by formal confidentiality rules in the same way as lawyers or doctors. The discussion included examples and hypotheticals about bullying, sexual assault, drug use, self-harm, gender dysphoria, and whether a teacher would have to tell parents if a student used different pronouns or a nickname. Raymond and supporters said the bill would require disclosure of serious safety concerns but not compel teachers to diagnose or pry into private matters. Opponents argued the bill’s language still sweeps too broadly and could force disclosure in situations where a student fears abuse or being kicked out at home. The transcript does not show a final vote on the amendment or bill in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a work session.
• We're not in exec.
• <00:59:20.559> So,<00:59:21.119> um work session. We're not in exec.
• So, um work session. We're not in exec.
• Thank you. session which is in recess. session which is in recess.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet, the commission has spent session.
• of these that you guys want to exec of these that you guys want to exec right<02:19:26.240> now
• . exec. exec.
• >> Motion going to exec. >> Motion going to exec.
• and go to exact session. Is that okay? and go to exact session. Is that okay? >> Yeah.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:27:19.360> on<01:27:19.520> HB session on HB session on HB 417<01:27:22.199> and
• <01:32:33.360> session retained and I'll close the exec session retained and I'll close the
• exec session on it<01:32:38.400> next<01:32:38.840> I<01:32:38.960> will<01:32:
• 39.199> open<01:32:39.440> the<01:32:39.560> exec<01:32:39.920> session<01
• <01:37:57.800> session okay next I will open the exec session okay next I will open the exec

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to pay 10% of HHR winnings to host communities as mitigation. Representative Om said the amendment was intended to leave charities and the state whole while funding local costs tied to large gaming facilities. Supporters argued the measure would address future municipal expenses, while opponents said host towns have not reported current problems and that the bill would single out one industry. Members questioned the 10% rate, whether the proposal was retroactive, and whether it would apply to existing facilities; the sponsor said it would apply to facilities already in place or later added. The hearing was then closed without any vote recorded in the transcript. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises reimbursement caps and adjusts fees for the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly explained the funds as a state-backed insurance mechanism for oil spill cleanup and prevention, including replacement of leaking home heating oil tanks for low-income homeowners. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill, saying the fee structure helps fund remediation and tank replacement, though costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts described the bill as extending the fee collection for 10 years, changing reporting dates, increasing the cap for low-income tank replacement, and rebalancing fees based on an actuarial review. DES testified that the actuarial study found the fund needed to remain solvent and that home heating oil releases are the largest category of new releases, with the fuel oil fee otherwise needing to rise by more than 200% to cover projected costs. The board instead proposed a smaller increase and adjusted other fees accordingly, while maintaining a reserve to cover the first days of a major coastal spill before federal funds become available. Members asked about the basis for the fee changes, the role of the actuarial review, and the statutory language governing who pays the fees. The transcript ends during this hearing, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Exec tokkel gexxam celtam 30. Exec tokkel gexxam celtam 30.
• Exec fan heck anu hudunuh too.
• Executive session. House Bill 274 kee awlaytiino. Wey motion wagsiisak anu.
• Awareness, awareness, awareness of um ciggiila ayyaamah exec akkele.
• Of um ciggiila ayyaamah exec akkele. HEC tonnal kulli bill ugtele too nanu.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can<00:10:15.200> Prov<00:10:15.560> time<00:10:15.720> we<00:10:15.880> exec
• c><00:10:16.399> would<00:10:16.600> have<00:10:16.760> that can Prov time we exec
• we would have that can Prov time we exec we would have that handy<00:10:17.320> thank<00:10:17.480
• <01:48:54.040> if<01:48:54.320> that in next in the next session if that in next in
• the next session if that might<01:48:54.760> be<01:48:54.880> a<01:48:55.040> better

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:53:40.639> two-year last uh session two-year last uh session two-year session session
• I wasn't clear where the exec is going to be, on Monday or on Tuesday. Yeah, the exec.
• c><03:30:19.399> we're Tuesday yeah the exec so Monday we're Tuesday yeah the exec so Monday we're
• We're going to exec three bills on Monday.
• <04:19:31.199> those ready for Monday so we can exec those ready for Monday so we can exec

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing focused on HB 290, which would raise cigarette and e-cigarette/vaping taxes and create a committee to study tobacco and nicotine tax policy. Representative Jerry Stringham introduced the bill as both a public health and revenue measure, arguing that nicotine use causes health harms and public costs, and that New Hampshire’s cigarette tax has been unchanged at $1.78 per pack since 2013. He said the bill would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to $2.78, still below most New England states, and would also adjust vaping taxes, which he described as having been set as placeholder rates in 2019. He said the bill would also establish a study committee to review broader tobacco and nicotine taxation, including products such as premium cigars. In response to questions, Stringham said the proposed cigarette tax would be roughly equal in real dollars to the 2008 rate after inflation, and he suggested that a smaller annual increase could be considered, though he believed a larger increase would have a stronger public health effect. He explained that the vaping tax structure differs between closed and open systems because one taxes a fixed hardware product while the other taxes reusable liquid, and he said the proposal would move the rates toward a more uniform approach. He also said New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase, though members raised concerns about cross-border shopping, business impacts, and preserving the state’s competitive advantage. Several members questioned whether the bill’s main purpose was revenue or reducing smoking and vaping. Stringham said he viewed it primarily as a public health bill, but also as a revenue measure, and said he would consider it successful even if consumption fell enough to reduce revenue. Other members emphasized personal freedom and argued the committee should focus on taxation rather than cessation, while some supported the bill as a way to capture revenue from out-of-state buyers and keep New Hampshire’s rates below surrounding states. The hearing consisted of testimony and questions only; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we enter executive session, I'm going to take care of a few housekeeping items.
• We will recess when we're done with our executive session today.
• Seeing no objection, we are in executive session. Seeing no objection, we are in executive session.
• Housekeeping item before we reenter executive session here this evening.
• Seeing no objection, we are back in executive session.

Summary: The House Legislative Rules Committee met in executive session and first took up four measures. It voted do pass on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1553, concerning incentives for production of certain critical materials, by 10-0; Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1002, relating to elections submitted to voters by a school board, by 8-2; Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1135, dealing with child maintenance orders for certain persons, by 10-0; and House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1572, addressing public employee retirement system fixes, by 10-0. The chair also explained that the committee was working through procedural questions about when it may hold public hearings on bills referred directly to the committee, especially Senate bills referred to the House Rules Committee. After recess, the committee reconvened and focused on Senate Bill 999, described as the “born-alive” bill. The chair said this would be the only item acted on that evening and that the previously posted morning hearing would be canceled. He announced a public hearing would be held the next evening on Senate Bill 999 and a committee substitute that had been distributed in advance, with the intent to vote on the House Committee Substitute after the hearing. He also noted an amendment would be offered to House Bill 2243, sponsored by Representative Wolfen, to address an unintended effect on the telecommunications sector, and said the amendment would be distributed the next morning. The committee then returned to executive session and voted do pass on Senate Bill 999 by 8-2. The meeting adjourned after that vote, with the chair indicating the committee would meet again the following evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• We tried to navigate the exec as best we could.
• So what we've been able to discuss with the exec is they want to set aside money for an arena.
• Chairman and Senator, this is my sixth session.
• All right, sixteenth day of session.
• And the time, particularly as we go into a 60-day session, is going to be very important.

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you have heard several artificial intelligence bills this session.
• We'll go to executive session.
• Senator May, I still do not have permission, so I have no ability to exec on that bill.
• I would if I could, but I have to have permission for that executive session.
• That being said, we will go to executive session on Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Senator Nicola.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're going to have to probably recess one of our exec sessions.
• So let's get started with the existing exec sessions.
• our exec sessions. our exec sessions.
• Next, we'll open an exec session along.
• And I and exec session earlier today.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• session. Maybe we can talk afterwards. session. Maybe we can talk afterwards.
• So, all three or exec that one today.
• If we want to not exec, but if they're simple enough, we'll do the same thing and we'll exec.
• ,<02:27:45.280> we're warning, uh the morning session, we're warning, uh the morning session
• we'll exec. we'll exec.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will recess when we're done with our executive session today.
• Seeing no objection, we are in executive session. Seeing no objection, we are in executive session.
• Housekeeping item before we reenter executive session here this evening.
• Executive session here this evening.
• Seeing no objection, we are back in executive session.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our conversation goes, you know, sending this to OS to have as an amendment for when we do a work session
• or an executive session.
• <00:11:41.480> but work session or an executive session but work session or an executive session
• Our committee is going to continue a full committee work session.
• <03:25:04.680> I<03:25:04.880> didn't exec session which I guess I didn't exec session

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. Representative German introduced the bill and explained that it was prompted by recent reporting on leachate management problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations and deficiency letters from DES. He said the bill was intended to address public health concerns, PFAS contamination, and increased leachate volumes tied to more severe rainstorms, while still allowing innovation in treatment and transportation methods. He also described a set of proposed amendments developed after discussions with DES and a landfill operator, including changing “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” applying the bill to landfill expansions, moving contract-related language into the planning section, and removing a proposed new subparagraph. Committee members asked whether the bill would limit operator flexibility or duplicate existing DES rules. Representative German said the bill would not dictate specific treatment methods or lock operators into long-term contracts, but would require a plan showing how leachate will be managed, transported, and disposed of, with later contract changes reported to DES. Several members and the BIA representative questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Env 806 rules and DES enforcement authority. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill as introduced, arguing that DES already has rules and technical expertise, that the issue is better handled through rulemaking, and that moving requirements into statute could freeze the framework and make future adjustments harder. Supporters countered that a statute would provide a stronger, more durable policy commitment in response to ongoing problems. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration and with the sponsor indicating that a revised amendment would likely be brought forward for later work session or executive session review.

Transcript Highlights:

• need to exec. need to exec.
• Um, this committee will continue to execs that have been noticed for executive sessions, and I will—there's
• day after a house session. day after a house session.
• . sessions. sessions.
• When are reports from today's exec sessions?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We do. 10:31. to call the executive session to call the executive session to<00:19:55.280> order
• I'm now going to open up the executive session on SB 629.
• session on SB 629. session on SB 629.
• Seeing no other business, I close the executive session on Senate Bill 629.
• <02:18:30.880> bill certainly exec this exec the timber bill certainly exec this exec the

Keywords: 1189, house, all