Transcript Highlights:

• exec session on House that we close the exec session on House Bill Bill Bill 680<04:12:28.439> next
• <04:12:29.800> session<04:12:30.080> on 680 next we'll open an exec session on 680
• next we'll open an exec session on House<04:12:30.479> Bill 537<04:12:36.640> relative<
• session and recognize open an exec session and recognize representative representative representative
• bills to go so we'll open an exec bills to go so we'll open an exec session<04:48:54.280> on<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then my next question is, is this a proper motion for this committee, or should this go straight to exec
• Because, you know, sometimes those things are brought directly to exec. a $1,000 penalty, and some, you
• Because, you know, sometimes those things are brought directly to exec.
• Because, you know, sometimes those things are brought directly to Exec.
• what they can discuss when they get here, whether this is a proper venue or this should go through exec

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a motion to move into exec? So move second. Thank you. All in favor of exec. I oppose.
• <00:06:16.160> So<00:06:16.319> move a motion to move into exec?
• All in favor of exec. second. Thank you. All in favor of exec. I<00:06:20.560> oppose.
• Do you have anything else you want to exec? Which one? 1892, 1894. We got to talk about these.
• So I'm feeling pretty good about that this session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's in an executive session all day.
• <01:10:56.800> we bring an amendment forward before we bring an amendment forward before we exec
• 58.159> that<01:10:58.480> narrows<01:10:58.960> that<01:10:59.440> uh exec
• it that narrows that uh exec it that narrows that uh classification<01:11:00.400> down<01:11:
• We're going to move into executive session on the non-germane amendment for HB 1199 and actually the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll close that executive session. Consent. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay.
• We'll close the executive session on 1448.
• sessions sessions >> about<02:28:22.000> consent.
• could also exec stuff that was pending. could also exec stuff that was pending.
• , session, session, we're<02:30:32.960> I<02:30:33.359> scheduled<02:30:34.080> one<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to, while we have that time, turn to and open an executive session on House Bill 480.
• <00:29:26.360> um exec as many bills as you can exec um exec as many bills as you can exec
• All right, well, that's something for us to consider when it's time to exec the bill. All right.
• All right, so I'm going to open the executive session. Yeah, yeah, sure, absolutely.
• At any rate, maybe when we schedule an exec session, somebody will appear for that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Senator Al and I, we'll do that together and bring it back to the next exec session. Okay.
• session.
• I have lots of next exec session. Okay.
• Executive<01:51:34.639> session.<01:51:35.440> I Executive session.
• I Executive session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment actually done, right, so we would then have to vote on this tomorrow morning prior to the exec
• session.
• tomorrow morning uh prior to the exec tomorrow morning uh prior to the exec session<00:25:52.399
• so that means we'll come in session so that means we'll come in we'll<00:25:54.159> maybe<00:
• Well, I'm not in the subcommittee, but, you know, because tomorrow we'll be voting at exec, correct?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 507, which concerns the timeline for credentialing mental health care providers. Members discussed and approved an amendment that removed section 2 and changed the bill’s effective date to January 1. A motion for ought to pass as amended was made, seconded, and approved by a 6-0 vote, with Representative Miles assigned to write the committee report. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 705, a price-transparency measure requiring insurance-related data reporting and uniform formatting. Committee members and a representative from Anthem discussed how the bill would interact with federal requirements, including a recent presidential executive order and anticipated CMS guidance on uniformity standards. Anthem testified that the federal timeline was uncertain, that final rules could take months, and that the machine-readable files involved are complex and costly to produce. Some members argued the state should mirror federal standards but wait for final federal guidance; others said the bill should create a firm state requirement and not leave everything to rulemaking. The main unresolved issue was timing. Members debated whether the bill should be effective upon passage, apply to plan years beginning January 1, 2026, or be delayed until after federal guidance is finalized, with several references to a possible six-month implementation window after final federal rules. No final vote was taken on HB 705 in the portion provided; instead, the committee planned to revisit the bill the next morning after language was rewritten and circulated, with a straw vote anticipated before the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They might go into exec session for, um, you know, Q&A with the interviewee, but when they come out on
• They might go into exec session for, um, you know, Q&A with the interviewee, but when they come out on
• They might go into exec session for, um, you know, Q&A with the interviewee, but when they come out on
• They might go into exec session process.
• They might go into exec session for<00:46:51.120> um for um for um you<00:46:51.920> know,<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of resolutions and a few bills, with testimony largely in support across the agenda. Early measures included HCR 15/HR 17 supporting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, and HCR 22/HR 22 urging Congress to pass federal kidney disease legislation; both drew support and no opposition. The committee also heard HCR 146 HD1/HR 138 HD1 on “excited delirium,” with testimony from advocates urging the resolutions be broadened to include related terms such as hyperactive delirium and agitated delirium, and from family members and disability-rights advocates describing the issue as harmful pseudoscience tied to police-custody deaths and calling for a ban on the term and better mental-health responses. The committee then took up HCR 123/HR 115 on creating a coordinated support and stabilization task force for Native Hawaiians experiencing homelessness or extreme low income. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands testified in support, describing its transitional housing work and saying collaboration and data-sharing with the state homelessness office would help beneficiaries and others; members questioned whether existing entities already do similar work and whether the proposal would extend beyond beneficiaries. HCR 32/HR 32, which asks the governor’s senior advisor on mental health and the justice system to develop a plan to increase access to Hawaii State Hospital for certain criminal defendants, drew support from the Department of Health, the governor’s office, and disability-rights advocates, who emphasized coordinated planning, diversion from arrest when appropriate, and matching people to the right level of care. Additional resolutions addressed a range of policy issues: renaming Leeward Community College to Puloulou Community College (with no testimony), creating an ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi pathway under the Niʻihau dialect at UH (UH noted existing courses already cover the dialect but not a degree pathway), moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system (support only), and coordinating transportation infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home lands (DHHL supported the measure and said an expired DOT memorandum of understanding had covered related collaboration). The committee also heard support for expanding DHHL financial literacy and homeownership-preparedness programs, a resolution asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine algorithmic discrimination, and a resolution urging the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Advisory Committee to follow its rules, comply with the Sunshine Law, review its executive director, and strengthen accountability; the last measure drew 11 written supports and no opposition. No final votes or decisions were taken in the portion provided, as the hearing focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we have a time scheduled for our execs. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• So, I just want to give us a little time. >> Could we exec one? Like, could we exec?
• >> Could we exec one? Like, could we exec? >> Which one is that?
• I am opening the reopening of the executive session on House Bill 767, and I recognize Representative
• I hereby close the executive session on House Bill 767, and we will reconvene at 12:30.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing was on an SP 15 replace-all, non-germane amendment to Senate Bill 15, a proposal to require hard labor for certain serious offenses in the New Hampshire prison system. Representative Jennifer Rhodess, the co-sponsor, said the bill is intended to make incarcerated people productive, help reduce costs, and serve as a deterrent; she also noted a two-year effective date for implementation and said anyone who refuses hard labor would receive a 50% sentence increase. She framed the work as ordinary labor already done by many people in the state and said the committee would later hear related testimony and possible amendments. Committee members questioned how the proposal would work in practice, especially for people already incarcerated, the difference between current prison work and the bill’s “hard labor,” and the impact on prison security and staffing. Rhodess said the bill only applies going forward, not retroactively, and that the Department of Corrections could better address operational details. Members also discussed the terminology, noting that “capital murder” is not a current New Hampshire charge and that the relevant offense is first-degree murder with mandatory life without parole. Department of Corrections officials Jane Graham and Nicholas Duffy testified in a neutral position but raised significant implementation concerns. They said the department would need more resources, vehicles, security equipment, and possibly armed supervision for higher-risk crews, and noted a 47% corrections officer vacancy rate. Duffy described current work programs inside prisons and in the community, including correctional industries, kitchen and education jobs, transitional work crews, and community service projects such as road work and landscaping. He explained that current community crews are limited by custody level, court approval, staffing, and safety, and said C1 and C2 inmates are already in transitional or work-release settings, while C3 and higher inmates would pose greater risks if taken outside the walls. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:20:22.240> uh, as I said earlier this session, uh, as I said earlier this session, uh
• we move to exec on this?
• uh, quite a bit this session already. uh, quite a bit this session already.
• So, I'll close the exec session. I don't know if she gets that. Is she listening?
• So, I'll close the exec We executed it. So, I'll close the exec session. session. session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you recall the last two special sessions that we had, much of the funding for those two special
• sessions actually came out of this budget here.
• program receives about $4.4 million for staffing and support during the first special legislative session
• So you already heard a lot of the detail through all of those sessions.
• So you see a $609,300 difference between the LFC and the exec rec for our aging network.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure we're going to invite you back when we exec this bill so that you can answer any and all, and
• this bill so that you back when we exec this bill so that you<01:29:46.280> can<01:29:46.480>
• Just as Wednesdays, Thursdays, we have sessions. Is it Mondays or Fridays?
• The executive session is closed. living repr sen fauler one of the pieces living repr sen fauler one
• <02:28:45.160> is<02:28:45.399> closed zero the executive session is closed zero the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of course, too, this feels like an exec session, but are we just deciding if we're going
• course, too, this feels like an exec course, too, this feels like an exec session,<00:39:22.079>
• <00:45:22.000> session<00:45:22.960> will<00:45:23.200> be hearing and the exec
• session will be hearing and the exec session will be postponed<00:45:24.079> to<00:45:24.240>
• > can more voting sessions today but you can more voting sessions today but you can come<00:47

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee met on April 15, 2025, and opened a hearing on Senate Bill 269, which would remove references to “bride and groom” and replace them with “applicants” in the Vital Records Act. The bill was described by the sponsor’s designee as a housekeeping update requested by the Secretary of State to modernize and standardize the language in light of same-sex marriage and to make the statute gender-neutral. Members asked whether the change would affect the substance of marriage law, marriage ceremonies, age and residence requirements, or open the door to polygamy; the response was that it would not change the law, would still apply to two adults, and would not supersede New Hampshire’s ban on polygamy. Some members noted the bill had passed the Senate unanimously and 18-0, while others questioned whether the change was necessary given existing forms and statutes, and whether it could create confusion with other laws such as alimony or divorce paperwork. The discussion became lengthy and somewhat informal, with members debating whether the terminology update was merely clerical or whether it should be postponed for more information from the Secretary of State’s office. Several members expressed frustration that no representative from that office was present. One member, speaking as a family law attorney, argued the bill was redundant because similar information already appears on vital statistics forms and could potentially create unintended issues; others countered that the Legislature should keep statutes consistent with current law and modern terminology. The committee also briefly discussed how marriage certificates and licenses are labeled and how same-sex couples are designated under current law. After a Republican caucus break, the chair called for a nonbinding thumb vote on whether to postpone the bill. The committee voted to come back to the bill later, and the hearing on SB 269 was closed and postponed to a later executive session date. The chair then shifted to other committee business, including preparations for a later discussion with Chief Administrative Justice Ellen Kristo and a family court subcommittee exercise, but no further action was taken on SB 269 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, so we'll have an exec session.
• No, we still have to exec them. Yeah. Well, a retain retain is still an exec.
• <04:55:50.798> of<04:55:52.040> SB an executive session of SB an executive session
• So, so we'll have an exec session.<04:56:11.520> So,<04:56:11.680> I<04:56:11.840> would
• <04:56:24.160> Well, have to exec them. Yeah. Well, have to exec them. Yeah.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The executive session for House Bill 1388 is closed. We're now exiting executive session.
• session for House Bill 1298 is closed. session for House Bill 1298 is closed.
• executive session for CACR30 is closed. executive session for CACR30 is closed.
• >> Uh >> We will only have exec session for the foreseeable future.
• I'll see you in session on Thursday. 9:00 a.m. session on Thursday, in case you don't know.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, we don't have the new exec members. All right, sorry about that.
• For the exec and the new exact members, I believe that is... yeah, I think you made a mistake.
• And then we usually do a recap and what to think about and look ahead in terms of a session and what
• And for newer members, we had a session recap and then also an interim planning presentation that were
• We're in a new session now next year. And, you know, we're... well, wait, I'll take that back.

Summary: The committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote and then received brief updates from the Attorney General’s office and the Office of the State Actuary. The AG’s office said it would handle legal analysis related to the committee’s work, while the actuary reported that staff were at capacity this summer due to annual valuation work, experience studies, and other retirement system projects, but would have more capacity in the fall. Members also requested access to fiscal note and actuarial materials related to the LEOFF 1 study and related legislation. The main discussion focused on the LEOFF 1 study, including actuarial funding, a proposed merger/termination/restatement approach, and the possibility of a permanent COLA for Plan 1 members. Several members supported keeping COLA recommendations in the committee’s work, while others raised concerns about whether merging or restating plans could affect benefits, legal status, or IRS tax treatment. The actuary explained that the temporary pause in certain funding rates reflected prior overfunding buffers and assumptions about future investment returns, and said future base-rate funding could still be needed depending on experience. Members also discussed constituent correspondence, which staff said largely fell into four categories: the LEOFF 1 study, Plan 1 benefits and COLAs, fossil fuel divestment, and ESSB 5357. The committee agreed that divestment concerns are more appropriately directed to the State Investment Board, not this committee. In reviewing the draft interim work plan, members added or adjusted several topics for future meetings, including a July educational briefing on LEOFF 1 history and tax/IRS issues, a September discussion of COLAs, and a December placeholder for excess compensation/pension spiking, pending coordination with the LEOFF 2 Board. The committee then approved the July agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , >> Could I this is an executive session, >> Could I this is an executive session, right
• Next, I'm going to close the executive session on House Bill 1130 and open an executive session on House
• >> I think you should be providing... we can exec it even because I did put it we can exec it even because
• um an executive session um an executive session >> uh<05:09:41.680> on<05:09:42.000
• And so to avoid— >> But you won't need a work session. >> We may well have a work session or not, but

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you remember, I'm non-public session.
• they don't want to have a public session they don't want to have a public session prematurely.<00
• can work out in the executive session. can work out in the executive session.
• And I recognize the executive session.
• Um, you got to exec this and get it on the floor.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• This ends the executive session on House Bill 322. Next up is House Bill 325.
• This concludes the executive session on House Bill 325.
• This concludes the executive session on House Bill 170.
• I did attend most of the sessions this summer.
• We have our next item, which closes the executive session on 478.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.