Transcript Highlights:

• As we begin the meeting, please silence your cell phones and electronics.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on House Administration has approved a process for the electronic submission and posting
• The Committee on House Administration has approved a process for the electronic submission and posting
• The public comments submitted through the portal will be posted on the electronic legislative information

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:08.880> is<02:02:08.960> a<02:02:09.119> statewide<02:02:09.599> electronic
• systems which is a statewide electronic systems which is a statewide electronic motor<02:02:10.320

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do use electronic fund process to collect our rent. Our residents love it.
• We do use electronic fund process to collect our rent. Our residents love it.
• We do use electronic fund process to collect our rent. Our residents love it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the same type of situation where we're using an electronic detection device to record somebody's
• It's the same type of situation where we're using an electronic detection device to record somebody's
• It's the same type of situation where we're using an electronic detection device to record somebody's

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened with an announcement correcting the public hearing list: House Bill 209 was mistakenly listed as a continued hearing, but the chair said that hearing had already been closed and would not be reopened. The committee then moved to House Bill 305, which would allow municipalities to install and use speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement. The prime sponsor, Rep. Jones, said the bill was intended as a tool to address police staffing shortages and erratic driving, and emphasized that municipalities would pay the costs, work with DOT and the Department of Safety, and retain full control without using third-party vendors. He said the bill was meant to target speeding, red-light violations, and similar conduct, with enforcement handled locally and subject to state and federal law. Committee members raised questions about how citations would work, who would be held responsible in multi-driver or rental-car situations, whether due process would be affected, and whether cameras could identify the driver rather than just the vehicle. The sponsor and supporting witness Edward H. of Keene said municipalities would determine procedures, that an officer would still have to review and issue any summons, and that the bill was meant to be a limited enforcement tool rather than a catch-all. Edward H. also described the bill as adding guardrails such as a needs analysis, coordination with DOT, annual reporting, and public records of detections and fines. The Department of Transportation testified neutrally, saying it had no position on the bill and noting that current state systems include speed feedback signs, bridge security cameras, toll cameras that capture plates only, and traffic-signal detection cameras that do not record video. No vote was taken. The committee then held a brief hearing on House Bill 368, which would prohibit smoking tobacco products or e-cigarettes in a motor vehicle when a child under 16 is present and impose a $100 secondary fine. Rep. Miller introduced the bill in the sponsor’s absence, and there was no public testimony for or against it. The chair closed the hearing. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 390, which would add retired fire apparatus to the antique vehicle exemption so old fire trucks can be registered and used in parades without being stripped of their equipment. Rep. Parson explained that a strict reading of current law had led DMV to reject some antique fire engine registrations, and said the bill would fix that while preserving the ban on commercial use and on impersonating emergency vehicles. Members asked about the relationship to existing laws on emergency-vehicle impersonation, and the sponsor said the bill would not affect those laws. The hearing remained open as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I think you have received them electronically when this first came out, but last year alone we
• Um and I you have received<00:36:34.480> them<00:36:34.720> electronically<00:36:35.599
• > when<00:36:36.000> this received them electronically when this received them electronically

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All the information that I'm kind of just throwing at you right now, there's a lot more in the electronic
• There's a lot more<02:39:07.520> in<02:39:07.760> the<02:39:08.000> electronic<02
• uh<02:39:08.880> version<02:39:09.200> of<02:39:09.439> my more in the electronic
• uh version of my more in the electronic uh version of my testimony<02:39:10.160> that<02:39:10.399

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rather clearly, but it's sort of submerged in a very lengthy section of law which goes on and on on electronic
• goes on and lengthy section of law which goes on and on<00:52:44.559> on<00:52:45.839> electronic
• c><00:52:46.559> filing<00:52:47.359> for<00:52:48.160> prescription on on electronic
• filing for prescription on on electronic filing for prescription claims<00:52:49.200> and<00:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll electronically send one to every member here, so we didn't want on it.
• the Trucking Research Institute for the committee.<01:44:26.560> We'll<01:44:26.880> electronically
• We'll electronically send one committee.
• We'll electronically send one to<01:44:28.159> every<01:44:28.320> member<01:44:28.639>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what we're doing is we're procuring more road signs, electronic road signs, so we can put them out
• 30:19.680> signs, we're procuring more um road signs, we're procuring more um road signs, electronic
• :30:21.359> so<03:30:21.520> we<03:30:21.680> can<03:30:21.760> put electronic
• road signs, so we can put electronic road signs, so we can put them<03:30:21.920> out<03:30:22.160

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interns or limited-term staff focused on digitizing archival records and integrating them into SHPD's electronic
• them archival records and integrating them into<02:55:54.080> shifties<02:55:54.720> electronic
• <02:55:55.359> systems<02:55:56.319> to into shifties electronic systems to into shifties
• electronic systems to improve<02:55:57.040> access<02:55:57.359> to<02:55:57.680> legacy

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've went completely electronic for everything. Uh, we are not there yet.
• went<03:54:43.080> completely They've went completely They've went completely um um um electronic
• <03:54:47.080> Uh,<03:54:47.160> we<03:54:47.320> are electronic for everything
• Uh, we are electronic for everything.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No way to buy another vehicle or trace down that pesky electronic indicator on the dashboard.
• 05:03:38.080> down<05:03:38.400> that<05:03:38.798> pesky<05:03:39.680> electronic
• trace down that pesky electronic trace down that pesky electronic indicator<05:03:40.718> on<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are talking about the names, birth dates, addresses, telephone numbers, or electronic mail or email
• telephone names, birth dates, addresses, telephone numbers,<02:01:30.239> or<02:01:30.480> electronic
• <02:01:31.040> mail<02:01:31.599> or<02:01:31.840> email numbers, or electronic
• mail or email numbers, or electronic mail or email addresses.<02:01:32.960> That<02:01:33.199

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This saves trees, allows for electronic access to a 42-page document instead of having stacks of them
• remembers this saves trees allows<03:18:14.720> for<03:18:15.200> uh<03:18:15.439> electronic
• <03:18:16.239> access<03:18:16.640> to<03:18:16.800> a allows for uh electronic
• access to a allows for uh electronic access to a 42page<03:18:17.840> document<03:18:18.319><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're even talking about electronic bicycles as well.
• And we're even talking about<02:06:13.280> electronic<02:06:13.840> bicycles<02:06:14.400
• <02:06:15.199> So about electronic bicycles as well.
• So about electronic bicycles as well.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a patient's file when the brand-name drug is deemed medically necessary, which aligns with the electronic
• 02:05:47.040> aligns<02:05:47.440> with<02:05:47.599> the<02:05:47.760> electronic
• <02:05:48.400> record which aligns with the electronic record which aligns with the electronic

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting, but I thought I'd include those here for your information, and I'll also provide this electronically
• :57:56.440> know will also provide this um you know will also provide this um you know electronically
• 57.480> Mickey<00:57:57.920> so<00:57:58.119> that<00:57:58.480> that electronically
• to Mickey so that that electronically to Mickey so that that you<00:57:58.760> have<00:57:58.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be a one-time cost of $300,000 for Dr. to implement the electronic filing and payment system
• 16.600> the $300,000 for uh Dr to um implement the $300,000 for uh Dr to um implement the electronic
• c> filing<03:14:18.319> and<03:14:18.600> payment<03:14:19.359> system electronic
• filing and payment system electronic filing and payment system that's<03:14:20.640> it<03:14:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability. Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption. Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.