Video & Transcript Research : 'fiscal note'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- fiscal year 2027.
- The fiscal note, which originally came out, was quite alarming, but now is not at all alarming.
- Looking at the fiscal note, like Representative Olson said, it's about $2,000 a year.
- note.
- The fiscal note associated with this is very minimal, approximately $8,000, which is manageable.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So the budget includes $131.8 million in fiscal year 2025-26 for the eight... 31.8 million in fiscal
- each program, and the remainder, $9.2 million each in fiscal year 26-27.
- “Um, as you noted, CDFA's Farm to School Program is a special one.
- To further this program, as you noted, CDFA requests $24.9 million General Fund in fiscal year 2025-26
- And the note. as was noted in previous comments, backfilling reduces the amount of progress we've made
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the administration’s spending plan for Proposition 4’s climate smart agriculture and biodiversity chapters, along with related trailer bill language. CDFA outlined proposed funding for existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, Urban Agriculture, and invasive species work, plus new or phased-in programs including year-round and mobile farmers’ markets, tribal food sovereignty, and regional farm equipment sharing. The Department of Conservation described funding for the California Farmland Conservancy Program and Working Lands and Riparian Corridors Program, while the Department of Finance and LAO discussed pending allocations and generally found the overall approach reasonable, though LAO suggested the Legislature may want more statutory guidance and reporting, especially for new programs.
Members focused on implementation details, equity, and accountability. Questions covered how programs would serve vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, whether new solicitations would be reopened for previously oversubscribed grants, how outcomes are tracked, and how to structure guidance for new programs such as farm equipment sharing. The chair emphasized that the Legislature wants clearer direction on program design and noted that AB 2313 should guide implementation of the regional farm equipment sharing allocation. The committee also discussed the administration’s request to directly appropriate bond funds to departments and to exempt bond program guidelines from the Administrative Procedures Act; LAO supported the APA exemption with possible legislative guardrails for public notice and comment.
The committee then heard on the farm-to-school proposal, with CDFA requesting $24.9 million General Fund for incubator grants, technical assistance, and network support. CDFA said the program has reached nearly half of California schoolchildren and has shown strong demand and positive evaluation results. LAO supported the core program but recommended rejecting the $3 million technical assistance component as too broad and suggested the Legislature consider using Proposition 98 for some of the funding. Members debated that point, with some expressing concern about using General Fund dollars for a new discretionary request during a tight budget year.
The biodiversity and nature-based solutions chapter included funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board, state conservancies, and tribal nature-based solutions. WCB described major recent investments and proposed projects tied to 30 by 30, habitat restoration, tribal partnerships, and public access. Members raised concerns about long-term stewardship, the size of the WCB allocation, and whether the Legislature should receive more detail on how funds will be distributed. The committee also heard requests for Bolsa Chica wetlands maintenance and Rincon Island decommissioning funding from the State Lands Commission, with members questioning long-term liability, remediation costs, and the role of private oil operators. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with public comment from stakeholders largely supporting the APA exemption, farm-to-school funding, biodiversity investments, and related conservation programs.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In total, that fiscal note was $12.7 billion.
- In developing the fiscal note for Senate Bill 2, our office assumed a district's Tier 1 tax rate would
- Yeah, the reason I said approximately is because a fiscal note hasn't been completed on the increase.
- Our office was the one that developed the fiscal note. TEA implemented the provisions of the bill.
- Our office was the one that wrote the fiscal note and made the assumptions that were included in there
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures.
Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant.
The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit.
A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Higher Education estimated in the fiscal Higher Education estimated in the fiscal note<00:09:15.120
- c> the the fiscal note and represent the the fiscal note and represent the portion<00:09:35.440><
- know what that fiscal impact is, because the fiscal notes have not yet been completed.
- a completed fiscal note. university estimated in the fiscal note university estimated in the fiscal
- completed fiscal completed fiscal note.<00:22:47.039>
Um <00:22:47.440>on <00:22:48.120
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Solve Beckel, House Fiscal.
- So they've noted that there's savings of $543,000 in fiscal year 2027, and 1.3 to 4 million dollars in
- So into the start of fiscal 2026, the end of fiscal 2026, it's kind of split between two summers, but
- for the program between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026.
- Using the greater of the people counts between fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2024, resulting in an allocation
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Legislative Administration (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- more must have a fiscal note, that means by law a fiscal note must be prepared for over one-half of
- by law a fiscal fiscal note that means by law a fiscal note<01:06:29.680>
must <01:06:29.839>< - I think it's that quantitative side of... fiscal note the fiscal note tends to fiscal note the fiscal
- <01:24:39.239>
fiscal <01:24:39.560>note thousand uh needing a fiscal fiscal note thousand - It’s still a fiscal note.
Summary:
The committee first dealt with scheduling and housekeeping, including a plan to take a hard break at 2:00 p.m. for an early bill, hold a brief executive session, and then continue with the remaining afternoon bills. The chair also noted the next likely meeting date would be March 12, when the committee expected to take up the remaining bills before crossover deadlines.
The main substantive item was House Bill 142, which would recognize the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and related remembrance purposes. Prime sponsor Rep. Michael Moffett described the bill as a bipartisan measure revised to address earlier concerns, arguing that the flag honors fallen service members, can be personalized with names, and complements rather than detracts from the American flag. He said many other states have already adopted it and suggested the committee could amend details such as the number of days and locations for display. He also raised practical issues about flag dimensions and whether the bill should use "shall" or "may" for display requirements.
Testimony was divided. Janine Nutter opposed the bill, saying she supports Gold Star families but objected because the flag resembles the Viet Cong flag and because she believes the American flag should remain the sole symbol representing servicemembers. Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee under RSA 115:8, also opposed the bill, saying the committee believes the American flag is the only symbol needed, while still praising the work of Honor and Remember in creating personalized flags for families. Committee members asked questions about where the flag would be flown, whether the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is already displaying it, and how the bill’s language would interact with cemetery policies and committee discretion. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Which is why when we prepared the fiscal note worksheet for the LBA, that's where we come up with the
- Which is why when we prepared the fiscal note worksheet for the LBA, that's where we come up with the
- Which is why when we prepared the fiscal note worksheet for the LBA, that's where we come up with the
- Which is why when we prepared the fiscal note worksheet for the LBA, that's where we come up with the
- I was also informed that that fiscal I was also informed that that fiscal note<01:13:29.760>
Summary:
The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years.
Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes.
The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/12/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- And of course the fiscal note we don't have a fiscal note yet.
- And of course the fiscal note we don't have a fiscal note yet.
- fiscal note yet. fiscal note yet.
- <00:18:33.320>
note, Because you don't have a fiscal note, Because you don't have a fiscal - <01:36:26.080>
note uh not necessarily fair fiscal note uh not necessarily fair fiscal note
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is a look at actual State Grant spending for fiscal year 24 and projected spending for fiscal
- November 1st projections report fiscal November 1st projections report fiscal year<01:34:29.600>
- enrollment increasing, and we took $12 million from fiscal year 25 and pulled it back to fiscal year
- year 25 and pulled it back from fiscal year 25 and pulled it back to<01:36:40.800>
fiscal <01: - year 27 that was 136 million for fiscal year 27 that was 136 million for<01:37:40.960>
fiscal
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Second. fiscal and request for more winter fiscal and request for more winter maintenance<00:32:07.200
- be asking for more money in fiscal. be asking for more money in fiscal.
- fiscal fiscal this<00:32:32.399>
winter <00:32:33.200>time, <00:32:34.080>we <00 - It's committee to close fiscal year 25.
- <01:06:49.920>
year a dollar appropriation in fiscal year a dollar appropriation in fiscal
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I know that for some of the new members, the new members went through a fiscal note training, but there's
- I know that for some of the new members, the new members went through a fiscal note training, but there's
- I know that for some of the new members, the new members went through a fiscal note training, but there's
- I know that for some of the new members, the new members went through a fiscal note training, but there's
- <00:03:58.959>
note new members went through a fiscal note new members went through a fiscal
Summary:
The House Tax Committee met to receive a presentation from House Fiscal staff Cynthia Templin and Katrina Heimark on state tax revenues, property tax aids and credits, and key budget terms and timelines. They explained the difference between fiscal years, tax years, biennia, the general fund, and dedicated funds, and reviewed the legislative budget calendar, including the governor’s January budget recommendation, the February forecast update, March budget resolution deadlines, and the expected end of session in May.
The presentation focused on how Minnesota tax revenue is collected and where it goes. House Fiscal said fiscal 2024 total revenue for public services was about $102.5 billion, with $46.5 billion coming from state and local taxes. Of total state tax revenue, about 85% goes to the general fund and about 15% is dedicated to other funds. They noted that income and sales taxes make up the largest share of state collections, while local property taxes are the largest share of local revenue. They also reviewed constitutional and statutory dedications, including the Legacy sales tax dedication, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication to transportation, and the auto parts sales tax dedication that was changed in 2023 to a 100% transportation dedication phased in over 10 years.
Members asked several questions about slowing income tax growth, possible effects of migration and corporate departures, and whether changes in population or wages were affecting revenue trends. Templin said she was not aware of recent independent or MMB studies tying revenue loss to migration, but would look into it. Members also discussed the sharp rise in tax receipts in fiscal 2021 and 2022 after the pandemic downturn, with staff explaining that the low fiscal 2020 base and a shift toward goods purchases during COVID helped drive the increase, especially in sales tax revenue. No bills were taken up and no votes were recorded during this portion of the meeting.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 11th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- We have an amendment before us, which, if we adopt it, removes the fiscal note.
- It didn't have a fiscal note, then it had a fiscal note, then we're taking off the fiscal note.
- We did not hear from anybody else except for the fiscal note.
- It didn't have a fiscal note, then it had a fiscal note, then we're taking off the fiscal note.
- We did not hear from anybody else except for the fiscal note. from the general public.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation. Representative O’Brien explained the House changes, including funding for a restored Veterans Benefits Specialist FTE, salary equity adjustments for the commissioner and veterans service officers, one-time funding for veteran homelessness services, carryover authority for the Fargo Fisher House, and a highly rural transportation grants program. Members also discussed the commissioner’s prior salary increase and the use of transportation grant funds for administrative costs, as well as the status of the Fisher House project. The committee adopted amendment 25.092.0203 and then gave SB 2025 a do pass recommendation as amended, with Representative O’Brien as carrier.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2307, the library bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed the fiscal note, but several members objected on policy and process grounds, citing constitutional concerns, potential costs to counties and state’s attorneys, and the fact that the bill had not been heard as a full policy hearing. The amendment failed 4-19. The committee then voted do not pass on SB 2307 as introduced, and Representative Murphy was named carrier.
The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 2188 on the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. Representative Bosch described the program’s grant and low-interest loan authority and the Senate’s reduced funding levels. The committee amended the bill to restore the Senate funding amounts in Section 3, then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered two rural development bills and chose Senate Bill 2097, the rural endowment fund bill, for do not pass while advancing House Bill 2390, which uses regional councils to distribute rural development grants. The committee amended HB 2390 to lower the population threshold from 4,500 to 3,000, kept the 50% set-aside for communities under 1,500, and then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Mitskog as carrier.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- However, I would note, as Mr.
- Second, fiscal responsibility matters.
- Second, fiscal responsibility matters.
- I think it's important just to note that.
- These are risks that we have on the horizon that we note.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders described as the compromise budget expected to move to the floor later that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core programs from federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget plan, saying it uses higher-than-expected revenues and reserve balances to reject some proposed reductions and fund temporary restorations and new spending in areas such as education, child care, health care, housing, homelessness, and public safety. Department of Finance representatives said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced framework and the effort to address out-year deficits, while noting the plan includes additional spending and revenue changes. Sisney also previewed floor bills including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125, with SB 122 described as a modification to the tax credit proposal and SB 125 as the managed care organization tax proposal.
Subcommittee chairs then described the major policy choices in their areas. Health chair Addis said the budget responds to federal health care rollbacks by protecting Medi-Cal, clinics, hospitals, dental care, and other safety-net services, while also supporting reproductive care, gender-affirming care, and county health systems. Education chair Alvarez highlighted increased school funding, expanded learning, special education, teacher support, community colleges, and a change to Cal Grant eligibility for older community college students. Other chairs emphasized child care expansions, homelessness and housing funding, prison closure and criminal justice savings, wildfire mitigation, county support for Medi-Cal and CalFresh administration, and accountability measures tied to homelessness and corrections spending. Several members also raised concerns or priorities, including the impact of the MCO tax on providers, the need for more support for local journalism, transit and climate funding, biotech and R&D incentives, and continued work on Prop 98 and long-term revenue solutions.
No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but members broadly expressed support for the budget framework and the need to continue negotiations with the administration before final passage. The committee discussion repeatedly framed the budget as a response to federal policy changes and a choice to protect vulnerable Californians while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The vice chair, citing LAO warnings about future volatility and limited reserves, pressed Finance on whether the budget represented a record-sized state budget and whether revenues were also at record levels, underscoring concerns about the state’s preparedness for a downturn.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I was aspects of the fiscal note.
- note, we say that these when the fiscal note, we say that these um<00:40:37.440>
these <00:40: - “The fiscal note is working its way through the process.
- <01:42:20.000>
note So it is it doesn't have a fiscal note So it is it doesn't have a fiscal - So there is no fiscal note this year.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (10/02/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- fund this starting for uh fiscal 2027. fund this starting for uh fiscal 2027.
- :59.040>
note Department of Justice fiscal note Department of Justice fiscal note estimates<00 - I'd like to have a printed fiscal note on that, but if that's not possible, the minimum I would like
- I'd like to have a printed fiscal<01:08:18.960>
note <01:08:19.279>on <01:08:19.440> - note on that, but if that's not fiscal note on that, but if that's not possible,<01:08:21.279>
the
Summary:
The committee opened a work session on 17 retained bills and moved through several measures, often with motions to ought to pass or inexpedient to legislate. House Bill 54, allowing alternative treatment centers to operate for profit, was supported as a way to improve efficiency and potentially lower costs for medical cannabis users, and it was recommended OTP by a 9-0 vote. House Bill 97, an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure, drew mixed views: supporters said the Senate’s reduced funding still met the bill’s intent, while opponents argued the funding was inadequate for critical infrastructure needs; the committee voted 5-4 to ITL. House Bill 111, extending the Right to Know Ombudsman and exempting certain assistance from unauthorized practice of law, was recommended ITL 9-0. House Bill 197, concerning state payment of a portion of local retirement contributions, was discussed as a recurring issue; members noted an amendment could fund it starting in fiscal 2027, but the committee ultimately voted 5-4 to recommend the bill itself rather than ITL. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a harms-and-benefits report, was amended to narrow its scope to future privately owned landfills only; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 9-0. House Bill 216, on workers’ compensation credit toward retirement service, was ITL’d 9-0 after the sponsor said the proposal was too open-ended and could affect unknown numbers of people.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/03/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I'm wondering, did I miss the fiscal note on this one or what does this cost?
- I'm wondering, did I miss the fiscal note on this one or what does this cost?
- >> We don't have the fiscal note before us.
- >> We don't have the fiscal note before us.
- note, I would like to have some fiscal note, I would like to have some information<00:26:37.919>
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:41:47.800>
note <01:41:48.880>associated fiscal note associated fiscal note associated - So, the fiscal note number is not this fiscal note number anymore.
- <01:42:45.480>
note about a fiscal note about a fiscal note and<01:42:47.520>whether - Certainly, when we are looking at fiscal Certainly, when we are looking at fiscal notes, notes,
- fiscal note number note there's not this fiscal note number anymore.<01:44:21.880>
However, anymore
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation, and welcomed guests including the doctor of the day, a Johns Hopkins student, and visiting scouts. The chamber then moved through first-reading introductions of several House bills, including measures on bullying and harassment reporting, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, Baltimore County nuisance actions, parole hearing commission procedures, a blockchain technology task force, and a task force on deed fraud, all of which were referred to standing committees.
The main floor action centered on layover bills. Senate Bill 932, concerning social media platforms displaying a user’s usual location, was amended to broaden the protected location reference and to protect participants in the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program; after discussion about whether minors and child-abuse victims were covered, the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, drew multiple county-specific amendments. Howard County and Baltimore County amendments sought to give priority to existing local tobacco businesses for the new licenses. Supporters said the changes would protect established local shops from out-of-state entities, while opponents argued the bill should remain statewide and not be amended county by county. A motion to special order the bill failed, and the amendments were adopted before the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
Senate Bill 84, on collective bargaining for graduate assistants, also advanced after a committee amendment was adopted. A District 2 amendment was offered to clarify that graduate assistants are employed as teaching, administrative, or research assistants, but the floor leader opposed it, saying the bill’s definition was already clear and the change would create confusion. The minority leader questioned the definition and the relationship between graduate assistants and employees, prompting discussion of collective bargaining as bargaining by employees through representatives. The transcript cuts off before final disposition of that amendment.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't have an updated fiscal note for this revised bill.
- ><00:55:50.119>
indeterminant fiscal note that found a indeterminant fiscal note that found a - if you read the fiscal note it says this if you read the fiscal note it says this would would would
- fiscal note then it not really a direct fiscal note then it probably<01:01:46.440>
this <01:01: - fiscal note uh so indeterminable on the fiscal note uh so there's<01:05:39.960>
really <01:05:40.200
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 187, which would allow parents or guardians to seek restraining orders on behalf of a minor child even when the alleged perpetrator is not a family or household member. Tracy Sirles testified that the bill was prompted by her family’s experience after being told by state police to seek a restraining order, only to learn the current law did not allow it because the offender was the child’s best friend’s father. Members agreed the change was straightforward, noted the fiscal note reflected only a small indeterminate cost to the judicial branch, and moved House Bill 187 ought to pass; the motion was approved unanimously.
The committee then discussed House Bill 66, a Right-to-Know bill that removes “citizen” language in favor of “person” in some provisions and allows certain New Hampshire-connected requesters to seek records electronically if the records already exist in that format. Members reviewed concerns about defining “member of the media,” the scope of electronic requests, and a sentence stating appeals would have no filing fee or search charge. After debate, the committee voted to amend the bill by removing that fee-waiver sentence, then recommended House Bill 66 ought to pass as amended. The vote was 6-3.
Next, the committee heard from the Environment and Agriculture chair about several solid-waste-related bills being folded into trailer bill language, including House Bill 215 and House Bill 171, with discussion of a possible three-year landfill moratorium and the need to address DEES staffing and funding concerns. DEES later clarified that the revised approach would not require new positions or create a fiscal impact because the new solid waste commission would be self-funded through filing fees. The committee voted unanimously to retain House Bill 215.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 566, which requires landfill permit applications to include a detailed leachate management plan and more information about disposal contracts. The sponsor said the bill was developed with DEES to address leachate problems and improve safety oversight. DEES testified that the bill largely reflects current practice and would have no specific fiscal impact, with existing staff able to absorb any review workload. The committee moved House Bill 566 ought to pass, and the motion was approved unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 624, a grant program for local river management advisory committees, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So the idea is to formalize this process a little bit more, and then you will see there’s a fiscal note
- <00:08:29.080>
note <00:08:29.520>and you will see there's a fiscal note and you will - see there's a fiscal note and then<00:08:29.759>
to <00:08:29.919>give <00:08:30.080>- And when I asked Miss Randall what would be required, and the fiscal note was put together, the money
- that is in the fiscal note is what Miss Randall said that she needs in order to do this work, so I certainly
Bills:
HF3
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (05/20/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- note, right?
- <00:12:00.959>
All in the fiscal note, right? So, yeah. All in the fiscal note, right? - But, but the main thing is um, but look at the fiscal note, Mr. Chair.
- There's no updated fiscal note. I spoke with the Secretary of State.
- There's no updated fiscal note. Correct. There's no updated fiscal note.
Summary:
The committee took up Senate Bill 74, which requires agencies to report annually on permits that are significantly delayed. An amendment was offered and adopted to replace the bill’s original permit-by-permit reporting with a summary report by category, including counts of permits taking more than 60, 120, or 180 days and general reasons for delay. The amendment also delayed the first report until April 30, 2027, so agencies would report only on future permitting activity rather than reconstructing past files.
Members discussed whether delays caused by incomplete applications or requests for additional information should be included in the reporting categories. The sponsor and others said the bill is intended to measure delays after an application is administratively complete, but that reasons such as waiting on applicant-provided engineering data could still be captured under the summary reasons. Several members praised the amendment as a substantial improvement and said it would produce more useful information with less burden on agencies, while one member said they would support the amendment but not the bill because agencies already face budget constraints.
The committee first approved the amendment unanimously by show of hands, then voted 7-1 to report Senate Bill 74 ought to pass as amended, with one member opposed and one absent. Afterward, the committee briefly discussed a separate Senate message on House Bill 67, noting that the Senate version had no additional general-fund cost and that any remaining issues would be handled with the election law committee before concurrence.