Transcript Highlights:

• . session. session.
• and executive sessions.
• executive sessions. executive sessions.
• hot topic um this this coming session. hot topic um this this coming session.
• the session. the session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I ask for a motion to go into executive session. Second. Okay, into executive session.
• <00:10:20.200> the exec the exec the bill<00:10:23.120> my<00:10:23.360> file Yes
• Well, we're in executive session, so you talk about it.
• <01:08:34.679> motion to come out of executive session motion to come out of executive session
• <01:08:43.839> do I um we are out of executive session do I um we are out of executive session

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call the executive session of the House Judiciary Committee to order, and I'd first ask
• <00:35:17.640> on<00:35:17.880> House<00:35:18.160> Bill executive session on
• House Bill executive session on House Bill 254<00:35:20.200> and<00:35:20.359> I'm<00:
• So we'll start at 1:00 to exec a bunch of bills, and then our last sort of pre-crossover meeting will
• :00 to exec um the the we'll start at 1:00 to exec um the the um<04:26:52.840> a<04:26:52.960>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• um so we have 400 new patients session um so we have 400 new patients um<00:57:00.440> certified<
• So there are, in this legislative session, a number of bills that are being proposed that would have
• So there are, in this legislative session, a number of bills that are being proposed that would have
• <01:11:21.480> um there are in this legislative session um there are in this legislative session
• remember I believe it is I think we exec remember I believe it is I think we exec that<01:14:03.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on February 2 and first approved the draft minutes from the prior meeting, with minor corrections to the meeting date and attendance notation. DHHS Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly then gave a department update, describing the current uncertainty around federal priorities and funding, and provided two substantive reports: progress on the new Hampstead Youth Development Center and an update on the department’s review of an ALS registry proposal. She said the YDC project is underway with tree clearing, fencing, stormwater and site-prep work, and remains on track for completion by June 30, 2026 and operation by August 30, 2026. The center currently has 12 youth, and the new design is intended to provide flexibility for fluctuating census levels. On ALS, Tilly explained that HB 576 had prompted the department to examine whether a registry could be built, but the estimated cost of a HIPAA-compliant system was about $750,000. She said DHHS is reviewing whether existing data sources, such as hospital discharge data and CHIS claims data, could provide useful information, but noted both are incomplete for registry purposes. Committee members discussed whether the Rare Disease Advisory Council, Dartmouth, or existing cancer registry infrastructure could help reduce costs. DHHS said it is neutral and willing to continue exploring alternatives, while members emphasized the value of a registry and the need to consider shared infrastructure and funding. The committee also heard from Jenny Horan of the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented the subcommittee’s report on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She said the subcommittee spent the past year gathering information on dementia care, abuse and exploitation issues, caregiver strain, and available services, and is now moving into a second phase focused on identifying gaps and developing a state plan. Members asked about geriatric psychiatric capacity and long-term care availability; Horan said the state has limited capacity and that the plan will help clarify where needs are greatest. She offered to return for follow-up questions at a later meeting. Finally, Olivia May of DHHS presented the quarterly report on the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension. She said New Hampshire implemented the extension after federal and state action, and the first claims data are still emerging because of reporting lags. In the initial cohort studied, 95% received some medical services during the extended period, 52.4% received mental health or substance use disorder treatment, 26.7% received preventive visits, and 3.2% received heart or hypertension services. Members asked about return on investment and whether higher federal matching rates are being used appropriately; DHHS said it claims the highest possible match based on eligibility group and will return with more data over time. The committee then heard the annual therapeutic cannabis program report from Michael Holt, who said the program had 1,475 registered patients as of June 30, 2024 and that growth has slowed, with New Hampshire having the lowest per-capita medical cannabis enrollment nationally.

Transcript Highlights:

• Move a motion to go into executive session. The second to go into executive session.
• We are in executive session. All right, first thing...
• All right, do I have a motion to come out of executive session?
• We have a motion and second to come out of exec session. All those in favor say aye.
• <02:50:05.880> session and second to come out of exec session and second to come out of exec

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't realize we actually had an exact session at 11:00.
• I didn't realize we actually had an exact session at 11:00.
• With that, I am opening the executive session on Senate Bill 54.
• I hereby open the executive session<02:49:22.560> on Session on SB 14 and need to introduce amendment
• With hereby close the executive session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we only have one bill to exec, and, um, so I'm going to, uh, and I think that's what I want to talk
• propose to recognize Representative Coutab for a motion to reconsider our vote at the last executive session
• Representative Smith, am I correct if we're not going to have a floor session next week?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to reconsider its prior vote on SB 148 and then take up a substitute amendment. The chair explained that members from both caucuses, along with the ranking member, were generally in agreement on the process: first a motion to reconsider, then a vote on amendment 20251922H, followed by a vote on the bill. He also noted late input from the attorney general’s office seeking language to ensure the bill would not affect criminal prosecutions, and said the final floor amendment language would be worked out with that office but would remain under legislative control. Representative Coutab moved to reconsider the committee’s earlier vote on SB 148, and the motion passed by show of hands, 16-1, with the chair not voting. Representative Manos then moved amendment 20251922H, described as a substitute for the Birch-Lin amendment that removed a paragraph on page 2, lines 17-19. The amendment was adopted unanimously, 17-0. The committee then voted on the main motion, to ought to pass SB 148 as amended. Members spoke in support, describing the bill as heavily revised through extensive work and research, with one member crediting Representative Coutab’s research for helping shape the revised proposal. The roll call passed 17-0. The chair said the bill could not go on consent because a floor amendment would be needed, and the committee would keep members apprised of the final language. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one week left in the session. Now the bad news, please. You might have won the lottery.
• I know we were in talks with the exec leave last night, and then we'll look at it, and then we'll either

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• going to support you through the session going to support you through the session and<00:54:44.119
• <02:24:58.720> keep going on or exec sessions I try to keep going on or exec sessions I try
• sessions, or, yeah, the exact session would be the appropriate place to request subcommittees.
• sessions, or, yeah, the exact session would be the appropriate place to request subcommittees.
• session session process<02:38:49.080> anybody<02:38:49.600> have<02:38:49.680> any<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive session on 1045 is closed. We'll now open executive session on HB 140.
• Executive session on 1045 is closed. Executive session on 1045 is closed.
• Executive session on 1045 is closed. We'll now open executive session on HB 140.
• The exec session on 1140 is now done.
• Closed to that session, and we will open the exec session on HB 1833 FN, creating a special license for

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion to move out of exec. >> All in favor? >> Seeing none. All right.
• Seconded by Senator Aberg. >> All in favor of executive session? Any opposed?
• >> All in favor of exec I. Any oppos? >> All in favor of exec I. Any oppos?
• We're going to close the hearing and a motion to move into exec. >> Seconded by Senator McCarthy.
• We're going to close the hearing and a motion to move into exec. >> Seconded by Senator McCarthy.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We won't say who made the error, um, but it was already exec and so we will not be reviewing that any
• /c><00:19:46.520> it<00:19:46.840> was<00:19:47.080> already<00:19:47.520> exec
• <00:19:48.280> and the error um but it was already exec and the error um but it was already
• exec and so<00:19:48.720> we<00:19:48.840> will<00:19:49.039> not<00:19:49.320>
• announcement of the working session announcement of the working session regarding<01:25:46.679><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 58.800> this session on this session on this in<00:23:00.880> agreement.
• So I will open up an executive<00:23:02.639> session executive session executive session once<
• 01:56:55.200> CACR the executive session on CACR the executive session on CACR 13.
• to see if we can uh exec any bills. to see if we can uh exec any bills.
• We're going to be back in session here. I want to open up an executive session on House Bill 1156.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I am hoping that following the work session, we'll be able to exec the two bills which we're going
• to be dealing with in work session.
• close this work session and and and exec close this work session and and and exec this this this
• It's a work session.
• It's a work session. So, docket today. It's a work session.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a motion to move into exec? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Seeing none.
• Is there a motion to move into<00:10:46.720> exec? into exec? into exec?
• As Senator Rosenwald pointed out, first time this session.
• As Senator Rosenwald pointed out, first time this session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, after chatting with him, there's a couple of changes that I will offer as an amendment on exec.
• You helped pass it out of Ways and Means last session and probably the... ...on it.
• You helped pass it out of Ways and Means last session and probably the Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing ings deliberative sessions hearing ings deliberative sessions documentation<01:43:55.239
• I actually have been in exec sessions where someone has fed an amendment to OLS and requested a change
• > has been in exec sessions where someone has been in exec sessions where someone has fed<03:47
• expect um during executive U session and expect um during executive U session and to<05:28:30.920>
• you and with that the executive session you and with that the executive session on<05:33:35.000>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll take a motion to go into exec. It was second. All right, all in favor, I.
• And with that, I'll take a motion to come out of exec. So moved. All in favor, aye.
• to<01:57:40.640> come<01:57:40.760> out<01:57:40.880> of<01:57:40.960> exec
• I'll take a motion to come out of exec. I'll take a motion to come out of exec.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, all right, so let's tell Janet to schedule an exec session on 619 for Wednesday. we do if you are
• session on 619 for Wednesday.
• <02:03:31.480> session<02:03:32.119> on schedule an exec session on schedule an exec
• on House Bill 650 and open up a work session on House Bill 619, FNA.
• So, um, with that, I'll close out the work session on House Bill 67 FN.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 provisions affecting the New Hampshire Retirement System, focusing on Group 2/Tier B retirement changes in pages 25 through 39 of the bill. NHRS Executive Director Jan Goodwin and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions and to HB 727, with the main difference being that the 2025 version does not include the earlier increase in the maximum benefit. They also said the fiscal note for HB 2 is based on earlier actuarial work and that an updated valuation was expected later in the week. A major topic was whether the bill accidentally removed an anti-spiking or special-duty compensation limit. NHRS said the omission appears to be a scrivener’s error caused by moving language between Group 1 and Group 2 definitions, and they planned to flag it in the fiscal note. Members also reviewed the bill’s intent to restore Tier B members to pre-2011 benefit rules, including changes to earnable compensation, average final compensation, and the comp-over-base rule. Some members questioned whether restoring those older rules was appropriate, arguing the 2011 changes were meant to curb pension spiking and that undoing them could be problematic. The committee also discussed the bill’s cost and funding assumptions. NHRS said the 2025 bill would reduce unfunded actuarial liability by about $98.2 million and would have a more favorable effect than the 2023 version, while employer contribution impacts would remain relatively small. Members noted the bill assumes annual appropriations of $27.5 million for 10 years, but House Bill 1 currently provides only $5 million in the first year, and NHRS had not yet analyzed the effect of that shortfall. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on clarifying the bill’s language, intent, and fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is not my intention to exec any of these bills today.
• Well, Josh, we're not going to exec this bill today.
• <01:33:33.360> this Well, Josh, we're not going to exec this Well, Josh, we're not going to
• exec this bill<01:33:33.840> today.
• And we are not going to exec. So with that, we are done. Thank you, everyone.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all