Transcript Highlights:

• this today, but, um, that's okay because we want to exec a bill that is perfection.
• So, we'll wait until the amendment comes and consider the amendment before we exec this.
• this today, but, um, that's okay because we want to exec a bill that is perfection.
• I've been in this position for, I think, this is my fifth session.
• session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the session is pressing forward and I don't know.
• So, the session we are. It's April 16th.
• I've got a We're in executive session.
• have to Motion to move out of exec. have to Motion to move out of exec.
• session, so we will adjourn for the day. session, so we will adjourn for the day.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes in the middle of a session, the right term just wouldn't come.
• Of course, this was late in the session.
• <04:01:32.160> is the testimony for this whole session is the testimony for this whole session
• <05:36:19.520> So, we can exec them all that same day.
• So, we can exec them all that same day.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to open the executive session on HB 1993 and recognize Representative Ladd for a motion.
• <00:28:24.799> today to bring that bill up for exec today to bring that bill up for exec today
• <00:46:48.839> on executive session on executive session on hb76<00:46:51.720> and<
• evolves through the rest of the session evolves through the rest of the session that<00:52:40.720
• <02:09:48.079> okay<02:09:48.360> yes<02:09:48.520> I sessions okay yes I sessions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:29.840> law but it's specifically it's session law but it's specifically it's session
• <06:17:45.920> on with that, the executive session on with that, the executive session on
• <06:23:19.200> on with that, the executive session on with that, the executive session on
• <06:28:42.718> this committee reports that were exec this committee reports that were exec
• please be aware that executive sessions please be aware that executive sessions can<06:29:19.840

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have a one o'clock exec session, and the chairman wants you to enjoy more than 15 minutes for
• one we have a one o'clock exec one we have a one o'clock exec session<01:46:07.040> and<01
• And now I'd like to open the executive session on HB 542.
• All right, and I'd like to close the session on HB 542 and open the session on HB 735. yes representative
• <04:31:08.000> on<04:31:08.199> HB executive session on HB executive session on HB

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this afternoon we can continue into exec this afternoon we can continue work<01:50:34.639> session
• work session. work session.
• Are we ready to start our work session Are we ready to start our work session again?
• session? session?
• Are we the executive session on this.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• figure this out, and I don't think this is something that we can push off for another legislative session
• We're done, and with that I'll take a motion to come out of exec. Let's do that then.
• We're done, and with that I'll take a motion to come out of exec. I can understand her confusion.
• We're done, and with that I'll take a motion to come out of exec. Yes, did you vote on that?
• We're done, and with that I'll take a motion to come out of exec.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Did at the end of the session? No. Who was—who did I give it to?
• did at the end away I gave my gavl away did at the end of<00:09:54.480> the of the of the session
• <00:26:08.720> session<00:26:09.559> we<00:26:10.039> we<00:26:10.279> have
• c><00:26:10.600> really<00:26:11.399> each exec session we we have really each exec session
• discussed so usually in our exec discussed so usually in our exec sessions<00:26:21.440> we

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in executive session.
• . session. session.
• We're out of executive session.
• to come out of executive sessions. to come out of executive sessions. >> Seconded.
• We are going to open the session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:24:09.040> house we'll open the house session house we'll open the house session house
• > Bill<02:24:11.040> 763 committee session on House Bill 763 committee session on House
• <02:32:58.680> some<02:32:58.840> of<02:32:58.920> us session on the session
• before some of us session on the session before some of us remember<02:32:59.920> we<02:33:00.080
• Um, we're going to quickly, um, Exec.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll try to break it by the end of the session, at least one time. Thank you.
• after session.
• There was one that was coming out of last session.
• And now, all of a sudden, in the middle of a legislative session.
• That's all this this session. You're under sunset.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in exact session on this first bill. >> If you would like to vote on it, you're welcome to.
• We<00:06:20.960> are<00:06:21.120> in<00:06:21.280> exact<00:06:21.680> session
• on this first We are in exact session on this first bill. bill. bill.
• uh the legislative session when uh the alteration<00:22:13.200> of<00:22:13.440> terrain
• Um, and so there's no intention to impact that, what we accomplished last session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Given that it's 1:25, I think we're going to try to exec this bill shortly rather than coming back in
• this bill shortly um rather to uh exec this bill shortly um rather than<03:25:08.760> coming<
• I'm going to open the executive session on HB 728 and recognize Representative Ulery for a motion.
• I’m going to close the executive session on HB 728. Next week will probably be Tuesday.
• <03:47:29.359> on<03:47:29.920> um<03:47:30.920> HB session on um HB session on

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just think at the tail end of the session, having that, you know, then we should retain the bill.
• having that you know then we the session having that you know then we should<01:55:04.719> retain
• again u next Tuesday morning and then again u next Tuesday morning and then we'll<02:27:30.720> exec
• <02:27:31.200> everything<02:27:31.920> Tuesday we'll exec everything Tuesday we'll
• exec everything Tuesday afternoon.<02:27:34.160> All<02:27:34.240> right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the docket for today here at the Education Funding Committee is that we are here for executive session
• We have a little statement on the bottom that other bills that previously been heard may be exec today
• And this is a bill which we need to exec seeing; it is due out this week.
• That closes the exact session on 580 and that will close what we're doing today.
• That closes the exact session<02:26:53.760> on<02:26:54.000> 580 session on 580 session

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll get our surfboards ready for maybe next LSC session. But this was great.
• I'll also talk more about some efforts that you all probably remember from last session.
• Now we're going to a special session, and now we've got to balance that and those transfers.
• It's not the fault of the exec; they need the money, they need the help.
• And they end up going into where they're not in session, or they choose not to meet.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:47.840> being<00:24:48.080> be session convened, Harry H. being be session convened
• We missed the announcement in the calendar of an exec session for the finance committee tomorrow at 2
• announcement in the calendar of a exec announcement in the calendar of a exec session<02:56:08.080
• Resolved that the House now adjourned from the early session, that the business of the late session be
• Resolved that the House now adjourned from the early session, that the business of the late session be

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative session concluded um last<00:20:34.880> summer.
• Last session, I introduced a bill for universal education freedom accounts.
• Last session, I introduced a bill for universal education freedom accounts.
• Members of the committee, I do intend to execs next week.
• Uh so the assistant execs next week.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:35.279> for we will uh come back into session for we will uh come back into session
• I'm opening the executive session. It. So I'm opening the executive session on HB 365 FN.
• will close the exec I session for house will close the exec I session for house uh<03:20:47.840>
• going to open up the executive session going to open up the executive session on<03:39:37.920>
• next Tuesday for executive session next Tuesday for executive session that'll<04:09:36.000> be

Keywords: 1189, house, all