Transcript Highlights:

• referral, well, whether we accept or decline a referral, as soon as we make that decision, we notify DHHS
• referral, well, whether we accept or decline a referral, as soon as we make that decision, we notify DHHS
• we make that decision, we make that decision, we<00:20:27.200> notify<00:20:27.600> DHHS
• c> If<00:20:28.800> we<00:20:28.880> decline<00:20:29.200> that we notify DHHS
• If we decline that we notify DHHS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that has come up in Winnosum in terms of that school district has within their bounds a placement for DHHS
• that has come up in Winnosum in terms of that school district has within their bounds a placement for DHHS
• that has come up in Winnosum in terms of that school district has within their bounds a placement for DHHS
• bounds<01:47:14.800> a<01:47:15.119> placement<01:47:15.520> for<01:47:15.840> DHHS
• bounds a placement for DHHS. bounds a placement for DHHS.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to continue its study of the cost of special education, with the chair emphasizing that the group needs to narrow its focus over the coming year toward specific cost drivers, including the IEP process, Medicaid, charter schools, and EFAs. Members reviewed a draft first report due November 1 and agreed it would be a brief synopsis of prior meetings, with minutes attached. The September 30, 2025 minutes were amended to correct the number of federally funded department staff from 234 to 23, and to revise language about Senator Sullivan’s comments so they reflected concerns about IEP advocates and fees charged to families rather than support for the concept. The amended minutes were then approved unanimously, with abstentions noted for members who were absent. The main presentation focused on how special education costs are handled for students attending charter schools. The DOE representative said there are 804 students with disabilities in charter schools across 88 of the state’s 176 districts, and that the district of residence remains responsible for all services and costs. She explained that students must meet IDEA criteria through district evaluation and parent consent, and that services are determined through individual IEP meetings rather than by a blanket charter-school decision. Members asked how those costs are tracked, whether any students are merely “monitored,” and whether districts separately identify charter-school special education expenses; the answer was that most districts fold those costs into their overall special education budget, though some may break them out as a line item. The discussion then turned to transportation and mileage costs for staff providing services at charter schools. Testimony indicated that districts may use their own staff, contract staff, or contract with a charter school for certified services, and that travel costs are often either built into contracts or absorbed as part of staff time rather than separately reimbursed. Members questioned whether mileage is reimbursed when staff travel to distant charter schools and whether those costs can be isolated in district budgets; the response was that practices vary by district and are not usually broken out by special education function. Several members argued this makes it difficult to determine the true cost of delivering special education, especially given New Hampshire’s model in which the district of residence pays regardless of where the charter school is located. The chair noted the complexity of the system and compared it to the state’s separate tuition and transportation approach for career and technical education centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is our DHHS subject matter expert. Welcome.
• I'm the legislative liaison and senior policy analyst for Behavioral Health at DHHS. years<01:14:22.000
• questions<01:14:32.400> she<01:14:32.600> is<01:14:32.760> our<01:14:33.679> DHHS
• case there are questions she is our DHHS case there are questions she is our DHHS a<01:14:34.840
• :14:50.560> Behavioral<01:14:51.040> Health<01:14:51.239> at<01:14:51.719> DHHS

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:58:04.760> under IC you to please keep OD DHHS under IC you to please keep OD DHHS under
• So going back to my first day on the job, DHHS asked me to go speak against a...
• So going back to my first day on the job, DHHS asked me to go speak against a...
• So going back to my first day on the job, DHHS asked me to go speak against a...
• So going back to my first day on the job, DHHS asked me to go speak against a...

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd suggest an amendment administratively attaching this commission to DHHS should the committee agree
• <00:02:07.840> should<00:02:08.080> the this commission to DHHS should the this commission
• to DHHS should the committee<00:02:08.560> agree<00:02:08.879> to<00:02:09.039> its
• will be able to write and give to DHHS will be able to write and give to the<03:45:22.239> fiscal
• Herbert from DHHS said that the federal government required attendance-based billing.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I would agree that it would make sense to make sure that DHHS is aware of all the possibilities
• sense to make sure that uh that uh DHHS sense to make sure that uh that uh DHHS is<01:41:34.960>
• We should be getting this out, and I mean DHHS can get it out.
• uh to update on uh the other DHHS uh to update on uh the other exemptions<01:57:40.560> that<
• But again, the USDA side of it is not a requirement; it doesn't fall within DHHS.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00, we will begin having agency heads and other folks from the Department of Agriculture, and also DHHS

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But all of the functions have to remain for us to be successful at DHH, either because we're federally
• to be successful have to remain for us to be successful um<00:22:02.640> at<00:22:02.880> DHH
• either<00:22:04.000> because<00:22:04.320> we're<00:22:04.799> federally um at DHH
• either because we're federally um at DHH either because we're federally required<00:22:06.000> or

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We—uh—the DHHS, if you look on lines 19 and 20, uh, the liquor appeal, this is how these both of these
• We uh the DHHS<00:42:22.000> if<00:42:22.160> you<00:42:22.240> look<00:42:22.400
• ><00:42:23.040> 19<00:42:23.359> and<00:42:23.680> 20<00:42:24.480> uh DHHS
• if you look on lines 19 and 20 uh DHHS if you look on lines 19 and 20 uh the<00:42:24.800> liquor

Keywords: LBA Briefing on Budget, 928, house, all

Summary: The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund. The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior policy analyst at DHHS for Behavioral Health, and I'm here to take any questions.
• <00:45:31.839> policy<00:45:32.280> Analyst<00:45:32.760> at<00:45:32.920> DHHS
• <00:45:33.599> for I'm a senior policy Analyst at DHHS for I'm a senior policy Analyst at
• DHHS for Behavioral<00:45:34.440> Health<00:45:34.760> and<00:45:34.960> here<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the DHHS HR website, there is a statement that DHHS has many positions eligible for telework, and
• national focus on getting government employees back into the offices, he is curious to what extent DHHS
• curious to the extent to<00:17:36.559> which<00:17:37.559> uh to which uh to which uh DHHS

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• office space that's currently occupied office space that's currently occupied by<00:26:06.960> DHHS
• by DHHS? by DHHS?
• That DHHS proposed. >> Okay.
• That that DHHS proposed. >> That's correct. That that DHHS proposed.
• And when we DHHS do place a child with a relative and they are not getting paid by us, then we do go

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened on February 13, 2026, with the chair outlining the committee’s advisory role and the possible motions available under House Rule 45. The committee then took up House Bill 1569, concerning the Philbrook Center/state hospital campus property, and heard extensive testimony from Commissioner Charlie Arlinghouse. He explained that the property is currently one parcel and state law prevents subdivision unless a separate Senate bill, identified as SB 572, is enacted to fix the legal issue. He said HB 2 directed the sale of the property but did not address subdivision or marketing details, and he characterized the $5 million revenue estimate as speculative. He also said the state would first offer the property to the city or county, which he viewed as the most practical buyer and potential partner for any subdivision work. Members asked whether the building should be retained for transitional housing or sold, what would happen after July 1, 2026, and whether other vacant state buildings could absorb the current occupants. Arlinghouse said there are no firm plans for the building if it is not sold, and that HHS would remain until a sale occurs. He described the building as not especially historic or attractive and noted plumbing issues, while also acknowledging HHS’s view that it could serve as transitional housing. He said there is no reserve stock of office space, that the state already rents substantial office space in Concord, and that some nearby state buildings are either under renovation or only partially usable. He also said the Executive Council would have to approve any sale and that moving costs are usually not budgeted in advance, leaving the using agency to absorb them. Several members raised concerns about relying on asset sales to balance the budget, citing past examples where projected real estate revenue did not materialize on schedule. Arlinghouse agreed that one-time revenue should generally be used for one-time expenses, but said the state sometimes has legitimate reasons to sell assets and that such decisions depend on the state’s needs. He estimated the state rents roughly 100,000 square feet of office space in Concord at about $25 per square foot, and said he would provide a more exact figure later. In response to a question about whether the state should include a right of first refusal if the property is later resold, he said that idea had not been considered but could make sense, especially if the buyer is the city or county. No votes were taken during this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• be a situation where, which is not directly under my control, but we collaborate with them within DHHS
• <01:07:26.760> then And then, do school districts have to do anything particularly with DHHS
• You know, through DHHS, when we look at Medicaid claims, we're only capturing a portion of the data that
• so so you<01:28:32.320> know<01:28:32.880> through you know through you know through DHHS
• when we look at Medicaid claims DHHS when we look at Medicaid claims we're<01:28:36.400> only

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• :20:59.039> should I ask, is the question that was raised should DCYF be moved offsite from DHHS
• To what degree are you funded by DHHS and to what degree are you funded by Stratford County?
• 22.240> are degree are degree are you you you funded<00:53:26.480> by<00:53:26.800> DHHS
• c> to<00:53:28.079> what<00:53:28.240> degree<00:53:28.559> are funded by DHHS
• DHS, that would be zero from DHHS. Yeah. Right. We could double that. Yeah.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with a brief update and prayer for Oscar, a person known to members, noting he was making slow but encouraging progress and awaiting transfer to rehab. The hearing then began on House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of DHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCYF costs. Representative Erica Leyon, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how DCYF resources and shared services are used, and help future discussions about staffing, funding, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely comply without additional cost and was open to adjusting the reporting date, with the department preferring December 31 instead of September 1. Committee members and the DCYF director, Marie Nunan, discussed whether the bill was duplicative of existing reporting and whether it should also include federal funding mandates. Nunan said DCYF already has many policies and reports, but does not currently produce one consolidated DCYF-specific report in this form; she also said the department believed it had the capacity to file the report and was not taking a position on the bill. Several members questioned whether the measure was necessary, while others supported transparency but suggested the information was already available or could be obtained without legislation. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, meaning it will not advance to the calendar at this time. The committee then opened House Bill 775, sponsored by Representative Jod Nelson, concerning supervised visitation centers. Nelson introduced Dr. Scott Hampton, who testified that supervised visitation is important for child safety, domestic violence prevention, and family preservation. Hampton described the history of visitation centers in New Hampshire, saying funding cuts had reduced the number of centers over time and that prior legislation had failed due to budget reductions. He argued that supervised exchanges can reduce risks such as abuse, abduction, and homicide, and said the service can prevent harm without adding cost by avoiding more serious incidents. The hearing on HB 775 was still underway at the end of the transcript, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The DHHS, in conjunction with the attorney general's office, is working through this.
• The<01:00:18.079> DHHS<01:00:19.200> in<01:00:19.520> conjunction<01:00:19.920><
• c> with<01:00:20.079> the The DHHS in conjunction with the The DHHS in conjunction with the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on January 23, 2026, to approve prior minutes and receive an update from the Department of Health and Human Services. The main presentation focused on “Project Compass,” an internal cross-department effort to prepare for changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility. Department staff said the goal is to maintain continuous coverage for eligible people, align policy, operations, communications, legal, finance, and eligibility work, and use the new integrated New HEIGHTS system to streamline implementation. They emphasized outreach to beneficiaries, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners, and said temporary manual workarounds had already been used to stay in compliance with fast-moving SNAP changes. Members questioned how the department would avoid repeating the costly outreach effort used in a prior Medicaid work-requirement rollout. Department officials said they are focusing on ex parte processes, sharing eligibility information across programs, and using community partners to reduce duplicate contacts and paperwork. They also said the department is monitoring the SNAP error rate closely, expects automation and a planned system contract amendment to help reduce it, and noted that current error rates are trending downward and remain below the national average. Questions were also raised about possible future SNAP restrictions on certain foods; the department said it can implement whatever the legislature directs, but that defining and administering such restrictions would be complex. The commissioner and CFO then outlined the department’s budget reduction plan. They said the department has begun implementing required “back of the budget” reductions for fiscal year 2026, using contract savings and not cutting existing services where possible. Examples included dental and home-visitation contracts, where spending was adjusted based on utilization and projected need. Officials said they had already written down a little over $15 million in prior-year encumbrances, but that this one-time source will not be available next year, making fiscal year 2027 more difficult. They also explained the difference between legally required back-of-budget cuts and lapse, and said staffing remains a major challenge because vacancies have increased and customer-facing service levels are strained. Dr. Jonathan Ballard then began an update on opioid overdose fatalities, presenting the latest medical examiner data and describing the long-term rise in deaths after fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply, with a peak in 2017 and a later increase in 2022. The transcript cuts off before his full presentation and any further committee action beyond discussion of the minutes and receipt of the department updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, I don't know how you'd want to handle that, but I think what you had said with links to DHHS
• 00:46:27.960> to think what you had said with links to think what you had said with links to DHHS
• > that<00:46:29.359> information<00:46:30.359> because<00:46:30.760> this DHHS
• and that information because this DHHS and that information because this bill<00:46:31.559> as

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in New Hampshire, composed of 10 medical providers from various specialties, the medical director, DHHS
• in New Hampshire, composed of 10 medical providers from various specialties, the medical director, DHHS
• in New Hampshire, composed of 10 medical providers from various specialties, the medical director, DHHS
• Again, DHHS currently can point out provider misconduct to the board of registration, and that's the
• Again, DHHS currently can point out provider misconduct to the board of registration, and that's the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed legislation requires DHHS to assign a confidential number to each health care provider and
• <03:48:07.720> to<03:48:08.040> assign<03:48:09.040> a the department uh DHHS
• to assign a the department uh DHHS to assign a confidential<03:48:10.239> number<03:48:10.720
• Fair to say DHHS has been engaging in strategies to support healthy pregnancy and early childhood and
• So if DHHS, and when they have a fiscal note, could create a portal, a system that is HIPAA compliant

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• except for DHHS, and I have that detailed out later in the presentation.
• except for DHHS, and I have that detailed out later in the presentation.
• But the rest of them are what DHHS is requesting for APNs in their direct budget.
• But the rest of them are what DHHS is requesting for APNs in their direct budget.
• is requesting for for apn's in what DHHS is requesting for for apn's in their<03:37:32.479> direct

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I said, you know, go to DHHS, find out whoever is doing not necessarily product testing, but whatever
• So I said, you know, go to DHHS, find out whoever is doing not necessarily product testing, but whatever
• this<01:59:23.599> is<01:59:24.040> and<01:59:25.040> um<01:59:25.800> DHHS
• <01:59:26.800> was so that's where this is and um DHHS was so that's where this is and um
• DHHS was kind<01:59:27.320> enough<01:59:27.599> to<01:59:27.840> provide<01:59:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting covered two main items. First, the solid waste subcommittee reviewed draft language for HB 707, focusing on landfill siting and permitting standards. Members and the Department of Environmental Services discussed replacing repeated references to “aquifer” with “drinking water well,” clarifying that aquifer is a broad term, and considering whether a statutory definition was needed. They also debated the bill’s setback and time-of-travel provisions, including the 10^-5 standard, a 1,500-foot distance, and whether the bill should rely more on performance-based criteria than prescriptive distances. Another major topic was permit denial language tied to applicants with significant histories of repeated serious violations or landfill-related litigation; the department said it already has related authority in current rules, but noted some wording was still too vague and could be tightened. No vote was taken, and the chair closed the hearing with plans to continue work later. The second item was a work session on HB 424, which would direct the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a study committee on fraudulent or untrained service animals. Several members said the problem raised by the bill was real but expressed concern that the legislature may be limited by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Others argued that a study committee would likely not produce a workable solution and might conflict with leadership’s direction to avoid unnecessary study committees. Members discussed whether the bill should be retained, amended, or instead replaced with a letter or resolution to the federal delegation. The committee appeared to lean toward ITL and possibly pursuing a letter to federal officials, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript.