The public’s business: on the NH legislative agenda for Feb. 25-27

Senate off, but House committee work continues

The New Hampshire Senate will be taking off this week along with most public school students. The full House won’t be meeting either, but some committees will be holding hearings on halting or restricting adding or expanding landfills, and even selling dogs and cats from pet stores. Committee votes are planned on allowing planes on the highways, banning private prisons and the sale of guns without locking devices, and requiring house paint manufacturers take back their paints.

Tuesday, Feb. 25

At 10 a.m., the House Education Committee is scheduled to vote on House Bill 1522, which would require all public and private institutions of higher education to develop a policy requiring the reporting all incidents of sexual assault to the local law enforcement agency.

At 1 p.m., the House Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1517, which would allow and set up inspection requirements for roadable aircraft. The committee is expected to vote on the bill on Thursday at 10 a.m.

At 1 p.m. The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to vote on:

• HB 1272, which would prohibit prison privatization
• HB 1350, which would require a locking safety device be provided for commercial firearm sales and transfers.

The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold hearings:

At 1 p.m. on HB 1630, which would increase number of dogs and cats, that may be transferred without a pet vendor license.

At 1:30 p.m. on HB 1388, which would prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in retail stores.

Thursday, Feb. 27

At 10 a.m. the House Environment and Agriculture Committee is scheduled to vote on:

• HB 1196, which would ban the use of pesticides that can or might cause cancer or that are labeled toxic to wildlife and set up an alternative pest management working group.
• HB 1208, which would require that the Materials Safety Data Sheet for a pesticide application in a residential building be made available to the owner and all occupants.
• HB 1291, which would raise the amount of gross sales necessary for an exemption from the homestead food licensure requirement from $20,000 to $35,000
• HB 1418, which would allow department of agriculture funds to be used to increase farm energy efficiency.
• HB 1570, which would require producer of paints used for the exterior and interior of houses and other buildings set up a reduction and recycling program which includes collecting paints throughout the states.
• HB 1592, would allow for the sale of products made with raw milk if it’s a direct sale from producer to consumer.
• HB 1658, which would establish a registration program for growers and producers of hemp and hemp products.
• HB 1704, which would require the Department of Environmental Services make rules about composting meat and animal products.

The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold hearings:

At 1 p.m. on HB 1422, which would establish a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new landfills or the expansion of existing landfills for the purpose of studying the creating of municipal waste districts.

At 2 p.m. on HB 1319, which would prohibit the siting of new landfills or expansions of existing landfills near state parks, national parks, or federal forest land.