The public’s business: on the New Hampshire Legislature’s agenda

Measures include Housing Appeals Board repeal, RGGI spending

Lawmakers will hear bills calling for repealing the Housing Appeals Board, allowing historical horse racing and dealing with how to spend Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds, among many other measures being considered in committees this week. Expect committee votes on increased registration fees on trucks, low-mileage vehicles, or both. The full Senate is scheduled to vote on a minimum wage bill, limits on perfluorochemicals in drinking water, and raising the income threshold for filing a BPT return.

Tuesday, Jan. 28

The Senate Energy and National Resources Committee will hold hearings:

At 9 a.m. on Senate Bill 462, which would give the state greater latitude in entering clean energy contracts, including power purchase agreements.

At 9:15 on SB 626, which would removing the fee (which can be more than $10,000) to file certain administrative petitions with the site evaluation committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold hearings:

At 9:10 a.m. on SB 649, which would take away a commercial driving license from those that refuse an blood alcohol test.

At 9:55 a.m. on SB 735, which would repeal the housing appeals board.

At 10:15 a.m. on House Bill 1649, which would also repeal the housing appeals board and give regular courts 90 days to make a decision following a court appeal

The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee will hold hearings:

At 9:30 a.m. on HB 1695, which would require trust companies to submit to background checks.

At 9:45 a.m. on HB 1109, which would require auto manufacturers to it maintains proprietary repair information for the vehicle for the dealer and purchaser.

At 10:15 a.m. on HB 1455, which would makes it an unfair insurance practice to fail to pay a repair when the work conforms to manufacturer’s procedures.

At 11:15 a.m. on HB 1476, which would prohibiting motor vehicle dealers from requiring the purchase of automobile insurance from the dealer as part of the sales contract.

At 1 p.m. on HB 1151, which would require insurers to use home replacement basis of the municipality’s assessed value of the building and cost of debris removal

At 1 p.m. on HB 1320, which would require a landlord notify a tenant that he/she doesn’t offer rental insurance and recommends that the tenant get it..

At 11 a.m. The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1646, which would define and regulates pari-mutuel pools on historical horse racing..

The House Science, Technology and Energy Committee will hold hearings:

At 11 a.m. on HB 1676, which would require the department of health and human services monitor for certain radioactive air pollutants.

At 1:30 p.m. on HB 1661, would prevent property tax exemption water and air pollution control facilities for power plants that uses fossil fuels or generates radioactive waste.

At 2:15 p.m. on HB 1496, which would spend all residential RGGI proceeds for energy efficiency, but would rebate all the commercial proceeds.

At 3 p.m. on HB 1317, would spend all resident RGGI proceeds on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with $2 million going to local government and half of what’s left going to commercial projects. 80 percent of the commercial RGGI money would be rebated.

At 11 a.m. The House Municipal and County Government Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1510, enabling municipalities to adopt a property tax exemption for qualifying accessory dwelling units.

At 11 a.m. The Senate Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing on SB 683, establishing a New Hampshire innovation program in the department of business and economic affairs

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold hearings:

At 1 p.m. on SB 686, which would require all rebates negotiated by pharmacy benefit managers be passed on consumers or offset premiums. It also requires that patients – when copays, deductibles and copayments are taken into consideration – are charged the lowest price.

At 1:15 p.m. on SB 708, which would require insurers cover nonopioid treatments for pain.

At 1:30 p.m. on SB 513, which would make it an unfair insurance practice to fail to pay a repair when the work conforms to manufacturer’s procedures.

At 1:45 p.m. on SB 710, which would regulate homeowners’ associations..

At 2:15 p.m. on SB 739, which would require insurers reimburse those getting mental health and substance use disorders from the psychiatric collaborative process.

At 2 p.m. The House Health, Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on which would allow health officers to inspect a hotel or motel if a customer complains of bed bugs.

At 10 a.m. The Resources, Recreation and Development Committee is scheduled to vote on:

• HB 1569, requiring the department of environmental services to maintain a public registry of where certain fire suppressants have been used
• HB 1603, which would establish the per and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination remediation and mitigation revolving loan program and fund.

At 11a.m. The Resources, Recreation and Development Committee is scheduled to vote on:

• HB 1649, which would increase registration fees as much as $124 on low mileage vehicles.
• HB 1650, which would increase the registration fees for all vehicles based on weight, and adjust that fee by the miles traveled.

At 1 p.m. The House Education Committee is scheduled to vote on:

• HB 1505 , which would allow college athletes to make money for commercial endorsements..

Wednesday, January 29

At 9:20 a.m. The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on SB 663, which would provide for a credit against business taxes for employers in the graduate retention incentive partnership (GRIP) program.

The House Municipal and County Government Committee will hold hearings:

At 9:30 a.m. on HB 1210, which would a property tax exemption for energy storage systems on residential property.

At 10:30 a.m. on HB 1406, which would only allow solar energy systems used to heat or cool an on-site building to be eligible for a solar energy property tax exemption.

The Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee will hold hearings:

At 9:45 a.m. on SB 560, which would prevent municipal Keno votes for five years, if it fails two years in a row.

At 10:45 a.m. on SB 562, which would allow municipalities to adopt a program for tax relief for repairs and updates of affordable older homes under the community revitalization tax relief program.

At 10 a.m. The House Science, Technology and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1481, which would expand the maximum net metering limits to 125 percent of average monthly demand.

The House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitation Services Committee will hold hearings:

At 10 a.m. on HB 1106, which would make non-compete provisions in employment contract many mental health professionals are not enforceable..

At 11 a.m. on HB 1221, which would prohibit an employer from using personal financial and credit history in employment decisions.

The House Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee will hold hearings:

At 10 a.m. on HB 1150, which would permit qualified patients visiting from out-of-state to access New Hampshire therapeutic cannabis dispensaries.

At 11 a.m. at HB 1424, which would allow therapeutic dispensaries to sell products containing CBD oil produced outside of the dispensary.

The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee will hold hearings:

At 10:45 a.m. HB 1535, which would prohibit condominiums and homeowners’ associations from prohibiting or restricting the installation or operation of a solar photovoltaic energy system

At 1 p.m. on HB 1417, which would expand the prohibition against collecting biometric data from government to private entities and individuals.

At 2 p.m. on HB 1690, which would prohibit paper billing fees.

At 10 a.m. The Municipal and County Government is scheduled to vote on:

• HB 1442, which would remove the limit on bonding for the Gunstock area commission and a limitation on water withdrawals at the ski resort.;
• HB 1631, which would require funds collected from hydro-electric generation facilities pursuant to the utility tax be distributed to the municipalities where the facility is located

Thursday, January 30

The House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings:

At 10 a.m. on HB 1120, which would require periodic water tests of rental property..

At 11 a.m. on HB 1391, which would prohibit discrimination in housing against persons with pets.

The full Senate will meet starting at 10.

Here is the what the House will be voting on:

• SB 410, which would set a state minimum wage of $10 an hour in 2020 and $12 in in 2023, and a tipped race of $7.25 an hour. The Commerce Committee passing it, 3-2
• SB 449, which would allow liquor manufacturers to offer samples at farmers markets The Commerce Committee recommended passing it, 3-2
• SB 451, which would set up an administrative hearing procedure and penalty for an employer who fails to make payment of wages or who fails to secure workers’ compensation coverage.. The Commerce Committee recommended passing it, 3-2
• SB 287, which would set maximum contaminant limits for perfluorochemicals in drinking water. The Energy Committee recommended passing it, 5-0
• SB 223, which would increase the minimum gross business income from $50,000 to $75,000 required for filing a business profits tax return. The Finance Committee recommended studying it, 4-2
• SB 510, which would crediting excess funds in the investor education fund to the FRM victim’s fund. The Ways and Means Committee recommended passing the bill, 5-0