Home » Bill Hearings for Week of January 23, 2023

Bill Hearings for Week of January 23, 2023

  • These are the most liberty-critical hearings for the week
  • Click on the bill number to read the bill.
  • Click on the committee name to email the committee your thoughts.

Of the 167 hearings in the House, we are recommending support of 22 and opposition of 42 with 10 being of interest.
Of the 35 hearings in the Senate, we are recommending support of 0 and opposition of 0 with 3 being of interest.

Position Bill Title Committee Day Time Room State Analysis
Oppose HB633 relative to electric distribution company market share, prohibiting certain electric rate increases, and requiring enforcement against Eversource. Science, Technology and Energy Mon 1/23 1:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires that electric distribution companies shall not raise electric rates by an amount that exceeds the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index. The bill also prohibits electric distribution companies from having market share greater than 50 percent and requires the attorney general to bring an action against Eversource.
Of Interest SB102 relative to the Jones Act’s effect on New Hampshire’s heating and energy fuel market. Commerce Tue 1/24 9:45 AM SH Room 100 This bill requires the department of energy to submit a report to the legislature on the impact of the Jones Act on New Hampshire’s heating and energy fuel market.
Oppose HB487 establishing a New Hampshire farm-to-school reimbursement program. Education Tue 1/24 9:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill establishes a New Hampshire farm to school reimbursement program and makes an appropriation therefor.
Oppose HB334 relative to determination and cost of state adequate education. Education Tue 1/24 12:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill changes the calculation for the per pupil amount for grants for the opportunity for an adequate education to be 1/2 of the statewide average cost per pupil.
Oppose HB430 relative to applications for the education freedom accounts program. Education Tue 1/24 1:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill provides for applications to the education freedom account program for a child currently attending a New Hampshire public school, including a chartered public school, for a minimum of one year, or who is entering kindergarten or first grade.
Oppose HB324 relative to campaign contributions and expenditures and making an appropriation therefor. Election Law Tue 1/24 10:00 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill establishes a fund to provide campaign financing for eligible candidates for governor and executive councilor and makes an appropriation to the fund.
Of Interest SB61 relative to surface water setbacks for landfills. Energy and Natural Resources Tue 1/24 9:30 AM SH Room 103 This bill enables the department of environmental services to adopt rules relative to surface water setbacks for landfills.
Oppose HB332 relative to school building aid for eligible projects. Finance Tue 1/24 10:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill increases the amount to be appropriated by the legislature for school building aid construction and renovation projects of school districts. The bill also allocates a portion of funds to be paid for school building projects approved in prior years but which were not funded.
Oppose HB541 relative to school building aid grants and making an appropriation therefor. Finance Tue 1/24 10:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill increases the amount of school building aid grants that may be approved by the department of education per fiscal year. The bill also makes appropriations of $100 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for approved school building aid projects.
Oppose HB546 relative to the school building aid program. Finance Tue 1/24 11:00 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill requires a minimum of $50,000,000 per fiscal year to be transferred to the school building aid fund, in addition to any debt service payments, for school building aid grants.
Of Interest SB80 requiring the recording of custodial interrogations and making an appropriation therefor. Judiciary Tue 1/24 1:00 PM SH Room 100 This bill requires that custodial interrogations be recorded, establishes a fund to make grants to state law enforcement agencies to purchase equipment to enable such recordings, and makes an appropriation therefor.
Oppose SB117 relative to the definition of a “child” for the purpose of negligent storage of firearms. Judiciary Tue 1/24 1:35 PM SH Room 100 This bill changes the age of a child for the purpose of negligent storage of firearms.
Oppose HB418 relative to eliminating the rebates distributed by the energy efficiency fund. Science, Technology and Energy Tue 1/24 10:30 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill eliminates the rebate amount distributed to retail electricity ratepayers and allocates all auction proceeds to support current or future energy efficiency resource standards programs.
Oppose HB92 requiring the adoption of innovative vehicle emissions standards pursuant to section 177 of the federal Clean Air Act. Science, Technology and Energy Tue 1/24 2:00 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill requires the adoption of California Low Emission/Zero Emission vehicle standards to protect public health, enable New Hampshire automotive customers to utilize the extended emissions-specific warranty, and to enable New Hampshire automotive dealers to carry Zero Emissions Vehicles in stock. The bill also increases the inspection sticker fee and makes an appropriation to the department of environmental services to fund an additional position.
Oppose HB597 relative to race and ethnicity data on driver’s licenses, and race and ethnicity data collection. Transportation Tue 1/24 11:00 AM LOB Room 201-203 This bill adds race and ethnicity as optional information that may be included on a driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, and nondriver’s picture identification card and requires law enforcement agencies to collect such data.
Support HB650 relative to prohibiting suspension of driver’s licenses due to nonpayment of fines or fees. Transportation Tue 1/24 1:00 PM LOB Room 201-203 This bill modifies the circumstances under which a driver’s license may be suspended or revoked for nonpayment of fines, fees, or restitution; removes suspension of a driver’s license or privilege as a sentencing punishment for nonpayment of fines, fees, or restitution; and authorizes the commissioner of safety to expunge the records of individuals covered by this bill.
Support HB388 relative to number plates for motor vehicles. Transportation Tue 1/24 1:30 PM LOB Room 201-203 This bill would require private passenger vehicles to display only one number plate on the rear of the vehicle.
Support HB393 permitting a motor vehicle operator to use only a rear license plate. Transportation Tue 1/24 2:00 PM LOB Room 201-203 This bill allows all private passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles to have a single license plate on the rear.
Support HB15 relative to the rate of the business enterprise tax. Ways and Means Tue 1/24 10:00 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill reduces the rate of the business enterprise tax for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2024.
Support HB133 relative to repealing the communications services tax. Ways and Means Tue 1/24 11:00 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill repeals the communications services tax.
Oppose HB192 relative to the rate and exemptions of the interest and dividends tax. Ways and Means Tue 1/24 1:00 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill repeals the previously passed phase out of the interest and dividends tax and changes the rates and exemptions.
Support HB100 to repeal the interest and dividends tax. Ways and Means Tue 1/24 2:00 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill changes the effective date of the repeal of the interest and dividends tax.
Oppose HB531 relative to the taxation of tobacco and nicotine products. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 1/25 9:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill directs the commissioner of the department of revenue administration to annually set the tobacco and nicotine tax based on the rates charged by neighboring states, and directs the commissioner to produce a report detailing the uses of such taxes.
Oppose HB279 increasing the penalty for on-premises licensees overserving alcohol. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 1/25 9:30 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill increases the penalty for on-premises licensees overserving alcohol.
Of Interest HB612 relative to the fees for New Hampshire wine manufacturers. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 1/25 10:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill: I. Allows wine manufacturers to give a bottle as a sample under certain conditions. II. Changes the fee and tax structure on wine sold in state. III. Exempts a certain volume of wine from taxes for home use.
Support HB639 relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 1/25 1:15 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill establishes procedures for the legalization, regulation, and taxation of cannabis; the licensing and regulation of cannabis establishments; and makes appropriations therefor.
Of Interest HB544 legalizing cannabis for retail sale. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Wed 1/25 1:20 PM LOB Room 302-304 This bill: I. Legalizes the retail sale, possession, and use of cannabis for persons 21 years of age and older. II. Authorizes the liquor commission to regulate and administer the cultivation, manufacture, testing, and retail sale of cannabis statewide, and makes an appropriation therefor. III. Authorizes alternative treatment centers registered to dispense therapeutic cannabis to register, as a separate entity, to manufacture, cultivate, or transport cannabis to the state for retail sale. IV. Authorizes a municipality to enact an ordinance prohibiting or limiting the number and type of cannabis establishments that may be permitted within the municipality and regulating the time, place, and manner of operation of a cannabis establishment permitted within the municipality. V. Establishes the cannabis control fund and requires funds to be distributed to municipalities and the general fund. VI. Makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to create public media and social media campaigns to address some of the risks of cannabis use.
Oppose HB272 increasing chartered public school per pupil funding. Education Wed 1/25 9:00 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill increases the amount of the additional grant for tuition of chartered public school students paid by the state.
Oppose HB626 requiring the department of education to administer the education freedom account. Education Wed 1/25 1:00 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill changes the administration of the education freedom account program under RSA 194-F from scholarship organizations to the department of education.
Oppose HB341 establishing licensure for massage establishments. Executive Departments and Administration Wed 1/25 10:45 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill establishes licensure for massage establishments under the regulation of massage therapists by the office of professional licensure and certification.
Oppose HB105 relative to the registration of medical spas. Executive Departments and Administration Wed 1/25 11:30 AM LOB Room 306-308 This bill establishes the registration of medical spa facilities.
Oppose HB620 establishing a department of early childhood education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program. Executive Departments and Administration Wed 1/25 1:30 PM LOB Room 306-308 This bill establishes an executive branch department of early childhood education. The bill also establishes the authority for the department to design, create, and administer a 3-year high quality, community-based, mixed delivery public pre-kindergarten pilot program.
Oppose HB329 establishing an ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) registry in New Hampshire. Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Wed 1/25 1:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill establishes an ALS registry administered by the department of health and human services.
Oppose HB112 relative to tenant’s right to notification prior to the sale of a multifamily home. Judiciary Wed 1/25 9:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill requires the owner of restricted residential property to provide tenants with notice of sale of the property and an opportunity to make an offer to purchase the property.
Support HB117 relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. Judiciary Wed 1/25 9:45 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill adds the expiration of the term of the lease or tenancy if over 6 months as grounds for an eviction.
Oppose HB261 authorizing residential tenants to terminate their lease in instances of domestic violence or following a disabling illness or accident. Judiciary Wed 1/25 11:15 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill permits residential tenants to terminate their lease in instances of domestic violence or following a disabling illness or accident, and describes the written documentation required.
Oppose HB283 to limit application fees charged to prospective residential tenants. Judiciary Wed 1/25 1:00 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill limits the rental application fee and other fees charged by a landlord as part of the rental application process for a residential property.
Oppose HB340 relative to the transfer of residential property. Judiciary Wed 1/25 1:45 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill restricts the acquisition of single-family and multi-family housing to natural persons with certain exceptions. The bill requires a nonnatural person that acquires single or multi family housing within one of the specified exceptions to register and file reports with the secretary of state.
Oppose HB379 requiring that attorneys be appointed to represent indigent tenants during residential eviction proceedings and making an appropriation therefor. Judiciary Wed 1/25 2:30 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill provides that an indigent tenant shall have the right to counsel at an eviction proceeding, establishes a fund for this purpose, and makes an appropriation therefor.
Oppose HB401 relative to evictions based on the owner’s intent to renovate the property. Judiciary Wed 1/25 3:15 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill establishes certain criteria for evictions based on the landlord’s intent to renovate or remove the property from the residential housing market.
Support HB296 relative to local authority for granting driveway permits. Public Works and Highways Wed 1/25 3:00 PM LOB Room 201-203 This bill clarifies that local land use boards and not the state fire code regulate driveway access.
Oppose HB472 relative to the placement of temporary seasonal docks. Resources, Recreation and Development Wed 1/25 1:00 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill prohibits a wetlands permitting exception for temporary seasonal docks which impact any wildlife species, threatened species, or endangered species in accordance with the endangered species conservation act.
Oppose HB353 establishing an interstate compact for universal healthcare. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Thu 1/26 11:00 AM LOB Room 302-304 This bill establishes an interstate compact for universal healthcare to provide payment for providing healthcare for the citizens of New Hampshire and other member states after the date of implementation.
Of Interest HB318 eliminating bail commissioners, and relative to the release of a defendant pending trial and establishing new circuit court judge positions. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 9:00 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill eliminates bail commissioners; provides that judges shall set bail; amends the procedure for the release of a defendant pending trial; and requires the judicial branch to include in its budget funding for 3 new full-time circuit court judges.
Of Interest HB643 relative to legalizing marijuana. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 10:30 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill legalizes marijuana for persons 21 years of age and older.
Support HB581 repealing the controlled drug act and establishing a committee to study the policy and statutory changes necessary to implement the repeal. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 11:15 AM SH Room Reps Hall This bill repeals the controlled drug act effective July 1, 2025, and establishes a committee to recommend legislation to make the necessary policy and statutory changes to accompany the repeal.
Support HB473 relative to penalties for controlled drug violations. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 12:45 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill changes the penalty for certain schedule I, II, III, and IV drug offenses.
Support HB360 an act legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 1:30 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill legalizes the possession and use of cannabis for persons 21 years of age and older.
Support HB344 relative to the home cultivation of cannabis plants and the possession of certain cannabis-infused products. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 2:15 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill permits adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and certain cannabis-infused products; permits adults to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties, and to possess and process the cannabis produced from their plants at the same location; permits adults to give cannabis to other adults, provided it is not more than 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, or up to 300 mg of cannabis-infused products, or 3 immature plants; provides that smoking or vaporizing cannabis in public by an adult would be punishable by a $100 fine; provides that violations of the restrictions on cultivation would be a violation punishable by fine of up to $750; penalizes dangerous, volatile extraction; and permits adults to possess, make, and sell cannabis accessories to other adults.
Support HB328 an act legalizing certain controlled substances for persons 21 years of age or older. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 3:00 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill legalizes the possession and use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, psilocybin, and peyote for persons 21 years of age and older.
Support HB470 relative to fentanyl test strips and other drug checking equipment. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Thu 1/26 3:45 PM SH Room Reps Hall This bill amends the definition of drug paraphernalia to exclude drug checking equipment and authorizes the use of drug checking equipment.
Oppose HB436 relative to group II retirement under transition provisions in the retirement system. Executive Departments and Administration Thu 1/26 1:00 PM LOB Room 306-308 This bill adjusts the application of the minimum age, minimum years of service, and annuity multipliers in the transition provisions for group II service retirement adopted in 2011 to be applicable as of January 1, 2014 rather than January 1, 2012.
Oppose HB449 relative to the calculation of group II retirement benefits in the retirement system. Executive Departments and Administration Thu 1/26 2:00 PM LOB Room 306-308 This bill increases the service retirement and disability retirement annuity multiplier for the first 20 years of service of group II retirement system members under the transition provisions adopted in 2011.
Oppose HB525 relative to group II service retirement provisions in the retirement system. Executive Departments and Administration Thu 1/26 2:15 PM LOB Room 306-308 This bill adjusts the application of the transition provisions for group II service retirement adopted in 2011 to be applicable as of January 1, 2014 rather than January 1, 2012.
Oppose HB579 eliminating the 2011 transition provision requirements for group II retirement. Executive Departments and Administration Thu 1/26 2:30 PM LOB Room 306-308 This bill eliminates the transition provision adopted in 2011 for group II retirement system members that began service before July 1, 2011 but were not yet vested.
Oppose HB506 relative to the construction of a rail trail box tunnel on Exit 4-A in Derry and making an appropriation therefor. Finance Thu 1/26 11:30 AM LOB Room 210-211 This bill requires the department of transportation to complete the rail trail box tunnel project in Derry, makes an appropriation for the project, and establishes a criminal penalty for any person who fails to complete or impedes the progress of the project.
Oppose HB50 relative to payment by the state of a portion of retirement system contributions of political subdivision employers. Finance Thu 1/26 2:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill provides that the state shall pay 7.5 percent of contributions of retirement system employers other than the state for group I teachers and group II members.
Of Interest HB555 appropriating state general fund surplus toward the retirement system unfunded accrued liability. Finance Thu 1/26 3:00 PM LOB Room 210-211 This bill requires the transfer of 75 percent of a state biennial surplus to the reduction in the retirement system’s unfunded accrued liability.
Oppose HB469 prohibiting discrimination against tenants holding certain vouchers for purposes of renting dwellings. Judiciary Thu 1/26 9:00 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill prohibits discrimination against tenants holding certain vouchers for purposes of renting dwellings.
Oppose HB567 relative to notice of rent increases in certain residential rental property. Judiciary Thu 1/26 9:45 AM LOB Room 206-208 This bill requires a landlord of certain residential property to provide additional notice of a prospective rent increase.
Of Interest HB533 relative to public school human rights complaints. Judiciary Thu 1/26 1:00 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill allows the department of education to bring a complaint on student discriminatory practices to the state commission on human rights.
Support HB647 relative to causes of action for individual rights. Judiciary Thu 1/26 2:30 PM LOB Room 206-208 This bill establishes a cause of action against the state for violations against individual rights.
Oppose HB182 prohibiting discharge of volunteer firefighters or volunteer emergency medical technicians from other employment. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/26 10:00 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill prohibits an employer from discharging or disciplining an employee who is a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician and whose failure to report for work was due to such employee responding to an emergency.
Support HB190 relative to the duration of unemployment benefits. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/26 10:45 AM LOB Room 305-307 This bill specifies the duration of unemployment benefits based on the state’s average unemployment rate.
Oppose HB125 relative to youth employment during the school year and at night. Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Thu 1/26 3:00 PM LOB Room 305-307 This bill clarifies the number of hours a minor is permitted to work when school is in session and limits the evening hours a minor is permitted to work when school is in session.
Oppose HB483 to remove the duties of county delegations and delegate them to county commissioners. Municipal and County Government Thu 1/26 10:00 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill transfers the duties of the county delegation to the county commissioners as members of the county convention.
Oppose HB357 relative to the length of terms for Belknap county officers. Municipal and County Government Thu 1/26 10:20 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill establishes a 4-year term for the county treasurer, county sheriff, county register of deeds, and county attorney in Belknap county.
Support HB313 relative to the reductions from the default budget for official ballot town meetings. Municipal and County Government Thu 1/26 11:30 AM LOB Room 301-303 This bill alters the definition of default budget to include salary and benefit reductions which occur as a result of position turnover.
Oppose HB293 allowing a town to appropriate funds to create a town scholarship fund. Municipal and County Government Thu 1/26 2:00 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows a town to establish a scholarship fund for the benefit of town residents.
Of Interest HB294 enabling municipalities to adopt a child tax credit. Municipal and County Government Thu 1/26 2:30 PM LOB Room 301-303 This bill allows municipalities to adopt a per-child property tax credit.
Support HB498 requiring fish and game officers to obtain a warrant to conduct a search and seizure. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/27 10:45 AM LOB Room 202-204 This bill requires conservation officers to obtain a search warrant for conducting certain enforcement operations.
Support HB588 relative to the criteria for applying for parole. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/27 1:30 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill allows an eligible incarcerated person to apply for parole upon the completion of 50 percent of such person’s minimum sentence.
Oppose HB158 relative to armor piercing ammunition. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/27 2:15 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill creates a criminal penalty for the possession, manufacture, or use of armor-piercing ammunition.
Support HB503 relative to the rights afforded to a person accused of a crime. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Fri 1/27 3:00 PM LOB Room 202-204 This bill codifies certain rights of an accused person in the criminal process, increases the penalty assessment in cases involving charges related to an alcohol or controlled drug offense, and requires those penalty assessments to be used by the state crime lab.
Of Interest HB439 relative to the duty to provide an education and contracts with private schools. Education Fri 1/27 11:45 AM LOB Room 205-207 This bill repeals the authority of a school board to execute a contract with a nonsectarian private school to provide education. The bill also provides that a school board has a duty to provide an education to a pupil until the pupil reaches 22 years of age.
Of Interest HB540 relative to adequate education grant amounts for pupils receiving special education services. Education Fri 1/27 12:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill provides for categories of special education services for application to the calculation of differentiated aid in adequate education grant amounts.
Of Interest HB530 relative to withdrawal from a cooperative school district. Education Fri 1/27 1:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill clarifies the process for the vote on withdrawal from a cooperative school district.
Support HB466 relative to water bottle filling stations in schools. Education Fri 1/27 2:45 PM LOB Room 205-207 This bill repeals the state board of education’s rulemaking authority to adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to requirements for the installation of water bottle filling stations.