Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/10/2026)

Hunt, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Post, Lisa(Clerk)(R)[A]2025	Potucek, John(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Butler, Billie(D)	Salvi, Santosh(D)[CT]2025	Chourasia, Manoj(D)[F]2025
Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025	Herbert, Christopher(D)[D-]2025	Osborne, Jason(R)[A+]2025
Thackston, Dick(R)[B+]2025	Walsh, Lilli(R)[B]2025	Porcelli, Susan(R)[B]2025
Spier, Carry(D)[D-]2025	Burroughs, Anita(D)[F]2025	McAleer, Chris(D)[D-]2025
Sullivan, Jared(D)[D]2025	Miles, Julie(R)[A-]2025	Presa, Adam(R)[B]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1491 00:08:27.599 - 12:08:28 PM	General Working Session	relative to pooled risk management programs.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1744 00:12:19.360 - 12:12:20 PM	General Working Session	relative to oversight and reporting requirements for health insurance carriers regarding mental health coverage.	Hartnett, Tim(D)[F]2025
HB1056 00:14:24.560 - 12:14:25 PM	General Working Session	establishing a commission to study the impacts of reinsurance on the cost and availability of property insurance in New Hampshire.	Spier, Carry(D)[D-]2025
HB1765 2024-473h 00:28:53.840 - 12:28:54 PM	General Working Session	enabling wine and beverage manufacturers to offer tastings of and sell products of certain New Hampshire wine and beverage manufacturers.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025

HB1491: Committee Chair Information Only00:08:27.599 - 12:08:28 PM; The chair opens the session by requesting to move up discussion on HB1491 due to an upcoming Senate hearing. References prior passage of the bill last year and a letter from Primex opposing dual methodologies for risk pools, but dismisses the concern as competition benefits choice.
HB1491: Representative Spear Support00:09:50.000 - 12:09:51 PM; Representative Spear supports the bill, arguing that competition between risk pool methodologies allows municipalities to choose based on risk ownership preferences, providing a competitive advantage.
HB1491: Committee Chair Support00:10:59.760 - 12:11:00 PM; The chair moves to pass HB1491 without amendments, seconded by Representative Herbert. After a voice vote of 7-0 in favor, the bill is recommended to pass.
HB1744: Representative Miles Oppose00:12:19.360 - 12:12:20 PM; Representative Miles moves inexpedient to legislate, noting existing standing commission and prior addressing of issues like ghost networks, plus a large fiscal note.
HB1744: Committee Chair Information Only00:13:11.680 - 12:13:12 PM; The chair seconds the motion, and after no discussion, the vote is 7-0 in favor of ITL.
HB1056: Committee Chair Support00:14:24.560 - 12:14:25 PM; The chair supports interim study, emphasizing the need to address climate change impacts on insurance costs despite prior legislative restrictions on the term. Argues against ignoring global warming's financial effects and suggests studying reinsurance to understand costs.
HB1056: Representative (Unnamed) Information Only00:15:40.880 - 12:15:41 PM; Highlights insurance companies' awareness of climate change in pricing but secrecy around it, using examples like State Farm's California exit due to fires and mitigation failures.
HB1056: Representative Herbert Information Only00:17:47.200 - 12:17:48 PM; Raises concerns about electrification's insurance cost implications, referencing hydro Quebec, baby nukes, and crypto businesses' high energy use.
HB1056: Committee Chair Support00:19:12.400 - 12:19:13 PM; Notes a prior bill allowing unregulated small modular nuclear reactors, advocating for regulation due to risks with high-use facilities.
HB1056: Representative (Unnamed) Information Only00:21:38.080 - 12:21:39 PM; Questions reinsurance's role in premiums for excluded perils like floods and earthquakes, suggesting the insurance model needs review. Acknowledges global pooling effects but notes NH's low risk for some events.
HB1056: Committee Chair Information Only00:22:39.840 - 12:22:40 PM; Clarifies flood insurance via FEMA is separate, reinsurance covers hurricanes and wildfires. Counters with NH hurricane history (e.g., 1936, Bob) and current drought risks, noting 77% of homes on fire line.
HB1056: Representative (Unnamed) Oppose00:24:42.720 - 12:24:43 PM; Opposes a commission, arguing it's hard to isolate climate change from other cost factors like labor and materials. Suggests awareness is raised but study unnecessary now.
HB1056: Committee Chair Support00:25:58.240 - 12:25:59 PM; Explains reinsurance covers rebuilding costs post-disaster, connecting to premiums. Notes NH pays for events like California fires via reinsurance.
HB1056: Representative (Unnamed) Information Only00:27:01.440 - 12:27:02 PM; Suggests interim study as a vehicle for future discussions on insurance issues like hurricanes.
HB1056: Representative Spear Support00:28:04.799 - 12:28:05 PM; Moves for interim study, seconded by Representative Hunt, passed 8-0.
HB1765 2024-473h: Lieutenant Culver Support00:28:53.840 - 12:28:54 PM; Presents amendment 473 to fulfill original intent: allows small in-state beverage manufacturers (under 2500 barrels) and wine manufacturers (under 1000 cases) to offer samples of other in-state products at their facilities, promoting small business growth without out-of-state involvement.
HB1765 2024-473h: Committee Chair Information Only00:29:49.840 - 12:29:50 PM; Confirms amendment targets nano-tier manufacturers, references prior nano brewery statutes.
HB1765 2024-473h: Representative (Unnamed) Information Only00:31:18.559 - 12:31:19 PM; Notes opposition from grocers, restaurants/hotels (e.g., Mike Smers), concerned about competitive advantages over restaurants with food requirements. Limits sampling to 4oz per product.
HB1765 2024-473h: Lieutenant Culver Support00:33:37.760 - 12:33:38 PM; Emphasizes growth intent; if manufacturers expand to restaurants, they can already sell others' products. Helps small businesses in a tough market.
HB1765 2024-473h: Representative WS Support00:36:00.240 - 12:36:01 PM; Shares concerns from local producers about large manufacturers dominating; amendment's limits (e.g., production caps, aggregation for multi-facility owners) protect small businesses. References own similar amendment via AI.
HB1765 2024-473h: Representative Walsh Information Only00:37:10.400 - 12:37:11 PM; Expresses worry about large entities like Sam Adams acquiring small breweries for advantage; notes industry consolidation trends but amendment safeguards in-state focus.
HB1765 2024-473h: Committee Chair Information Only00:38:16.400 - 12:38:17 PM; Discusses beer industry struggles with oversaturation; small brewers need help. Touches on NH wine challenges, like importing NY grapes and labeling debates.
HB1765 2024-473h: Lieutenant Culver Support00:40:33.280 - 12:40:34 PM; Adds that it allows beverage manufacturers to offer wine for non-beer drinkers, sourcing from small NH winemakers, boosting revenue.
HB1765 2024-473h: Committee Chair Support00:41:37.760 - 12:41:38 PM; Moves ought to pass on amendment 473, seconded by Representative Spears, passed unanimously. Final motion to pass as amended, also unanimous.