Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (03/19/2025)

Hunt, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Post, Lisa(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Potucek, John(V Chairman)(R)[A]2024
Salvi, Santosh(D)	Chourasia, Manoj(D)	Ammon, Keith(R)[A+]2024
Herbert, Christopher(D)[F]2024	Osborne, Jason(R)[A]2024	Thackston, Dick(R)[B]2024
Walsh, Lilli(R)[B]2024	Porcelli, Susan(R)[A-]2024	Spier, Carry(D)[CT]2024
Burroughs, Anita(D)[CT]2024	Gibbs, Merryl(D)[CT]2024	McAleer, Chris(D)[CT]2024
Sullivan, Jared(D)[D+]2024	Miles, Julie(R)	Presa, Adam(R)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB167 00:01:15.080 - 9:01:06 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting the sale of ski, boat, and board waxes that contain intentionally added per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2024
HB275 00:04:06.079 - 9:03:57 AM	Executive Session	relative to health carrier credentialing requirements.	Flanagan, Jack(R)[B+]2020
HB276 1033H 00:08:37.159 - 9:08:28 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) establishing a liquor license where beverages, wine, and liquor can be sold without food.	Hemingway, Wayne(R)
HB310 0943H 00:18:47.120 - 9:18:38 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) establishing a commission to study the creation of a regulatory framework for stable tokens, tokenized real-world assets, and blockchain-based trusts in New Hampshire.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A+]2024
HB312 00:23:36.279 - 9:23:27 AM	Executive Session	relative to the right of intercollegiate student-athletes to earn compensation through the use of their name, image, or likeness.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
HB316 1056 00:26:39.520 - 9:26:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to reimbursement for ground ambulance services.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2024
HB359 00:45:17.920 - 9:45:08 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting denial of banking and insurance services based on any factor that is not quantitative, impartial, and risk-based as measured by an objective standard.	Corcoran, Travis(R)[A]2024
HB406 0960 00:51:00.799 - 9:50:51 AM	Executive Session	relative to the formation of fraudulent businesses.	Bay, Luz(D)[F]2024
HB427 00:53:30.440 - 9:53:21 AM	Executive Session	relative to amending the uniform commercial code.	Bernardy, JD(R)[A-]2024
HB434 00:55:46.680 - 9:55:37 AM	Executive Session	requiring a policyholder's insurance company to provide a rental car for at least 7 days after determination that the vehicle is totaled or unsafe to operate when the policyholder is not at fault for the accident.	Pearson, Stephen(R)[B]2024
HB437 0519 00:57:29.760 - 9:57:20 AM	Executive Session	providing specific curative measures for undischarged mortgages.	Boyd, Bill(R)[B]2024
HB454 01:01:04.880 - 10:00:55 AM	Executive Session	requiring that retailers of fuel blends with 15% ethanol also offer fuel blends with 10% or lower ethanol content.	Walsh, Thomas(R)[A-]2024
HB467 1084 01:04:28.920 - 10:04:19 AM	Executive Session	defining "social districts" and enabling municipalities to create social districts.	Boyd, Bill(R)[B]2024
HB496 01:19:22.880 - 10:19:13 AM	Executive Session	requiring the liquor commission to distribute certain information in liquor stores.	Turer, Eric(D)[CT]2024
HB507 0993 01:21:39.560 - 10:21:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to the timeline for credentialing of mental health care providers.	Gregg, Alicia(D)[CT]2024
HB517 649 01:24:59.199 - 10:24:50 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) repealing certain outreach and marketing requirements under the Granite State paid family leave plan.	Turcotte, Len(R)[A]2024
HB529 01:28:00.520 - 10:27:51 AM	Executive Session	relative to the liquor commission.	Grill, Jessica(D)[CT]2024
HB556 01:32:12.159 - 10:32:03 AM	Executive Session	relative to the sale of products labeled as biodegradable or compostable.	Parshall, Lucius(D)[CT]2024
HB565 01:35:39.400 - 10:35:30 AM	Executive Session	allowing persons under 21 into veterans' clubs, private clubs, and social clubs under certain conditions.	Notter, Jeanine(R)[A]2024
HB705 1090 01:37:59.880 - 10:37:50 AM	Executive Session	relative to health care cost transparency.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A+]2024
HB721 01:44:09.400 - 10:44:00 AM	Executive Session	relative to establishing gold and silver as legal tender.	Harvey-Bolia, Juliet(R)[A]2024
HB720 01:49:42.280 - 10:49:33 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting the importation and sale of live bait fish from out of state.	Long, Patrick(D)
Unclear 01:53:36.400 - 10:53:27 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

HB167: Representative Wal Support00:01:15.080 - 9:01:06 AM; Representative Wal supported the motion to pass House Bill 167, emphasizing the importance of keeping PFAS and related fluorocarbons out of water. She mentioned that the bill addresses the banning of wax, similar to previous legislation, which targets products already off the market, reinforcing the state's commitment to preventing harmful substances from entering New Hampshire.
HB275: Representative Buroughs Oppose00:04:06.079 - 9:03:57 AM; Representative Buroughs moved for the bill to be found inexpedient to legislate, explaining that the bill aimed to require insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal law but communicated through insurance companies. She argued that this was inappropriate and unnecessary, as the specific training was not specified in the bill.
HB276 1033H: Unspecified Information Only00:08:37.159 - 9:08:28 AM; The session involved a motion to reconsider the previous action on House Bill 276, which had been deemed inexpedient to legislate. The discussion then moved to consider an amendment, 1033H, related to retaining certain aspects of the bill. The process involved voting to reconsider the inexpedient to legislate motion and then voting on the amendment.
HB276 1033H: Unspecified Vote00:08:37.159 - 9:08:28 AM; The speaker concluded the previous discussion and moved into voting on the ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) motion for HB276. The vote resulted in a unanimous decision to reject the ITL motion with a vote of 15-0.
HB276 1033H: Unspecified Vote00:11:59.399 - 9:11:50 AM; The committee proceeded to vote on amendment 1033H to HB276, which proposes the creation of a Tavern license. This license would require patrons to be over 21 years of age and would impose a higher license fee without a food requirement. The amendment was passed unanimously with a vote of 15-0.
HB276 1033H: Unspecified Vote00:14:18.279 - 9:14:09 AM; Following the approval of amendment 1033H, the committee voted on the motion to pass HB276 as amended. The motion passed with a vote of 14-1, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.
HB310 0943H: Representative Ammon Vote00:18:47.120 - 9:18:38 AM; Representative Ammon moved to pass amendment 0943H to HB310, which includes the addition of blockchain-based trusts to the commission's charge and addresses privacy concerns and environmental protection. The amendment was seconded by Representative Pusk.
HB310 0943H: Unspecified Vote00:19:54.400 - 9:19:45 AM; The committee voted on amendment 0943H to HB310. The amendment was passed with a vote, though the exact count was not specified in the transcript provided.
HB310 0943H: Unspecified Vote00:21:29.360 - 9:21:20 AM; The vote on House Bill 310 with amendment 0943H was carried out with a result of 16 to 0 in favor of passing the bill as amended. The motion to pass as amended was moved by Representative Ammon and seconded by Representative Burrows. There was no discussion on the motion.
HB312: Representative Pressa Information Only00:23:36.279 - 9:23:27 AM; Representative Pressa moved to retain House Bill 312, stating that the bill is not ready for prime time due to ongoing discussions and uncertainties within the NCAA regarding athlete compensation through their name, image, and likeness. The retention was deemed necessary to avoid premature decisions.
HB316 1056: Representative Miles Support00:26:39.520 - 9:26:30 AM; Representative Miles presented amendment 1056 to House Bill 316, which maintains the original study commission from the bill. The amendment addresses the closure of ambulance services, such as the recent announcement by Berlin Ambulance Service, and aims to study all payers and potentially support a 325% reimbursement rate. The amendment also proposes to ensure payment for ambulance services even when patients waive off treatment, addressing balance billing concerns.
HB316 1056: Representative Gibbs Oppose00:32:41.799 - 9:32:32 AM; Representative Gibbs expressed concerns about the amendment, preferring the original HB316 over the amendment. They argued for immediate relief for ambulance providers rather than setting up a commission that delays action. They mentioned a conversation with Senator McDonut indicating Senate support for another bill, HB725, over the original HB316.
HB316 1056: Unspecified Vote00:37:03.800 - 9:36:54 AM; The vote on amendment 1056 to House Bill 316 resulted in 14 votes against and 2 votes in favor. There was a clarification on voting and the final count was adjusted to 15 to 1 against the amendment. The discussion revolved around the implications of the amendment on the reimbursement rates and the establishment of a study commission.
HB316 1056: Representative Teresa Oppose00:41:15.119 - 9:41:06 AM; Representative Teresa expressed her opposition to HB316, stating that the bill does not adequately address the needs of ambulance services and the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs. She argued that the bill, which proposes a reimbursement rate of up to 200% of the Medicare rate, falls short of the requested 225% and could lead to increased local property taxes or reduced ambulance services. She believes the bill is counterproductive and urged the committee to vote against it.
HB359: Unspecified Information Only00:45:17.920 - 9:45:08 AM; The committee discussed HB359, which aims to prohibit the denial of banking and insurance services based on non-quantitative factors. The decision was made to retain the bill due to its complexity and the need for further review. The sponsor is satisfied with retaining the bill, and it was noted that the issue is also being addressed at the federal level. The committee plans to revisit the bill in September and invite public testimony to further understand the implications, particularly regarding government interference in business practices.
HB406 0960: Representative Mulier Support00:51:00.799 - 9:50:51 AM; Representative Mulier supported the amendment to HB406, which aims to prevent fraudulent businesses from entering New Hampshire by requiring businesses to have a physical address. He highlighted the importance of the bill in combating potential fraud, such as businesses seeking loans under false pretenses, and recommended passing the amendment and the bill as amended.
HB427: Unspecified Information Only00:53:30.440 - 9:53:21 AM; The committee discussed retaining HB427, which proposes amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code. There was a consensus that retaining the bill would allow for continued conversation and learning about the Uniform Commercial Code, despite doubts about the bill's future. The decision to retain was seen as supportive of the sponsor's interest in the issue.
HB434: Representative Cole Oppose00:55:46.680 - 9:55:37 AM; Representative Cole moved to recommend HB434 as inexpedient to legislate, arguing that mandating a minimum of seven days for rental car coverage removes flexibility from insurance companies and could lead to higher premiums. He emphasized that insurance companies should evaluate claims individually and determine appropriate coverage lengths based on specific circumstances.
HB437 0519: Unspecified Support00:57:29.760 - 9:57:20 AM; The committee discussed HB437, which aims to provide automatic discharge of undischarged mortgages after five years. The amendment was described as minor, and the bill was seen as beneficial for streamlining title work and reducing paperwork. The committee voted to pass the amendment and the bill as amended, noting that similar measures have been successful in Massachusetts.
HB454: Unspecified Information Only01:01:04.880 - 10:00:55 AM; The committee discussed retaining HB454, which deals with ethanol gas and cross-state lines for sales tax. The decision to retain was based on the need to keep the issue alive in case it becomes problematic in the future, similar to past committee actions on related issues. The bill is seen as a vehicle to monitor potential issues with ethanol gas mandates.
HB467 1084: Representative Walsh Support01:04:28.920 - 10:04:19 AM; Representative Walsh supported HB467, which allows municipalities to create social districts where public drinking is permitted. He highlighted the success of similar districts in other states and the potential for economic development. The amendment changes how municipal governance votes on the creation of such districts.
HB467 1084: Unspecified Oppose01:07:15.880 - 10:07:06 AM; An unspecified representative opposed HB467, arguing that allowing open containers of alcohol in public spaces could lead to increased crime, public safety concerns, and negative impacts on families and children. They expressed concerns about the potential for minors to access alcohol and the additional costs for law enforcement.
HB467 1084: Representative Ammon Support01:11:07.239 - 10:10:58 AM; Representative Ammon supported HB467, emphasizing that social districts could normalize adult drinking in a controlled environment and provide economic benefits to towns. He believed that municipalities should have the autonomy to decide on such initiatives, which could enhance community events and revitalize downtown areas.
HB467 1084: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:13:00.280 - 10:12:51 AM; The speaker discusses the event 'Dairy after Dark,' which has been running for eight years and is known in the beer industry as the best in the state. It is an adult-only event that lasts approximately six hours and has had zero arrests by the police. The speaker suggests that some cities have already experimented with similar concepts.
HB467 1084: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:13:55.600 - 10:13:46 AM; The speaker addresses concerns about children being exposed to alcohol at social district events. They share a personal experience of taking their children to a wine tour, which the children found boring. The speaker expresses confidence in parents' ability to decide whether such events are appropriate for their children and argues that exposure to alcohol in controlled settings, like restaurants, is not as harmful as it may seem.
HB467 1084: Unknown Speaker Oppose01:15:07.480 - 10:14:58 AM; The speaker opposes the social districting concept, arguing that events like 'Dairy after Dark' work well because they are annual events that people look forward to. They contrast this with the proposed social districting, which would allow drinking in public spaces on a regular basis. The speaker believes this could negatively impact families and businesses, as it would not be limited to adults-only events.
HB496: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:19:22.880 - 10:19:13 AM; The speaker mentions that the same bill was considered the previous year, and although it was thought to be resolved, the sponsor was not satisfied. The motion is made to find the bill inexpedient to legislate.
HB507 0993: Representative Miles Support01:21:39.560 - 10:21:30 AM; Representative Miles supports the bill, which aims to reduce the timeline for credentialing mental health providers to 30 days once the application is received by the department. The bill does not change the credentialing requirements but focuses on speeding up the process to improve access to mental health care and reduce delays for providers joining insurance networks.
HB517 649: Representative Ammon Support01:24:59.199 - 10:24:50 AM; Representative Ammon supports the amendment, which does not repeal the Paid Family Leave program but removes the marketing budget. He argues that since the program is now running, taxpayer funds should not be used to market an insurance product that a private company can market on its own, thereby saving taxpayer money.
HB517 649: Representative Gibbs Support01:25:54.520 - 10:25:45 AM; Representative Gibbs expresses satisfaction that the insurance company will handle the marketing, indicating support for the amendment.
HB529: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:28:00.520 - 10:27:51 AM; The speaker discusses the complexity of the bill, mentioning that it contains many elements, some of which have been passed in previous years. The motion is made to retain the bill for further consideration.
HB556: Unknown Speaker Oppose01:32:12.159 - 10:32:03 AM; The speaker argues against the bill, highlighting the difficulty in enforcing whether a product is truly biodegradable or compostable. The motion is made to find the bill inexpedient to legislate due to enforcement issues.
HB565: Representative Burrows Support01:35:39.400 - 10:35:30 AM; Representative Burrows initially supported the bill but was swayed by testimony regarding the impact of smoke on a child at a VFW. They now support retaining the bill to explore solutions that could mitigate such issues.
HB565: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:36:36.040 - 10:36:27 AM; The speaker discusses the complexity of allowing children in veterans clubs, noting the public room option and the challenges posed by smoke exposure. They support retaining the bill to address these concerns.
HB705 1090: Unknown Speaker Support01:37:59.880 - 10:37:50 AM; The speaker supports the amendment, which changes the applicability date to be contingent on rules established by a presidential executive order requiring insurance companies to be transparent with their data. The bill aims to standardize the format of insurance data for the insurance department and make it accessible to the public to enhance healthcare industry transparency.
HB705 1090: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:41:57.560 - 10:41:48 AM; The speaker discussed the confusion and efforts to understand the issue with the bill. The insurance department is eager to resolve the issue and has requested the committee to retain the bill. A motion to retain was made.
HB721: Representative M Information Only01:44:09.400 - 10:44:00 AM; Representative M moved to retain the bill, noting the recent increase in gold prices and the constitutional basis for gold and silver as legal tender. They suggested retaining the bill to explore business use cases and bartering implications in New Hampshire.
HB721: Representative Gibbs Oppose01:45:25.599 - 10:45:16 AM; Representative Gibbs opposed the retention of the bill, arguing that it brings up unrealistic possibilities and should not be considered further.
HB721: Representative Speer Information Only01:46:35.080 - 10:46:26 AM; Representative Speer disagreed with the notion that the dollar is based on air, emphasizing the full faith and credit of the United States. They mentioned the availability of detailed financial data from the Federal Reserve, suggesting transparency in federal spending.
HB720: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:49:42.280 - 10:49:33 AM; The speaker recommended retaining HB720 to have a vehicle for potential future legislative action, especially in light of developments with another related bill. A motion to retain was made and passed.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:53:36.400 - 10:53:27 AM; The speaker discussed the committee's schedule, noting that Senate bills would not be taken up until after crossover on April 10th. They mentioned a potential meeting on April 15th, but due to travel plans, the next meeting might be pushed to April 22nd. They also mentioned a policy on the Senate side called 'The Hunt revenge' and discussed the implications for House Bill 2, which can have non-germane amendments added to it.