Warning: Bill numbers and names are based on text-to-speech transcript which may have errors due to transcription issues or ad hoc/incomplete language use by committee.
Called Representative Germano to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and confirmed the amendment includes definitions for pet vendor foster home and pet vendor facility.
Unclear 2026-1647h, 2026-1493h
Support00:18:59.750 - 10:17:10 AM
Explained amendment 2026-1647h corrects the last reference to RSA, confirmed with Commissioner Jasper. Noted another amendment 2026-1493h for corrections. Plans to combine into one amendment after adoption and include in committee report.
Unclear 2026-1647h, 2026-1493h
Information Only00:38:50.776 - 10:37:01 AM
Confirmed the process of combining amendments and including the new number in the committee report. Noted two paragraphs with typos or references fixed by the amendments.
Unclear 2026-1647h, 2026-1493h
Support00:38:50.776 - 10:37:01 AM
Agreed to adopt (exact) the amendments today to align the corrections properly.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only00:55:29.233 - 10:53:40 AM
Introduced HB 1153 and noted Senate change to quorum from four to three members.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Support00:55:29.233 - 10:53:40 AM
Acknowledged the quorum change was discussed in hearing but missed in amendment, likely due to focus on other parts like licensing fees. Glad Senate caught it and recommends concurring.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Support00:55:29.233 - 10:53:40 AM
Agreed to concur on the Senate amendment.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only00:55:29.233 - 10:53:40 AM
Asked about process for concurring bills coming to House floor, whether voice vote or consent calendar.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only00:56:36.164 - 10:54:47 AM
Explained bills come to floor for vote on concur motion, possibly on consent calendar, with chair explaining briefly.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only00:57:43.738 - 10:55:54 AM
Described typical process: Paul reads title, chair explains Senate change and recommends concur, voice vote. If opposed, can speak against; if disagree, may need committee of conference.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only00:59:00.144 - 10:57:11 AM
Asked for update on guardian dog constituent from previous hearing, possibly Representative Schomburg's.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only00:59:00.144 - 10:57:11 AM
Believed it was Representative Schomburg's constituent.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Support01:00:19.024 - 10:58:30 AM
Explained the changes reduce gray area for guardian dogs by defining them in statute for agricultural/livestock protection in rural settings, aiding law enforcement and dog wardens. Noted law enforcement testified in Senate supporting the amendment.
HB1153 Senate amendment on quorum
Information Only01:01:05.224 - 10:59:16 AM
Confirmed law enforcement wanted the amendment.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Information Only01:01:05.224 - 10:59:16 AM
Introduced HB 1013, the pig scramble bill, and explained Senate changes: removed section on Department of Agriculture adopting rules with penalties, but kept best practices list for fair organizers.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Information Only01:01:05.224 - 10:59:16 AM
Attended Senate hearing; Commissioner testified to remove rules section as he doesn't want to police events, and existing animal cruelty statutes cover inhumane treatment. Reportable to law enforcement.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:03:44.784 - 11:01:55 AM
Okay with the change; if issues arise in future despite best practices, punitive measures could be added later.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:03:44.784 - 11:01:55 AM
Agreed with the assessment and thinking on the Senate changes.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:04:30.584 - 11:02:41 AM
Representative Potenza expresses agreement with the amendment, inquires about the timeframe for best practices to be published before the 2027 fair season, and encourages reporting of any improper activities to law enforcement.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:05:56.424 - 11:04:07 AM
Representative Compton emphasizes the importance of the guidelines for handling pigs, release, capture, and transport, noting that while 2026 might be late due to fair planning cycles starting earlier, the best practices are crucial.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Oppose01:07:20.489 - 11:05:31 AM
Representative Germano expresses disappointment over the removal of punitive measures, highlighting that violations may not reach animal cruelty levels and that local law enforcement may lack training, though best practices will help.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:07:20.489 - 11:05:31 AM
Representative Scully supports publishing best practices to set public expectations and leverage the court of public opinion for self-regulation at fairs.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:08:28.209 - 11:06:39 AM
Representative Minor agrees with Scully, arguing that monetary penalties are impractical due to enforcement issues and unlikely to be applied by fair organizers.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:08:28.209 - 11:06:39 AM
Representative Germano agrees with the removal of monetary penalties but notes that future participation bans could be appropriate, and existing organizational best practices should already address issues if self-policing worked.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:09:30.169 - 11:07:41 AM
Representative Bixby supports removing additional penalties, stating that publishing best practices will incentivize compliance, and if needed, further legislation can address gaps between best practices and animal cruelty.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Information Only01:10:18.529 - 11:08:29 AM
The Chair reminds the committee that the bill takes effect upon passage, DAME will work on best practices for 2027, encourages public reporting of abuse, and suggests organizations like Farm Bureau publicize proper practices.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:10:18.529 - 11:08:29 AM
Representative Potenza agrees, expresses shock at poor practices like using plastic bags for baby pigs, suggests interim basic guidelines before 2027, and reiterates 'if you see something, say something', noting only two problematic fairs.
HB1013 Senate amendment removing rules and penalties
Support01:12:40.129 - 11:10:51 AM
The Chair recommends concurring with the amendment and suggests the Department of Agriculture could publish an article on best practices in their bulletin.
Unclear
Oppose01:23:16.142 - 11:21:27 AM
The speaker notes a fiscal note issue and quotes the Governor's office stating strong opposition from the commission on humane treatment of animals, arguing the bill ends the relationship between local law enforcement and animal welfare organizations in favor of an unequipped state solution.
Unclear
Oppose01:23:16.142 - 11:21:27 AM
The response counters that the statement is not true and emphasizes combating the paragraph, noting no fiscal note needed with the Senate changes.
Unclear
Information Only01:24:34.822 - 11:22:45 AM
Representative Bixby circles back to the concept of 'duly licensed humane society', explaining that their licenses are for pet vendors and livestock dealers, not humane societies, which could constitute lying rather than misrepresentation.
Unclear
Information Only01:25:23.442 - 11:23:34 AM
The Chair decides to wait for the Senate message on the bill for next week's discussion and inquires if Senator Pearl can influence the Governor's office.
Unclear
Information Only01:26:08.682 - 11:24:19 AM
A representative notes texting Senator Pearl, who will try to speak to the Governor's office about the bill.
Unclear
Information Only01:26:08.682 - 11:24:19 AM
The representative clarifies that the Governor's commission vote to oppose was not unanimous, with some members close to the Governor.
HB1511 Senate amendment adding New Hampshire Day at the Big E
Support01:26:08.682 - 11:24:19 AM
The Chair introduces HB 1511, noting the Senate added making the second Thursday of September New Hampshire Day at the Big E, which did not pass the House but the Chair is willing to concur.
HB1511 Senate amendment adding New Hampshire Day at the Big E
Support01:27:22.682 - 11:25:33 AM
Representative Compton agrees the amendment makes sense for automatic recognition without annual proclamations.
HB1511 Senate amendment adding New Hampshire Day at the Big E
Support01:27:22.682 - 11:25:33 AM
Representative Howard states it would bring good PR to the Ag in the Classroom bill.
HB1511 Senate amendment adding New Hampshire Day at the Big E
Support01:27:22.682 - 11:25:33 AM
Representative Potenza agrees with Howard, notes voting for it in the House, and questions why it didn't pass initially.
HB1511 Senate amendment adding New Hampshire Day at the Big E
Support01:28:25.182 - 11:26:36 AM
Emphasized the importance of recognizing New Hampshire at the Big E fair, noting that without it, the state loses recognition. Described the amendment as a win-win and expressed full agreement with the change, glad that the committee can concur after it was rejected elsewhere.
HB1275 Senate amendment exempting military products
Support01:28:25.182 - 11:26:36 AM
Introduced the Senate amendment to HB 1275, which exempts PFAS-containing products used by the military from the state's upcoming ban starting in 2027 or 2028. Noted the amendment was requested by BIA without a hearing but deemed germane by the Senate, and confirmed with legal counsel that the committee can choose to concur.
HB1275 Senate amendment exempting military products
Support01:29:44.722 - 11:27:55 AM
Explained understanding of the amendment to exempt military-related PFAS products and expressed being okay with the change.
HB1275 Senate amendment exempting military products
Support01:31:07.942 - 11:29:18 AM
Reviewed the amendment language, noting its connection to federal and international standards regulating PFAS products, which prevents state-federal conflict. Concluded that the exemption is not problematic and supports the amendment.
HB1275 Senate amendment exempting military products
Vote01:50:20.493 - 11:48:31 AM
Motion for Ought to Pass as Amended (OTPA) made and seconded by Representative Germana. No discussion. Roll call conducted, with all 13 members voting yes (Vice Chairman Barber, Representative Comtois, Representative Kenney, Representative Potenza, Clerk, Representative Scully, Representative Miner, Ranking Member Bixby, Representative Germana, Representative Haskins, Representative Howard, Representative Gruber, Chairwoman Erin). Motion passes unanimously. Placed on consent calendar. Executive session closed for the bill.
Unclear
Information Only01:51:48.613 - 11:49:59 AM
Commented on polling the Senate regarding their handling of a potential veto for bills like 1766, suggesting a mechanism to gauge positions from both sides of the aisle.
Unclear
Information Only01:51:48.613 - 11:49:59 AM
Responded that the question about potential veto has been posed to Senator Pearl and is awaiting a response.
Unclear
Information Only01:52:56.893 - 11:51:07 AM
Expressed interest in field trips to the Wheeler Braider waste-to-energy plant north of Concord and the Farm Museum. Offered to coordinate dates with contacts, including Representative Ebel for Solid Waste Working Group information, and poll the committee for availability before the end of the session.
Unclear
Information Only01:54:02.050 - 11:52:13 AM
Discussed logistics for the field trip, including location in Manchester, preferred timing before summer due to mileage issues, potential dates like next Tuesday despite short notice, and alternative lunch plans at places like Barley House or 90 Low for a farm-to-table experience in Concord.