Committee Summary for House Executive Departments and Administration (01/28/2025)

McGuire, Carol(Chairman)(R)[A+]2024	Sytek, John(Clerk)(R)[B]2024	Layon, Erica(V Chairman)(R)[A]2024
Schmidt, Peter(D)[CT]2024	Thibault, James(R)	Howard, Heath(D)[F]2024
Sellers, John(R)[A-]2024	Sheehan, Vanessa(R)[A]2024	de Vries, Erica(D)
Dargie, Paul(D)	Davis, Fred(D)[F]2024	Bailey, Glenn(R)[A+]2024
Pearson, Stephen(R)[B]2024	Grote, Jaci(D)[CT]2024	Long, Patrick(D)
Slottje, Jeremy(R)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB428 Not specified 00:03:06.360 - 9:16:03 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting municipal amendments to the state building code.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024
HB244 Not specified 00:39:10.640 - 9:52:07 AM	Executive Session	updating and recodifying the municipal enforcement of the building and fire code.	McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2024
HB96 Not specified 00:45:30.040 - 9:58:27 AM	Executive Session	requiring New Hampshire builders to use the 2021 Energy Building codes or a similar code that achieves equivalent or greater energy savings.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2024

HB428 Not specified: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Information Only00:03:06.360 - 9:16:03 AM; Philip Sherman presented a detailed amendment to HB 428, which involves prohibiting technical amendments to the building code but allowing administrative amendments. He walked through each section of the amendment, explaining changes such as the relocation of certain powers from RSA 4722 to 155A, the definition of 'local enforcement agency', and the alignment of model codes with state statutes. Sherman also discussed the enforcement of building codes by municipalities and the process for adopting and amending codes. He noted that the amendment would need to be reviewed and possibly edited before voting due to some discrepancies in the effective dates.
HB428 Not specified: Sean Tumi, State Fire Marshal Information Only00:29:43.600 - 9:42:40 AM; Sean Tumi provided clarification on the differences between administrative and technical amendments in the context of the fire code. He explained that administrative amendments could include local specifications like the type of keys used for fire alarm systems, while technical amendments relate to more detailed aspects like sprinkler designs. Tumi suggested that any changes to the fire code should be addressed in a more appropriate Senate bill, such as Senate Bill 94, which specifically addresses the fire code.
HB428 Not specified: Unspecified Committee Members Information Only00:36:36.680 - 9:49:33 AM; Committee members discussed the need to review the amendment further before voting. They suggested scheduling another subcommittee meeting to finalize the amendment after obtaining an official draft from the Office of Legislative Services (OS).
HB244 Not specified: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Information Only00:39:10.640 - 9:52:07 AM; Philip Sherman discussed HB 244, which aims to consolidate building code-related provisions from the RSA 67x series into RSA 155A. He emphasized that the bill was intended to be editorial and not to change existing responsibilities. Sherman suggested retaining the bill to allow more time for review and editing by various stakeholders, including the municipal association, to ensure the consolidation is done correctly.
HB244 Not specified: Unspecified Committee Members Information Only00:43:56.040 - 9:56:53 AM; The committee members agreed to recommend retaining HB 244 to allow for further review and refinement over the summer, with a vote of 5 in favor of retention.
HB96 Not specified: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Information Only00:45:30.040 - 9:58:27 AM; Philip Sherman provided technical information on the energy code review process, stating that the Building Code Review Board is starting to review the 2024 ICC codes, including the energy code. He mentioned that the review would lead to a recommendation to the legislative advisory committee by November 1st, with potential code updates by July 1, 2026. Sherman noted that the bill proposing to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code might be premature, given the ongoing review of the 2024 codes.
HB96 Not specified: Paul Beaus, Ex-President of the ASHRAE New Hampshire Organization Support00:54:20.480 - 10:07:17 AM; Paul Beaus provided information supporting the adoption of the 2021 energy code, highlighting a 15% improvement in energy efficiency and benefits to indoor air quality and building longevity due to improved vapor barriers. He presented cost analysis documents suggesting that the incremental cost would be recouped within six years, with lifetime savings significantly higher. Beaus stressed the importance of consistent codes and the health benefits associated with the new code.
HB96 Not specified: Unspecified Committee Members Information Only01:00:31.240 - 10:13:28 AM; Committee members discussed the timing of the bill, considering the ongoing review of the 2024 codes. There was a debate on whether to wait for the review's recommendations or to move forward with the 2021 code. A motion to recommend 'Ought to Pass' (OTP) was made but failed with a vote of 3-2, with concerns about the bill's timing and the need for further consideration.