Committee Summary for House Executive Departments and Administration (04/24/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB94 00:02:07.119 - 9:00:53 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting municipal amendments to the state building code.	McConkey, Mark(R)
SB94 00:18:00.120 - 9:16:46 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting municipal amendments to the state building code.	McConkey, Mark(R)
SB30 00:33:34.279 - 9:32:20 AM	Public Hearing	proclaiming the Virginia opossum the state marsupial of New Hampshire.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024
SB30 00:36:23.800 - 9:35:09 AM	Executive Session	proclaiming the Virginia opossum the state marsupial of New Hampshire.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024
SB95 00:46:13.200 - 9:44:59 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to youth recreation camp cabins and the state building and fire codes.	McConkey, Mark(R)
SB184 01:16:08.880 - 10:14:54 AM	Public Hearing	recognizing the second Thursday in October as children's environmental health day.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[C-]2024
SB198 01:23:18.320 - 10:22:04 AM	Public Hearing	declaring the third week in September to be New Hampshire service dog week.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB95 1748 03:01:09.359 - 11:59:55 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to youth recreation camp cabins and the state building and fire codes.	McConkey, Mark(R)
SB184 03:05:56.520 - 12:04:42 PM	Executive Session	recognizing the second Thursday in October as children's environmental health day.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[C-]2024

SB94: Peter Schmidt, Dover Ward One Support00:02:07.119 - 9:00:53 AM; Peter Schmidt introduced Senate Bill 94, emphasizing its importance as a landmark legislation for the building trades and developers. He highlighted the need for a uniform state building code to provide a level playing field across municipalities, which would help streamline processes for developers working in multiple areas. He also mentioned a similar House bill that is being amended to include the fire code and administrative amendments, suggesting that the committee retain SB94 to avoid conflicting language.
SB94: Drew Klein, Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Support00:05:39.840 - 9:04:25 AM; Drew Klein expressed support for the concept of a uniform state building code, noting its potential to improve housing affordability and development. He referenced Massachusetts and Connecticut's successful implementation of universal state building codes and suggested that a single code could help small towns save money on enforcement by sharing resources.
SB94: Sean Toomey, State Fire Marshal Support00:06:47.199 - 9:05:33 AM; Sean Toomey supported the bill with the inclusion of administrative amendments. He discussed the ongoing work on House Bill 428, which aims to incorporate fire codes. He emphasized the need for administrative amendments for transparency and effective local implementation, and noted progress in training for building and fire inspectors, although professional qualifications are not required.
SB94: Alex Katrubis, Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire Support00:12:25.440 - 9:11:11 AM; Alex Katrubis strongly supported SB94 for establishing uniformity in building codes. He argued that a standardized code would reduce confusion, lower costs, and create a predictable regulatory environment, benefiting both residential and commercial development. He acknowledged the committee's plan to retain the bill but appreciated their work on the issue.
SB94: Matt Mayberry, CEO of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association Support00:14:33.120 - 9:13:19 AM; Matt Mayberry supported SB94, stressing the need for a single state building code due to varying local codes causing confusion and inefficiency. He mentioned the economic impact of the homebuilding industry and supported the amendments made to HB428, which could help with stability, predictability, and cost reduction in home development.
SB94: Committee Members Vote00:18:00.120 - 9:16:46 AM; The committee discussed retaining SB94 to serve as a backup for the House version of the bill, which has been more extensively worked on. They unanimously voted to retain SB94, avoiding the need to consolidate two bills and ensuring they could address any unforeseen issues that might arise during further work on the House bill.
SB94: Committee Members Information Only00:21:29.600 - 9:20:15 AM; The committee members discussed the possibility of scheduling a planning meeting depending on future actions with the bill.
SB30: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support00:33:34.279 - 9:32:20 AM; Senator Fenton introduced Senate Bill 30, which aims to proclaim the Virginia Opossum as the state marsupial of New Hampshire. He shared how the idea originated from a fourth-grade class at Chesterfield School, who signed a petition in support of the bill. He highlighted the educational aspect of the bill, explaining what a marsupial is and how it can engage young students in the legislative process. He noted that the students were unable to testify in person due to their April break but had submitted written testimony. He emphasized the bipartisan and light-hearted nature of the bill, suggesting it as an opportunity to recognize the efforts of young Granite Staters.
SB30: Representative Howard Support00:36:23.800 - 9:35:09 AM; Representative Howard supported the motion to pass Senate Bill 30, describing it as a light-hearted bill that encourages youth involvement in the legislative process. He highlighted the symbolic value of designating the opossum found in New Hampshire as the state marsupial, renaming it the New Hampshire Opossum.
SB30: Representative Schmidt Support00:37:12.400 - 9:35:58 AM; Representative Schmidt shared personal anecdotes about encounters with opossums, including an incident involving a newborn opossum. He expressed support for the bill, noting its uniqueness compared to previous bills about fossils and emphasizing the educational value of discussing marsupials in schools.
SB30: Representative Lamb Support00:38:17.920 - 9:37:03 AM; Representative Lamb expressed general reluctance to support bills that do not significantly impact lives but supported SB30 for its educational potential, hoping it would lead to better understanding of marsupials among school children.
SB30: Representative Scitec Oppose00:39:05.520 - 9:37:51 AM; Representative Scitec opposed the bill, arguing that it trivializes the legislature by focusing on minor issues like state symbols instead of more significant matters such as abortion, property tax, and individual freedoms. He expressed concern over the symbolic message it sends about the legislative process and the potential for most bills to fail.
SB30: Representative Bailey Information Only00:40:11.520 - 9:38:57 AM; Representative Bailey inquired about the Latin name change for the opossum, expressing curiosity about how 'Didelphis virginiana' would be altered to reflect 'New Hampshire'. The discussion did not resolve the issue, but it was noted that 'Nova Hampshire' was not a standard Latin term.
SB95: Senator Mark McConi, Senate District Three, Freedom, New Hampshire Support00:46:13.200 - 9:44:59 AM; Senator McConi introduced Senate Bill 95, which aims to exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from the requirement of automatic sprinkler systems and from needing electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems unless these are included, in which case they must comply with state building codes. He shared his personal experience with camps and the issues arising from differing interpretations of regulations by new fire chiefs. He emphasized the collaborative effort with the fire marshal to resolve these issues and expressed confidence in the safety measures already in place at camps, including routine fire drills and supervision by counselors.
SB95: Representative Scitec Information Only00:48:34.160 - 9:47:20 AM; Representative Scitec asked about the presence of opossums at camps, acknowledging their role in controlling ticks but not sharing the same empathy for them as some others.
SB95: Representative Schmidt Information Only00:49:57.839 - 9:48:43 AM; Representative Schmidt inquired about the safety concerns in larger cabins at camps, questioning the necessity of modern amenities like electrical and plumbing systems. Senator McConi responded by describing the routine safety measures and supervision at camps, ensuring the safety of children.
SB95: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:52:19.920 - 9:51:05 AM; An unnamed representative asked about the restriction in the bill limiting new residential facilities to two stories, to which Senator McConi explained it was a compromise to address safety concerns regarding evacuation from higher floors.
SB95: Scott Brody, New Hampshire Support00:53:20.920 - 9:52:06 AM; Scott Brody, a children's summer camp director and government affairs chair for the American Camp Association, supports SB95. He explains the bill's origin from his camp's need for building classification guidance due to changes in local fire department leadership. He highlights that current building and fire codes do not specifically categorize children's summer camps, leading to inappropriate classifications like rooming houses or college dorms. Brody emphasizes the family-like setting of camps, with counselors living in mandated ratios with children, and the rigorous safety training including fire drills. He notes the impracticality of applying dorm standards, such as automatic sprinkler systems, to seasonal camp structures due to maintenance challenges and the absence of a real problem that such systems would solve. He describes his collaboration with the fire marshal to develop the bill, which includes a waiver for automatic sprinkler systems and recognizes the rudimentary nature of many camp cabins, while still addressing health and safety concerns.
SB95: Sean Tumi, State Fire Marshal, New Hampshire Support01:05:26.200 - 10:04:12 AM; Sean Tumi, the State Fire Marshal, supports SB95 and explains his collaboration with camps over the past year to prioritize safety. He discusses the challenges of installing sprinkler systems in remote, seasonal camp structures and the existing safety measures in place, such as multiple exits and smoke detectors. Tumi assures that the bill aligns with existing fire codes and does not compromise safety by modeling after current provisions. He mentions the development of a camp inspection guide to further enhance safety. He also confirms that smoking is generally prohibited near camp buildings.
SB95: Phil Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board, New Hampshire Information Only01:13:23.880 - 10:12:09 AM; Phil Sherman, chair of the Building Code Review Board, provides information on how model code requirements and the proposed statute in SB95 need to align to avoid conflicts. He suggests instructing the Building Code Review Board and the Board of Fire Control to amend their codes to reflect the bill's intent. Sherman also discusses the possibility of considering the bill as a session bill rather than a chapter bill, allowing for future legislative review and flexibility in amending the codes without losing the bill's intent.
SB184: Max Taylor, Legislative Aid to Senator Rashardi, New Hampshire Support01:16:08.880 - 10:14:54 AM; Max Taylor, legislative aid to Senator Rashardi, supports SB184, which recognizes the second Thursday in October as Children's Environmental Health Day. He explains that the bill aims to raise awareness about environmental factors affecting children's health, such as air and water quality, and encourages the governor to issue an annual proclamation for cities and towns to observe the day with educational activities. Taylor emphasizes the vulnerability of children to environmental hazards and the importance of promoting safer environments for them.
SB184: Karen Craver, Administrator of the Environmental Health Program, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Information Only01:18:39.719 - 10:17:25 AM; Karen Craver, Administrator of the Environmental Health Program at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, provides information on how her agency prioritizes children's environmental health. While not taking a position on SB184, she explains that the department recognizes National Children's Environmental Health Day through social media and encourages community action to reduce environmental exposures. Craver discusses specific concerns in New Hampshire, such as exposure to contaminants through private wells and radon, and describes various agency programs aimed at reducing children's exposure to harmful substances, including well-water testing, radon testing, and lead prevention initiatives.
SB198: Senator David Waters, District 4, New Hampshire Support01:23:18.320 - 10:22:04 AM; Senator David Waters supports SB198, which declares the third week in September as New Hampshire Service Dog Week. He highlights the significant impact of service dogs on individuals with disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life. Waters mentions the large number of adults and children in the U.S. with disabilities and the crucial role of the approximately 500,000 service dogs in assisting them. He notes that the bill was brought to him by Brendan Madden, head of the New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs, and emphasizes the educational opportunity the bill presents.
SB198: Brennan Madden, Dover, New Hampshire Support01:27:33.040 - 10:26:19 AM; Brennan Madden, from Dover, New Hampshire, and founder and chairman of the New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs, supports SB198. He discusses the historical use of service dogs since World War I and the coalition's commitment to advocacy, education, and financial support for service dog owners. Madden emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of service dogs and the need for awareness and support for those who benefit from their assistance.
SB198: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Support01:28:28.199 - 10:27:14 AM; The speaker emphasized the importance of service dogs, noting that they are recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, unlike emotional support dogs. They suggested that a Service Dog Awareness Week would help differentiate between the two types of dogs and educate the public on the beneficial services provided by service dogs.
SB95 1748: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Information Only03:01:09.359 - 11:59:55 AM; In the executive session, the speaker moved to pass Senate Bill 95 with amendment 1748, which pre-authorizes any necessary building code or fire code amendments. The amendment ensures that any changes made by the building code review board and the fire control board are incorporated into the code, making them accessible for reference. The amendment does not create chapter or session law but ensures the amendments are part of the code permanently.
SB95 1748: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Information Only03:02:06.960 - 12:00:52 PM; The speaker clarified that the amendment to Senate Bill 95 would be a one-time change by the relevant boards, after which it would be incorporated into the code. They confirmed that this amendment would not be part of the statute forever but would reside in the code as specified elsewhere.
SB95 1748: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Information Only03:03:40.479 - 12:02:26 PM; The speaker moved to pass Senate Bill 95 with amendment 120, describing it as a straightforward exemption. The motion was seconded and passed with unanimous support from the committee members present.
SB184: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Information Only03:05:56.520 - 12:04:42 PM; In the discussion on Senate Bill 184, the speaker recommended to find it inexpedient to legislate (ITL), stating that the issue is already being addressed by the relevant agency and has been recognized by a gubernatorial proclamation. The motion was seconded, with the argument that national recognition and existing efforts make the bill unnecessary.
SB184: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Information Only03:05:56.520 - 12:04:42 PM; The speaker concluded their remarks at the end of the previous session snippet, indicating that putting the issue into statute would not improve the situation and suggesting that Children's Environmental Health Day is sufficiently celebrated as is.
SB184: Representative Sitec Information Only03:06:41.800 - 12:05:27 PM; Representative Sitec expressed concerns about the impact of putting the celebration into legislation. They suggested that such a move might minimize the impact of the day and questioned the effectiveness of a governor's proclamation. They advocated for interested parties to take initiative in ensuring the day is recognized effectively rather than relying on statutory obligations.
SB184: Representative Dere Information Only03:07:55.439 - 12:06:41 PM; Representative Dere sought clarification on how enacting the bill into law would minimize the impact compared to the current situation. They expressed discomfort with voting against children's environmental health but were open to being convinced if it could be shown that the current approach is more effective.
SB184: Representative Sait Information Only03:09:00.720 - 12:07:46 PM; Representative Sait continued the discussion, emphasizing the importance of active participation by interested parties in celebrating Children's Environmental Health Day. They expressed concern that statutory requirements might lead to less effective recognition and advocated for continued activism to ensure the day is celebrated effectively.
SB184: Chair Information Only03:10:13.040 - 12:08:59 PM; The Chair concluded the discussion on SB184 by calling for a vote. The motion to find the bill inexpedient to legislate passed with unanimous consent from all present members.

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)