Committee Summary for House Finance Division III (02/20/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1750 00:05:52.238 - 9:00:49 AM	General Working Session	making a supplemental appropriation to the department of health and human services for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).	Pearson, Mark(R)[B]2025

HB1750: Representative Maureen Mooney (Chair) Information Only00:05:52.238 - 9:00:49 AM; Opened the Division 3 House Finance Work Session on HB 1750, explained procedures, rules, and options for recommendation. Noted absences and thanked covering members. Emphasized discussing in dollars rather than percentages. Introduced the chart for discussion with DHHS representatives.
HB1750: Representative Telersky Information Only00:05:52.238 - 9:00:49 AM; Noted absence of Rep. Preece and distributed his written statement for the record on HB 1750.
HB1750: Karen Hebert, Director of the Division of Economic Stability, DHHS Information Only00:05:52.238 - 9:00:49 AM; Presented alongside Nathan White on the chart showing SNAP admin costs, clarified cost allocation system maximizes federal funds, explained ratios like $0.89 daily admin cost per participant and $0.08 per dollar distributed. Noted 75,000 participants and that benefits are federal direct.
HB1750: Nathan White, Chief Financial Officer, DHHS Information Only00:05:52.238 - 9:00:49 AM; Detailed the chart, emphasized admin spend is less than $24M due to cost allocation, provided ratios, noted steady participant numbers, budgeted $31M for 2026 but likely under due to vacancies and hiring freeze, estimated spend $25-26M, explained fiscal note basis.
HB1750: Representative Nalavanko Information Only00:20:52.238 - 9:15:49 AM; Asked about historical stability of $0.08 cost ratio, participant trends (steady), and impact of vacancies on SNAP benefits (benefits not impacted, admin spend lower). Inquired about 2026 budget vs. spend, confirmed under budget due to vacancies. Later asked about error rate controllability and future penalties.
HB1750: Representative Tolarsky (Telersky) Information Only00:20:52.238 - 9:15:49 AM; Sought clarification on $24M admin costs including broader eligibility work, confirmed lower for SNAP alone. Later, during motion discussion, opposed ITL, emphasized economic impact of SNAP ($170-180M in stores), need to invest to reduce error rates, and external federal changes necessitating the bill.
HB1750: Representative Stringham Information Only00:20:52.238 - 9:15:49 AM; Asked about eligibility reaffirmation frequency (every 6 months via notification and verification). Later opposed ITL, agreed with unique circumstances due to external factors, recommended OTP to support program management and error rate improvements.
HB1750: Mr. Ripple (Fiscal Representative) Information Only00:20:52.238 - 9:15:49 AM; Explained that passing HB 1750 reduces rainy day fund balance. Clarified SB 603 codifies internal transfers for shortfall. Noted amnesty revenues go to general/education funds and rainy day, but overall revenues slightly ahead yet expenditures impact balance. Discussed SB 603 implications, potential program cuts or lapses to cover shortfall.
HB1750: Representative Weiler Oppose00:35:52.238 - 9:30:49 AM; Commented on hiring freeze and 24% vacancy rate limiting bill's impact on error rates. Raised concerns about EBT misuse for luxury/junk food, suggesting broader issues in program handling. Supported ITL implicitly in discussion.
HB1750: Representative Wallner Support00:35:52.238 - 9:30:49 AM; Asked about future error rate penalties starting 2027 (5-15% state match based on rate). Urged preparation to get below 6%. Calculated potential $7-8M cost at 7% rate. Later voted no on ITL (opposing ITL, supporting passage).
HB1750: Representative Strangem Information Only00:35:52.238 - 9:30:49 AM; Followed up on funding shortfall possibilities, asked about staff numbers (250 in field ops, 70 unfunded, 25% vacancy).
HB1750: Representative Nalavanko (continued) Information Only00:35:52.238 - 9:30:49 AM; Inquired about error rate details provided earlier, sought breakdown of controllable vs. uncontrollable errors (mostly controllable but restricted by resources). Expressed concerns on nutrition aspect, junk food abuse, and potential increasing fiscal note costs.
HB1750: Karen Hebert (continued) Information Only00:35:52.238 - 9:30:49 AM; Explained error rates mostly unintentional clerical or participant errors, processes for review, root cause analysis, and corrective actions like training/automation. Noted FY23 12.53% to FY24 7.57%, efforts to reach below 6%, and $1.1M federal grant for system enhancements.
HB1750: Nathan White (continued) Information Only01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Referred to table on cost drivers (national admin rate change 50-50 to 75-25, state share based on error rate). Emphasized investing in staff now to reduce future costs, delayed impact of staffing changes.
HB1750: Representative Telersky (continued) Support01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Suggested inviting NH Hunger Solutions input (none provided). Later moved to ITL? Wait, no: actually, another rep moved ITL, Telersky opposed it strongly.
HB1750: Unspecified Representative (mover) Oppose01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Made motion to ITL on HB 1750.
HB1750: Representative Farrington Oppose01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Seconded motion to ITL.
HB1750: Representative Stringham (continued) Support01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Opposed ITL, favored OTP for transparency and program importance.
HB1750: Representative Weiler (continued) Oppose01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Supported ITL concerns on vacancies, EBT misuse.
HB1750: Representative Nalavanko (continued) Oppose01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Raised nutrition concerns, junk food, potential fiscal note increase, Senate work on reforms costing more.
HB1750: Clerk Vote01:05:43.670 - 10:00:40 AM; Called roll on motion to ITL: 6 yes (ITL), 3 no.