Committee Summary for House Finance Division I (02/09/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1042 00:04:38.080 - 9:03:25 AM	Public Hearing	raising the unified contingent credit limit.	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A]2025
HB241 00:32:23.360 - 9:31:10 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to health insurance coverage of pain management services for the management of chronic pain.	Nagel, David(D)[C]2025
HB629 00:55:54.480 - 9:54:41 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) raising the cost of a boat decal fee and allocating the funds collected by such fees to the dam maintenance fund.	Leishman, Peter(D)[D-]2025
HB1411 01:24:48.800 - 10:23:35 AM	General Working Session	directing the state treasurer to withhold payments owed by the state to the federal government where the state has been deprived of federal aid as a result of presidential executive order.	Simpson, Alexis(D)[CT]2025

HB1042: State Treasurer Monica Misipelli Information Only00:04:38.080 - 9:03:25 AM; State Treasurer Monica Misipelli provides an overview of the state's debt capacity under RSA 66, noting that the state is currently utilizing approximately 65% of its capacity with about $120 million available. She explains that increasing the BFA's contingent credit limit from $200 million to $450 million would reduce future borrowing capacity to around $51.7 million, potentially impacting projects like a new prison. As a BFA board member, she supports economic development but emphasizes the mathematical impact on state liabilities without taking a position on the bill. She suggests reviewing underutilized guarantee programs like the Pease Development Authority to free up capacity.
HB1042: James K. Wallace, Executive Director of NH Business Finance Authority Support00:22:38.480 - 9:21:25 AM; James K. Wallace explains the need to increase the BFA's credit limit due to rising project costs from inflation in construction materials and labor, citing examples like a $30 million project a few years ago now costing over $70 million. The BFA has never required a state payout on guarantees and operates without taxpayer funds, with safeguards like collateral and reserves. He notes a robust pipeline of projects, including large developments, and that an increase to $450 million provides runway to avoid emergency legislative requests. He indicates flexibility, as a Senate bill proposes $400 million, and emphasizes the BFA's role in supporting economic development, jobs, and small businesses.
HB241: Representative Dave Nagel, Gilford Support00:32:23.360 - 9:31:10 AM; Representative Dave Nagel, a specialist in physical medicine, rehabilitation, pain management, and acupuncture, shares his 40-year background in treating chronic pain patients. He advocates for the bill to increase access to non-opioid therapies, drawing from his work with the NFL Players Association creating evidence-based pain management guides for athletes. The amended bill avoids a large fiscal note by focusing on informing patients and providers about existing covered benefits rather than mandating new coverage. He highlights bipartisan support, national organizations' backing, and VA pilot data showing 38% reduction in opioid use, improved quality of life, and cost savings from integrative approaches.
HB241: Michelle Heaton, Director of Life and Health, NH Insurance Department Information Only00:43:59.760 - 9:42:46 AM; Michelle Heaton provides background on the bill's evolution from mandating coverage, which would require state defrayal of costs under ACA essential health benefits, to a policy-focused approach with no fiscal impact. The bill requires health carriers to develop a program outlining covered non-opioid pain management options, reduces barriers like prior authorizations for these treatments compared to opioids, and educates on accessing existing benefits. She notes potential long-term cost savings by steering towards conservative treatments but states the fiscal impact is indeterminable, and the department takes no position.
HB629: Karen Eel, Representative, Merrimack District 7 (New London and Newbury) Support00:55:54.480 - 9:54:41 AM; Karen Eel introduces HB 629 on behalf of Representative Leechman, discussing a study committee report on dam maintenance. She notes New Hampshire's ownership of many aging dams, averaging over 100 years old, with high maintenance costs estimated at $44 million. The bill proposes raising the boat decal fee by $5 to generate $600,000-$800,000 for the dam maintenance fund, following the rejection of a shoreline fee idea. She highlights ongoing capital budget requests for dam upkeep and the risks of neglect.
HB629: Jennifer Olirri, Registration Bureau Administrator, NH DMV Information Only01:01:31.599 - 10:00:18 AM; Jennifer Olirri explains current boat decal fees, including $5 for public access, $1 for search and rescue, $4.50 for milfoil, and $5 for lake fund, totaling about $21.50 before the proposed $5 increase, representing a 25-27% rise. She clarifies that all boats, including motorized ones and ocean-based (with a $2 difference), pay these fees, with about 105,000 registrations annually. Rowboats or canoes without motors do not require registration.
HB629: Corey Clark, Chief Engineer, Dam Bureau, NH Department of Environmental Services Information Only01:03:39.280 - 10:02:26 AM; Corey Clark provides historical context on state-owned dams, acquired in the 1960s from power companies for recreational benefits, creating lakes like Sunapee and Winnipesaukee. The dam maintenance fund was established in the 1980s via hydropower leasing, but revenues have declined from 12 to 8 sites due to expiring agreements and rising costs. The 2024 study committee recommended the boat fee increase. The state owns 275 dams, needing $414 million over 50 years for renovations, with $300 million for 64 high-hazard dams. Current annual funding is $7.5 million, needing $16 million. He discusses prioritizing funds for operations, federal grants via FEMA for high-hazard dams (about $0.5-1 million yearly), dam removals for cost savings, current fund balance of $1-2 million, and 33 poor-condition high-hazard dams failing 1000-year storm criteria. A 2017 low-hazard dam failure cost $1 million to rebuild.
HB1411: Karen Eel, Representative, Merrimack District 7 (New London and Newbury) Support01:24:48.800 - 10:23:35 AM; Karen Eel introduces HB 1411 on behalf of Leader Simpson, explaining it authorizes the state treasurer to withhold state payments to the federal government if federal aid is withheld due to executive orders, addressing fiscal constraints from recent federal actions like restrictions on DES and UNH funding. She suggests interim study to explore legal alternatives, avoiding violations like withholding FICA taxes, and notes challenges in relying on federal funds.
HB1411: Representative Griffin Oppose01:26:14.080 - 10:25:01 AM; Representative Griffin strongly opposes HB 1411, arguing it could lead to criminal charges for the state treasurer by withholding federal payments like employee Medicare withholdings, which is illegal. He recommends sponsors withdraw it and try another approach.
HB1411: Committee Chair Information Only01:28:58.560 - 10:27:45 AM; The Chair questions practicalities, noting they would not withhold FICA taxes and asks about other state payments to the federal government, suggesting a study to identify options.
HB1411: Representative Wiler Information Only01:30:07.600 - 10:28:54 AM; Representative Wiler asks if sponsors recall specific instances of withheld federal funds, prompting discussion on DES Medicaid issues and UNH DEI funding, emphasizing the need to understand executive branch authority over congressional authorizations.
HB1411: Representative Rung Information Only01:34:34.080 - 10:33:21 AM; Representative Rung supports interim study and suggests including municipal impacts, like costs from a potential ICE detention center in Merrimack affecting local taxes without federal reimbursement.