Committee Summary for House Rules (10/21/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:01:37.040 - 11:59:54 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:01:37.040 - 11:59:54 AM; The chair calls the House Rules Committee to order and addresses the acceptance of minutes. He explains that abstentions are not allowed in the House; members must step away if they choose not to vote. The committee proceeds to vote on accepting the minutes.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:01:37.040 - 11:59:54 AM; The representative notes their absence from the previous meeting and inquires about abstaining from the vote on minutes.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:02:44.560 - 12:01:01 PM; Moves to accept the minutes.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:02:44.560 - 12:01:01 PM; Seconds the motion to accept the minutes.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:02:44.560 - 12:01:01 PM; Conducts the voice vote to accept the minutes, which passes. Introduces the next item: adoption of the house amendment to House Rule 66 regarding second-year session deadlines.
Unclear: Paul (Clerk) Information Only00:02:44.560 - 12:01:01 PM; Explains the proposed second-year session deadlines, drafted with the Senate and Office of Legislative Services, concluding on June 4th. Notes adjustments for consistency in filing times, such as signing off by 4:00 PM instead of 12:00, at the request of the Democratic office.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:03:58.560 - 12:02:15 PM; Moves to accept the amendment to House Rule 66.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:03:58.560 - 12:02:15 PM; Seconds the motion to accept the amendment.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:03:58.560 - 12:02:15 PM; Asks for discussion on the amendment and, seeing none, inquires about a roll call vote.
Unclear: Paul (Clerk) Information Only00:03:58.560 - 12:02:15 PM; Prefers a roll call vote for the amendment.
Unclear: Clerk Information Only00:03:58.560 - 12:02:15 PM; Conducts the roll call vote on the amendment, which passes 8-0.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:04:49.759 - 12:03:06 PM; Introduces the next agenda item: request for late filing and drafting by Representative Opel.
Unclear: Representative Thomas Opel, Grafton District 9 (representing Canaan, Dorchester, and Orange; Mascoma Valley Regional School District) Support00:04:49.759 - 12:03:06 PM; Requests endorsement for a waiver of House Rule 36E to reintroduce HB 503 from the 2025 session in the second year. Cites the recent New Hampshire Supreme Court decision in the Conval case (ConVal School District v. State), which reaffirms the state's constitutional duty to adequately fund public education, declares current support inadequate, and establishes a minimum base adequacy level. Argues that reintroducing HB 503 would provide revenue to meet the increased state support required, addressing both constitutional obligations and property tax relief. Notes broad public support for education funding via property taxes. Agrees to limit discussion to the waiver request without delving into the bill's merits.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:08:04.240 - 12:06:21 PM; Reminds Representative Opel to focus on the reason for late drafting without discussing the bill's subject matter.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:08:04.240 - 12:06:21 PM; Questions the appropriateness of discussing the bill's content during the waiver request.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:08:04.240 - 12:06:21 PM; Clarifies the motion is for approving late drafting and asks for discussion or a motion.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Oppose00:08:51.839 - 12:07:08 PM; Expresses concern about departing from drafting rules, even for late-arising circumstances like the court decision, as it sets a bad precedent. Suggests other vehicles exist for discussing the important issue of education funding and declines to make the motion.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Oppose00:10:00.160 - 12:08:17 PM; Agrees with the concerns about precedent, notes existing retained bills on education funding, and believes the subject can be addressed without waiving rules.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:10:56.959 - 12:09:13 PM; Thanks Representative Opel for advocating for constituents and encourages involvement in upcoming education funding bills.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:11:42.640 - 12:09:59 PM; Notes no motion was made for the waiver, so proceeds to the next item: standard motion for late drafting of majority reports from statutory or study committees. Incorporates clerk's suggestion to extend the deadline to November 7th due to November 1st falling on a Saturday.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative (Representative Weber) Information Only00:11:42.640 - 12:09:59 PM; Moves to adopt the language for late drafting of committee reports with the extended deadline.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:11:42.640 - 12:09:59 PM; Seconds the motion.
Unclear: Clerk Information Only00:11:42.640 - 12:09:59 PM; Reads the standard language for the motion and recommends extending the filing deadline to November 7th. Conducts the roll call vote, which passes unanimously.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:13:53.279 - 12:12:10 PM; Asks if there is any other business and, hearing none, calls for a motion to adjourn.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:13:53.279 - 12:12:10 PM; Moves to adjourn.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:13:53.279 - 12:12:10 PM; Seconds the motion to adjourn.
Unclear: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:13:53.279 - 12:12:10 PM; Declares the motion passes unanimously and notes the quick meeting duration.

Packard, Sherman(Chairman)(R)[Spkr]2024	Unknown,Unknown (U)	Smith, Steven(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2024
Weber, Lucy(D)[CT]2024	Ebel, Karen(D)[CT]2024	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A-]2024
Osborne, Jason(R)[A]2024	Simpson, Alexis(D)[CT]2024	Sullivan, Brian(D)[CT]2024
Kofalt, Jim(R)[A+]2024