Committee Summary for Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds (10/13/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:03:34.799 - 12:01:50 PM	General Working Session	Unclear

Unclear: Chairperson Information Only00:03:34.799 - 12:01:50 PM; The chairperson opens the meeting at one o'clock, notes the lack of a formal agenda, and suggests reviewing and approving the minutes from the September 27th and September 24th meetings.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:03:34.799 - 12:01:50 PM; A committee member glances at the minutes and inquires about separating funds needing attention from those that do not, confirming that this was done in the spreadsheet.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:04:50.960 - 12:03:06 PM; Discussion on the September 24th minutes notes the shorter list indicates resolutions from the previous list, specifically for administrative services which had fewer issues.
Unclear: Senator Rosenald Information Only00:04:50.960 - 12:03:06 PM; Senator Rosenald moves for approval of the minutes.
Unclear: Senator Gray Information Only00:04:50.960 - 12:03:06 PM; Senator Gray seconds the motion for approval of the minutes. The motion passes unanimously.
Unclear: Chairperson Information Only00:06:01.280 - 12:04:17 PM; The chairperson introduces the next items: a spreadsheet prepared by Representative Melamy on the outstanding status of funds, with formatting help from Jennifer, and a draft memo/report from Jennifer. Suggests browsing through the spreadsheet to address items marked with question marks.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:06:47.600 - 12:05:03 PM; Regarding the 'review next year' column in the spreadsheet, suggests highlighting funds for next year due to potential fee increases that haven't been implemented yet. Agrees to include a few such funds in the report, starting with fund 164.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:07:37.759 - 12:05:53 PM; On fund 164, notes that Dana Cole volunteered to work with them on a fund transfer to the general fund that was not properly recorded. Suggests following up next year as it may involve accounting irregularities. Confirms the presentation of the transfer was not satisfactory.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:08:27.280 - 12:06:43 PM; The committee continues reviewing the spreadsheet of funds. They decide to remove question marks on certain items, noting that one fund is revolving but numbers didn't add up, and plan to list items for further review next year. They distribute a package to Senator since Ken is absent. For item in 612, they confirm no action needed as it's already repealed and remove it from the report.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:09:44.000 - 12:08:00 PM; Discussion on increasing fees for fish and game, specifically doubling the hunting license fee from $250, which has been static for a long time. The department has been in deficit, and hunting licenses are foundational for other licenses. They consider whether to double it directly or let a bill be introduced, noting it must come from the Senate as a money bill. They decide to leave it as is, remove the question mark, and have Jennifer send a note to seek a sponsor for legislative change. They mention contacting the House chair if an opportunity arises.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:10:47.519 - 12:09:03 PM; Review of Broodstock item (page two, number 215). After speaking to Representative Spellman from Fish and Game, who supports getting rid of it, they agree to revise RSA and delete the reference, confirming it's on their list to eliminate.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:12:58.000 - 12:11:14 PM; Moving to page three on human services, nonlapsing funds (number 25). They review the explanation and decide it's okay as is, noting that fiscal approval is quicker than the governor's for emergencies like dental X-rays. They remove the question mark and update the note accordingly.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:14:08.480 - 12:12:24 PM; Discussion on the vaccine association fund. The other committee decided to keep it with provisions, including adding a study committee and slight reimbursement changes, leading to another public hearing. They remove the question mark as it's handled elsewhere.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:14:55.279 - 12:13:11 PM; Review of the lead poisoning fund. They note issues with legacy systems affecting administration, declining federal support, and revenue impacts. They decide it's not for their committee to act on, remove the question mark, and instruct Jennifer to send a note advising them to find a sponsor if they want changes.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:16:20.800 - 12:14:36 PM; On mosquitoes fund (293), inactive since 2016, they agree to get rid of it, joking about malaria unless it returns. They add it to the list for elimination.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:17:06.880 - 12:15:22 PM; Review of item 310 on independent surgical centers (Nar), federally funded since 2023 as a New Hampshire idea. Recent reports show no state money for years. They debate keeping it in case federal funds are yanked, noting its importance for monitoring ambulatory surgical centers in healthcare. They decide to keep it inactive but mark it with an asterisk, noting replacement by federal funds since 2023, and revise the spreadsheet accordingly.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:19:56.160 - 12:18:12 PM; Transition to Grants-in-Aid, specifically the JUA (Joint Underwriting Association), referencing past discussions and checking the book on page 290.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:22:06.159 - 12:20:22 PM; The committee discusses the status of a dedicated fund related to an escrow account in the treasury. They note that it cannot be deleted until the last case is completed, and there are challenges in locating people to distribute the money. Review of financials shows revenue of $77,000 last year matching expenses, with no beginning balance in 2024. They clarify that the escrow account holds the principal, and the dedicated fund acts as a transfer point for expenditures. Interest revenue continues, and funds are moved as needed under court control. The group decides to mark it as active and keep it, resolving question marks on the spreadsheet.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:27:19.440 - 12:25:35 PM; The discussion continues on the recovery monument fund, which has held an original $1,000 for five years without activity or requests. No one is inquiring about it. They propose closing it and transferring the $1,000 to fund 172, the alcohol abuse and prevention fund, which has been renamed and expanded to include gambling. The committee agrees to note this transfer in the comments.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:28:48.399 - 12:27:04 PM; The committee reviews the radiation long-term care fund (612), which became inactive after Cabbrook provided a certificate for self-decommissioning as required by federal law. It has no money remaining. They decide it is not active, should not be kept, and recommend deletion, referencing the relevant RSA. They confirm active: no, keep: no, revise: no, delete: yes.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:29:33.840 - 12:27:49 PM; Attention turns to the Matthew Elliott Trust Fund (second 167), which is inactive with $5,657 earning interest but no payouts in at least five years. Previous similar funds in 167 were resolved, but this requires probate court action. Attempts to merge it with another fund for UNH scholarships were vetoed. The group discusses options like merging with funds 120 or 122 (SUNU center), but recognizes it's a legacy trust needing judicial pronouncement. They decide to draft a letter to the Attorney General recommending probate court closure and transfer of funds to 122, noting it's unused and only generating minimal interest.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:33:07.120 - 12:31:23 PM; The committee discusses options for handling funds from the Matthew Elliott Trust if it no longer exists, suggesting sending them to unclaimed property or the state conference. They consider writing to the AG's office for guidance on reverting funds when the beneficiary entity ceases to exist, using zoning or planning examples. They emphasize needing a court order and propose suggesting this approach in correspondence to the AG.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:35:00.400 - 12:33:16 PM; The speaker notes that unclaimed property is for living persons or heirs, but here the intent was to benefit the Sonoma Youth Center, and the donor is deceased. They agree to write to the AG for a court order if needed.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:35:00.400 - 12:33:16 PM; Discussion shifts to fund 120, noting personal and special projects funds are off-book and will transfer with the CNU center, but the children's benefit fund is in the general fund budget and carries over. They remove the question mark from comments.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:36:28.880 - 12:34:44 PM; Review of fund 314 shows it's out of money with a strong deficit due to terminated revenue sources from two years ago, leading to half the previous revenue. In 2025, revenue was $200,000 against $265,000 expenses, dropping balance from $858,000 in 2024 to under $500,000. It's the medical cannabis administration fund, and they recommend HHS review for revenue changes, possibly via late bill justified by this committee's findings. They plan a letter to the department and Representative McDonald expressing concern and supporting a late bill request.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:39:56.160 - 12:38:12 PM; The committee decides not to include changes in their main bill but to note in comments that HHS should review for revenue source adjustments, possibly increasing license card fees. They suggest a House bill from an HHS member to align with their bill, and include support for late bill in the report, highlighting the balance decline from over a million to under 500,000.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:41:15.839 - 12:39:31 PM; They reiterate bringing the issue to HHS's attention without deciding on funding details, noting consistent expenses but revenue drop possibly due to a three-year permit cycle or people buying cannabis out-of-state more cheaply.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:45:12.480 - 12:43:28 PM; Moving to fund 349, state child care licensing, the budget shows it terminated. Jen confirms and questions if licensing still occurs, but notes no action needed from this committee; if any, it's for the policy committee. Anecdote about a preschool owner complaining of licensing limits to age five, creating a gap before kindergarten, indicating licensing exists. They decide it's a 'no' (remove fund), as it's already handled in the budget.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:45:12.480 - 12:43:28 PM; For fund 368, emergency fund, the funding source is public funds, but details are unclear or 'secret' based on available information.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:47:56.800 - 12:46:12 PM; The committee discusses the fund established in 2022, noting its good revenue and expenses. They decide to keep it and continue for five years, but request a better explanation on funding sources, as it's vaguely described as public funds, gifts, grants, or donations, and the round numbers suggest transfers from elsewhere. They agree to note this to the department.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:49:13.839 - 12:47:29 PM; The committee notes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board was removed from the budget and dealt with elsewhere, likely deleting language in 612. They confirm this by looking it up and decide the two question marks can be removed.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:50:40.000 - 12:48:56 PM; The committee observes a gap at the end of HHS and discusses a brand new fund from 2023. They decide to leave it and review in the next cycle, removing the review next year notation.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:51:40.000 - 12:49:56 PM; Regarding 92B, the committee notes the move of the AU but decides not to deal with it, removing it. They confirm they're okay with 92B.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:53:05.280 - 12:51:21 PM; For 113, which involves the Department of Insurance sending $6,000 to the Treasury for the fireman's association, the committee questions the ongoing bureaucratic cost for such a small amount. They've forgotten to request it twice in six years. They discuss needing legislation to repeal RSA 402:66, possibly through an interested legislator in labor or insurance committees. They decide to remove question marks and approve, but plan to mention stopping the transfers or finding direct funding, noting the costs involved.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:54:59.680 - 12:53:15 PM; The committee suggests putting a note in the comments or report for the policy committee to review direct funding requests from the firemen's association to the insurance department, avoiding double transfers via treasury.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:55:46.720 - 12:54:02 PM; The committee confirms they're not getting rid of the rainy day fund but taking it down. They note the next page is clean.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only00:57:02.000 - 12:55:18 PM; They address blanks on page 10, likely from redoing something. For the building maintenance fund, they recall issues with its economy but decide it's active, yes to keep and continue. They discuss how rents and other charges per square foot go into it, and it's used for big expenses like in the highway fund.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only01:00:28.880 - 12:58:44 PM; For the bridges house fund on page 39, established new with a $11,000 donation from disbanded friends group, no money in 2023-2024. They decide yes it's active, yes keep it, with maintenance covered in general budget.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only01:01:17.760 - 12:59:33 PM; The committee discusses uncertainties in funding for a building and parking garage project, noting the account started with 10 million, spent 4 million initially, nothing for four years, then another 4 million, leaving plenty of funds. They decide to remove question marks from the report and leave the account as is.