Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (01/23/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB50 00:03:04.159 - 8:31:40 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
SB52 00:33:21.240 - 9:01:57 AM	Public Hearing	relative to default provisions in New Hampshire trusts.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB55 00:42:13.960 - 9:10:49 AM	Public Hearing	providing temporary exemptions from the land use change tax for qualifying housing projects.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB66 01:17:39.679 - 9:46:15 AM	Public Hearing	relative to third-party veterans' claims assistance and protection.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB67 01:42:38.159 - 10:11:14 AM	Public Hearing	relative to workers' compensation and resolution of payment disputes.	McGough, Tim(R)

SB50: Ruth Ward, Senate District 8 Information Only00:03:04.159 - 8:31:40 AM; Senator Ward introduced Senate Bill 50, which proposes the establishment of a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. The committee's tasks would include reviewing current laws, identifying how facilities are licensed, reporting incidents involving harmed, lost, or killed animals, identifying gaps in regulations, and soliciting relevant testimony. The bill was motivated by a constituent's experience of losing their dog at a boarding facility.
SB50: Patricia Morris, UNH Law, Governor's Commission for the Humane Treatment of Animals Support00:04:36.160 - 8:33:12 AM; Patricia Morris, an animal law expert, supports Senate Bill 50. She highlighted her experience in handling cases involving animal deaths and significant veterinary bills due to diseases spread in boarding facilities. Morris emphasized the economic impact of the pet industry in New Hampshire and the necessity of regulation to prevent incidents like those she has dealt with. She advocated for stakeholder involvement and oversight to ensure animal safety and public health.
SB50: Karen Scott, New Boston Support00:09:13.440 - 8:37:49 AM; Karen Scott from New Boston shared her personal experiences with pet boarding, including a case where her dog contracted a respiratory virus leading to significant vet bills. She supports Senate Bill 50, emphasizing the need for regulation to ensure the safety and well-being of pets, which she considers family members. Scott also mentioned her advocacy work for pet CPR and first aid, reinforcing her stance on improving care standards in boarding facilities.
SB50: Marcus Gilbert, New Hampshire Support00:13:19.920 - 8:41:55 AM; Marcus Gilbert shared the tragic story of his missing dog, Cash, which disappeared from a boarding facility. He supports Senate Bill 50, urging for regulation to prevent similar incidents. Gilbert detailed the lack of accountability and transparency from the kennel, and the absence of any recourse due to the facility's private status. He emphasized the need for licensing and oversight to protect pet owners and their animals.
SB50: Kurt Aronberg, Humane Society of the United States Support00:23:20.440 - 8:51:56 AM; Kurt Aronberg, representing the Humane Society of the United States, expressed support for Senate Bill 50. He suggested that the committee include experts in animal welfare and highlighted the necessity of improving state laws to better protect animals. Aronberg appreciated the efforts to address the issue and advocated for the bill's passage.
SB50: Unnamed Speaker, New Boston Support00:24:56.360 - 8:53:32 AM; The unnamed speaker from New Boston, who previously ran a dog rescue and now operates a small boarding facility, supports Senate Bill 50. They discussed the lack of regulation and oversight for boarding facilities, contrasting it with the requirements for pet vendors. The speaker advocated for some level of oversight to prevent incidents and ensure pet safety, suggesting aspects like insurance, training, and incident reporting be considered.
SB52: Grant Bossy, Deputy Chief of Staff for the New Hampshire Senate Information Only00:33:21.240 - 9:01:57 AM; Grant Bossy introduced Senate Bill 52 on behalf of the chairman. The bill aims to update the New Hampshire trust code by addressing default safe harbor provisions, aligning tax savings clauses with IRS rules, clarifying the obligations of fiduciaries with discretionary powers, and eliminating duplicative language. Bossy emphasized the importance of maintaining New Hampshire's status as a leading jurisdiction for establishing trusts.
SB52: Glenn Perlo, Jordan Park Trust Company, President of the New Hampshire Trust Council Support00:35:38.400 - 9:04:14 AM; Glenn Perlo from Jordan Park Trust Company and the New Hampshire Trust Council supported Senate Bill 52. He highlighted the significance of the trust industry in New Hampshire, which manages over $1.6 trillion in assets. Perlo explained the importance of the default tax savings clauses as a backstop for inadvertent omissions in trust documents, ensuring alignment with IRS requirements. He suggested further review of the trust code in the future to maintain its integrity and effectiveness.
SB52: Heather, Subject Matter Expert Support00:37:15.760 - 9:05:51 AM; Heather, a subject matter expert, supported Senate Bill 52. She discussed the committee's consideration of using 'fiduciary' in the bill and the potential for future revisions to the trust code. Heather emphasized the importance of the tax savings clauses and the need to ensure they meet IRS standards, while also addressing the division of roles among fiduciaries in modern trusts.
SB52: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:40:36.280 - 9:09:12 AM; The speaker, likely a committee member, asked Heather, a Subject Matter Expert, about the potential impacts of the proposed statute on small or family trusts. Heather clarified that the statute primarily deals with the exclusion of assets from a beneficiary's estate for estate tax purposes. She noted that small trusts would generally be minimally impacted, and the proposed language is designed to protect small trusts by filling in gaps where specific language might be missing in the trust documents, particularly in cases where distributions are made inadvertently.
SB55: Senator Tim Lang, Senate District Two Support00:42:13.960 - 9:10:49 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 55, which proposes a temporary exemption from a penalty tax associated with land development in New Hampshire. He highlighted the state's housing crisis and explained that the bill aims to encourage development by waiving the penalty tax for developers building at least 20 units of housing. He noted that this would be a short-term measure to address the housing shortage and emphasized that it does not override local planning and zoning laws. Senator Lang also mentioned the significant amount of land currently in use in New Hampshire, which is subject to this tax when taken out of current use for development.
SB55: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:45:01.760 - 9:13:37 AM; The speaker, likely a committee member, asked Senator Lang for clarification on whether the bill affects local control over planning and zoning. Senator Lang confirmed that the bill does not take away local control and that all developments must still comply with local laws. He also mentioned a clawback provision in the bill, which requires developers to show active and substantial progress within 36 months or face the reinstatement of the tax.
SB55: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:46:18.559 - 9:14:54 AM; Another committee member sought further clarification on the bill's impact on local control, expressing concerns about potential differences in development preferences across the state. Senator Lang reiterated that the bill does not override local control and that any development must still adhere to local planning and zoning regulations.
SB55: Sheila Connelly, Holderness Oppose00:47:39.400 - 9:16:15 AM; Sheila Connelly, a resident of Holderness and a former select board member, expressed opposition to Senate Bill 55 on behalf of the New Hampshire Municipal Association. She argued that the bill would cause municipalities to lose funds from the land use change tax, which are crucial for conservation efforts. Connelly acknowledged the need for housing but emphasized that the bill's approach undermines the financial support for conservation commissions, which are important for preserving open spaces. She also raised concerns about potential property tax increases if the tax revenue is lost.
SB55: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:51:32.000 - 9:20:08 AM; A committee member asked Sheila Connelly about the amount of tax paid in Holderness the previous year for land taken out of current use. Connelly mentioned that she did not have the exact figures but highlighted the importance of these funds for conservation projects, citing a recent project in Plymouth, Holderness, and Ashland as an example. She also responded to a follow-up question about whether the tax revenue from newly developed land would exceed the change of use tax, stating that it depends on various factors including municipal service demands.
SB55: Charlie Lac, Statewide Program of Action to Conserve Our Environment (SPACE) Oppose00:53:57.280 - 9:22:33 AM; Charlie Lac, representing SPACE, opposed Senate Bill 55, arguing that it breaks the pact between landowners and communities established by the current use program. He explained that current use allows for reduced property tax assessments to encourage land to remain undeveloped, and the land use change tax compensates municipalities when land is developed. Lac emphasized that this system has been effective and that waiving the tax would unfairly burden communities without clear evidence that it would increase affordable housing.
SB55: Jason Stock, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association Oppose00:57:28.119 - 9:26:04 AM; Jason Stock from the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association opposed Senate Bill 55, echoing concerns about breaking the pact between landowners and municipalities. He explained that the current use program assesses land based on its productive capability and that the land use change tax is a crucial part of that agreement. Stock argued that the bill would create confusion and potential litigation over what constitutes 'active and substantial development' and could lead to financial losses for municipalities. He also mentioned that the New Hampshire Farm Bureau shares similar concerns.
SB55: Matt Leahy, Forest Society Oppose01:04:26.559 - 9:33:02 AM; Matt Leahy from the Forest Society opposed Senate Bill 55, emphasizing the importance of the current use program for maintaining open space in New Hampshire. He reiterated the concerns about breaking the contract between landowners and municipalities, which guarantees municipalities a land use change tax when land is developed. Leahy mentioned a letter from the chair of the current use board, Chuck Souther, reinforcing these points. He concluded that the bill should not be supported due to its potential to undermine the current use system.
SB55: Matt Mayberry, CEO of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association Support01:06:43.119 - 9:35:19 AM; Matt Mayberry, representing the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, spoke in support of the 'Let's Get Building Act' associated with SB55. He emphasized the need for bold initiatives to address housing challenges in New Hampshire. Mayberry highlighted that the Act does not mandate selling or developing land but imposes a penalty tax if landowners choose to sell. He provided data showing that 84% of New Hampshire's land is forested, with 52% of buildable land in current use. He discussed the economic benefits of building 100 homes, including job creation and increased tax revenue. Mayberry proposed a four-year suspension of the penalty tax to encourage housing development without changing town zoning. He responded to questions about the frequency of the Act's use, its impact on affordable housing, and potential revenue loss for towns, stating that the legislation aims to work in tandem with other housing bills and could potentially expand the tax base.
SB66: Senator Lang, Prime Sponsor of Senate Bill 66 Support01:17:39.679 - 9:46:15 AM; Senator Lang introduced Senate Bill 66, the Safeguarding American Veterans Empowerment Act (SAVE Act), as a bipartisan effort to provide consumer protections for veterans while ensuring they have access to pre-market choices for their disability benefits. He explained that the bill does not aim to shut down the sector but to establish guidelines to prevent exploitation by bad actors, thereby protecting veterans' choices. Senator Lang acknowledged the co-sponsorship of Senators NIS and Fenton and mentioned John Bolstrom from Bine Corps, a veteran-owned company, as a resource for further expertise on the topic.
SB66: John Blomstrom, Marine Corps veteran, Veterans Guardian Claim Consulting Support01:19:32.199 - 9:48:08 AM; John Blomstrom expressed gratitude to Senator Lang for introducing Senate Bill 66 and to Senators Enis and Fenton for co-sponsoring. He shared his personal experience as a Marine Corps veteran navigating the VA disability claims process, highlighting its complexity and inaccessibility. Blomstrom emphasized the capacity gap in New Hampshire, with only seven accredited VSOs for 94,000 veterans, which forces many to seek external assistance. He supports SB66, noting its balance and necessity, as it offers veterans more options for expert help while protecting them from predatory practices. Key provisions include fee caps, banning upfront charges, informing veterans of free options, prohibiting aggressive solicitation, and mandating transparency and HIPAA-compliant data handling. Veterans Guardian fully supports the bill and is ready to collaborate to improve veterans' lives.
SB66: Nicole Des Bixler, Deputy Adjutant General, Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services Support01:22:41.320 - 9:51:17 AM; Nicole Des Bixler introduced herself and provided handouts about the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services (DAVS). She highlighted her 30-year veteran background and expressed support for Senate Bill 66, but noted that some language in the bill needs clarification. DAVS supports the intent to protect veterans from predatory practices but wants to work on refining the bill's language. She explained the department's structure, including the Division of Veteran Services which handles about 4,500 activities and 220 scheduled appointments monthly with a staff of seven full-time VSOs. Des Bixler emphasized the department's role in providing free services to veterans and the importance of addressing predatory practices, mentioning a case where the division director tested a predatory company's claims.
SB66: Paul Lloyd, State Quartermaster Adjutant, New Hampshire VFW, Member of the ESAC State Veterans Advisory Committee Oppose01:34:31.639 - 10:03:07 AM; Paul Lloyd stated that the VFW opposes Senate Bill 66 due to issues with the language in the bill. While they appreciate the intent, they believe the solution lies in veterans getting accredited through the VA, which would prevent them from charging high fees. He emphasized that the opposition stems from the desire to prevent veterans from being charged excessive fees by non-accredited services.
SB66: Peter Oror, President, National Association for Veteran Rights, Veteran, Former Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Support01:36:03.679 - 10:04:39 AM; Peter Oror expressed support for Senate Bill 66, citing his experience as the Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the challenges veterans face in the disability claims process. He praised New Hampshire's DAVS for their services but stressed the need for more options due to the high volume of claims and the backlog at the VA. Oror highlighted the importance of providing veterans with choices and the need for safeguards against predatory practices. He shared a case of a veteran who struggled with her claim, emphasizing the emotional and procedural support needed. Oror supports the bill for its transparency and ethical standards in helping veterans.
SB67: Senator Tim Mcguire, District 11, Milford and Wilton Support01:42:38.159 - 10:11:14 AM; Senator Mcguire introduced Senate Bill 67, which aims to address a timing issue within the workers' compensation law. He explained that under the current law, medical providers have 30 days to submit a bill, and payers have the same amount of time to pay it. However, there is no limit on when disputes over the charges can be filed, which can happen years later, even after any surplus has been refunded. The bill proposes to set a time limit for filing disputes without changing the right to dispute, the requirement to pay the reasonable value of services, or the 30-day payment deadline. He mentioned he would pass the floor to subject matter experts and was open to questions.
SB67: Peter Bragon, Senior Policy Adviser, Predy Strategies, representing the Lawson Group, Concord Support01:44:47.360 - 10:13:23 AM; Peter Bragon, representing the Lawson Group, a third-party administrator for workers' compensation, supported the bill. He explained the Lawson Group's role in managing workers' compensation trusts for various industries and the importance of self-insured groups for smaller companies. He highlighted the issue with the current system where disputes can be filed years after payments have been made and surpluses returned, which the bill aims to address by setting a time limit for disputes. He detailed the process of bill payment and dispute resolution, emphasizing the need for a reasonable window to prevent late disputes after claims are closed and funds are redistributed.
SB67: Danielle Albert, Deputy Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Labor, Concord Information Only01:50:12.239 - 10:18:48 AM; Danielle Albert, accompanied by John Garrian, General Counsel to the Department of Labor, stated that the department is neutral on Senate Bill 67. They have reviewed the proposed changes and believe they can implement and regulate them if the bill passes. They were available to answer any questions but did not provide a position of support or opposition.

Innis, Daniel(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Ricciardi, Denise(V Chairman)(R)[C-]2024	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024	McGough, Tim(R)	Reardon, Tara(D)