Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (03/25/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB225 00:02:16.520 - 8:31:07 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the employment of military spouses in the event of involuntary deployment of service member.	Creighton, James(R)[B]2024
HB150 00:17:31.240 - 8:46:22 AM	Public Hearing	enabling homestead operations to use commercial kitchen equipment in preparing food for sale.	Comtois, Barbara(R)[A]2024
HB279 00:31:55.960 - 9:00:46 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study recipe and process approval for homestead foods.	Bixby, Peter(D)[CT]2024
HB304 00:58:29.359 - 9:27:20 AM	Public Hearing	relative to labeling requirements for food produced in homestead kitchens.	Bixby, Peter(D)[CT]2024
HB371 01:15:05.960 - 9:43:56 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the definition of occasional food service establishment.	Aron, Judy(R)[A]2024
HB577 01:31:25.199 - 10:00:16 AM	Public Hearing	relative to modifying the definition of ADUs.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024

HB225: Prime Sponsor Support00:02:16.520 - 8:31:07 AM; The prime sponsor introduced the bill, explaining that it was proposed by the National Guard Bureau. The bill aims to protect the employment of military spouses when a service member is deployed for a year and a day. It requires employers with over 50 employees to hold the spouse's job open during the deployment, without the need to provide benefits or pay, allowing the spouse to return to their job once the deployment ends.
HB225: Kevin Grady, State Veterans Advisory Committee, Hooksett Support00:04:12.760 - 8:33:03 AM; Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee and a resident of Hooksett, strongly supported the bill. He highlighted the challenges faced by military spouses and the financial strain caused by deployments, particularly in high-cost professions like IT. He emphasized that the bill would ease the stress of deployments by ensuring job security for spouses, which is crucial for the well-being of military families.
HB225: John Garrian, Department of Labor Information Only00:08:22.800 - 8:37:13 AM; John Garrian from the Department of Labor stated that the department is neutral on the bill and capable of enforcing it as written. He explained that the enforcement mechanism for this bill would be equitable in nature, focusing on reinstatement and back pay rather than civil penalties, and clarified that the bill applies only to employers with more than 50 employees.
HB225: John Garrian, Department of Labor Information Only00:08:22.800 - 8:37:13 AM; John Garrian from the Department of Labor provided information related to the bill but the details of his testimony were not captured in the provided snippet.
HB150: Abby Rogers, Division of Public Health Services Information Only00:17:31.240 - 8:46:22 AM; Abby Rogers, representing the Division of Public Health Services, provided information on the bill. She mentioned that the department had worked with the House Agriculture Committee on food bills and did not take a position on HB150. She clarified that the bill allows the use of commercial kitchen equipment in homestead kitchens for producing non-potentially hazardous foods, stating that this change would not impact food safety or increase foodborne illness investigations.
HB150: Representative Judy Aaron, Sullivan District 4 (representing Alstead, Acworth, Langdon, Lempster, and Washington) Support00:19:00.160 - 8:47:51 AM; Representative Judy Aaron supported the bill, explaining that it aims to clarify the use of commercial kitchen equipment in homestead food operations. She noted that the bill simplifies the process for homesteaders by allowing them to use commercial equipment, which is easier than using multiple pieces of non-commercial equipment. She also discussed the inspection processes for homestead kitchens, mentioning that licensed operations are inspected, while exempt operations are not.
HB279: Representative Peter Bixby, Dover (representing Strafford 13) Support00:31:55.960 - 9:00:46 AM; Representative Peter Bixby introduced HB279, which proposes a study committee to review the process and recipe for homestead foods. He explained that previous attempts to overhaul homestead food procedures were too complex, and the current bill aims to study minor changes to recipes that require expensive process reviews. He emphasized the need for a systematic approach to understand when process reviews are necessary and how they can be streamlined.
HB279: Senator McHugh Information Only00:35:25.440 - 9:04:16 AM; Senator McHugh inquired if the study could be conducted without forming a study committee, to which Representative Bixby responded that a study committee is necessary to gather comprehensive and organized information from various stakeholders, ensuring a more effective legislative outcome.
HB279: Senator Rearen Information Only00:37:02.160 - 9:05:53 AM; Senator Rearen asked about the composition of the study committee, specifically who would be involved. Representative Bixby clarified that the committee would include representatives from health and human services, homestead food producers, and possibly organizations that conduct process reviews, such as Cornell or the University of Maine.
HB279: Addy Leader Zavos, Dunbarton Support00:38:59.359 - 9:07:50 AM; Addy Leader Zavos, representing a small farm and farm-to-table artisan baked goods business in Dunbarton, spoke in support of HB279. She emphasized the importance of home-based food production as a means of entrepreneurship without capital, sharing her family's history as an example of how such opportunities can lead to economic advancement over generations. She highlighted the restrictive nature of the current process review system for jams, jellies, and pickles, which requires a costly and time-consuming review for minor ingredient changes. She proposed the creation of a study committee to simplify this process, allowing small producers to offer more variety and reduce waste, thereby enhancing their business viability and the availability of products to consumers.
HB279: Michael Williams, Dunbarton Support00:54:56.160 - 9:23:47 AM; Michael Williams, co-owner of the farm with Addy Leader Zavos, supported HB279 by discussing the existing system for ensuring food safety, specifically mentioning the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system. He argued that requiring a HACCP report, which is standardized and accessible, would provide the same level of safety as commercial kitchens for home-based producers. He emphasized that minor changes like substituting black pepper with white pepper do not affect critical control points, and thus should not require a costly process review.
HB304: Representative Peter Bixby, Dover Support00:58:29.359 - 9:27:20 AM; Representative Peter Bixby from Dover discussed HB304, which modifies labeling requirements for homestead food operations. The bill allows the use of an email address instead of a physical address on labels to enhance producer safety, particularly for women who might face unwanted attention. Additionally, the bill permits the use of QR codes or websites for listing ingredients, easing the logistical burden for producers using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Bixby mentioned that these changes were developed in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and also correct faulty references in existing statutes.
HB304: Addy Leader Zavos, Dunbarton Support01:03:22.400 - 9:32:13 AM; Addy Leader Zavos reiterated her support for HB304, focusing on the safety aspect of using an email address instead of a physical address to prevent sexual harassment and assault, especially for women selling at farmers markets. She also discussed the benefits of using QR codes or websites for ingredient lists, explaining how this would reduce the logistical burden for small producers using seasonal produce, allowing them to efficiently manage product variety and reduce waste.
HB304: Michael Williams, Dunbarton Support01:07:48.480 - 9:36:39 AM; Michael Williams supported HB304 by introducing the concept of 'menu costs,' which are the costs associated with changing product lines and communications. He highlighted how the bill would help reduce these costs by allowing producers to use a single label for multiple products with varying ingredients, thus saving labor and time. He emphasized the importance of removing barriers to entry and prosperity for small producers while ensuring food safety and allergen communication.
HB304: Michelle Roers, DHHS Information Only01:11:06.570 - 9:39:57 AM; Michelle Roers, Bureau Administrator for Public Health Protection within the Department of Health and Human Services, provided testimony on HB304. She explained that the proposed legislation modifies labeling requirements to allow email addresses and QR codes or websites for ingredient lists, ensuring flexibility and safety for homestead food operations. She noted that these changes would not impact food safety or increase foodborne illness investigations, and there would be no fiscal impact on the department due to the license-exempt status of these operations.
HB371: Representative Judy Aaron, Sullivan County District 4 Support01:15:05.960 - 9:43:56 AM; Representative Judy Aaron introduced HB371, which aims to redefine 'occasional food service establishment' to allow food sales on a weekly basis rather than being limited to four days in a 30-day period. She explained that this change would enable homestead food operators to offer more consistent products and build a larger customer base. The bill passed unanimously in the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, and she noted that it does not alter food safety regulations.
HB371: Representative Peter Bixby, Dover Support01:18:50.239 - 9:47:41 AM; Representative Peter Bixby supported HB371, emphasizing that the current statute requires food to be consumed on the premises, which limits the ability of home-based producers to sell food for off-premises consumption. He noted that the bill would allow producers to sell food for take-away, which is more aligned with current consumer preferences and would provide more opportunities for home-based producers.
HB371: Addy Leader Zavos, Dunbarton Support01:20:02.159 - 9:48:53 AM; Addy Leader Zavos supported HB371, explaining that the current exemption for occasional food service establishments only allows food to be consumed on the producer's property, which disadvantages those without capital or land to host such events. She argued that allowing take-away food would make food preparation safer by allowing producers to work in a calm, focused environment and would better meet consumer preferences for take-home meals.
HB371: Michael Williams, Dunbarton Support01:24:09.400 - 9:53:00 AM; Michael Williams supported HB371, focusing on the clarity of the law regarding the frequency of occasional food service. He expressed concern about potential selective enforcement if the law remains unclear, using the example of the 4-in-30 to 4-in-28 day change. He emphasized the importance of aligning the statute with enforcement practices to avoid creating additional burdens for small producers.
HB371: Michelle Roers, Bureau Chief for Public Health Protection, Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Services Information Only01:27:40.719 - 9:56:31 AM; Michelle Roers testified about the proposed changes in HB371, which would modify the definition of an occasional food service establishment. The bill would allow food to be provided for public consumption on the premises or taken away, and change the time period of food service from 4 days in any 30-day period to 4 days in any 28-day period. She noted that these establishments are exempt from food service licensure in New Hampshire, which limits the department's authority for inspection. Roers stated that the proposed change would not have a fiscal impact on the department and does not anticipate an increase in foodborne illness investigations due to this change.
HB577: Representative Joe Alexander, Gothtown Support01:31:25.199 - 10:00:16 AM; Representative Joe Alexander introduced HB577, emphasizing the housing crisis in New Hampshire and the need for immediate action. He highlighted the shortage of affordable housing and the rise in rental prices, affecting various demographics. Alexander proposed that allowing homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) could help address the crisis. He explained that HB577 aims to create a uniform framework for ADUs across the state, allowing property owners to build one ADU up to 950 sq ft by right, either detached or attached, while preserving local control and removing unnecessary restrictions. He addressed concerns about potential negative impacts on communities, arguing that the bill balances local oversight with property rights and could help free up housing units quickly.
HB577: N Graves, Business and Industry Association Support01:37:31.679 - 10:06:22 AM; N Graves from the Business and Industry Association supported HB577, using the city of Keene as an example of successful ADU implementation. He noted the cost of building ADUs and argued that the bill's allowance for detached units is a reasonable change, addressing artificial barriers created by some municipalities. Graves also addressed concerns about strain on municipal services, stating that no such issues have been observed with attached units and are not expected with detached units. He highlighted the potential benefits for the aging population, suggesting that ADUs could provide a more cost-effective and independent living solution compared to facilities like nursing homes.
HB577: Brian Cherichello, Derry Support01:41:07.840 - 10:09:58 AM; Brian Cherichello, a resident of Derry, supported HB577 by sharing his personal experience. He explained that he built a detached garage with space above it intended for personal use, but due to local regulations, he cannot convert it into an ADU. He argued that the bill would allow him and others in similar situations to utilize existing structures for housing, addressing the housing shortage and affordability issues. Cherichello also mentioned his experience as a Rockingham County Commissioner, noting the correlation between housing availability and staffing issues at the nursing home, further supporting the need for more housing options like ADUs.
HB577: Stephanie Skyler, AERP Support01:43:45.840 - 10:12:36 AM; Stephanie Skyler, a volunteer at AERP representing 212,000 members, expressed strong support for HB577. She highlighted her extensive experience in housing, including her roles on the board of a nonprofit housing developer, leading the workforce housing coalition of the Greater Seacoast, and serving on the board of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. Skyler emphasized that the bill supports family caregivers, facilitates aging in place, strengthens intergenerational living, expands affordable housing options, and addresses workforce housing needs. She acknowledged that while the bill won't solve all housing problems, it is a crucial first step towards more solutions.
HB577: Patrick McDermott, AARP New Hampshire, Hooksett Support01:45:07.760 - 10:13:58 AM; Patrick McDermott, the volunteer state president for AARP New Hampshire, also expressed strong support for HB577. He emphasized the bill's importance in promoting affordable housing options for all, particularly the 50-plus demographic. McDermott highlighted the benefits of the bill, such as allowing caregivers to live with their loved ones and creating an additional income stream for elderly people to stay in their homes. He shared a personal story about his mother and aunt living together in an ADU in Peterborough, which allowed them to maintain their independence and changed the lives of their family members.
HB577: Sharon Hickey, Merrimack, AARP Support01:47:24.719 - 10:16:15 AM; Sharon Hickey from Merrimack, a volunteer with AARP, supported HB577. She shared a personal story about her aunt who suffered a stroke at 83 and faced challenges with maintaining her independence due to the lack of affordable housing options. Hickey emphasized that the bill would allow her to have an ADU on her property to support her aunt and potentially increase the value of her home when sold. She stressed that the bill supports affordable living, families, and caregivers without any downsides.
HB577: Brody Det Oppose01:50:28.119 - 10:19:19 AM; Brody Det expressed opposition to HB577, highlighting several concerns with the bill's language and potential impacts. He pointed out ambiguities in the definition of an attached unit, the removal of conditional use and special exception processes, and the potential mandate for manufactured duplexes in single-family zoning lots. Det also raised concerns about the bill's impact on local building permit processes, ingress and egress language, parking requirements, aesthetic requirements, and the need for municipalities to have time to update zoning ordinances. He provided written testimony that extensively detailed these issues.
HB577: Elizabeth Harper, Lake Sunapee Protective Association Information Only01:54:58.920 - 10:23:49 AM; Elizabeth Harper, the executive director of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, expressed general support for the intent of HB577 to increase affordable housing availability. However, she raised a concern about a minor wording issue in the bill that could inadvertently undermine local septic system maintenance regulations. Harper suggested amending the language to clarify that the requirements are for the design and construction of septic systems, which would align with the bill's intent without affecting local maintenance efforts. She noted that this request is also supported by New Hampshire Lakes.
HB577: Jack Ruderman, New Hampshire Housing Support01:57:57.599 - 10:26:48 AM; Jack Ruderman, legislative affairs advisor with New Hampshire Housing, expressed strong support for HB577. He highlighted the numerous benefits of expanding and improving the ADU law, such as increasing the supply of affordable housing, benefiting aging homeowners, single parents, recent college graduates, caregivers, and disabled persons. Ruderman addressed concerns about potential unintended consequences, such as overburdening municipal water and sewer systems, stating that the impact would likely be negligible. He provided examples from his own town and Nashville to illustrate the modest increase in ADU construction expected.
HB577: Robera Acer, Rindge Oppose02:00:43.199 - 10:29:34 AM; Robera Acer, a real estate broker and chair of the Rindge Planning Board, expressed opposition to HB577 due to concerns over the removal of local control. She highlighted the elimination of the conditional use permit or special exception, which she believes is crucial for maintaining local oversight. Acer also discussed the potential for detached ADUs to be converted into condominiums, which could lead to unintended consequences. She raised concerns about the impact on septic systems and the lack of mechanisms to ensure long-term affordability for workforce housing.
HB577: Representative Len Turkot, Strafford District 4 (Brington and Strafford) Oppose02:06:06.119 - 10:34:57 AM; Representative Len Turkot spoke against HB577, emphasizing the importance of local control over zoning decisions. He argued that the bill could lead to the transformation of single-family neighborhoods into multifamily ones, potentially increasing housing prices and affecting property rights. Turkot criticized the bill for removing owner-occupancy requirements and allowing larger ADUs, which he believes could lead to more rentals rather than single-family units.
HB577: Tom D'rosa, Housing Action New Hampshire Support02:13:51.719 - 10:42:42 AM; Tom D'rosa from Housing Action New Hampshire expressed support for HB577, stating that it would provide lending predictability and potentially lead to more affordable construction options. He believes the bill could encourage the development of better products and models for ADUs, making them more accessible to the public.
HB577: Joanie McIntyre, New Hampshire Association of Realtors Support02:14:41.760 - 10:43:32 AM; Joanie McIntyre, past president of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, supported HB577, citing a survey where a majority of residents favored ADUs. She highlighted the severe lack of housing inventory in New Hampshire and how the bill could help address this issue. McIntyre argued that ADUs could increase property values and provide more housing options, countering concerns about decreased neighborhood values.
HB577: Matt Mayberry, New Hampshire Homebuilders Association Support02:20:25.200 - 10:49:16 AM; Matt Mayberry, CEO of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, strongly supported HB577. He addressed concerns about septic systems, water supply, and building codes, emphasizing that these would still be regulated. Mayberry argued that the bill would not undermine local control but rather provide more housing options, potentially reducing competition for apartments and helping to manage rising property taxes and home prices.

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)